GoPro models - Are there some you would avoid?

[sparkthego]

Hi All,
I started my YouTube content by purchasing a used GoPro Hero 5 Black. I got it for $AUD200 that's around $US150. In future I'm thinking to add more cameras, this time purchase new. The store has GoPro 8, 9 and 10 available each model a few hundred dollars less than the successor model. I only shoot in 1080/60 FPS so I don't really need the higher resolution. Also my audio is captured via a secondary recorder device.

My question; is there a model that you would avoid due to reliability issued etc. i.e. would you prefer the 8 or 9 over the 10? And what would you recommend I should get given its only for motovlogging?

Thanks,

 

[scooterwuf]

All of those models are great cameras from what I’ve heard. I have a GoPro Max that I’m very happy with. As long as you have versilitility with resolution, FPS, and managable file sizes when it comes to editing, playing and saving your footage, take the model that appeals to you the most and your budget.

- Wolf

 

[HippoDrone]

I had issues with my Hero 9, but my Hero 8 and 10 have been great. The Hero 10 has much better video quality than the 8 and 9. If you get a 10, I do recommend the white endurance batteries rather than the standard blue batteries, they work much better. (I also record at 1080 but then upscale when editing to 2.7k)

 

[ZumerZet]

I Have the 8 and 10 both good Cameras i also have the Max 360 still getting to no that one only had it a month. Depending on budget the 8 is a good Camera the 10 is better if you have the budget

 

[R-Rated]

I had great luck with the Hero4 Silver. I still use it from time to time. My main workhorse is the Hero 8 Black. Then the Max. Then the Hero 4 Silver or Hero 5 Session. Finally the Hero 4 Session.

On the 8 I sometime record in 4k, 2.7k, 1080 (cloudy days and night), and even 1080 on looping. The looping saved a lot of dead air footage while still recording just in case that magic shot or something happened.

 

[sparkthego]

Thx, sounds like GoPro 10's the go.

 

[LoneWolfer]

I like my Hero 9 but have some issues with it over heating every so often. My Hero 5 black and Hero 5 Session still work and get most of the grunt work when I film such as being mounted to handle bars or set up as the static shot in the garage.

 

[Drakhen99]

I love the 10, but I know several people who have had major issues with theirs. I did a video showing the pros and cons and ranked the last 4 [Hero 8/9/10/Max] on my channel, but the short version is that the 9 is the one I'd avoid. Still too many issues with mine [but again, others have not had the problems I've had].

-John

 

[UncleL]

I still use mostly Hero 7, avoid DJI though, got one and it sucks long term. Well, maybe not sucks, but I would rather choose older gopro than newer DJI...

 

[sparkthego]

Informative video which is saying all go pro are crap but the later ones /9/10 are particularly bad. I personally am looking to get a insta 360 X3 hopefully soon.

 

[HippoDrone]

Informative video which is saying all go pro are crap but the later ones /9/10 are particularly bad. I personally am looking to get a insta 360 X3 hopefully soon.

I think there are lots of people who have had bad experiences, and lots who have had good ones. I love my Hero 10, but my Hero 9 was rubbish. I have turned off auto updates to the firmware on my 10 as it works fine, so don't want to risk it getting unreliable.

 

[R-Rated]

I think there are lots of people who have had bad experiences, and lots who have had good ones. I love my Hero 10, but my Hero 9 was rubbish. I have turned off auto updates to the firmware on my 10 as it works fine, so don't want to risk it getting unreliable.

My Hero4 Silvers, Session, Hero5 session, Hero8 Black, and Max 360 all perform well. The rare time something went wrong was user error.

I love having one remote to start and stop them all so I don't have use a clapboard or look like a trained seal all the time.

So not sure ALL GoPros are crap.

 

[Drakhen99]

I'm gonna agree with @HippoDrone and @R-Rated on this one... My Hero 8 is a rock solid performer. My Hero 9 was - and still is - a bit problematic. The Hero 10 WAS wholly unreliable until I tinkered with it [not warranty-voiding tinkering, mind you] and figured out it needed a Factory Reset.

