GoPro Hero3 annouced

I have a half dozen GoPro HD , HD 2 and HD 3. I use them as if they are expendable or disposable when a good camera would or could be damaged. In the last year I have destroyed three of them. Two in diving and one destroyed putting it too close to an exploding rifle target. Any use of the GoPro for anything other than first person action or damaging possibilities is really asking too much from it. They do use deceptive advertising when each new camera is advertised as "twice as powerful". Not sure what that can mean in relation to a camera. GoPro is a good camera but is not broadcast or truly quality compared to a full capability video camera.

$400 is too much for a camera that does not work when you need it to. If it worked, as in when I wanted it to, this would be a different story, quality/flaws, etc notwithstanding.

It even failed me when I started it recording, confirmed, then walked to the front, got in, drove away, thinking I was getting great shots. Later, I stopped, got out, walked to the back, and discovered that the camera had shut itself off.

Fun, huh?

I agree, they have not fixed numerous flaws and bugs. It's done the same for me, not recorded when I had set it on. If within one year call them and they will send another one. Not sure if it will work any better. It is frustrating ... especially battery life.

Why does Gopro commercial look so good? Never rolling shutter.

Perhaps thousands of hours of outtakes? I keep running into rolling shutter from the slightest vibration....very depressing. I'm thinking of giving up and just saying to hell with it, and putting it up there for sale anyway, as I see several clips available with certain flaws that have sold....but it makes me feel all dirty inside....

Got intel from GoPro yesterday - I'll forward the response here - I tried it all, have even gamely done again what they said even though I was doing it right all along, and within moments experienced another lockup, random setting change, so I don't think it's me....I think the product sucks. Which, after spending around $600 for it and accessories, is pretty depressing.

They don't care....plenty of people who don't know or can't tell to foot the bills....

Not sure what is happening to the forums here, but I already posted this - it reports the post, but there is no post! Weird.

Anyway.....they probably shot thousands of hours of outtakes. What the commercial is the result of is a lot of careful selection.

I'm seeing heinous rolling shutter/jello while it's on a relatively smooth car on asphalt! Certainly does not take much.

Many can't see it....or care to. These are the many that are already helping GoPro make their money while selling a half-ass product. I am looking for other solutions. Even if they are not as fancy....maybe they are also half as much dough, and probably work twice as well.

Can you tell I think GoPro stinks? They could have been so cool. They chose to take the low road, working for profit before quality. Big oops in my book.

They could have used advanced mounting systems like this, too: http://static.rcgroups.net/forums/attachments/3/4/2/7/2/6/a3795629-25-IMG_6906.jpg for eliminating vibration.

I fell for the thing after watching some of the YouTube videos. Not sure what they were using to shoot those videos, but it certainly is not the same box that I got! (GoPro3 Black). If I breathe while shooting or move in the slightest bit, the video becomes unusable. There is no way that they were using this to get some of the vibrating action shots in their ads. I will take it on my next shoot, in case I want a really wide shot of something, but it will have to be on a tripod on a calm day!

My take .... Its a crapcam... I want my $600 back!

Interesting -- what settings are you using? Mine isn't THAT bad...I mean, besides a few already-stated difficulties. Had it on my head, car good, VW roof rack, underwater, etc. Got a few cool shots (and yes, a lot of crap - CrapCam(TM) -funny (but not))

After I complained of frequent crashes and charging FUBAR situation, like if the WiFi is on and you plug in to charge the battery BacPac, it crashes the camera) and stupid stuff like if the camera is charged, but idle, and you want to charge the WiFi remote, and it reaches full charge, it turns itself on, and therefore the camera, thus draining the battery in both, which, when you go to use it after a time, really makes you mad....anyway, they tried to tell me maybe I had a defective unit. HAH!

A little internet research reveals that MANY have consistent inconsistencies with their CrapCams, so WHY would I think that sending mine back to be repaired would do anything but waste more money - spent on shipping?

I have tried most of the settings, and get the same results. As I look at more footage I think that I see what some are doing to avoid the shakes and stutters. I think that it is a combo of shooting at 2.7, pushing into the center of the shot, adding some stabilization in post. I am going to do more testing with it. I even bought a second battery for it today. I am off to Africa for six weeks, so will report back on what I find out. It may be that in well lit situations, on a tripod, or some other stable setting, that I might get enough nice wide shots to make it worth my investment.

On the lockup problem. I have stopped trying to use any wifi, I have done a manual upload of the latest firmware, and only offload the footage using a card reader. I have not had any more freeze ups since...