GoPro bringing high-def helmet cams to the masses, launching $180 HD Hero 960

If you want high-def footage from your lid you have more choices than ever, but if you're on a budget there just aren't that many. The 720p ContourHD is currently the best value at around $230, but we've received word from GoPro that the company is looking to under-cut that with the upcoming $180 HD Hero 960. We have scant few details about this new model, set for release this fall, but based on the name we're guessing it'll fall short of the current HD Hero's 1080p and offer a maximum of 960p, which should be plenty of pixels for most extremophiles. We also have to figure it will continue with its predecessors boxy stylings, but we'd certainly be happy to see a somewhat sleeker redesign.

[Cainhunpi Posted Aug 4th 2010 12:42PM]

They still wont let me use it at Six Flags :(

[rutter9 Posted Aug 4th 2010 12:47PM]

@Cainhunpi

I just ordered the 1080p package last week. Very fun device! Works alot better in the wind then I thought it would. $230 on ebay new.

[liquidkernel Posted Aug 4th 2010 12:46PM]

Nice, more cool videos from Bring Your Own Big Wheel.

Oh and.. THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING.

[ivan300 Posted Aug 4th 2010 12:47PM]

I would urge everyone to stay away from GoPro products.

I own a GoPro HD. It is still incompatible with my Kingston class 4 32gb card which they recommend on their website. This camera has been out since last September. There have still not released a updated firmware to address these issues. The issue the camera has is at the 720@60 and 1080p mode it will not write more than 3.4gb at one time. This means that every time the video reaches ~34min it stops! and has the record button has to be pressed again. On many other cards it will simply not record!

They have had almost a YEAR to fix this problem. On their website it states that they are 99.99% done. This has been like this for 6 months!!!!!!

I will never buy another product from this lazy company

Here is more info
http://goprouser.freeforums.org/which-cards-do-you-want-to-see-listed-as-compatible-poll-t392.html
http://goprouser.freeforums.org/stickie-new-firmware-is-99-4-t211.html

[clownboytad Posted Aug 4th 2010 1:00PM]

@ivan300
Sell it then...to...me! ;) if u do want to sell it cheap let me know. It is a great helmet cam. My coworker has it and hasent had that problem u r describing, however i have heard about it before.

[rutter9 Posted Aug 4th 2010 1:03PM]

@ivan300

I guess I got lucky, I went cheaper and got 32gb transcend and works fine.

[TVGenius Posted Aug 4th 2010 1:15PM]

@ivan300 Got Kingstons in ours and they work fine. I'd have to say that a 3 GB/30+ minute cap doesn't affect too many people. It's not like it doesn't have a start/stop button on it. And come, on for under $300, it's still incredible.

[ivan300 Posted Aug 4th 2010 1:25PM]

@TVGenius

I know it doesn't affect everyone. What my complaint is they have not addressed the issue for almost a year! They keep changing the status on their website saying the update is almost ready bla bla. Then they made a solid release date and posted it on the website. Then when the day came they were 99.4 and now they're 99.99 and its been like that for a month.

I just feel that they do not care about their consumers if they are going to treat us like this.

[techlord Posted Aug 4th 2010 12:47PM]

Put that in balloon goes to orbit.

[normanb20 Posted Aug 4th 2010 12:53PM]

My buddy has 1 of these, and it is amazing

[srghyc Posted Aug 4th 2010 12:55PM]

i wish they would come out with a new upgraded model for $250, then lower the price of last years model to $180.

[Shemploo Posted Aug 4th 2010 1:23PM]

Don't get this unless you want to be jailed for 5 years.
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/08/01/man-faces-jail-for-v.html
(Of course this is ridiculous)

[Brad Green Posted Aug 4th 2010 1:43PM]

Anyone notice that these are heavily featured on Sharkweek? A good near disposable (for a tv network at least) camera that's waterproof and HD.

[SilverFireshot Posted Aug 4th 2010 2:13PM]

We just finished shooting an adventure documentary with the current GoPro Hero combined with a Canon 7D. For the size and the price, it actually gives you very good picture quality. It also manages decent stability even when jostled around quite a bit (we had it mounted to a helmet while a cyclist biked down the road). It's not glass smooth, but it is certainly smooth for the conditions.

[Sil Posted Aug 4th 2010 2:49PM]

i saw this on a show once, 4 guys had like 4 of these while go kart racing

[orangearrows Posted Aug 4th 2010 2:51PM]

Yeah -- you do this and then you get busted

not cool

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2008566,00.html?xid=huffpo-direct

[Shemploo Posted Aug 4th 2010 6:58PM]

@orangearrows

I beat you to it 4 posts up.

[orangearrows Posted Aug 4th 2010 2:52PM]

You do this and you then you know that you are busted for >>>>

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2008566,00.html?xid=huffpo-direct

Not cool

[Rimshot Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:14PM]

Have they fixed the jiggly sensor of the GoPro HD? The only reason I still stick with my original Hero Wide is because the HD's sensor is utter crap.

[pika2000 Posted Aug 5th 2010 12:37AM]

Do these come with some get-out-of-jail free cards? You know, just in case you happen to record a video of some police officials/politicians. It is illegal in some states you know.