Customer Ratings & Reviews

This kit is a barebones setup. You get only a few things to get you going, the camera, a battery, a USB-C cable, a helmet mount and a microfiber cloth. All other parts needed including a pole mount to make videos with a disappearing mount you need to buy extra. Would have liked to see at least a pole mount because not everyone buying this is riding something that requires a helmet. Documentation is limited to a quick start guide, safety instructions, a card with a QR code to subscribe to GoPro Premium for cloud storage and premium editing tools in the Quik app among other things from GoPro. Once opened you are greeted with a sticker on the screen that prompts you to update the camera before you can use it. If you have never used a GoPro before you need to download the Quik app to your phone. This app allows control of the camera, the ability to access the setting and access to the files of footage. A cool feature that I found is the ability to use either both lenses or a single lens. So this is not just a 360 degree camera as I originally thought. You also have the ability on single lens mode to flip from either the front lens or the rear lens. While testing the camera I notice on the front there is a heat sink below the lens. The camera does run warm while in use. On the quick start guide there is a QR code to learn more about the Max2. This takes you to the website that has a full 42 page manual for the camera, a link to the GoPro YouTube channel to learn from how-to videos and helpful tips and a link to a support page. This is a well thought out way to access more information about the camera without adding bulk to the package with paper manuals. After inserting an SD card the camera let me know that the card I chose was not a good choice to use as it was not a fast enough card for video recording. I found that very intuitive for someone with zero experience using an action camera. Unfortunately the SD card is not the easiest thing to remove once inserted into the camera. If you are not careful the card will shoot across the room by the spring launching it out of the slot when you slip off the card. A key feature of the camera is the replaceable lenses incase they get scratched or damaged. Although I had not found any info on removing them right off, I dd find a marketing video from GoPro on their YouTube channel I saw that they just twist off. The video makes it look easy, however it is quite difficult because they are made to make the camera waterproof so the rubber seal has a lot of friction. Without the lenses on the camera is not waterproof according to other GoPro documentation. With a lot of features I have yet to explore this is going to be a fun camera to use. So far with taking photos the images appear very crisp even at basic settings. A quick 360 video revealed more features within video playback that are pretty cool. The video resolution is very good as well. Overall even with a few shortcomings this is a great little action camera.

Having already used several action cameras for trail runs, mountain biking, family vacations, and kayaking/paddleboarding, I approached the GoPro Max 2 with both excitement and some trepidation. This is my first 3D/360-degree action camera, so there’s definitely a learning curve compared to the straightforward “point-and-shoot” HERO-type cams I’ve been using. Out of the box, the build quality feels familiar and rugged in that classic GoPro way—solid buttons, waterproof design, and compatibility with the standard mounting system. The biggest adjustment is shifting from single-lens capture to 360-degree recording, which means I now have to plan for reframing and editing afterward using the GoPro app or desktop software. It’s a different mindset, but one that unlocks creative flexibility I didn’t have before. Remember to purchase a compatible memory card at least 256gigs or larger as this doesn't come with one in the box. In outdoor settings—bright daylight, wide-open trails, and high-motion moments—the Max 2 really shines. Its 8K 360-degree capture delivers crisp, immersive footage, and the stabilization and horizon lock features make even bumpy rides or uneven terrain look smooth. Mounting it on a helmet, chest, or selfie pole gives me the freedom to reframe shots later and capture angles that traditional cameras simply can’t. The waterproof body and rugged design make it perfect for hiking, mountain biking, or paddling trips where I don’t want to worry about the elements. I did notice some distortion while underwater due to the way it captures video but GoPro is expected to release a dive housing to correct this in the near future. For outdoor enthusiasts who want every perspective of their adventure, this camera truly captures the experience. The biggest challenge for me has been mastering the 360 workflow. Because this is my first 3D action camera, I’ve had to spend time learning how to use the GoPro Quik app to preview, reframe, and export clips properly. Unlike my older cameras where I could just trim a clip and upload it, the Max 2 requires more thoughtful editing. The process involves choosing the best viewing angle within the spherical footage, setting motion paths, and exporting to standard video formats. Thankfully, there are tons of helpful tutorials on YouTube, and I’ve been using them to better understand how to get the most from this camera. The extra effort in editing pays off with stunning, dynamic videos that feel far more immersive than anything I’ve shot before. That said, the GoPro Max 2 isn’t perfect. Low-light performance is still limited, especially in darker forest trails or indoor settings, and stitching artifacts can sometimes appear when lighting isn’t consistent. Recording in 8K 360 also drains the battery faster than traditional filming, so I’ve learned to bring extras for longer sessions. While the app is intuitive enough, it still requires patience—editing on a phone screen isn’t ideal for every project. Despite these drawbacks, the combination of hardware quality and post-production control makes the Max 2 a strong contender among high-end action cameras. Overall, the GoPro Max 2 has become a powerful addition to my camera lineup. It offers creative possibilities that none of my traditional action cameras can match, even if it demands more time and learning upfront. For anyone who loves outdoor adventures and wants to tell stories in new, more immersive ways, this camera is worth the investment. Once you embrace the editing workflow and plan your shoots around its strengths, the Max 2 transforms everyday outdoor footage into cinematic, all-encompassing experiences that capture the thrill from every angle.

