got a gopro hero for xmas

[zpd307]

I have been hearing/reading that the battery power doesn't last long while using them. unfortunately, I am not finding anything to extend the battery power for this new hero model. anybody have or know anything about this model?

[LckyTylr]

I don't know about the newest model, but for mine I just bought an extra battery and carrie it with me.

If you haven't already bought a memory card, make sure you buy a quality one. I skimped on 3 or 4 cheap ones and lost about 1/2 of all of my videos (error msg: Corrupt File). Buy quality memory cards and pay attention to the number on them and compatibility with your camera.

[zpd307]

tyler, I did read up on that. I was at cabelas yesterday spending my gift card on a sleeping pad that was on sale and ended up getting a cabelas brand sd card, which they gave me a $20 off coupon at the register. I kept the receipt as it was lifetime warrantied. the new base model, hero, it doesn't look like there is a replaceable battery for it like the hero3 or 4, nor do any of their battery bacpacks work for it...... I also got a portable mini rechargeable battery back that I am planning on bring with and using the usb cable to charge it. I will have to play around and see what the recharge time off of that mini charger takes. I also got a 1 amp solar charger.... hopefully that will be enough.
the sd card that I bought was a 32 gb, just to get started cheaply. I plan on getting more and possibly stepping up to a 64 gb if needed. does the 32 store enough data or should I go the 64 route? man those 64's are spendy....

[LckyTylr]

Heck, I only use a 16 gig because I can't fill it up with one battery charge. Even when I'm carrying a spare battery, I haven't filled up a card yet.

[Rangerz]

My brother inlaw has one. Battery life sucks. Not sure which model he has, but he has the remote. When you turn the camera off with the remote it doesn't actually turn off, but goes into standby mode. He does good to get 3-4 hours out of one charge and he has the large battery pack.

Good luck.

[CurlyTail]

I have an older Go Pro and just have about 3 aftermarket batteries for it. They are cheap. If you get the battery pack accessory, you also have to get a larger waterproof case

You have to understand the strengths and limitations of your new Go Pro.
Strengths: the wide anlgle lens makes everything look cool
the HD video and photos are fantastic picture quality
great shock resistance and weather resistance
fun and creative mounts to mount the camera in unusual and fun places - like on your bike handle, on your chest skiing, on your head hiking or climbing, underwater, on a pole, on your car - fun
Weaknesses: sound is muffled when inside its protective case
wide angle lens makes everything look small and far away - your 10 yard elk shot looks like 40
no symbols to tell you what the two buttons do - quite a bit of fiddling to get it into the mode you want, better keep the user manual handy
no zoom feature

not the best video camea to film hunts - you really need a zoom feature for that. Great for filming fishing action both above and below the water

[zpd307]

thanks guys!