GoPro Hero Waterproof Digital camcoder Camera Review

At first glance, the Hero 3’s conspicuous lack of sophistication and James Bond gadgetry could easily make it cannon fodder for a bad product review. It has no on-the-fly video playback, the near TV quality 512 by 384 resolution may cause the keen eye to wander to the next product.

Upon further reflection, however, where the Hero is found wanting has more to do with exactly that : user wants, and not user needs. One can still get good footage without the LCD screen for playback, and video storage capabilities are ample for most users. It may not be as small as a tube of lipstic, but the GoPro Hero still comes in under other “cable less” helmet camera systems both in size, weight, and cost. So, if your willing to wait until you return home to view your video footage, and you don’t mind changing memory cards when taking more than an hour of Motion JPEG video, then purchasing the GoPro Hero instead of one of the pricier -and albiet more sophisticated- helmet camera systemscan instantly put several hundred dollars or more towards making that next footage ladden vacation a reality.

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The core differences between the GoPro Helmet Hero 3 and it’s siblings, the GoPro Digital Hero 3 and the GoPro Motorsports Hero 3 are the mounting options. The Helmet Hero 3 includes 4 unique mounting systems, which is by far the most versatile selection of mounts that ships with any system on the market today. The Digital Hero 3 only includes the wristband mount, the Motorsports Hero 3 - I really don’t know, their website is so confusing!

The Case

One of the more impressive accessories that comes with the camera is the waterproof case (up to 100ft). While I didn’t rent scuba gear to test this theory, I did clothesline a branch while tree skiing, and then later tripped and landed on it while running up my driveway to look at the days footage. After these abuses, I proceeded to take it in the bathtub with me… tight as a drum. Not exactly a field test, but I was personally convinced anyway. This camera’s 100′ waterproof rating combined with the graceful movements of snorkeling or scuba diving might make it particularly well suited to underwater recording. The waterproof case has a removable lens cover that is designed to accommodate a soon to be released (early 2008?) wide angle lens, which will definitely make capturing action video easier. However, while the case’s plastic clasp does seem durable, if one isn’t careful it has an annoying habit of popping off its hinges when the case lid is open. So does the battery compartment door on the camera proper (not a problem when camera is in waterproof case). The batteries themselves can present some problems being AAA and particularly vulnerable to cold temperatures. If NiMH re-chargeables or higher cost lithium batteries don’t solve this problem then a hand warmer pack is easily pinned between the back of the camera and the pivoting camera mount plate. Inside its case, the camera is so tough that one could put it on a key chain, or clip it to the outside of one’s backpack or climbing harness, where it will be within arms reach, just two button pushes from taking a picture. No worries about it getting wet, or getting banged around and broken, and no case to take it out of; Just grab the camera, press and hold on and press the other (shoot) button.

Super Small

Perhaps the only thing more impressive than the case itself, is just how small the camera can become if the case isn’t utilized. I took the camera out of its case and put it in a closed fist and couldn’t tell the difference between it and my other empty hand (and I have small hands!) 56 minutes of video in a unit no bigger than a match box car. Nice.