GoPro Hero3 annouced

Don't forget to go to my web site for links to GoPro and Adobe ;)
http://www.rekindlephoto.com

Word from GoPro High Command:

Must disable ProTune to have live preview via WiFi.

And disable most all other functions of your phone/pad, at least those involving WiFi and processor use(which makes sense)

Would have been nice to know about these little gotchas before they shipped, eh? I like honest companies that TELL you what the drawbacks are. In this case you have Special Thing #1 and Special Thing #2, but guess what? You have to pick which.

Oh well.

True. I called them several times to request precise specs. When I got the camera I have found that the specs were different. No one to blame because there is nothing in writing.

Finding another little problem as I am setting up the mounting points for the rear-facing Hero3 on my bus. For some reason, despite the fact that I tested the functionality of the App when it came in -yes I did! It is now changing the resolution to 960-48p and attempts to switch to 1080 30p are useless.

Power cycled both phone and camera, batteries are good, etc.

WTF?

Getting on phone with them now.....funny I can't use this app with ProTune, or in higher resolutions?

WTF?

I am SO not going to buy GoPro again....I will find another company to work with.

Kinda miffed. Hate to be a complainer (although I'm pretty good at it), I just want things to work as advertised.

Talking to GoPro much more fun than emailing. They are aware of requests for:

Tally light on WiFi remote
Exposure lock (see note below)

He had never heard of the issue I was having. Although my phone and camera are both updated, he recommends reinstalling updates on both to make sure the software isn't corrupted.

Otherwise, I use the App for framing setup, then use the WiFi remote for control while driving (hence the need for the tally light!)

Apparently, the Hero3 Black DOES have one function in which exposure lock is in place, and it's a good thing. Skydivers would start their timelapses inside the plane, then jump, and the exposure would be botched. It is a little publicized, but not secret, feature, which I'm not really sure they knew about when they went into production, but in timelapse mode, the exposure is fixed, based on the first shot. Which is good, right? No flicker in timelapse. I'll try that soon.

Also, for installations like mine, on a vehicle, apparently the USB to Battery BacPac is throughput, while operating. The internal battery will die, he says, but the camera will continue to function for continuous operation.

This will be great, as long as it's not raining or for creek crossings, as the BacPac skeleton back door must be used.

I have a secret though: Get your sorry ass down to the hardware store, electrical section. Find a substance called Pug: Duct Seal. It is a non-hardening, watertight, pliable putty. I use it to seal cable ingress/egress points on my installs. Can be removed and reapplied. It doesn't withstand pressure, but stays in place resisting water, slush, dust, etc. Slight residue can be cleaned by rubbing with a finger. Just don't get it into your electrical ports.

For your info: I just reinstalled the Hero3 Black update. Didn't fix the resolution change (random) when using the GoPro App, BUT the LED on the WiFi remote now blinks when in REC - an effective Tally light!

I pulled out my gopro's 2 week ago for a trip to the jungle

I have about 6 batteries for it, and the extended battery, for 2 of these cameras.

none of them would recharge, no matter what method I used. last year the did not charge fully, now they are mostly non-functional, and they have sat unused for the past 9 months or so.

there are many competitors, I have found 5 or 6 at stores like walmart or online.

any news on the exposure lock for Hero3?

Very buggy product. Changes its settings randomly. Bad battery life. Sometimes does not function at all, often locking up when pulling the plug when charging. Cannot depend on it to function. Lovely image - when it works. Kick the company in the butt and make them get it right before releasing. Hard to like a product that functions fine for testing then actually fails in high pressure situations like fast-paced vehicle rally shots when the camera is not accessible for long periods (say over 20 minutes of lost footage in between shots gotten). WiFi functions buggy. Can't turn off camera and charge WiFi Remote. GoPro app totally useless...causes crashes, requiring removal of main battery. Normal battery life very bad, especially compared to older GoPros. Add Battery BacPac, and you still have less than half of the old. Needs exposure lock and/or smooth - slow ramping to make adjustments to exposure more natural instead of in steps, often overexposing blacks when you don't want all that noise.

But hey, did I mention it takes lovely pics in full sun?

When it works, that is.

I've found some quirks with over-exposure on the GoPro2. Other than that, it is a fine unit for snorkel, shallow scuba, and aerial work. Got some good results.