GoPro or similar

Hello Guys

Looking at getting a GoPro. I know there has been some chatter on similar products, are there any good ones on the market or is GoPro the way to go?

Regards

Johan

P.S> sorry, posted it first in Announcements by accident.

People really do like their GoPros but I like the waterproof Pentax Optio ? ? ? (I don't know the exact model) which has an optional infrared remote. It doubles nicely as a very good point and shoot for stills or video. I don't know what the advantages of the GoPro vs. the Pentax would be but my Pentax has served me very well.

I had a gopro for a while before it got stolen. The new one with the remote seems like the way to go. The only problem I had with mine was fogging occasionally and of course water on the lens. The absorbent inserts and lens defogger helps.

Thanks for the replies guys. Hearing good things of the Drift Cam and Ion Air pro too...anyone got any experiences with these cams?

Hiya, you may have bought a cam by now. I am borrowing an older DRIFT 170 (comes in an orange case) which I use with my dirt bike. I am so impressed with it that I am going to buy the new DRIFT Ghost in the next month or three. What I like about the DRIFT Ghost is their small design and rubberised finish which is water resistant / proof? The side screen is very handy to ensure you are getting the shot and the on/off button is a remote that can be worn like a watch.


Whilst the GOPRO takes a great shot it's odd shape puts me off, compared to the sleek DRIFT ghost. Cheers

I see there is a new camera in the field.

garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2013/08/garmi...b-.html#.UhRBAtK1fWQ

Kayaker Greg wrote: I see there is a new camera in the field.

garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2013/08/garmi...b-.html#.UhRBAtK1fWQ

I would call this only barely adiquit....... "IPX-7 waterproof rating (can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes"

Bill

Has anybody experience with the Roam2 or Polaroid XS range?

Newbflat wrote: I would call this only barely adiquit....... "IPX-7 waterproof rating (can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes"

Bill

Why is that barely adiquit?

Carcharodon wrote:

Newbflat wrote: I would call this only barely adiquit....... "IPX-7 waterproof rating (can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes"

Bill

Why is that barely adiquit?

As this is the current industry standard

Each of the HD HERO cameras come in a protective waterproof case that is capable of withstanding depths of up to 197 feet (60 meters).

Th only thing the new camera has is ANT+ www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/08/garmin-initial-thoughts.html

It's my experience that IPX-7 and JIS-7 (both very similar) are only splash proof at best. I have had a pair of binoculars, a camera and a VHS radio all IPX-7 or JIS-7 die with splashes and no submersion or minimal submersion. Nothing even close to one meter for 30 min. More like one foot for one minute. I think the issue is that this standard has no margin for error and even less a year or two on.

I would guess that a camera being pounded in the surf or hitting the water at 18k during a fast surfing splash down would overload the specked waterproof ness. Just a guess.

Cameras with truly submersible (multiple atmospheres/ bars) housings are the only way to make sure your camera will not die a watery death.

Stick with GoPro: no other system can match the resolution in RAW mode. Make yourself some bow mounts like these and have fun:

@richardh
About roam2, I have one... and still waiting for second change in less than one year.
Two times camera got water in (and I think I take care of it).

Started with fog onto lenses and continued with hot temperature and finally fully out of order.
Did not choose for a gopro due to fog, but it seems it was a mistake.
I am inclined to have same opinion that Newbflat's message about IPX7.

Despite that, quality was sufficient for me (without any regular or experienced partner, purpose was to have a view of how I have to improve myself)

If anybody have an idea (I think I'll try to attach condom around the camera next times, and just let lens outside, but not sure this won't cause condensation inside)

You can have a look of camera quality (not for paddler) here:
(the video was with my son, and one of the objective was to showing to my club that it is possible to use surfskis... but still waiting for motivated partners, not sure this video was useful )

Looking through the Garmin website at the VIRB, there is a waterproof housing available suitable for diving to 50m. I'm sure this is more than sufficient for our purposes. I guess it all depends on the weight of the housing and what type of mounts can be used with the housing.

Talking about fog... This can be a problem when you live in hot weather like I do Garmin's anti-fog insert are quite expensives, but, if you happen to have a wife, she has what you need in the bathroom : you can use some strips cut from a pantyliner

Some of my GoPro3 recordings ..
www.youtube.com/user/atvsteam/videos

Regards,
Mike

I have a gopro. Had issues with fogging up down in tassie when the water is very cold and the air temperature is less cold. The best and cheapest (althought a slight inconvenience) soloution to the fogging problem is to hold it under the cars air conditioner for a few seconds and close it up while it is still under there. Dry's the air out and no fogging. It has worked everytime i have taken the time to do it, get annoyed at myself when i forget and miss a cool shot of a good runner or sweet wave due to being fogged out!