What GoPro model is everyone using?

Which GoPro model is everyone using in their truck or are you using another brand?

 

I just picked up a Hero Session on a looooong layover at SFO. Heading out this morning for a maiden voyage----pretty stoked about it!
I'll report in on the learning curve, etc.

Looking for different mounts for the truck, harley, dirtbike, etc.

 

I use the Session as well. I'm happy with it.

 

I just purchased a hero 3+ with a boat load of accessories on Ebay. I wont need most of what I purchased as far as mounts. Let me know what you need.

 

I have one and never use it... I guess I'm just not much into the downloading and editing video portions. Pictures work for me. I do plan to use it on a scuba trip in Tahiti this November however.

I think mine is a 3 Hero Silver +? I could be wrong. literally have not looked at it in months

 

Hero 3+ Black, but I don't use it in the truck.

G.

 

If mine wasn't a gift from the 'gal' I'd probably sell it but I don't want to hurt her feelings nor piss her off What do you use yours for @Garyji

 

Original Hero for me. Works for what it is, only inconvenience is I cant use a LCD or steam the recording over wifi to my phone

 

Ocassionally put it on a drone for air stuff. Mostly water stuff, bad weather, etc. It's a great little camera, but like you, the editing stuff takes a lot of time, so I've lost some interest.

G.

 

Session that I just picked up.

 

Interesting that the Session is so popular.

I just got the Hero 4 Silver. It has noticeably better image quality than the Here 3+ Black (I still have). I also kept my Hero 2 for suicide missions, but I rarely use it.

My wife wanted to borrow one for some underwater pictures. The only one I have with an LCD is the new Hero 4 Silver and there's a lot that can go wrong underwater if you are not paying attention to the details. So I bought a $60 clone and she said it worked great. I have not seen the pictures yet.

 

I have an original Gopro Hero (the one that dosent have a removable case) that i got through a program at work. works for what i need, as 720p60 is good enough for me. Haven't filmed anything in the truck, but heres the Rallycross event i ran with it stuck to the inside of the windshield

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWHAkGlFCQ2zXLWpfP7RBDlrN67bqhZ8f

 

I'm interested in this too, and if you can say why you chose one type over the other. I find the sales ppl very ignorant as they sell too many brand types to know them all in depth and I get the deer with the headlights look.
Also if you hard wired it.

Hope you can help
Cheers!

 

tl;dr:
- Internal battery and image quality rule out the Session for me.
- 3+ Black is a solid camera but has a known issue/bias with distance focus
- 4 Black costs more than the 4 Silver, uses more battery power, and does not have an LCD. If you don't need 4k, there's no significant advantage over the 4 Silver.
- (My) Jury's still out on the clones
- I bought a 4 Silver for the LCD, better focus, and ability to do time-lapse video in-camera

****

I'm a video snob and I want the best image I can afford, even though it won't matter when uploaded to YouTube or [God forbid] Facebook.

The session has noticeably (to me) lower image quality than the 4 silver/black. The session also has a fixed internal battery. I like to use the wi-fi remote feature with preview on my phone and that kills batteries quickly. On a typical day of intermitant use, I will kill all three of my batteries for my Hero 3+ Black. I need to route power up to the windshield mount, but that still leaves battery life as an issue for external mounting locations.


The Hero 3+ Black has a known issue with focus. It has a close-in bias that's perfect for folks who want to take selfies, but sucks for people who want sharp images of things in the distance. This is a "fixable" issue either DIY or having GoPro do it. The Hero 3+ black is a solid camera otherwise.

The Hero 4 Black has the same image quality as the 4 Silver but consumes batteries faster because it has a faster processor (I assume) to handle 4k video. It also does not have an LCD, which is not necessary if you use the Wi-Fi remote feature with your phone like I do, but is sure as hell easier to set up because of it. I don't have the need to shoot 4k yet, so there was no reason to go with the Black other than future-proofing. Looking at my Amazon history, I', buying a new model every 2 years, so I'll probably catch the "5 Silver" or whatever is out then.

I have not seen the image quality from the clone I bought my wife, but I'm guessing I will find it noticeably worse than the 4 Silver. I'm sure it's good enough for YouTube.

Advantages to me of the 4 Silver: Better image quality and focus over the 3+ Black, LCD back, able to do time-lapse video. The time lapse video maters to me because if you do time-lapse from photos, it takes a heck of a lot more memory (and probably battery). I just got the 4, so I haven't used it much yet. However, image quality is noticeably better than the 3+ Black (I don't know how much of that is the change in focus bias and how much is due to other improvements, but they clearly both contribute).

There are some good reviews on Amazon that go into the details. There's also video quality comparisons on YouTube.

 

Great review, thank you.

 

Awesome review thanks!
I don't need 4k as the tv can upscale 1080p and is already good nuff for me.
This puts me closer to figuring out what I want.
But specifically, I'd something I can install up front by the grill and can watch on my ipad or Iphone for off-road and take off when not in use.
I i know I could use a camera like the backup too, but i don't want the extra monitor, wiring or new head unit, just something to use with Iphone Ipad.

Thanks for the help
Cheers!

 

Hero 4 black. Love the thing, though I would recommend the silver for anyone not familiar with gopros. Silver is more user friendly having the screen, and you probably won't use the black modes very often.

 

You're welcome!

Funny you mention putting a camera on the grill for off-road. I did this EXACT THING on Friday because I am considering a semi-permanent installation. The silly 3rd gen hood is so tall you can't see rocks once they get close. It didn't work as well as I would have liked, but I think that was due to my camera placement. I had it suction-cupped to the hood and looking down (imagine a cartoon vulture). I think the nearly straight-down angle was the problem. It didn't give any depth to the rocks. In addition, I was using my phone for a screen (iPhone 5s) and it was a little small; I'll reposition the camera lower and try it on my tablet next time. There is some delay and occationally the video jumps because it lost some frames (live-view only issue, regular recorded video is fine). I was using my Here 3+ Black and supposedly the 4 Silver has less lag, so that's something else for me to try.

 

Yes, the hood is a bitch even while I try to park as close to the vehicle in front, definitely a camera maybe of help off-road too.
I just don't want to replace entune for an aftermarket set up specially while the vehicle is in its 2yr/24k warranty. And I really don't want to replace it at all.
Keep us posted if you come up with the ideal solution.

Cheers!

 

I chose the Session because of its size because I'm using the built in windshield mount. So far I like it. Image quality is decent and the size keeps it out of sight.