I have been a huge GoPro fan since around the released of the 3rd one. I have had every black serious camera since then. When GoPro released their first 360 camera (GoPro Fusion) I embraced that as well. However, the technology was new and “clunky.” The Max 2 is my first 360 camera since then and it is a huge upgrade! It has been about 8 years since there initial release of a 360 camera and there have only been the Max and Max 2 since then. Honestly, I prefer this because you feel like you are getting a completely new product vs small upgrades year after year. The Max 2 has a much different design than other 360 cameras on the market. It is almost a square shape that is only slightly larger than a regular GoPro. I love the GoPro sticks to their roots, and it allows the camera to be compatible with previous mounts and many accessories. I think one of the best upgrades on this camera is the replaceable lenses. These cameras are meant to take a beating and the ability to easily swap out the lens is a game changer. The camera is much smaller and lighter than I expected it to be. This makes it easy to mount anywhere and capture the best possible images or videos. On the bottom of the camera there are the standard GoPro mount, and it also has a ¼-20 mount. It can mount to any accessories from GoPro and all others. If you use the ¼-20 to mount a pole, it will instantly become invisible. My favorite accessory is the carbon pole from GoPro which is superlight weight and easy to use. I also love the integrated lcd screen to easily frame your shot or review captures on the go. The Max 2 offers an abundance of shooting modes and resolutions. Up to true 8K video with no upscaling, no counting black, unusable pixels to get to 8K. In addition to the 360 modes, it also has the option to utilize only one camera and capture regular videos/pictures. One of my biggest gripes with my previous GoPro fusion camera is that I had to use two micro-SD cards and then stitch everything together in post. That is not the case with the Max 2. You can easily edit your footage on your phone, and it is ready to share to social media. GoPro also has a feature on your phone call MotionFrame that allows you to easily edit 360 videos by moving your phone to find the best angles. With Max 2 you can enjoy what you are doing and have peace of mind that everything 360 degrees around you is being captured. You never have to aim the camera, and you will not miss a shot. The Max 2 has become my favorite action camera to use. It is small enough to mount when I am snowboarding, cycling, motorcycling, and racing cars. It makes capturing videos much easier and you have peace of mind knowing you can capture everything and decide what the video looks like later. GoPro has been a well-known and trusted brand for a long time. I highly recommend this camera to anyone looking to take their videos and photos to the next level.

