GoPro - HERO HD Waterproof Action Camera - Gray

About two months ago I purchased the GoPro Hero entry level action camera for mounting on my motorcycle helmet. I was looking for a camera that was cost-effective in a lower budget bracket and this camera seemed to fir right in. Seeking the cream of the crop when it comes to action cameras, I looked no further than GoPro. Before this edition of the camera, a GoPro simply was too expensive for me. I was looking for a camera that shot at least 720p at 60FPS for the smoothest video possible when riding. So with that said, let me list the features this camera has and then break it down: - 1080p (30FPS) & 720p (60FPS) HD video capture - Super Wide GoPro recording angle for amazing views - $129 price point - Built in battery (non-removable like the other Hero cams) - USB Charge port - Up to 32GB supported card (correct me if I'm wrong) - Built in, 'indestructible' case w/ 2 backplates for underwater / rough terrain recording - Build in microphone for audio capture - Day / night adjustment - Still picture taking @ 5MP, Time Lapse and burst photo modes - Quick release buckles as well as flat and rounded mounts in box ....more features as well... As you can see this camera really comes with everything you'd expect in the $300-500 range and with the exception of a few features essentially IS the same camera. VIDEO: Video quality is pretty darn good. Not as good as the new HERO4 and 4+, but very good. You can easily see up to several miles ahead if you are in open spaces, and for me, when riding on main roads and highways, you can see about 180 degrees left and right. The clear video allows you to read most signs and license plates as you pass (if on roads) and if you are out filming sports or anything else, you will have the clarity to see who is who and what is happening, all at 30 or 60 FPS at 1080 and 720, respectively. The ability to shoot 1080 at 60FPS would be nice, but that is what the upper echelon cameras are for. AUDIO: The built in mic won't wow you with its capture quality. It sounds muffled and soft at best, especially with the default closed back-plate on. With the slotted skeleton backing on, audio is much clearer, but still it isn't near as good as using third party mics connected to the camera, which as far as I know, is not capable with this camera. BATTERY: The battery will last you. How long varies to how often you are recording versus just having the camera on. I've been able to record about 2 hours of video on one charge, continuously. I've had the camera on for about 24 hours before it died just being idle, not recording. Could it be better with the ability to have GoPro packs connected, probably, but again for the price you really cannot go wrong. Only Con here is that if the battery should kick the bucket, you're out an entire camera as there is no way to replace it. SOFTWARE / PC CONNECTIVITY: The camera connects easily to a Mac or PC via USB. However, I don't like that is uses the now 'old' USB A to USB B connector versus the almost universal USB mini port you see on most USB devices and phones now. However, this doesn't really matter as it comes with the required cable. My problem is the cable is a little short (about 2 feet) and I like longer cables. I do not use the Go Pro editing software so my score is not reflective of that. OVERALL: If you are looking to get into the action camera market but have little to spend on the unit overall and accessories, this is probably the camera for you! It doesn't have WiFi (unless you get the HERO+) and won't shoot 1080 at 60FPS, or allow you to record endlessly with removable batteries, but for the price I personally didn't expect all the bells and whistles. This review is based on what the camera is made to do and everything it is supposed to do...IT DOES IT...and does it very well. Therefore, as the entry level GoPro, it exceeds my expectations, warranting it 5/5 from me.

I've had this for about a week. This is my 6th GoPro and I have owned about every model they've released. Like most I bought this because of the price and I'm glad I bought it. I've used it for a total of about 30 minutes so far but so far here are my pro findings and my concerns (cons). Pros: 1. Sound seems better than any of the 3 and 3+ models I've had. I use my GoPros mainly for motorcycling and car driving and the sound so far seems much more deep and clear. 2. Battery life seems decent. If you use the instant on feature it saves on the battery. 3. Price. 4. Simple features and easy to use. 5. All 3 video quality settings are exceptional. Cons or concerns: 1. Integrated battery, I wonder when the battery dies how hard it will be to replace since the camera and housing are one. 2. Lens, I'm scared the lens is going to get scratched and that will not be good. I'm figuring somebody already trashed one of these so maybe they will crack it open and share the information on how the rest of us can replace the battery and lens when that day comes. I attached some screenshots from a video I took today. The one of the motorcycle is 720s and the one inside the car is 1080 30fps. If you're considering buying this, go for it. It is cheap and exceptional for the price. I've spent over $300 on GoPros and I like this one better.

