GoPro Hero 5MP Wide Angle Camera – Review Update

I have to admit, the new GoPro Hero 5mp wide angle camera is slowly becoming one of my most useful review tools on Mountain Biking by 198. I used to work post production in Atlanta, so I truly believe that video is the wave of the future. As video becomes easier to impliament in websites and other media, viewers will be able to interact with manufacturers and websites like they never have before.

Why is the GoPro Hero Wide Angle Camera my most useful tool?

Now it is easy to capture mountain bike components in action. The web is the only media that can bring you video of your favorite parts instantly for your viewing pleasure. While the GoPro Hero may not have the best video quality for product use through tv or other resources, it is perfectly setup for web use. With each recording, a separate AVI file is saved to a standard SD card making downloading and using the file on your computer that much easier.

The absence of a separate recording box or camcorder makes mounting the GoPro camera a breeze on you or your ride. Internal settings allow you to switch between normal and upside-down mode, and this helps cut down post ride editing time significantly. If you are happy with your original clip, you can upload to YouTube or Vimeo to share with other riders.

There are a couple of negatives to keep in mind while using the GoPro.

• Get a card reader because the USB port on the camera body is only USB 1.1. For fast transfer times, a separate reader is a must have.
• The view finder is basically useless and there is a lot of guess work involved with getting the right shot. Simple trial and error in the driveway before hitting the trail will make sure that you are not disappointed with your footage when you get home.
• Don’t expect super high quality video. This unit is perfect for web and standard television. If you hook it up to your 61 inch HDTV…it will not look like you are right there on the trail.

I have been using the GoPro for some time now…so expect future reviews to contain actual video footage of the bike or component in action. Here are a couple from the last week or so…the Rocky Mountain setup needs some tweaking…I think mounting it to the seat post, angled down should capture the suspension action better than this sequence. When I lowered the saddle for the drop at the end of the sequence…the wide angle lens really makes my pedaling look like a duck on a tricycle…

Remember…we want to see  your videos too! Join the MTB by 198 group on YouTube by clicking here and add your videos to the mix. If we like what we see…it will get posted on Mountain Biking by 198.

Big Creek Gully Run In Roswell, GA from Robb Sutton on Vimeo.

Rocky Mountain Slayer Footage from Robb Sutton on Vimeo.