New video of gliders racing 1000 ft above the desert

I've recorded on my GoPro Hero HD for 2.5 hours straight with no auto off. I think there is an auto-off function that can be set up via the menus but the default out of the box is continuous on mode.

Robert

On Wednesday, March 21, 2012 10:09:07 AM UTC-5, Bruno wrote:
We all seem to be impressed with the quality and angle width of the
new GoPro Hero2 for recording our soaring. Please note that many
remotes to video recorders DO NOT turn the units on and off but only
start and stop recording. If that is the case with the new Hero2
remote then it won't help with battery life issues. You only have
around 1.5 hours of battery life. I have the extended battery pack to
get the record time up to around 3 hours but with it installed I don't
think you can also have the remote hooked up so you are stuck with
either a 1.5 hour battery life with only a start/stop recording remote
or a full 3+ hours of continuous footage with the extended pack....I
think: I haven't recorded for a straight 3 hours yet on the Hero2 so
it might be possible that it automatically stops recording after a
certain time period. I hope not. My old HD camera on video mode would
do that because it limited the individual file sizes so it would stop
recording after around 30 minutes. Was a real pain. Best is to "Set it
and Forget it!" but I guess we aren't cooking chicken in the cockpit
even though we sometimes feel like one.

Take care,
Bruno - B4

Bruno,

Great video!

I understand that you have used both the Contour+ HD and now the GoPro Hero2 to make your videos. Let's say you had to pick one for a glider filming going forward. Which one would you use?

Thanks!

Bastoune

On Mar 23, 7:34*pm, Bastoune wrote:
Bruno,

Great video!

I understand that you have used both the Contour+ HD and now the GoPro Hero2 to make your videos. Let's say you had to pick one for a glider filming going forward. Which one would you use?

Thanks!

Bastoune

Again, thanks everyone for all the kind words and encouragement. I
received the Contour+ HD as a gift from one of the owners of Contour
because of my past soaring videos to try out so when I make this next
statement you know it is unbiased. I was not terribly pleased with
the overall performance of this newest of the Contour HD lineup!
Sorry to say because the gift was very generous. The quality of the
video is adequate but it is not quite wide angle enough for a good
cockpit cam and I am very displeased with the battery life. It seemed
to last less than an hour in the hot environment that we use it in.
That is pretty poor performance. I have only played with the GoPro
Hero2's a few times but so far am very pleasantly surprised and
relieved since I purchased two off the bat. If you want a really
good comparison of the Hero2 vs the Contour+ then take a look at my
video over Kolob Canyon that I will be releasing tomorrow shot with
the Hero2 vs a video I released last Fall shot with the Contour+ seen
here ridge soaring the amazing Mount Timpanogos: http://youtu.be/X-uXgr4ibbA?hd=1
Both of them have backward facing shots of my fat face with 16 chins
so you can compare the quality and angle width of each. Again, the
Contour+ does not take bad video but I would end up going with the
Hero2.

One note about the Hero2 that I don't like. It does not allow for
adjustments when mounted at an angle. None of the mounts that comes
with it allows for a side tilt to compensate for a tilted base. To
overcome this you will have to purchase the tripod mount and then go
with a RAM mount arm to get the correct adjustments. I will be
installing a few of these in the cockpit and will share details once
installed.

Looking forward to sharing the Kolob Canyon video with everyone
tomorrow. Fly safe,

Bruno - B4

For adjusting the angle the ram ball mount is probably the best choice, but if you pick up the grab bag of mounts for $20 or so off Amazon, there are enough connectors in there to allow for enough adjustment and it will work with any of the stock go-pro mounts like the glue-on or the suction cup system.

The tripod mount is definitely a worthwhile mount to have as well.

Just wanted to briefly chime in on the camera comments... I *LOVE* my
Drift Innovations HD Stealth camera (http://driftinnovation.com/hd170-
stealth-camera/). Its got great capabilities including a wireless
remote, body-mic attachment, 1080p (127 degree FOV) and 720p (170
degree FOV) recording, and the lens rotates so I can mount the camera
body in any orientation and still get a "level" shot. Its got a
tripod screw-mount so you aren't limited to proprietary mounts like
some cameras.

Bruno - Awesome vid, as always!

--Noel


On Mar 20, 2:40*pm, Brad wrote:

I'm using on of the original GoPro cameras, the light gathering
ability is poor and so is the battery life, but it's still fun to set
up in the sailplane, especially for the Tetra-15 first flights. It
needs to be replaced with a new HD unit of some type.

Brad

On 3/26/2012 5:42 PM, noel.wade wrote:
Just wanted to briefly chime in on the camera comments... I *LOVE* my
Drift Innovations HD Stealth camera (http://driftinnovation.com/hd170-
stealth-camera/). Its got great capabilities including a wireless
remote, body-mic attachment, 1080p (127 degree FOV) and 720p (170
degree FOV) recording, and the lens rotates so I can mount the camera
body in any orientation and still get a "level" shot. Its got a
tripod screw-mount so you aren't limited to proprietary mounts like

Isn't 170 a bit too wide? I like my Contour HD but I find it very
difficult to adjust the (suction cup) mount/camera to get a "level"
frame and many of my videos are a bit tilted. The alignment lasers don't
help much in bright sun.

Tony, LS6-b "6N"


some cameras.

Bruno - Awesome vid, as always!

--Noel


On Mar 20, 2:40 pm, wrote:

I'm using on of the original GoPro cameras, the light gathering
ability is poor and so is the battery life, but it's still fun to set
up in the sailplane, especially for the Tetra-15 first flights. It
needs to be replaced with a new HD unit of some type.

Brad

My GoPro Hero HD can record in both 170 FOV and 127 FOV angles. After doing some testing, my opinion is that the 170 FOV is a must for flying videos. Not sure if the Contour has options to try standard and wide FOV but if it does, try it and see for youself. I think you'll be surprised by the difference it makes!

I also seem to always get my camera mounted a few degrees off of level. However, my video editing software (Adobe Premiere Elements) has a feature that allows me to rotate the video to a level orientation to correct this. I suspect most video editing SW will have similar functionality.

Robert

On Monday, March 26, 2012 7:19:40 PM UTC-5, Tony V wrote:

Isn't 170 a bit too wide? I like my Contour HD but I find it very
difficult to adjust the (suction cup) mount/camera to get a "level"
frame and many of my videos are a bit tilted. The alignment lasers don't
help much in bright sun.

Tony, LS6-b "6N"

Robert -

I totally agree on the angle: wider is better! The human brain gets
its sense sense of speed from things rushing past in your peripheral
vision. That means having a wide field of view when you record
things. Many cameras cut off too much of the peripheral view.

The Drift Innovation guys just released a new camera that can do 170
degrees at full 1080p. Looks like I may need to sell my Stealth HD
and buy a new toy for spring! ;-)

--Noel


On Mar 26, 7:42*pm, wrote:
My GoPro Hero HD can record in both 170 FOV and 127 FOV angles. *After doing some testing, my opinion is that the 170 FOV is a must for flying videos. *Not sure if the Contour has options to try standard and wide FOV but if it does, try it and see for youself. *I think you'll be surprised by the difference it makes!