GoPro Hero 3

[Clark White]

The biggest difference I see between the 2 (what I have) and the 3 to make me want to upgrade, is that the 3 comes with a flat lens. If you never use yours underwater this is meaningless, but as anyone who has tried to use their GoPro 1 or 2 underwater will understand, this is a huge improvement. With the round fisheye lens of the first two models, the focus is horribly off underwater (don't ask, the science of that confuses me, I would think focused is focused). You can get a flat lens to retro fit to the first two, but then you get some pretty nasty barrel? distortion in wide screen mode, which you do not with the round lens...and presumably not with the 3 and it's factory flat lens. Other then that we'll see how much of a real world difference there is in low light performance, and I don't see the 2.7 and 4k qualities being worth it for anything except a professional since most of us don't have the ability to play that resolution anyway. Besides, the battery life already sucks for travel stuff where it's on for an extended time.

Clark

 

[cactusjk]

I never got the 2 and might be interested in the Silver. Don't think the Black is worth it but not sure of the low light performance of the Silver vs Black.

 

[Corey]

I ended up buying the silver edition HD 3 this morning, and it will arrive Thursday.
I got this for my older son who has a birthday coming up next week.

He will be able to control the wi fi with his new iPhone he just bought.

I will probably hold out until the Hero 4 comes out

 

[cactusjk]

A good choice. Still hoping for someone to weigh in on the Silver vs Black!

Yep, got my #2 awhile back too from Amazon.

For myself, I see no need yet to upgrade, as I would not use the Wi-Fi feature, and my #2 takes very nice pics and videos.
Maybe I will wait for the HD4 which should follow shortly

 

[peekay]

Silver ed is basically a GoPro 2 in a smaller body. The optics are supposedly the same, according to GoPro. The white ed is basically a GoPro 1 HD. The black edition is all new and should have better frame rates, as well as low light performance.

 

[Sirocco]

Silver ed is basically a GoPro 2 in a smaller body. The optics are supposedly the same, according to GoPro. The white ed is basically a GoPro 1 HD. The black edition is all new and should have better frame rates, as well as low light performance.

That is a good summary and exactly how I disseminated the information. I think the silver is the way forward for most or if your on a tight $$$ then a 2nd hand GP2 as all the cool kids blow pocket money on the black GP3. The smaller/lighter argument wont bother most of us here I imagine.

G

 

[Corey]

I am fine with getting my son the silver one, as I am perfectly happy with my HD2.
It takes excellent pictures and video.

This will be a big improvement over his HD1.
I gave my HD1 to my younger son in the summer.

 

[HighPlainsPhotographer]

my only complaint is a 3 second lag time between the gopro and the ipad live view- but it worked great for getting some shots as we tested last saturday....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7ItxO_5vO4&feature=youtu.be

I had to comment on your video - I like it!

 

[cactusjk]

I have quite a few Hero 1 backs, dive housing, etc and will probably get a discounted Hero 2 before you can't get them anymore.

 

[cactusjk]

After a lot of research I went with the 3 Black Edition. I am confident GoPro will get the firmware right!

 

[ETAV8R]

I've been looking at a GoPro primarily for use in a multirotor set up but am wary after reading so many reviews about problems. I do hope they work out the bumps. All is well since I don't have the money for the entire set up yet anyway.

 

[net4n6]

I am planing to get a GoPro3 Silver Ed. in couple days. I read many threads and googled but couldn't find the answer for one of my question:

- Can the camera be charge using USB during the video capturing? I want to mount it in my car and use my car charger to charge the camera while it is videotaping. I read that the battery only last couple hrs with wifi on.

 

[Maverick1701]

and just when you thought you had the flagship hero 3 black...they release the "+" series of hero 3 cams