GoPro Hero 3 or alternative?

[waterjug]

I'm thinking of buying a GoPro Hero 3 for a friend for their birthday, but the reviews on Amazon are fairly brutal, 3 stars overall, with a TON of 1 star reviews outlaying a litany of issues. The friend I'd be buying it for loves traveling and she'd be using it for capturing a lot of sight-seeing videos.

If I didn't go with the Hero 3 are there any similar alternatives?

 

[axium]

Oh wow that sucks to hear that hero 3 is getting a poor reception. How about going for the hero 2? I think it was rated better and you can probably get a great deal.

Also, depending how far away the friends birthday is and how much you like that friend, it may be interesting to consider google glass. It seems to be aimed at that market as well.

 

[fralexandr]

swann freestyle vs gopro hero vs hero 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg5uPyn_gRM

hero 2 vs hero 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?annota...&feature=iv&src_vid=4yp_SlO0y2A&v=BgDXdo7cBEY

sony hdr-as15 vs hero 2 vs contour+2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYxe_hMspg0

the hero 2 and sony hdr-as10 (no wifi) or 15 (wifi) are basically the next best similar alternative.
the swann freestyle does ok considering it's ~$140, but not in the same league as the hero 2.

 

[waterjug]

thanks!

 

[HendrixFan]

I have the original GoPro and the GoPro 3. The early reviews of the Hero 3 seem to have the most negative vibe. Apparently there was a software/firmware update that fixed most of the issues and early adopters suffered for it. I picked mine up 4-5 months after release and have had zero issues.

If you are using the Hero 3 for birthday parties and similar events you should pick up the lcd bacpac. Personally I use it for sporting activities so the super high frame rates it offers is of more use to me than anything.

 

[waterjug]

I have the original GoPro and the GoPro 3. The early reviews of the Hero 3 seem to have the most negative vibe. Apparently there was a software/firmware update that fixed most of the issues and early adopters suffered for it. I picked mine up 4-5 months after release and have had zero issues.

If you are using the Hero 3 for birthday parties and similar events you should pick up the lcd bacpac. Personally I use it for sporting activities so the super high frame rates it offers is of more use to me than anything.

Thank you very much! Very helpful

 

[AkumaX]

don't talk about comparisons to go pro here or you'll get a DMCA take down!

http://www.digitalrev.com/article/gopro-doesn-t-like-their/ODUyNjU2ODc_A

 

[dinker99]

The GoPro is looking a lot duller than the Sony in low light conditions

 

[Scooby Doo]

don't talk about comparisons to go pro here or you'll get a DMCA take down!

http://www.digitalrev.com/article/gopro-doesn-t-like-their/ODUyNjU2ODc_A

LOL... beat me too it.

 

[luv2liv]

wow. i thought apple was bad. guess no GoPro ever for me.

 

[finbarqs]

http://www.amazon.com/Action-Video-C.../dp/B0090EC5MS

there's the amazon review of the sony.