People with GoPros:

What do you do with your videos? Do you ever watch them? Show them to other people? I feel like I would love having some things recorded, but I feel like I would never do anything with them...

Are they worth getting, or was it simply cool at first and now sits in a drawer somewhere? I know it depends on the person, but I was hoping to get some general opinions.

A couple of my adventure buddies care to make actual highlight videos from their GoPros. I personally cannot see myself going over the media, editing, applying a sound track as I'm back out adventuring.

However, their videos are awesome and very flattering.

it's supposed to be a panty-dropping aid...everyone knows this!

I think they're great! I just download the video onto my computer and then up-load the video to a movie maker..Really easy to make cool short videos, either to compliment a slide show, or just to make a movie on its own..
I personally think they're cool because you get a different perspective with the HD 360degree lense then with a normal point and shoot camera..
The only negative thing I've found with them is that the battery charge doen't last that long.. Getting an extra battery pack would be useful if you're shooting long videos or if using it on a multi- day backcountry trip.
Feel free to check out my blog. lucidmountainadventures.blogspot.com
there are a few movies I've made with my GoPro that might give you an idea of what you can do with them..

I've taken a few videos and usually just delete them cuz I move my head around way to much while climbing and they are annoying to watch.

But using it for pictures is awesome.

I don't have a go pro(have used one), but I consider making movies a hobby. I really enjoy it and I think other people enjoy seeing new spots/routes. It's pretty expensive though. I think the best way to go, if you don't mind not being able to strap it to your head, is getting a newer DSLR that takes video. It may be a bit more money, but you'll be able to switch lenses etc. Oh, and no dub step.

I've used mine on a dirt bike, mountain bike, and snowboarding. I don't usually end up doing anything with them, but sometimes I think the footage is above-average (compared to my usual shots...still well-below average compared to others' uploads) so I'll throw on a track (because the sound from the camera is always shitty) and share it with some friends/family that might be interested. Sometimes it might just be to brag about some wicked powder. Sometimes it's nice to document a first...like the first time I made a double jump on the dirt bike. And of course it's always nice to have a camera rolling when you or somebody else wipes out, too. =)

One other thing I found the camera extremely useful for is that when my wife was learning to snowboard, I could film her and point out to her later what she needed to do differently. That definitely sped up the learning process for her.

Oh, I've also used mine on the road bike a few times, but just to cut out a few clips here and there...usually to show off the scenery.

One example is this 57mph descent of the west side of Rist Canyon Rd. in Bellvue (I've since hit 60.1mph): youtube.com/watch?v=bQu10VZ…

+1 Ian Stewart

That was RAD, I've gone that fast on snow, but asphalt scares me man.

If you're excited about the creative process of editing and sharing your videos, it's definitely worth considering a GoPro. Otherwise, I suspect the videos will sit mostly unwatched. None of my friends or family, including myself, want to sit through a 5 minute video with just natural sound of me leading a climb or whatever.

I enjoy the creative fun of editing a video and coming up with a finished product to share online . And I go back and watch a few every now and then. Most of my videos have been cheesy home improvement time lapses and snowboarding videos. I've only ever climbed with mine once, on Psycho Tower, and that was a fun video to put together. Perhaps a bit long though...

They are awesome. I have like a TB of video and pics from the last few years. Problem is, I never sit down and do anything with it. I love the editing process but I can't sit still for that long.

Even if it's just me and a few curious friends that watch the unedited videos, it's still worth the money to me. The looks on my parents' faces when they saw my videos from Gogarth this summer were priceless.

Also, I really like using it to record my bike commute to work. Nothing like racing though the streets of London to get your day started.

My buddy is actually creating pretty sweet videos with basic editing tools, but I think it all depends on the quality of the footage. I have a contour and I'm still trying to aquire enough interesting footage to make it worth editing.

And it's always funny to go back and watch what stupid shenanagins you were getting into that day. Also I like watching amateur vids of local climber and skiers.

Costco has GoPros for $200. Almost bought one last night!

I have to add this: the biggest problem with GoPros is that they are advancing SO fast that as soon as you buy one, it will be obsolete. It seems like they're on hyperspeed with new models now.

