Post: #1

I need a quality camera to record regular hd videos for my travels, but I don't need cinema quality. I do need, however, a camera that has a decent battery life and water/shock/dust resistance. I've been researching the GoPro and it seems that the newest incarnation is great, save for the fact that beyond 4 feet, the picture quality is actually worse than previous models due to a different lense being used. I saw someone mentioned the ion air pro 3 as an alternative.

This camera will be used for tubing, mountain climbing, cycling, running, snorkeling and SCUBA diving, etc. I'd love to hear some feedback from you guys since I've never purchased a camera or camcorder before.

Oh, and my price range is probably up to $400.

Post: #2

The GoPro takes pretty nice video and the mounts are great. The chest mount would be good for walking around a city provided you are comfortable enough having that strapped to you recording. The Head mount works too, but sometimes it can feel odd. But if you're in some remote asian market it'd be pretty cool actually.

The iphone integration/control is a bit crappy in my experience. I haven't done a whole lot with it (Go Pro Hero 3 Silver which was the $300 model) but its ok. I'd go with the Black edition just to get the wireless remote and the extra video quality unless you want to cheap out and go with the normal version which should be fine for your uses too.

Post: #3

I just got a GoPro HERO 3+ Black edition. Seems pretty legit so far. Its crazy small and light. I ended up ordering about $300 dollars worth of extra shit for it. I really like the LCD screen attachment for the back so I can see what I am filming and playback videos and pics on the camera. So far I only used it 3 time, once with the head attachment playing ping pong when I first got it to see how it worked. Turned out good. An I used the head mount while kayaking down the river last week. Again worked great. An for getting some road head, also worked great.

The battery only last around a hour and 20 tops on the highest shooting quality. I bought two extra Wasabi brand batteries and charger that gives me plenty of extra time if I need it. There's tons of good videos shot with a GoPro on youtube where you can see the quality and versatility of the camera. For the list of things you want to use it for I would go GoPro (pun intended)

Post: #4

Thanks for the replies. Are there extended batteries available, in case I'm not able to carry extra? I watched that video yesterday, and it's what made me want one in the first place, haha. You didn't notice a drop-off in quality at longer range? I'm leaning towards the black or silver edition.

The other two cameras I'm looking at are the ion air pro 3 and the ion adventure. Both are the same price. The adventure seems to have 7 hours of battery life and the lens is on one of the long sides rather than the short side. I'm not really sure what other differences there are between the two.

Post: #5

look up the contour series

contour pro.
it's bullet shaped, has lower profile.cheaper mounts.
the what is arguably better quality than go pro.


also the muvi brand.
I own one if those also. it comes with every mount but a waterproof case. it's got a heavy duty clip so you can clip it to any part of you. makes a good belt or backpack shoulder clip.

You can literally clip it to you in a second and jump out of a plane and the parachute shock won't knock it off.


go pro is nice and all..But it's a brand loyalty thing...makes it super expensive and often are really bulky

Post: #6

(04-07-2014 07:09 PM)Sweet Pea Wrote:  I need a quality camera to record regular hd videos for my travels, but I don't need cinema quality. I do need, however, a camera that has a decent battery life and water/shock/dust resistance. I've been researching the GoPro and it seems that the newest incarnation is great, save for the fact that beyond 4 feet, the picture quality is actually worse than previous models due to a different lense being used. I saw someone mentioned the ion air pro 3 as an alternative.

This camera will be used for tubing, mountain climbing, cycling, running, snorkeling and SCUBA diving, etc. I'd love to hear some feedback from you guys since I've never purchased a camera or camcorder before.

Oh, and my price range is probably up to $400.

My sisters husband was just looking for the exact same thing as you and was leaning towards GoPro. GoPros are cool don't get me worng and they are a good camera but in my mind GoPro is kinda like the iphone, its not the best product, it's high priced but its got the name recognition. Also my sisters husband liked GoPro's editing software but I was telling him there's a million softwares out there don't buy the camera just for the software.

I'm a huge fan of the iOn Air Pro. I like that it's automatically waterproof and protected, no need for an additional shell like the GoPro which a. costs more money and b. is essentially an extra lens to look through so not as clear video. I also don't like how GoPro has the digital screen, when out in the sun you cant see it, it gets a glare and is also dim, small, and hard to see. I like the simplicity of the buttons on the iOn Air Pro as well. read a Review

I'd also suggest you watch some youtube vids of side by side reviews or comparisons. All cameras have their pros and cons. Some are better in low light than others, some are better with sun shining into the lens, some have better image stabilization. Where as GoPro may be better low light ion air pro has a clearer picture sometimes and better image stabilization. I like watching the side by side videos as it really illustrates which is better in different conditions.

Post: #7

Not to derail your thread, but be very careful walking around in public with a permanently on camcorder. Many people don't like it, especially people engaged in illegal or semi-legal activities, and these people are often prone to violence.

Also, US rules and constitutional rights don't apply around the world. In many countries, including some you wouldn't expect like the Netherlands, it is illegal to photograph or record on duty policemen. You could face arrest and big trouble walking around the street with a GoPro, or Google Glass (when it becomes widely available).

Best to use your Go Pro on the slopes, and for the sports activities for which it was designed. The fact that it exists will not protect you from a gangster or policeman who objects to being filmed.

Post: #8

I have a Go Pro 3 Hero+ Black Edition

I love it, I've used it underwater, in a mosh pit, for normal pictures and hikes. I've also bough the "Go Pole" which gives you an even better view.

The Contour looks like a great functional camera compared to the bulky housing of the Go Pro.

The Go Pro app update seems to be pretty awesome and the Go Pro remote is great as well. I'm wanting to try out the Contour as a comparison, there are some great Countour vs. GoPro youtube videos you should check out !

Post: #9

Thanks guys. I'm actually leaning towards the drift ghost s now after seeing side by side comparison footage. It looks almost as nice as the hero 3+ and it's battery life is much better.

Bad Hussar,
I appreciate it. I assumed there would be laws like that in place in some countries, but I never would have guessed the Netherlands would be among them. I will be doing research beforehand so I don't wind up in jail or at the bottom of sea with cement shoes.

Post: #10

I bought a gopro black 3+ with a red filter and use it for scuba diving all the time. It's been rock solid so far but you have to be real careful if you use it for water activities. The gasket needs to examined and cleaned daily to make sure there's no lint or dust buildup on it. Salt water will also corrode the hinge and springs in the buttons if it's not rinsed properly.

Plus the gopro is almost useless for anything tiny that requires focusing. It's great for bigger stuff or just general filming though. I highly recommend it for adventure sports but camera and HD tech is getting so cheap now that in the future I imagine there will be even more options. I'm not sure how long gopro will have this niche since once the big boys get involved (Samsung, Sony, etc..) in this mini HD device market then gopro might not be able to compete for long.

A dream device for me would be a gopro that has wireless interconectivity between gopros and 3d mapping abilities. This means you can connect multiple gopros through your gopro and have multi-camera shooting capabilities. You could map out an entire region in minutes and create a 3d topographic map underwater.