Go pro, a few questions

[ColinG]

Sorry if this has been covered before, I'm wanting to buy a GoPro either 5 session or 5 hero.

Main use age will be car videos at meets etc, and holidays round and in the pool having a laugh, the usual stuff.

I don't really have a decent modern laptop or pc, I browse 99% of the time using my phone, and have no real need for a computer, do I need to consider a laptop purely for GoPro editing and stuff? Or are videos uploaded directly to the Internet from the camera?

Also.. Is the session with no screen a hassle? How would you take stills with no idea what your aiming at?

 

[Gareth]

I've got a Hero 4 with pretty much everything. I believe you can upload directly to the Internet from the camera, but personally I use my computer and find long videos in 1080p take a lot of storage space to process.

 

[GrahamV182]

I concur that editing your video on a laptop/computer is probably essential if you want to edit / modify / enhance your videos.
I use bog standard / free Microsoft Movie Maker which comes with Windows 10 and gives you the ability to -

• Add still photographs into the movie;
• Add titles / credits;
• Add captions at points in the video;
• Select the final resolution;
• Overlay audio;
• etc

I think GoPro is a good choice - you will definitely need to think about using an external microphone to get a good audio input.
This video is on a GoPro Hero 2 using the standard microphone but with a hole drilled in the frame so as not to obstruct the sound waves -

(make sure you wack YouTube into 1080p HD)

Based on my experience I suggest you think about going second hand - I had a Chinese camera clone for many years but the 'rolling ripple' caused by slow frame rate and lack of good audio made me think about upgrading to GoPro. I think Hero 5s are between £350 and £400 depending on the model - are you sure you want to jump in to that sort of money? I picked up a secondhand GoPro Hero 2 with two batteries and a 16 GB card for £65 on that well known auction site. I went for a Hero 2 because it was cheap and has an external mic port..... I have just ordered an external microphone for £6 which I will try next week.

So to cut my ramblings short - GoPro is a good call but I suggest you think about secondhand if you are not 100% sure how you will use it. You can always trade up when you are ready ....

 

[boultonn]

Think laptop is a must as you're restricted on resolution that can be transferred to the phone (1080p I believe), so a proper computer would maximise your output. Bear in mind that a cheap PC/laptop will struggle to edit 4K, even my 2012 MacBook Pro can't handle 4K editing smoothly.

 

[McGherkin]

You can only view certain framerates and video sizes on a phone (from where you could then upload to the internet), but if you're going to stick to 1080p 60fps, then you'll be OK, but who the f**k buys a hero 5 to record in 1080p?

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Don't buy a gopro imo.

As an avid gopro owner, they've made some silly decisions trying to tie you into their ecosystem which detract from the user experience.

Having said that. You've said you just want to directly upload to YouTube etc so maybe you are actually their target audience.

I'd be giving the £300 Garmin a go (the one with built in 10hz GPS receiver) or one of the high spec SJ cameras.

 

[ColinG]

Thanks for all the advice so far, I'm a total newbie when it comes to this kind of tech but just assumed the GoPro was the choice of most.

I like that there's a billion mounts available, there's even an official BMW tow eye mount lol

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Thanks for all the advice so far, I'm a total newbie when it comes to this kind of tech but just assumed the GoPro was the choice of most.

I like that there's a billion mounts available, there's even an official BMW tow eye mount lol

Tbh even non gopro cameras use gopro mounts these days. I have the BMW one. It's very good!!

I just don't see me ever buying another gopro due to their software and the fact you HAVE to use it unless you want raw footage only. At which point the cheaper options make a lot more sense.

 

[McGherkin]

I've never used their software?

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

I've never used their software?

Phone app? It used to be good. Now you have to become part of their social network to even use it.

 

[McGherkin]

Oh, I didn't really have an issue with that. Log into facebook after installing, done. Never seen mention of anything social wise after that.

 

[GrahamV182]

I've never used their software?

Ditto ... I have a Gopro and never used their software.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Ditto ... I have a Gopro and never used their software.

At which point these days there are cheaper cameras that use the same spec sensors while letting you use their mounts.


I don't hate gopro despite my posts, but their customer service leaves a lot to be desired for what is the most expensive action camera vendor. I've had 3 smart remotes from them, each time taking about a month to process the warranty claim. My first camera (4 black) was also a defective unit but Amazon replaced that instantly and touch wood I haven't had issues with the replacement.

 

[ColinG]

At which point these days there are cheaper cameras that use the same spec sensors while letting you use their mounts.


I don't hate gopro despite my posts, but their customer service leaves a lot to be desired for what is the most expensive action camera vendor. I've had 3 smart remotes from them, each time taking about a month to process the warranty claim. My first camera (4 black) was also a defective unit but Amazon replaced that instantly and touch wood I haven't had issues with the replacement.

I'd welcome any links from the likes of currys of alternatives...

I don't have Facebook so I'm not into the social media side of things. Just want something easy to use, good quality sound and video, and that can mount on GoPro mounts

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Forewarning, I've not tried either of these but I'd be looking at giving this a go for an all rounder:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N8OS166/?tag=cliospnet01-21

Or this for car videos:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01K4CYV58/?tag=cliospnet01-21

 

[charltjr]

I've got a GoPro I don't want any more, I think it's a Hero 3+, will have to check. Hardly used it, comes with the BatteryPac add-on, cases, some mounts, manuals etc and a memory card. Drop me a message if you're interested, looking for £75. Was going to stick it up in the for sale area but haven't got round to it.

 

[ColinG]

Just to update....

Have purchased a GoPro hero 5 today, was in John Lewis and they price matched Hargroves Cycles so I got it for £348 instead of £399.

Just need to get a card for it now... Any reccomendations for a suitable SD card? Led to believe some won't work correctly with GoPro..

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

Sandisk 32gb.

Some might take more but I bought a 64gb for my Hero and it didn't work. Limited to 32gb.

 

[Christopher.]

Gopro Studio is nice and easy to use. Got some decent features as well.

 

[ColinG]

Sandisk 32gb.

Some might take more but I bought a 64gb for my Hero and it didn't work. Limited to 32gb.

Bought a sandisk extreme 64gb today and all good.

I was reading the hero5 can actually take 128gb cards now but I wasn't spending £80ish lol.

Was in currys looking at a suction mount, £40!! This is gonna be an expensive hobby!!

 

[imprezaworks]

Check eBay for mounts, should be cheaper than £40

 

[imprezaworks]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152112871422

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

I got a mount on eBay or Amazon a few years back for about £15 I think. It has 3 suction cups and apparently withstands speeds of 150mph although I've never used it on the outside of any vehicle.

 

[ColinG]

BMW do a screw in tow eye mount which looks cool and obviously being threaded in eliminates any risk of suction cup failure...

Thanks will look on eBay for some suction mounts!

 

[Rob G]

Save opening a new thread....does anyone know of a download for gopro software that will work on pre windows 10 OS? The software on their website is windows 10 only.