GoPro HD2, Which accessories?

[nick s]

Hi guys, getting myself a GoPro H2, but am completely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of accessories and mounts that seem to be available!?

I'm going to order it all tonight, and will be mainly using it for Outdoor things such as cycling (road & MTB), skiing, time lapse videos, and maybe some car bits aswell.

so i guess my question is, which bits would people recommend? The handlebar mount looks like something i'll need, or is there a better way to mount it on the bike? also, what about the chest strap? Any good?

Anyone got the wifi bacpac add on so that you can control it from your iphone or ipad? Again, worth getting?

cheers guys!

[mrmr96]

I'd say:
- Screen (either on the device or via wifi to the iPhone, is that app out yet?!? lol)
- More batteries

Can't recommend a mount really, as it depends where you're planning on putting it! They're all good at their own jobs, so depends what you want it for.

Audio is best on the skeleton housing below 100mph, but above 100mph you're better off using the waterproof housing. Also, on the Hero2 there's a mic input - so many people choose to use an external plug in mic for better audio of cars etc.

[nick s]

perfect. I'll order another battery then! 2.5 hours doesn't really seem enough!

I'll get a screen aswell then, and am probably going to get a bag, are they any particular ones people use to carry everything around in?

[mrmr96]

I've got 4 batteries for mine, but I've not yet had a day when I've actually got onto battery number 4! Usually just use 2 of them, and put the 3rd in before the 2nd's finished because I don't want to be caught out with it stopping whilst in use.

Regards bags, I actually have a little "flight case" type thing. Maplin had a special on them a while back. It's just a silver Alu case with a massive foam block inside. The ideam being you draw around your gear with a marker pen and then cut the foam out leaving holes which perfectly fit your stuff. Works pretty well. If you're looking to actually carry your gear, rather than just transport it then pretty much any of the regular camera bags from lowepro etc will do the job. Get one with more space than you need, as you'll end up acquiring more stuff, and the spare space is handy for carrying drinks etc if you're on a day out.

[XB70]

I bought one of these

Brilliant for some "out the window back at the car" and "10cm off the ground next to the front wheels at speed" footage.

http://www.oceanleisurecameras.com/products/gopro/...

[mrmr96]

Just a pole though. I made something similar using the "roll cage mount" which I already had, plus a piece of curtain pole. Didn't cost £25.

[Freakuk]

Couple of thoughts here, in the box you'll get a few mounts depending on the version you buy mainly sticky back mounts for helmets etc.

For mountainbikes/cycling in general I've used a helmet mount plus the handlebar mount with great success, there's also a larger mount for motorsport which you could bolt onto the frame or larger tubes.

Handlebar mount
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLzoljLUARQ&fea...

Then there's the chest mount, a good bit of kit but when on a bike you might need to angle the camera upwards slightly as your body is slightly hunched when on the bike, usually you get a few adapters/arms in the kit with the camera

Chest mount
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fip0PU9RoI&fea...

And if you're into skiing etc have a look for a GoPole which adds another dimension

GoPole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-WVrRdeLik&fea...

Then finally a helmet mount
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OEO2IqpcTU&fea...

[XB70]

mrmr96 said:

Just a pole though. I made something similar using the "roll cage mount" which I already had, plus a piece of curtain pole. Didn't cost £25.

Ah, not just a pole...but an extendable four stage pole with swivel adjustable mount!

In clear plastic. Clear plastic!

Tis a nice shiny thing for not much folding rather than having to cannabilise household fittings too

• joking*

I looked at making my own but it is extremely light, compact and for the time it would take me to actually build something, the cost of simply buying it made sense.

If I was to consider a gopro pole, which is ot telescopic, then I too would raid the window dressing at home

[Freakuk]

GoPro 3 just announced

http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-ca...

[mrmr96]

XB70 said:

mrmr96 said:

Just a pole though. I made something similar using the "roll cage mount" which I already had, plus a piece of curtain pole. Didn't cost £25.

Ah, not just a pole...but an extendable four stage pole with swivel adjustable mount!

In clear plastic. Clear plastic!

Tis a nice shiny thing for not much folding rather than having to cannabilise household fittings too

• joking*

I looked at making my own but it is extremely light, compact and for the time it would take me to actually build something, the cost of simply buying it made sense.

If I was to consider a gopro pole, which is ot telescopic, then I too would raid the window dressing at home

Lol - I must admit that the curtain pole version is good in some circumstances, like boating and skimming it over the water, or skiing - what with it being very very strong. But I do recognise that in other circumstances having a telescopic option is much better as it can be stowed. (So I have to admit that I've also bought a telescopic one, good for seeing over crowds at events and other low-stress uses, as it can then packing back into a bag!)

[mrmr96]

Freakuk said:

GoPro 3 just announced

http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-ca...

Very cool. Makes my (original) Hero HD feel very old now though! lol!