Lots of features in a small package
In the world of helmet cameras, smaller is better, but only to a point. While smaller size is an advantage because of ease in mounting, less weight to carry, etc., it becomes less desireable when the camera's features or performance are compromised. GoPro designers have done a nice job of stuffing a lot of attractive features and functions into a very compact package. The camera weighs just 5.9 ounces and even inside its rugged polycarbonate protective case measures just 2.75 inches wide by 1.5 deep x 2.25 high, and yet still boasts an impressive level of video quality and functionality. These include:
- Three HD video resolution modes: 1080p, 960p, and 720p.
- 170 degree wide-angle fish-eye lens that puts you in the center of the action.
- WVGA wide screen standard definition video at 60 frames per second.
- Shoots up to 60 frames/second for slow motion playback in WVGA and 720p resolutions.
Video can be edited using any standard video editing software, including iMovie and Windows Movie Marker programs.
Mounting and Durability
A still photo taken with the GoPro HD Hero camera. Note the effect of the fisheye lens. Also, on the helmet of the boy on the left you can see a mounting bracket for the camera.
In looking at a helmet or bike-mounted camera, one of the things that is important is how rugged the camera is. GoPro HD Hero camera comes in a virtually shatterproof polycarbonate housing, waterproof down to 30m (100′). You're probably not riding your bike underwater, but that's still handy to know if you do get caught out in the rain (and it does happen!) or use this for other sports such as snowboarding, surfing or sailing.
Being the dedicated tester that I am, our use of the GoPro HD Hero was done in real-world conditions, not some bogus artificial laboratory environment. So that means during the process of mounting this camera on my bike, I handed it to a nearby 10-year-old who wanted to look at the camera. Said helper immediately dropped the camera onto a concrete driveway. My conclusion? This first spontaneous phase of testing showed that this is in fact one rugged case and camera.
Thought the camera landed hard, coming down directly on one corner of the case, it was not damaged and we turned the camera on immediately and it worked (and still works) just fine. That was a comforting thought to me. As the world's worst mountain biker, I'm forever sailing off the path, running into trees, toppling over sideways when I can't unclip in time, and coming up with new and exciting ways to damage myself and my bike. If this camera could stand being dropped on concrete, it could certainly withstand my mishaps in the woods.
And speaking of mounting the camera, there are almost an infinite number of ways to mount this camera to capture your adventures on the bike. You can strap it on your handlebars to document yourself flying down a steep hill at 50-plus miles per hour. You can strap it on your helmet, your arm or chest. The GoPro people have come up with an amazing array of mounting devices that will accomodate just about any sort of mounting arrangement you could think of. I dare say you could even mount the camera on the underside of your bottom bracket if you wanted, just to capture the tire-level view of you scooting along through the woods, on the path, trail or street.
Mastering Functionality of the Camera
If you are like me, you get a nifty new gadget like this and immediately want to take it out to the woods and play with it. However, with the GoPro HD Hero, you will need to get the user's guide out and read it first. Please take my advice on this. The one aspect of the GoPro HD Hero camera that will take you time to master is how to operate the device. It has two buttons that control its many useful settings, coupled with a very limited display that doesn't offer much help in decoding the functions of the camera. This means the single most important thing that you can do to make the most of your camera and the many great features it offers is to read and understand the instructions. They are easy to use and well-written, and the camera is fairly simple to operate, so long as you understand how it is set up.
I am one of those people who believes he has a superior intellect and nearly telepathic ability to control all devices, even without knowing how they actually work. This was a mistake. The first time I took the GoPro HD Hero out into the woods, I did not understand how much battery life remained, how much memory I had left and whether I was taking video or still photos. That meant I drained the battery, filled the memory card and took still photos at five second intervals during my raddest, baddest ride of the day instead of the full HD video needed to document my awesomeness. Lesson learned.
Video and Audio Quality
One of the most remarkable aspects of the GoPro HD Hero camera is how it can have this extraordinarily durable case yet still take such great video. The polycarbonate lens cover on the case did not cause loss of clarity, nor did it cause distortion to the video. However, in testing, we found that the main thing that affects quality of the video is lighting conditions, which is a factor in all cameras we've used. Like other helmet cameras, the HD Hero does not do fabulously under low-light conditions.
Additionally, the audio offered by this camera is great, a real plus for the final result. Sound is not always easy to master as we've seen with other helmetcams we've tested but the Hero case offers two different interchangable back panels that are easy to swap out. One of them is (seriously) designed for activities at 100 mph or less, and another one, the waterproof one which also should be the one used when you're going over 100 mph. That has not yet been a problem for me on my bike. (Related article: What's the fastest you've gone on your bike?) The difference is in the windproofing design that keeps the wind out yet at higher levels yet still allows desired sound to track through.
Though we think of this being used primarily for video, it would be a mistake to overlook what the GoPro HD Hero camera offers with its still photo. The fish-eye lens offers a terrific effect, and you can have a lot of fun and come up with some cool images just fooling around with the still photo setting. As an example, here is a photo of a dog I took with the camera.
Complete list of features
Full HD Video - The HD Helmet HERO offers three different HD resolutions, giving you three filming modes to capture the best angles for any given activity: 1080p (127º angle @ 30 fps, 16:9 aspect ratio), 960p (170º angle @ 30 fps, 4:3 aspect ratio), and 720p (170º angle @ 30 OR 60 fps, 16:9 aspect ratio).
5MP Photos Capability - Shoot hands-free, 5 megapixel photos automatically at 2 / 5 / 10 / 30 / and 60 second intervals until the batteries die or the SD card is full (2.5 hours). Or set it to single shot, triple shot, or self timer for more traditional photo taking.
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery The rechargeable 1100mAh lithium-ion battery (included) lasts for 2.5 hours of constant recording. It can be recharged to 80% capacity in just 2 hours when plugged into a computer’s USB port, or in 1 hour when plugged into a USB compatible wall or car charger. Camera can also be used while charging, and features an integrated battery heating system for keeping your battery warm in winter activities.
Shoot 8+ hrs of HD Video with 32GB SD Card (not included). - Media saved to SD card, up to 32GB capacity (SDHC). Average recording times using a 32GB card: 1080p @ 30fps = 4h 21m, 960p @ 30fps = 5h 26m, 720p @ 60fps = 4h 21m, 720p @ 30fps = 8h 09m, WVGA @ 60fps = 8h 09m.
All in all, the GoPro HD Hero is very attractive. It shoots terrific video while not being overly expensive. Sound quality is good, and the rugged case and multiple mounting options mean that it can document all your action-filled adventures while it handles just about anything you can throw at it.
