GoPro HD Helmet Hero
The basics
Don’t let the quirky, retro looks deceive you, the Go Pro HD Helmet Hero is top-notch technology: full HD 1080p at 30 frames per second and also 960p and 720p at 30 fps. If you want your action replayed in slo-mo, there’s a 60fps option in 720p and also one in lo-fi WVGA setting.
The good
Shooting at full HD 1080p the camera gives an angle of view of 127°. Although this is less than either the Contour HD or the X170, drop down to 720p and the angle increases to 170°.
Like filming, a lot? Well the downside of HD is that the file sizes get fat quickly. That’s not a problem with the Helmet Hero as it can take up to 32GB SD cards. That’s enough for nearly four and half hours of footage, even at full HD 1080p.
The Helmet Hero comes with a removable polycarbonate and stainless steel housing to protect the body. This housing is not just shockproof, not merely dustproof, it is fully waterproof down to an impressive 60m. That’s deeper than you can go without specialist dive training and kit so don’t go trying to test it out unless you really know what you are doing.
Cold can severely shorten battery life, but there’s a innovating feature on the Helmet Hero that warms the battery chamber so that you won’t run out of juice when filming in sub-zero temperatures.
The bad
The Helmet Hero comes with a head-torch style fixing mount for your lid, a strap designed for vented cycle helmets, a selection of adhesive mounting pads and a pivoting side-arm. There are also a number of other mounts that can be bought so the camera can be fixed onto mountain bikes, cars or surfboards.
While this is an impressive array of fittings, it's a chunky piece of kit that might not be to everyone's style.
The bottom line
Ideal for fans of extreme sports of any ilk – and shoots HD in the most challenging of conditions with ease.
User comments (8)
Leave a comment
david culshaw09 July 2010
i own one of these and i can honestly say they are a great little camera , its full HD and can be edited with your full size HD camcorder clips without any loss of picture quality, the only down side is the wayyy over priced plastic mounts , the roll bar mount is a few bits of cheap platic and some bolts , check them out then make your own
Report as inappropriateThis comment has been removed.
Timon06 November 2010
Great piece of kit - use mine all the time on bike and in car http://www.minidvcam.co.uk
Report as inappropriateJonathon11 December 2010
I havent got the HD but i have the standered wide hero and it is amazing. Iam getting a HD when i have the money but it is realy expensive
Report as inappropriaterb20014 December 2010
bought mine from www.promotioncams.com fantastic bit of kit
Report as inappropriatePaul W30 January 2011
Brilliant bit of kit, I've used it on an explosives range and a ballistics range and been impressed with the results. Good website support and online tips, software updates etc. Editing the images is easy enough with Windows Live Moviemaker, the normal Windows moviemaker I have with Vista won't handle the files, so save them as a WMV file on WLMoviemaker and import into Windows Moviemaker or persevere with Live Moviemaker if you want to. Shame we have to pay in £££££s what the Americans pay in $$$$$s though. Can't wait for the LCD Remote or the LCD viewfinder which are both noticeably late in being put on sale.
Report as inappropriateMichele05 July 2011
Just about to purchase one for a 10 year old, he is going to have such fun with it. What a great piece of kit....thinking of getting one for myself......if it's good enough for Top Gear,they used it on the programme when they heard the sheep on bikes.....
Report as inappropriateHenry Eastick23 January 2012
I got go pro hero 2 for Christmas and is phenomenal love it five star rating get one if you love filming your adventures.
Report as inappropriateJoin Channel 5
Creating an account is free, will only take a few moments and will allow you to enjoy the full benefits of 5FWD and Channel 5:
Leave a comment