GoPro Goes More Pro...

[Adamm0621]

I've been looking at getting a GoPro when I got back to the states, and have been entering the daily sweepstakes to try and win won.  Today I check the website and find that they've got a new camera out: the GoPro HD Hero 2.

http://gopro.com/hd-hero2-cameras/

It's got all kinds of new upgrades and sells for what the old one used to.  I've been bouncing back and forth between the GoPro and the Contour... this just seals the deal.  I'm really glad I didn't already buy the old one.

[timeforpoptarts]

I've been in the same position as you (between GoPro and Contour) but now that I see the Hero 2 going on sale I am hoping that the Hero gets some discounting love.

[ZLTFUL]

I've used both on the track and while I love the GoPro, the Contour just seems to "fit" in more places.
That isn't to say that the Hero is bad in any way...I actually prefer it in most ways over the Contour but I also love getting those crazy cool shots like looking back from inside the frame past the swingarm or from the top of the radiator looking forward...

You will be very happy with either, anyway.

[Goat_Herder]

I've been in the same position as you (between GoPro and Contour) but now that I see the Hero 2 going on sale I am hoping that the Hero gets some discounting love.

Just checked the GoPro website (extremely slow) and found discount on all the older models.  HD Hero 960 for $149 might just be the hot ticket! 

[Buckethead]

My biggest gripe about the GoPro is the form factor.

"It's a camera, so we have to make it look like a camera so people know it's a camera!" 

Which also means it's as aerodynamic as a brick. It's like strapping a little sail to the side/top of your helmet.

[Grampa]

Fyi..... cycle gear has the old 1080p model at 20% off

[Airborne]

I use 5 gopro 1080s as part of my camera arsenal at work. You just have to be a little creative to make up mounts for it but for me I actually find that fun. The contour is a good camera but gopro "just gets it". I really feel you can't even compare the two. Gopro although funny looking is much more of a professional device than the contour.

I went out last night and bought the new HD Hero 2 immediately for my home life. The associates at best buy didnt even know it was out yet and had them out on the floor right along side the Hero1. I scored it open box for $250.  I have every gopro ever made except for the original 35mm film edition they put out in 2005. I guess you can call me a gopro fanboy.

As far as the hero2 goes, I messed with it a little last night and found its low light capabilities are much improved over the regular 1080 which would noise out when you took it indoors. The 0.5 second interval photos is also a huge improvement. This thing firing off 11mp photos every half second is about to obsolete all those slr camera rigs you see on skydivers and in other extreme sports. If you're hardcore into photography and would care about the lens being better by one f-stop then buy it, if you're the average home photog it won't matter...stick with the HeroHD1 and get it at a discount.

It films in 16:9 480p 120fps which is a huge push to the rest of the industry. Although I probably wont use this mode because of the 480 res, eventually that will force other manufactures into making consumer devices that have fast enough sensors to shoot "high speed" at HD resolutions. The engineers at Gopro are pushing the limits of the industry and extreme sports photography, they make an innovative product, it will prove to be a real game changer in the entire camera industry.

[Adamm0621]

The main reason that I want the new one is the 11mp vs 5mp photo quality.  The new lens is nice, and the ability (coming soon) to wirelessly record/stream/upload/view your footage is really cool.