Tuesday 1 February 2011

GoPro listened

The major deficiency in the GoPro camera system was, in my opinion, the lack of any sort of display on the back of the camera that would visually inform the user whether the camera was recording or not. I guess lots of people had similar complaints and so the folks at GoPro listened.
Now I was thinking of something as simple as a blinking light, but GoPro had bigger and better ideas. They have just released the LCD BacPac, which is essentially an add-on LCD screen that clips on the back of the GoPro 1080Pp HD HERO unit, providing video playback capabilities as well as camera setting info.
 image
Mine is on order and I will provide a review as soon as I get it and can try it out.

7 comments:

  1. That is cool. A very needed improvement.

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  2. Canajun:

    It was supposed to be released last May, 2010. I had one pre-ordered and it never came. I also ordered the BacPac, which is the 2nd battery because GoProHD has another flaw. When you remove the battery to put your spare in, all your settings are lost.

    I was going to order a regular waterproof P&S to replace the GoProHD as setting it on and off is a pain whilst riding. If you hold the "on" button a millisecond too long you go into Timelapse mode by accident.

    bob
    Wet Coast Scootin

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  3. Bob - I didn't use my camera nearly as much as I'd hoped, in large part because of the atrocious user interface and the inability to see whether or not it was actually recording or not. In fact, several times I did use it I missed important video clips because of that.
    But the camera works well, when it's doing what you think it should be doing, so hopefully this will get it off the shelf and on the bike more.

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  4. Dear Canajun:

    No one has ever explained the workings of the GoPro camera to me like BobSkoot. In this area of expertise, I regard him as the final word. And I would have purchased one of these cameras, and didn't, based on his recommendation. I don't have a great deal of patience with electronic things that are a pain in the ass to use... And Bobskoot let me know that this unit was less than pleasurable to use.

    I'd be really curious as to your opinion, especially with the enhancements.

    Fondest regards,
    Jack • reep • Toad
    Twisted Roads

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  5. Jack:

    Bob is right; it is a pain in the ass to use. But imo that is compensated for by its small size and features. I'll be trying this new and improved version out when I get a chance, and will post my findings.

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  6. I'm guessing you didn't try this new and improved version of the GoPro...we're all waiting to hear your opinion on it...the new LCD would certainly take the guess work out of it

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  7. Baron:

    I have now received and installed the new back. So far I like it, but the proof will be in the real use of the camera, and not just playing with it in the office. I'll post on that as soon as I have a chance to put it through its paces.

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