Good day all,
I got a GoPro HD "Hero" camera and accessories at my skydiving place back in September for about $250 and change (everything included, so I saved about $50). The first use of the system was with Hurricane Igor in Bermuda, right in the 80 MPH winds and in, or even under, the storm surge!
There are 5 video modes, ranging from 720p through 1080i, and it's saved to a tapeless MP4 format (on an SD memory card). There is also an automatic shoot still mode, manual still mode, and even timelapse (adjustable from 2 to 60 seconds), which all could come in handy.
The 170 degree viewing angle is second-to-none, and captures all the action. The "test" image above shows a skydive (I am upside down) with the camera mounted on a wrist band!
For storm chasing, the waterproof case comes in handy, as well as the mounts. Heck, I am sure you can fasten it to a tree or pole and let a tornado "run over" it ... Or, even better, it can be used on some of those airborne platforms (like the one Verne C us using).
The only down side I can find is the 2.5 hour battery life, rather cryptic LCD display (you have to memorize a few things from the manual, then you should be OK), as well as the MP4 format, which has some issues with Adobe CS4 (but there is a work-around for that). Basically, the MP4 format can be edited in many (especially Mac) packages. There is no tape so firewire is not applicable, just put the SD card and download the MP4 videos from the card, that's it.
If you encounter an MP4 issue (such as with Adobe Premiere), the video will not load properly, and Premiere can even "hang". The work-around is rather simple, though. Take the MP4 ('s) and open them in Quicktime Pro ($29). Then simply choose "Save As" and save the file ... All this does is re-structure the "container" for the MP4 movie, and QUICKY saves it as a MOV (quicktime) file. This can easily be brought into Adobe CSx and edited (or converted to any format using the "media encoder"). This work-around is very important to know, and worked great for me.
The HD video from my GoPro (at 1080i) and my Sony HDR-FX1 looks identical in quality, the only difference being the wide angle on the GoPro. In Igor in Bermuda, I was able to edit / encode it and send HD video out to TWC, much of it from the GoPro!
Above: Still image from Hurricane Igor in Bermuda.
Another minor drawback can be the waterproof package where a drop of water may accumulate right in the middle of the lens (if used in heavy water / spray type environments, such as rain and hurricane chasing). This can be alleviated by spreading some baby shampoo in a thin film over the lens.
For video output, the unit comes with composite (YGB) HD video cable / dongle for playback, not HDMI.
There is really nothing else to worry about. You set the mode, no focus to worry about, aim the camera and that's it, let it run.
Other than that, I'd give the camera a two thumbs up. Parts, such as mounts and even a new replacement lens cover, are cheap and easily available. For the price, the quality of the video / pictures is awesome. And if there is a "mishap", such as the camera getting smashed by debris, it sure would be better to spend $300 to replace it instead of 10x that as with another larger HD outfit!
