handsrdirty wrote:I'm a video newbie and an average level techno-user. I've been using the GoPro black for a few months now, and the most difficult technical part of the process is getting video files from the GoPro onto the computer, then onto the internet. You won't be able to just shoot video and e-mail the files to your wife, they are around 100MB per minute, too cumbersome for e-mail attaching. I've got an older Mac, I had to upgrade operating systems, buy a USB card reader and sort through all kinds of software details that I can't remember. Editing software is another can 'o' worms. If you're not techno-dude, I recommend finding a skilled friend and buy the same kind of camera they use.

FWIW, this is an issue with all cameras. Video files are big and cumbersome to handle. I shoot regularly with 3-4 gopros, a canon DSLR, a canon video camera and an iphone. Anyone who is even marginally serious about playing with video should be using a current computer with lots of memory and either a massive hard drive or a plan to buy external ones (I do that latter and have three drives with something like 4-5TB of data now). Anyone who is serious is going to want to spend serious time learning to use iMovie, MovieMaker, Final Cut, Premiere or whatever editing suite they are going to use.

handsrdirty wrote:I bought the latest GoPro because of the remote, but as everybody else has said, it kills the battery so fast it's barely worth it. I use a big memory card and waste video instead of wasting battery. I just hit the start button, go fly then hit the stop button when I land. With editing software you trim the video down to manageable size. (sometimes I mount it on the strut and use my Missouri remote control; reach out the window and push the buttons)

The tip here is to make sure to use the keychain remote, not the WIFI feed to your phone or ipad. In my test with the keychain remote, you can have the camera off (with the blue wifi light being the only thing running) for more than 24 hours without noticeable drain on the battery. I'm guessing it would be ok for 2-3 days, but I didn't test beyond 24 hours. Whenever you want to shoot, just turn the camera on with the keychain remove and you're good to go.

Obviously, I completely disagree with his advice on using wifi, but otherwise see Zzz's excellent write-up on this subject: http://www.backcountrypilot.org/photo-a ... hoot-video

make sure to use the keychain remote, not the WIFI feed to your phone or ipad. In my test with the keychain remote, you can have the camera off (with the blue wifi light being the only thing running) for more than 24 hours without noticeable drain on the battery.

I didn't know it would do that. Very useful for when it takes an hour of flying before getting to the fun zone.

After reading handsdirty's post about all the computer snafu crap needed, my wife laughed and said, "Well, I guess that means you won't get the Go-Pro!"

Didn't mean to scare you off, it adds a lot of fun to flying.

I tried to post this in the previous, but couldn't get it right. don't give up yet, WWHunter, get a video camera and have some fun. Here's my off road flying buddy and me down in the desert, we went there just to shoot some video:

TomD wrote:I just saw a Gopro Hero 3+ at Costco for $370.00. Sounds like a decent deal.

TD

That's a pretty darn deal, but the best deal right now is in the for sale forum -- some guy has a practically brand new one with a bunch of accessories for $75 off.

My buddy got his at REI. He says they run 20% off sales every few months or so, and the item is eligible.

At this point I have three friend with them so have not bought one yet, but am considering the Garmin Virb, only because it seems like it would be easier and more aerodynamic to mount in a slipstream.

Really the best thing is a DSLR, but outside of in the cockpit video mounted in the back seat, they are damn near impossible to mount anywhere without very expensive STCs.

One more thing to consider is some folks say the 3 black (non-+) has better video quality at "infinity" focus and that the 3+ was designed/focused for what 90% of the people were using them for -- taking selfies by holding them on a stick or other nearby action shots. Others disagree. But, google "black 3+ infinity focus rcgoups" before you decide between 3+ vs. normal 3.