Now it's more reliable than I am.

The Hero 11? I haven't heard much good or bad about it, but I don't have one.

I think the problem is the yearly release cycle - GoPro simply doesn't give itself enough time to fully bake the firmware, and they're doing a LOT with an action camera.

Like R-Rated - I love using a remote and not being a trained seal to start my recordings. I also don't record my whole ride, just the bits I want to use. So, not having to stop riding to start cameras is a huge time-saver for me!

-John

 

[R-Rated]

I think the problem is the yearly release cycle - GoPro simply doesn't give itself enough time to fully bake the firmware, and they're doing a LOT with an action camera.


-John

Planned obsolescence is such a pain!

I look forward to what will replace it soon

 

[Drakhen99]

Planned obsolescence is such a pain!

I look forward to what will replace it soon

I think it's less that and more "keepin' up with the Joneses" syndrome. If you don't properly test your software, on production hardware, you run the risk of bugs getting out into the wild - and that's what has pissed off so many GoPro owners in the last few years.

-John

 

[Moto Mengy]

I own three cameras, here are my experiences with each of them:

Hero 7 Black - Honestly it's worked flawlessly for me. It's never overheated and its never had any glitches or produced any corrupt files. The built in mics and wind reduction are not great though, but for video (I film at 2.7k 30fps) it's been great. Stabilization is good but not up to par with newer GoPros.

Hero 8 Black - It works great 90% of the time, but every now and then I have some issues. It's overheated a few times on very hot days for me. It sometimes refuses to turn on and I have to pull over, remove & reinsert the battery, and then it will work again. It has corrupted the video files a few times on me. Plus I need to be very careful with the quick-on button because if I hold it down for anything more than a fraction of a second it will do a time lapse recording (it's not supposed to be this sensitive but mine is).

On the plus side for the Hero 8, it records beautiful footage and has great built in stabilization. It also has really great built in mics with really good wind reduction. This is my main camera and I use it for every motovlog I record.

Insta360 One X2 - My 360° camera, I love this thing. It has never given me any problems whatsoever, it's worked absolutely flawlessly every time and has fantastic battery life. The editing software is great, the camera is easy to use, I love it. My only complaint is I wish it filmed in higher resolution. If I could buy a One X2 with 1.5-2X the resolution this would be the only camera I'd use and I'd buy a couple more of them to replace all my GoPros.

 

[HippoDrone]

If I could buy a One X2 with 1.5-2X the resolution this would be the only camera I'd use and I'd buy a couple more of them to replace all my GoPros.

11.4k would be something quite awesome... I'd be happy with it at the current resolution, but with a much higher bitrate, maybe around 3x the current bitrate, then it would be getting close to what my GoPro can do at 1080p

 

[sparkthego]

I still would like to have a GoPro with in my regular toolkit, I've mentioned bought a GoPro 5 Black second hand and I've had no issues with it.

With the Insta360 X3 I'm concerned about the fish-eye warping that I've seen in peoples footage. I'm still planning on getting one but also want to keep a GoPro for that more linear view.

 

[R-Rated]

With the Insta360 X3 I'm concerned about the fish-eye warping that I've seen in peoples footage. I'm still planning on getting one but also want to keep a GoPro for that more linear view.

Speaking of fisheye effect - I use Powerdirector and it has an ability to negate that based on make and model of camera. It is one click. I think there might be a manual adjustment too.

 

[Drakhen99]

Hero 8 Black - It works great 90% of the time, but every now and then I have some issues. It's overheated a few times on very hot days for me. It sometimes refuses to turn on and I have to pull over, remove & reinsert the battery, and then it will work again. It has corrupted the video files a few times on me. Plus I need to be very careful with the quick-on button because if I hold it down for anything more than a fraction of a second it will do a time lapse recording (it's not supposed to be this sensitive but mine is).

@Moto Mengy , you may want to just try holding down the power button for 10 seconds. This is usually enough for a non-responsive camera to straighten up and fly right, as it were.

I always try that first, because pulling over and remove/reinsert the battery is a PITA, like you said.

-John