Go pro hero 4 session

[rat840771]

I'm no expert in cam corders and my current old drift camera is st quality. So I'm looking for a replacement. The new Hero 4 is 4K quality which I presume is pointless as I don't have a 4K tv or PC, cost £250

So either the Hero 3, at approx £160 would be the buy (full Hd 1080p) or the new Hero 4 session which is small and waterproof etc but around £250 and the same price as the Hero 4 silver.

Anybody have the new session version.

Any other options?

[SAS Tom]

We've got them in at work. I've sold 2 and they both came back under warranty because they didn't work properly. They weren't saving videos and freezing so you couldn't do anything with them. Apparently it's a common fault. They don't seem to be as reliable compared to other gopros where we never get them back.

[rat840771]

Cool thanks, hero 3 wit the case should do the job then.

Fleabay here I come

[kingb]

i bought the basic - gopro hero which is 100 quid! footage is brilliant and i dont care if i break it

[Steve Bass]

Other options...

Drift Ghost HD. Very good.

Garmin VIRB Elite. Even gooderer...

[V8A*ndy]

rat840771 said:

Cool thanks, hero 3 wit the case should do the job then.

Fleabay here I come

Hero 3 is only really good close up. It's focus is very soft after a few feet and beyond.

Lots of complaints.

[No Bend]

V8A*ndy said:

Hero 3 is only really good close up. It's focus is very soft after a few feet and beyond.

Lots of complaints.

Really? Lots? I've heard a few complaints, but none as far a focus goes.

I think they are sensational, such great detail in any still you freeze frame.

[998420]

The sj4000 is a cheap gopro copy that is pretty much as good as the gopro, it also has a very handy movement detection mode so you can also use it as a deer camera/burglar trap that the gopro does not have.

I use a gopro 3+ a lot, weekly helping a friend, it is very impressive kit really, but will be moving to sj4000s for my own purchase, use. There is a side by side on YouTube video https://youtu.be/WONdySBxBXw where you would be hard pushed to explain any differences, let alone 4x the price.

[V8A*ndy]

No Bend said:

V8A*ndy said:

Hero 3 is only really good close up. It's focus is very soft after a few feet and beyond.

Lots of complaints.

Really? Lots? I've heard a few complaints, but none as far a focus goes.

I think they are sensational, such great detail in any still you freeze frame.

Yes lots. Google it.

Some Hero3s are worse than others in this department, however the hero 4 has vastly superior IQ.

[V8A*ndy]

998420 said:

The sj4000 is a cheap gopro copy that is pretty much as good as the gopro, it also has a very handy movement detection mode so you can also use it as a deer camera/burglar trap that the gopro does not have.

I use a gopro 3+ a lot, weekly helping a friend, it is very impressive kit really, but will be moving to sj4000s for my own purchase, use. There is a side by side on YouTube video https://youtu.be/WONdySBxBXw where you would be hard pushed to explain any differences, let alone 4x the price.

I had three sj4000s, all 3 lasted a week. Had a real ebay nightmare getting my money back as well. having said that they could have been copies.

[Tall_Paul]

Xiaomi yi. £60ish with a waterproof case - mounts are extra. 1080p 60fps, removable battery, very decent quality. Battery life isn't great, but at least you can swap it out for a fully charged one.

[998420]

V8A*ndy said:

I had three sj4000s, all 3 lasted a week. Had a real ebay nightmare getting my money back as well. having said that they could have been copies.

Ooooer, 3 in a week, wonder if it was a copy, or wtf was going in, seen only good reviews online so far, will investigate them more

[Just Trouble]

I bought a GoPro Hero 4 Black and I was impressed by the quality of the footage (very little vibration) and an external mic. I stuck the camera on the side of the car and it was fine. I have also used it on a Jetski with good results too. I didn't consider any of the other non GoPro cameras perhaps I should have?

https://youtu.be/BsIB_QWGt7M

Cheers

JT

[Silver993tt]

For bike videos just get the basic Gopro. The other models are just full of gimmicks. The base model is as good as 90% of theothers but is much cheaper. Don't fall for the marketing selling the 'extras'.

[Tall_Paul]

Silver993tt said:

For bike videos just get the basic Gopro. The other models are just full of gimmicks. The base model is as good as 90% of theothers but is much cheaper. Don't fall for the marketing selling the 'extras'.

Although it doesn't do 1080p 60, and doesn't have a removable battery (once it's run out, that's filming over).

If the OP wants a cheap gopro alternative - Xiaomi Yi
Here's some test footage of the Yi at 1080p 60fps - even the stty built in mic is OK for commuting stuff in case someone knocks you off.
https://youtu.be/sJghebl6hHc

Of course youtube crucifes the quality, here's a still from it:

Edited by Tall_Paul on Saturday 3rd October 00:02

[Silver993tt]

Tall_Paul said:

Silver993tt said:

For bike videos just get the basic Gopro. The other models are just full of gimmicks. The base model is as good as 90% of theothers but is much cheaper. Don't fall for the marketing selling the 'extras'.

Although it doesn't do 1080p 60, and doesn't have a removable battery (once it's run out, that's filming over).

If the OP wants a cheap gopro alternative - Xiaomi Yi
Here's some test footage of the Yi at 1080p 60fps - even the stty built in mic is OK for commuting stuff in case someone knocks you off.
https://youtu.be/sJghebl6hHc

720p is perfectly fine for these applications and few would tell the difference in quality and it really doesn't matter for this application.

[spanner28]

i have a hero 4 silver with the screen on the back. Battery life isnt great but i think that applies to all go pro cameras really. Image quality is great, i use it for a dash cam most days and whenever else i want to film something.

Used it with a suction mount on a car and it didnt come off or even move and the footage is stable.

long video but skip in a theres no movement at speed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XULDheBpUs

[IanUAE]

We have used over the last few years Hero 3, Hero 3+ and Hero 4's on the race bike. The Hero 3 and 3+ were much more reliable. Just make sure you update with the latest firmware updates and you will have cameras that more than do the job required.

[998420]

For gopro battery life you can buy extra batteries and chargers very cheap on Amazon, also fat extra power batteries, but they do not fit in the nice standard waterproof perspex boxes.

Amazon will also sell you aa plethora of skeleton cases for £2-20. This you can use for ages with a USB battery plugged into the now accessible micro USB side port.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/niceeshop-Black-Replacemen...

I have also fabricated a couple of custom mounts for it and a battery bag and safety lanyard, all work fine and help a lot.

[13aines]

V8A*ndy said:

I had three sj4000s, all 3 lasted a week. Had a real ebay nightmare getting my money back as well. having said that they could have been copies.

I bought mine from a recommended ebay seller who sells proper SJ4000s rather than copies.

I've had mine a year or more now, used every other week or so, and has been under water a few times.

Can't fault it really.