Learn me GoPro cameras

I've finally seen the light and no longer wish to rely on my Canon 8 for recording on-track hilarity, since it's completely useless for uploading onto YouTube. GoPro seems to be the logical choice and most popular brand, and I can double duty it on my motorcycle. The reading I've done teaches me the "2" is the one to have over the original, but I'm befuddled by the choices therein. The Motorsport edition is the obvious, but I don't know if I should spring for the $300 mega version of the 'nekkid' $199 version. Much like racing safety equipment, the prices seem pretty fixed and there aren't really any fantastic deals out there; you either pay the suggested retail (with maybe free shipping) or you don't buy.

Went to dig up that recent article on in-car cameras and it looks like it's gone to that recycle bin in the sky.

My understanding is that the cameras themselves are the same (aside from the original vs HD versions), the difference is in what mounting gear you get with it.

I have the GoPro HD 1 Motorsports and love it. You must get the HD, the SD is not worth the cost savings. The Motorsports kit gives you a dozen or so fifferent attachment arms, helmet/rollbar adhesive stands, and the suction cup, all of which rock. The suction cup has never failed me (including at 100+ on the track) and the mounts are even better. I stuck one to my helmet, one to the front rollbar on my gokart, and one on the nose of my car. Then you just snap the adjustable armatures right in and go. They are super versatile.

Some autocross friends just got the new HD 2 and say it's easier to use than my older HD 1. I'll have a chance to play with it this weekend and I'll report back.

My YouTube Channel has all been shot by my HD 1.

PS - The 2 vs the 1 is supposed to have a better front display screen that actually makes sense to operate. I cheated and labeled my GoPro with a Sharpie after deciphering the manual. The 2 is supposed to be much easier to use.

I own two HD 1 GoPros. One the nekkid package and the other the helmet package that Woot.com had on sale for $159.

I bought the suction cup mount separate for $30.

What he said ^^^ on shopping around. I think I paid $199 shipped for my HD Motorsports 1 when I bought it 2.5 years ago on a sale. Amazon, I think.

So is the $300 price difference worth it for the added geegaws for attaching? I have a I/O Port roll bar mount already. I'd probably want a helmet attachment for riding m/c. And some way of getting it to run off 12v power while in the race car so it doesn't run out of juice. Also, how much recording time is there on video? Races typically run 20-40 minutes.

I've read many places that the internal mic sucks ass. Anyone using an external, and what kind?

I have heard the mic on the HD2 is improved.

Not sure about a 12V power supply with the case.

Recording time depends on how big a memory card you put in and what resolution you record at.

http://gopro.com/support/faq-hd-hero/#varies-based-on-memory-card
How much recording time do you get?

Recording time will vary according to the resolution setting used and the card capacity. Here are the average recording storage times for a 32GB SD card: 1080p (30 fps): 4h 21m 960p (30 fps): 5h 26m 720p (60 fps): 4h 21 720p (30 fps): 8h 09m WVGA (60 fps): 8h 09m

Don't have any experience with the Go Pros but I have heard good things.

I bought a Race Optics EVO HD a while back. Not much price difference from the Go Pro but when you consider it comes with two batteries, is already set up to use car power, has an external mic, has a display screen for aiming and playback then it's actually cheaper.

It can do 720 or 1080 and with a 32GB card can record up to 16 hours at 720. Its only real drawback is that there's a cable from the camera to the record unit and mine is not removeable, the latest version has a removeable cable and extensions are available.

The recordings are sharp and clear. On 1080, playback on a computer can be 'jumpy' but that's not the system's fault, it's generally the computer. On 720, that doesn't happen.

If you like the Go Pro, try the Contour HD. A factory rep let me borrow one for a month and I later sold my Go Pro and went with the Countour. I found the quality to be better than my Go Pro HD...