Customer Reviews

GoPro Surf HERO Wide Camera

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Length:: 1:07 Mins

This is the Gopro Surf Hero on the nose of my 6'4" Fish. It was easy to attach to my board, easy to video and easy to edit. The camera does eat batteries.

This tiny camera delivers as advertised, but you may not need it. I use it kayaking (touring, not whitewater), but I take along another camera for what I hope are better pictures. After you mount the camera, you have no control over what it sees. I set mine for a photo every 5 seconds; it can take slightly over 1900 shots in that mode. Because of the fixed position on the kayak, the boat motion, and some wobbling in the camera mount, many photos will not be in focus. If the interesting scenery is not where the camera is pointed, tough luck. You also have to be careful that you have started the camera with the setting you want, as there is no audible feedback nor any meaningful setting display on the lcd. However, with a little practice you should be able to get the setting you want, even though it would be quite helpful to have the camera give some feedback. Some of my photos come out well, particularly if the sun is in the proper position (bright sunshine can be a problem). I use Picasa to move the photos to my pc, and all of that works automatically. Just remember that moving nearly 2000 photos can take some time. Everybody says the camera eats the AAA batteries, so I change mine every 2-3 hours. The wide angle lens produces photos with the fishbowl effect at the edges, but you will probably always crop that out anyway. You will need a mount for it, and I advise a tether as well (I use a paddle leash).

I've been using this camera for scooter ride videos and it works great. Accidentally got the surf one, but modified the mounts to fit, one on my helmet and on the air filter box pointing backwards. Both angles make a cool video, but the one actually attached to the bike can get a little distorted due to engine vibration. It takes cool wide angle still photos too, looks almost like a fish-eye lens. Only problem I have is it makes everything look farther away than it is, so it takes some getting used to. Haven't tried taking pictures underwater yet, but it is definitely waterproof. Other than that, I'm very satisfied with this product.

This is a great camera. The video is smooth, the wide-angle lens is awesome, and it does what you want it to do. I mean, I could keep going with good things but you get the point.

On the flip side, battery life for rechargeable NiMH batteries is pretty bad. Sound is a disaster and I still haven't been able to flip the display so that it is right side up, but I don't really care. I paid ~$150 so that I could record myself surfing, and I am more than satisfied with my purchase.

The camera I initially received was defective and I worked with their customer support to get a new one. They were not able to reimburse me for the shipping but did offer me a grab-bag of mounts and a discount off of any future purchases, so I am very satisfied with GoPro's customer service as well.

My biggest dilemma before buying was whether or not I would actually fit in the frame, so if you want to see how things look from the nose of a 6'4 board with a tall (6'2) guy riding, click the link in my profile.

Bottom line: it isn't perfect, but it was exactly what I was looking for and I thoroughly enjoy using it.

I got this for father's day this year and quickly put it on my longboard. I love the videos it produces.
Everything was pretty easy to set up. It does eat up batteries, but that is ok. The video quality is excellent.
I've already recommended this to a number of friends.
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Great product for the price. I used it on my surfboard for a trip to Nicaragua and then at home on my motocross helmet. I highly suggest for any action sport.

I bought this for my husband for his birthday and he loves it! He surfs Lake Michigan and uses it everytime he goes out! I takes great pics and video. This only thing was it didnt come with a sd card. But luckly I had already had one.

Buy energizer ultimate lithium batteries! Using these, I have not experienced the problems with the batteries that it seems others have. Fun camera!

Well since the return policy is that items can only be in unopened condition...I guess the fact that the camera hasn't worked properly since the minute I assembled the case around the camera I guess I have just bought myself a $[...] piece of crap! The power button on the camera case doesn't fully press in all the way, so you have to turn it on and then figure out a way to get it into the case without having the SD card fall out since there is nothing to keep it in. Needless to say just getting the package open was a mission in itself, so being able to return it will be impossible. It was like Fort Knox with no exaggeration! Hopefully I can figure out some way to get the button to work? Hopefully the SD card isn't going to continue to be an issue? And I might actually take a picture with it before I throw it away!