If you haven't already, go to gopro.com and check out the video made using the new GoPro HERO 3 Black. That thing is fucking awesome. Smaller, lighter, Ultra HD (including 2716x1524 at 30fps), 12mp still/time lapse, 1080p@60fps and 720p@120fps, and a wireless fucking remote/viewfinder with your phone. Yes, it's $400, but that's a ton of camera...

maybe a little off topic and not sure if it has been brought up i haven't checked Go Pro or Contour? pros cons

I've got a buddy who has his mounted to his mt. bike handlebars, so we occasionally get emailed some nice footage of our better rides. He's a composer for films, etc., so there's always some nice soundtrack accompanying the video, which makes it that much sweeter. He certainly gets a kick out of it and I don't mind watching the videos either. A win win?

Edit: Ian, nice video, but what's up with the sound. Sounds like you have playing cards stuck in your spokes.

Ian Stewart wrote:I have to add this: the biggest problem with GoPros is that they are advancing SO fast that as soon as you buy one, it will be obsolete. It seems like they're on hyperspeed with new models now. If you haven't already, go to gopro.com and check out the video made using the new GoPro HERO 3 Black. That thing is fucking awesome. Smaller, lighter, Ultra HD (including 2716x1524 at 30fps), 12mp still/time lapse, 1080p@60fps and 720p@120fps, and a wireless fucking remote/viewfinder with your phone. Yes, it's $400, but that's a ton of camera...

Does it truly become "obsolete" or is it just good marketing creating desire for the latest and greatest?

I doubt it's the capabilities of the camera that is holding people's videos back, once you get to a certain minimum threshold at least.

Jason N. wrote: Does it truly become "obsolete" or is it just good marketing creating desire for the latest and greatest? I doubt it's the capabilities of the camera that is holding people's videos back, once you get to a certain minimum threshold at least.

"Obsolete" may be harsh, but there's always something better around the corner. In terms of "holding your videos back", it depends on what you mean. A HERO 2 will record videos, just like a HERO 3, but the quality and features of the latter can certainly help make the video better even if you're not a pro athlete.

Smaller/lighter: not really needed, but nice.
Higher resolution: more picture definition.
Higher framerate: better fast-action smoothness and/or slower slow-motion.
WiFi remote: convenience
WiFi viewfinder: choosing the right angle can make (or break) your video

Other things are always being improved upon too that aren't really easy to convey in a spec sheet. Brightness, white balance and color reproduction, for example, are always being improved. Most of my snowboarding videos end up being shitty because my older Contour camera doesn't do too great in this scenario. Compared to the demo video for the HERO 3, which includes snowboarding shots where the sun is IN the frame, it's a completely different ballgame.

skiclimber wrote:Go Pros were invented so that pebble wrestlers can stroke their V-gos put your GoGay in a blender!

And why does what other people do, bother you so. If thats your attitude, why do you even bother climb. Imtake it that YOU aren't climbing 5.15b sport or 5.14c trad, and ONLY putting up FA's. If you do a second ascents, wouldn't that be so passe...

Do you take photos of anything. As a friend of mine once said, there are very few photo's who's basic concept hasn't already been done ad nausem....

You ski. So what first descents have you done.....

Oh, wait, people do things for FUN... Thats right. And maybe someone finds fulfillment in their recent 5.6 onsite. Is that any different then your recent 5.13d trad red point. The numbers may be different but if someone finds fun and fulfzillment in what theynare doing... Way cool.

. Bury your own ego and let other people have fun in ways they see fit. I respect people who do things for fun, rather then let their egos control their lives.

I like them.

I've used them over the past four years for everything from mountaineering to backpacking. The latest versions are actually powerful little cameras, which makes them attractive for their size and durability. I tend to leave my DSLR out of my climbing pack for most trips.

Anyway, I never thought I'd get into it, but I really do enjoy spending an afternoon editing footage and syncing music that I like to my adventures.

However, there still isn't a really good mounting technique for rock climbing. The lens tends to get scratched (they make a replacement kit), and the shots and movement tend to be a little jerky. The biggest downside is the battery life, however I always bring a few extras.

Here's an example of a video. I actually did scratch the lens during this climb, rendering the rest of the film kind of dirty looking. youtu.be/73a4VVzcCEs