The GoPro brand is synonymous with action cameras, and up until now I’ve only had experience with its traditional Hero lineup of products, which I use when traveling and outdoors. The Max 2 is my first 360-degree camera, and so far, the experience has been good. The Max 2 keeps GoPro’s familiar black-box design with two buttons, one for power and one for record, dual protruding fisheye lenses on either side, and a small rear LCD touch screen. On the right side is the waterproof slide-out door for the battery and microSD card. On the bottom are GoPro’s standard fold-away mounting “fingers” that many of its mounts use, a standard tripod mount, and magnets for a faster, thumbscrew-less experience with GoPro’s new Magnetic Latch Mount. The large protruding lenses on either side do make them much more susceptible to damage or abrasion during normal use and adds a bit of thickness. The camera does come with lens caps to use when storing or transporting it and luckily the curved glass lenses are replaceable. The camera can capture 8K 360-degree video at 30fps, or up to 5.6K or 4K at 90fps. Outdoors, in daylight, the quality is very good, and I’m always impressed with GoPro’s HyperStabilization and Horizon Lock features. It does take very wide-angle shots and there is no optical zoom, only digital, so zooming in starts to degrade the image quality rapidly, even at 8K. Night performance is not as good as I’d like, grainy and soft, but most people will use these cameras during daytime activities. You don’t need to worry about framing your shot, as the camera will capture everything, you simply choose the best perspective later in editing. It works best if it’s mounted onto something, preferably a thin pole that will be rendered “invisible” when the 360 view is stitched together. It’s cool to capture video that can be played through a VR headset like the Meta Quest, allowing you to relive your own experiences. Handheld works fine too, although you will always have your hand in the shot near the bottom or side where the cameras come together. It’s great if you are wanting to capture something in front of you and your reaction to it, then decide which to frame later in post editing or use your face as a video overlay. The GoPro Quik app handles viewing, recording, and editing 360-degree video. You can tilt and turn your phone in any direction to see what was captured from that angle. One of my favorite editing features in the app is the Object Tracking. It uses AI to keep the camera focused on a subject, perfect for those situations where the camera is in the middle of the action and you want to track a particular person or object like a vehicle or ball. You can also export video in multiple output formats such as landscape for Youtube and portrait for TikTok. The app does encourage you to subscribe to GoPro’s cloud service and locks some features, such as some advanced editing tools and automatic uploading. Overall, I feel like the app does a great job of making 360-degree video accessible to more creators. In the box, you get a curved adhesive mount and mounting buckle for things like helmets, the two lens caps, a usb-c charging cable, microfiber cloth, and some stickers. The base kit only comes with one 1960 mAh Enduro Battery for Max 2, which is not compatible with other GoPros, so you will have to buy spares and chargers specifically for the Max 2. Pros: - Compact and Rugged Design - Up to 8K 30 fps 360-degree Video Capture - 29MP 360-degree Photo Capture - Excellent Video Stabilization and Horizon Lock - Great Slow-motion Support - Bluetooth Microphone Support - 10-bit color support and 300 Mbps bitrate - Replaceable Lenses - Compatible with existing GoPro mounting ecosystem and new Magnetic Latch System - Waterproof (up to 5m) Cons: - Ultra-wide fisheye lenses can be limiting - Poor performance in low light - Some app features locked behind cloud subscription - New Batteries only compatible with Max 2 Overall – The Max 2 is an easy-to-use 360-degree action camera for travel, biking, road-trips, and vlogging, anywhere you want to capture the entire scene as it happens. However, the ultra-wide angle lenses mean less detail if you need to crop or zoom in.

Was really excited to mess around with the camera, both for social media content as well as just goofing off, but alas, I got hit with the flu. Now that I’m somewhat recovered, I spent a day out in the dog park with my puppies wearing a harness that fits GoPro devices. This gave a wickedly sharp vivid picture of playtime from a dog’s eye view. The replaceable glass lenses reduced my anxiety about my dogs jumping around and damaging the lenses. Editing on the iOS app is fairly easy, and can be exported to beefier editing software as well. Really the only issue I had with the GoPro Max 2 was that trying to run long video, it ended up cutting out due to overheating. Kinda disappointing from a videography standpoint. Don’t expect to use this to video a parade via a drone. It won’t last long enough. However, if you plan your shots and just use it to snag some good establishing shots, this will work great. Audio quality is decent, but you are better off using a dedicated audio setup. For YouTubing daredevils trying to make the latest instant gratification videos of snowboarding or shark surfing, etc, this will give you really good video clips for your 45 second clickbait videos.

Initial set up did take some figuring out. The battery compartment was hard to open and despite following the instructions, it took a bit to get it open. I also found that the camera did not like certain SD cards, and I had to try a few. Pairing and set up finally worked as the camera updated its software. The camera is a chunky square with 2 bubble type lens. It really needs a selfie stick or some type of mount to properly utilize the 360 camera features. There are camera bubble of front and back. Charging is easy via a port and USC C. Charging was fairly quick, but I found battery life not that great. You really need a few spare batteries. Once in use, I found the camera fun and with good quality recording. The LED screen was helpful in operating the unit. Again, you do need some sort of selfie stick, or handle due to the 360 camera placement. Night vision was decent, and the camera was extemely vesitile. Again, I will get some extra batteries, selfie stick and a few SD cards. I look foward to finally having records of my travels in 360 !