Go Pro??

[PolarBear]

I am looking at getting a Go Pro for fishing, hunting, etc and have zero idea what to get.  What would you folks suggest?
Thanks!

[NOCK NOCK]

I am looking at getting a Go Pro for fishing, hunting, etc and have zero idea what to get.  What would you folks suggest?
Thanks!

Don't know about GoPro's but I use a Contour.(same idea, different brand)  IMO they are cool cameras for filming some things, (use mine for snowmobiling) but things like hunting they are kind of disappointing. Wearable cams have a pretty wide field of view, which when used for hunting, makes everything look a lot further away than it actually is. I have had mine on when I have shot several deer bowhunting and you can barely see the animal in the video.
Just something to think about

[CAMPMEAT]

I have a GoPro and truthfully, they are a pain to program. I wouldn't waste my money on one. Maybe a different brand would be better.

[trophyhunt]

I have to agree with nock nock, I have a go pro 2 hd.  Great for snowmobiling but not so much for hunting.

[Birdguy]

Tagging!

I  was thinking the same thing, but I also have a 12 year old son that is into everything from fishing, hunting, tying flies, to boy scout hikes and campouts all over the state and in all weather, mountain biking, quad riding and more. I would love to have him build a library of all the things he will do in his teen years to look back on when he is my age trying to tell his kids all the stuff he used to do  .

[PolarBear]

Thanks for the input everyone, this is the kind of info that I need.  I hate jumping into buying something like this blind only to find out that I got the wrong thing for what I need.

[Bean Counter]

The question I would ask is: are you so involved with the action that you can't feasibly hold a camera or recruit another parent or coach to do it for you? If so then a go pro might be your only option. Something would definitely be better than nothing.

The two secrets to memorable family videos are good audio and a non shaky look. If you can manage either with a Go Pro then you might be a Hero if it's primarily video that you want to capture then I would buy a dedicated camcorder, not a DSLR camera and use it to shoot videos. I have a cheap $300 camcorder from Costco that works and is uber light weight, but I couldn't tell you much about how it compares to new stuff on te market today. save some cash for a dedicated mic. The internal ones are usually crap.

 I personally am a photo dude so I would probably get a DSLR that is good for video such as the Canon 70D since it can continually focus on moving subjects. Many DSLRs cannot. I shoot a full frame camera which would blow the 70d away as far as still photo image quality, but who cares if you get a headache as The camera shakes constantly whilst I manually focus the lens like I have to? So if the kids are running around crazy I use my crappy camcorder since it auto focuses while recording but when I was filming the Christmas play in low light with static positions my full frame DSLR on a monopod rocked it. Again,  save at least $100 for a Decent shotgun mic such as Rode.

Fair warning: you'll be "that guy" with the obnoxious looking gear. I also find myself out of a lot of shots as I'm the one holding the camera. But I have a printed, bound photo album for each kid made every year with everything from just growing up to all the family adventures.

[huntnnw]

True they capture great video, but if it's a zoom up closeup of a buck at even 70 yards you won't be able to see much of what it is. They are good for capturing the moment.

As for as programming they are as easy if you own a smart phone. They have a app you can down load and control every single option imaginable from your hands and also see what your cam is seeing which is handy if your cam lets say is on your head or set up away from you. I posted a elk vid on here in sept on my mt view hunt if you watch it that bull was 7 yards away that will give you an idea how they film subjects .

[Maverick]

Check out the solvid cam setup. Basically it's a hat with a pouch on the side and you stap a handheld camera inside. They get great videos with them. The big I like on these is that you can zoom in. I plan on buying the setup for myself and I already have a camera that will work great for it.

[salmonchaser]

I'm not much of a photographer but have learned a few things about hunting and fishing photos going back to throwaway instimatics. When I started guiding back then I kept an Olympus 35 mm in the boat, I'd manage a couple of photos a day, I rarely packed it on flyouts. Cost me a fortune to get a few good pics. Fast forward to digital cameras you could put in your pocket. Started getting great action shots with one hand running the boat with the other. Soon everyone had them I quit taking mine with me. The guests would either down load their pics in the office or email them.
Jump ahead to the go pro. We are getting some fantastic stuff from them. Our pilot has several brackets on both the floatplanes and wheel plane to film the trip.  With practice the guys are getting most of the action by simply adjusting to the situation. Moose, bears, eagles and such are no problem to capture inside 100 yards. They are getting good still photos and underwater stuff as well. For those circumstances where everyone is involved in the action they are awesome, but they don't replace an SLR for those once in a lifetime shots. I'm not a photographer, but I get involved in the trip of a lifetime for a lot of people, it is amazing what gets captured that otherwise would be missed.

[hoyt2110]

i actually just ordered a knock off gopro to give a try. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1072775-REG/sj4000_sj4000_action_camera.html

Seem to have pretty good reviews and if i dont end up using it as much as i think i will its only $100 versus $300-400 for the gopro. All the gopro mounts work with it and i watched some reviews of video footage and dont see a few hundred dollar difference.

I actually ended up ordering mine off of amazon though. Should have it monday.

[Bean Counter]

BH Photo & Video = 

Every time I've ordered from them I get shoddy boxing and no padding for my products. If I'm ordering a lump of coal I suppose I don't mind. Not buying anything important from them again. Their next-door neighbor in NYC, Adorama Camera, has the same pricing, free shipping, and knows how to actually protect and pad what you buy

[Bean Counter]

10-4   Besides you're supporting a local company by shopping Amzn.

[PolarBear]

Thanks again for the help!  I kinda like the Idea of a less expensive model as long as it does what I need.  With my luck I will wind up dumping it overboard while fighting a fish or out of my treestand.  My main reason for wanting one is to capture some of our epic steelhead and salmon battles.  My kids would also like to mount one to our cows for fun while they are training them or have me film them while towing them around the lake.    

[CAMPMEAT]

Look at the MUVI Camera. That's a pretty cool little camera. $50 or so. I have one and it's really easy to use.