GoPro HD2 Review

My new GoPro camera seriously hasn’t left my side for the last two months since I got it – and in that short time it’s captured some incredible shots. From my dog’s collar, to the nose of my surfboard, my kite lines and even 5000 feet high in a glider – my GoPro HD2 has taken movies, stills, time-lapse shots and rapid-fire bursts. But you know the best bit? I haven’t had to open the user manual ONCE!

Therein lies the beauty of the GoPro 2, it’s incredibly easy to program, you can take it literally anywhere and it captures beautiful images with the push of a button. If you ever played with one of the old GoPro cameras, you would have noticed that it speaks in code – many of us have been spotted peering into the lens on a windy beach, trying to remember whether “1” or “4” was the HD setting, or whether it was recording right side up, or upside down – amongst other things. With the new model, GoPro has improved the screen resolution; and that’s allowed them to clearly list settings and modes in plain English. We speak English (mostly)… So that’s awesome!

Remember the days of having that photo at the start of every GoPro reel with the user peering, squinty eyed into the camera to see if it’s recording. Not any more! The GoPro 2 has stacks of LEDs on every side, so you can see from the top, side back and front if it’s recording. No more kooky faces!

As for the recording itself, it’s stacks nicer – there’s a higher frame-rate so you don’t see funny clipping lines on bike wheels or fast-moving objects. In low light conditions it’s still a little grainy, but it’s stacks better than the old one (which was virtually un-usable past dusk).

The icing on the cake? Iphone App… Not yet – but soon there will be a new backpack that allows you to view what your GoPro sees, on your phone! Once that’s released early this year – the GoPro HD2 is going to be unstoppable!!! Of course they’ll do the same thing on Android… But who owns one of those?

So, the big question: if you’ve got one of the original GoPro cameras, should you upgrade? Yep – purely for the fact that you can program it faster and easier, combined with the improved quality you’re going to have a much easier filming experience. And if you’ve never owned a GoPro? What are you waiting for? Go and get one…

Review by Rhys Porter, KPQ

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