I order this first generation go pro a couple months a go I haven't fully taken advantage of it. Since it brought me a lot of issues for the first test out. But I can say its the first gopro camera for a decent price for me. I was in a 1 or 2 hour fight trying to fix the issues I had with the camera that I couldn't fully download the capture footage to my MACBOOK AIR. That it need a upgrade program for it. Didn't manager to figure out the issue. therefore I had so much problem exporting the videos/photo footage. I did so much stuff that I believe it did something to the camera it began acting up such as freezing up, giving me error problems, couldn't read the memory card, Didn't wanted to move to another setting while clicking the buttons options, Didn't wanted to turn off the camera to completely reset the camera again. " ALL THIS ISSUES HAPPEN AT THE SAME POINT MOMENT AND TIME WHILE I WAS TRYING TO EXPORT FOOTAGES TO THE COMPUTER" SINCE THEN MY EXCITEMENT OF THE GOPRO HAS DIE DOWN A BIT. I THINK THE CAMERA IT STILL IN WORKING CONDITIONS HAVENT BEING USING IT LIKE I WANTED Also the gopro editing program that makes you download to your pc its unusable cause it doesn't find the camera when is connect to your pc. That application is on my computer wasting space. As well the camera its not comparable with the gopro iphone app. That was a let down I wanted to use my phone for live streaming purpose to see what I was actually filming didn't realize that during the searching or purchase of the item. Continuing the story I had to export the camera footage to my windows desktop computer which exported fast and simple. after that I had to Transfer the footages from my PC to my MAC manually to edit the videos on the laptop since I use the laptop more for my editing work.. As photograph taker and small video maker I wasn't that impresses with the photo settings since I couldn't see what I was actually taking a picture of since there no screen or is not even comparable for a screen attachment like the other gopro versions. But I did got some lucky shots that were useful the quality was decent but since I edit pictures/videos they come out better. I use the gopro for a water park trip it was pretty useful awesome visuals videos in the water even thought the voice/audio was unusable since the camera had the protect case that is unremovable wasn't that happy for that neither . But I didn't need it the audio for the project I was working on. So for a low price its good if you don't have a lot of income for it, But I would say this JUST waited OUT to have EXTRA money save. So you can purchase one of the more recent gopro versions they could be much better.. Since at first that's what I wanted to achieve have a better version but the prices for those version were a lot more, that I decide for the cheapest item thinking there won't be any different to the item but it is different.

I have always admired the image quality of the GoPro 3+ black cameras and always wanted to get one and honestly the price has been a huge hold off for me. When I saw the new models of the GoPro 4 came out and the new hero at a more affordable price was among them, I got al excited and decided to go ahead and get one. I started experimenting whit it with all different settings available. The image quality was ok but not exactly what I was expecting specially when dark situations or inside the house whit the lights on. Initially I thought, well, GoPro is probably removing a lot of the other features available in the more expensive cameras such as wifi, car mode, remote access, exchangeable battery, etc,etc, I said, I'm willing to sacrifice all of those since it still an hd and at least have a time lapse mode. But after I made some videos at the highest resolution possible I was disappointed with the results. I think my iPhone does a better job on details and low light situations than this camera whit the exception that my iPhone doesn't have wide angle view. The entry level definitely didn't satisfied my expectations and for that money the cheap SJCAM SJ4000 beats the hell out of this one. By the way, the SJCAM SJ5000 + ambarella which is the competitor for the GoPro 4 black and silver edition is just being released for around $170 and I'm considering on getting one after initial review reports from other users until I can afford to buy a high end GoPro.

After being a longtime GoPro user, I decided to get one of these cameras to replace some of the ones I already have. My current inventory includes 7 Hero1's and a Hero 960 and I also have a Hero 3 Black and 2 Hero 3+ Black cameras. This unit will be used to replace the first gen cameras. One of the good features of the camera is the battery life, offering over two hours of life. As for the memory cards, you can use up to a 32gig which is plenty for most. The charging port for the camera is located behind the back door with the card slot just above it, and just the note, the camera uses MicroSD cards. For those looking at getting a GoPro without spending a lot of money and just need a camera without all the bells and whistles like 4K, or you are not the most tech savvy person in the world, this is the camera for you.

When I first got the camera worked fine first couple of times, left it in the box most of the year wanted to use for scuba diving only, tried it in a swimming pool worked ok then after battery wasn't lasting. took it to Florida thought I was taking shots of manatees nope got like 3 pictures dead battery this is after being plugged in all night to charge. plugged back in for next day got 10 minutes of filming. Come back to Ohio thought was a bad battery ordered another the whole camera stopped working, called BestBuy said I have to send to GoPro I email them they said they wouldn't work on it cause of it being older version, it was right at 1 year old, took it to camera shop they wouldn't work on it, now I'm out $600 for the camera the extra battery and all the harnesses and accessories that are useless with the current GoPro cameras. THANKS BESTBUY AND GOPRO way to stand up for the products you sell and make. Not a happy customer!!!

I have wanted a GoPro for years but didn't want to spend the hundreds of dollars to see if I'd end up using it. Here's your answer, at $130 it's a no-brainer, even if you only end up using it every now and then on vacations etc. I have seen complaints about video quality, limited features and its permanent waterproof case. I have found that it shoots great quality video, even next to footage shot on its' big brothers. The time lapse isn't adjustable but you can edit it later. The case doesn't bother me and sound quality is ok with the skeleton back. I also found out that you can use external USB batteries to power it while it runs so there's no need to worry about the built-in battery. If I end up using it a lot I'll probably get a high-end model so I can have 2 and get different angles. If you're considering getting a GoPro but don't want to fully commit, the HERO is a no brainer.

I'm going to rate this product according to what it was intended for.... Low price intro to action camera and the gopro lineup. This camera does a great job of what it is supposed to do, shoot video, take pics, ect. in an action setting. It does not have wifi, 4K and all those other bells and whistles but it also don't cost anywhere near as much. If you need a gopro for video, pics, ect. but don't need wifi, or 4K (who has the TV or the computer power for editing 4K anyway right now) , then this is great camera with none of the stuff you don't need. If you want all of those extras, buy the Black edition. I have the 3 black and bout 2 of these Hero HD's just to have for shooting multiple angles. Didn't break the bank doing it either.