GoPro Hero3 Black Edition Review - Pros and Cons

[tonyleeglenn]

Tim - I have experienced the locking up issue maybe 4 or 5 times since getting the Hero3 Black (after hundreds of uses). I've come to the conclusion that it occurs when I get in a big hurry and don't let the unit start up fully. For instance I'll start up quickly and then hit the record before it's had a chance to initialize. Even if this happens it only takes about 5 seconds to pop the back off, yank the battery and put it back in - then you're back in business. Don't fear this issue!

[tonyleeglenn]

Glad you like the vid. My GoPros have gotten better with the recent firmware changes. I experience almost none of the problems I describe here now. I shoot with them every day. Thanks for commenting and watching.

[edgarssk]

Very good and thorough review! The best Hero3 review on youtube I've viewed yet! Good job Tony!

[tonyleeglenn]

Thanks for the comment. I'm betting you mean the USB2 cable. I can easily transfer the video using the USB2 also. Knew you could play vid from the hdmi, but didn't know you could transfer files. Maybe I'm wrong and you're right. Is it really the hdmi cable?

[tonyleeglenn]

Best compliment ever - thanks. Never been to N. Ireland, but shot some golf video and photos down at Old Head and Ballybunion for a magazine once. Love Ireland. I'm 1/4 Irish and 3/4 Scottish (don't hold against me). Don't believe the negative about Hero3. Was buggy in beginning, but firmware has made it rock solid. I shoot bunches of vid with it. If you're ever in the states look me up. I need more UK and Irish friends. God bless the homelands!

[tonyleeglenn]

You're right - when I shot this I hadn't messed much with the app. It's pretty cool. I might post another video to show how it works the weekend.

[tonyleeglenn]

It doesn't come pre charged, so you have to charge it. After thorough charging you can expect to get about 70-80 minutes from the stock battery, though that varies depending on what mode you're shooting in. I get 70-80 minutes in 1080p at 48 frames per second - one of my favorite modes.

[tonyleeglenn]

I just loaded that new firmware on mine too. No problems so far. Will be cool to compare notes with you if we find something squirrely.

[tonyleeglenn]

Good tip. I may have done that very thing back when I experienced the problem. With new firmware and different shooting techniques I've not experienced the problem at all this year.

[tonyleeglenn]

Steve - maybe I should do a follow up video. I've had issues with the freeze-up, but basically you just take the battery out and put it back in and it usually works just fine. Sometimes you may have to do it a second time. It can be frustrating, but it's really a small hoop to jump through for the awesomeness of the video you get. I really pay it no mind anymore. I now own 3 of these babies and do some great multi-angle cruising vids. To me it's worth it - even with this slight inconvenience.

[tonyleeglenn]

Wonder what mode/frame rate you were recording in. Before the firmware update it seems like it was only one frame rate that would do the clicking for me. Might have been 720p 60 or something - I don't even remember now. I haven't experienced it in a long time. The separate file issue is because the little SDs get formatted to FAT32 by the GoPro, and it only allows for files up to around 2 gigs in size before splitting to another file. You're right, they always match up just fine though.

[tonyleeglenn]

Yes - totally different chip in the silver and white. Black edition allows for higher frame rates and different fields of view and sizes up to 4k. The others do shoot great video though. If you have the bucks the black is more flexible and allows lots of options. Go to the GoPro site and compare.

[tonyleeglenn]

I fink I'd like to see that. Protune 1080p 60 in your editing program with no delay? I'm using 6 core Xeon with 24 megs of RAM and it chokes after about 10 seconds of playback. No argument if you say it works - I'd just like to see a demo of that. I may switch to the mac!

[tonyleeglenn]

Yes - you're right. Even last week I was doing a three cam tour with the cams mounted to the top of my car. It was a 50 minute driving tour and one of the cams died after 13 minutes. Not sure why it happened, and it was annoying - but I've also shot so much great video with these babies. It's worth it to me - but I get your sentiment too. Maybe the Hero4 will be rock solid in performance, but I do think GoPro is improving their product with each firmware upgrade - not perfect but getting there.

[tonyleeglenn]

The answer is yes. I plug mine into the charger for my cell phone. It's a Verizon Charger that has a USB slot that you can plug various USB cords into. I have to use a different type of cord for the GoPro, but it works just great. Depending on what size card you get for the camera you might want to set your mode to a lower size to accommodate many hours on the road - say 720p.

[tonyleeglenn]

It comes with a pretty sturdy clear plastic case - actually black edition comes with two of them (one waterproof). I would guess it could take a bb pretty well, but depends on velocity etc. Wait - airsoft? Yes I would think so. It's much lighter if you buy the "frame" to mount it instead of using the plastic casing, but for the sake of lens protection I'd use the heavier case.

[tonyleeglenn]

I've got three of them and used to experienc the freezes on all three, but only intermittently (maybe one in 10 start ups). Since updating the firmware in early May 2013 I've not had the problem at all. But maybe I've just been lucky. Also, doesn't seem to matter whether I'm shooting 1080, 1440, 2.7k etc. Totally love my units, but I don't doubt situation and understand your pain. You expect things to work, and it's frustrating when then don't.

[tonyleeglenn]

Curious what software you are using to edit. Also, if you shoot a short vid - say 30 seconds and then upload to Youtube without any editing, is the audio delay still there? If not, then the problem is with the editing package or computer. If it's still there with delay (when you haven't even edited, then the problem is the Hero3. The class 10 card is plenty fast - can't believe that would be the problem. Try an unedited upload and see what happens then let me know. You might have a defect.

[tonyleeglenn]

Wasn't the card - It was the firmware. I still use the same cards and no freezing or hang-ups now. That said, you're correct in the fact that the SanDisk cards I'm using are not the recommended cards. Unfortunately, GoPro didn't issue a statement on recommended cards until months after the camcorder was released (bad move) but in the end I've still been able to shoot a bunch of great video on the SanDisks anyway.

[tonyleeglenn]

Does it come with the tripod mount now. That would be great for new buyers. I had to buy mine separately. Thanks for the info!