GoPro for vacations and everyday camcorder?

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

We are leaving for WDW in 11 days and need a new video camera. Ours was stolen.

Any thoughts on a GoPro? They seem pretty neat and I love the fact that the kids can use them and not worry about damage. My only reservations are that they don't have a zoom, and I'm worried that they have a "fish eye" view a little. I like a zoom feature so I don't have to chase the kids around (like if we are at the beach or something) and can just zoom in and out.

Any personal opinions for/against the Gopro? Thanks!

 

[Cadiewampus]

We are leaving for WDW in 11 days and need a new video camera. Ours was stolen.

Any thoughts on a GoPro? They seem pretty neat and I love the fact that the kids can use them and not worry about damage. My only reservations are that they don't have a zoom, and I'm worried that they have a "fish eye" view a little. I like a zoom feature so I don't have to chase the kids around (like if we are at the beach or something) and can just zoom in and out.

Any personal opinions for/against the Gopro? Thanks!

Well my wife is the one that uses the Gopro in our family and she would tell you she likes it except that the battery life is terrible. One trip she fully charged it and used it I would guess less than 15 times before it was dead.

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

Oh, that stinks! I don't want something that won't get me through a day in the parks.

 

[mickeyman]

We have a go pro and the battery life was fine. We used it a lot and never died during the day

 

[raetrosclair]

There are also some great extra batteries you can buy and keep on hand. Wasabi has a two pack plus charger for around $35, and the batteries are high quality. But one charge made it though 2 hours Christmas morning (that is the longest consecutive amount of time we have tried to use it). We use our gopro as an everyday camcorder, and my only recommendation is that if the one you buy doesn't come with the touch screen, you may want to consider buying it as an accessory. We bought it for ours, and it makes it so much more functional.

 

[Blackadder337]

My one complaint about the GoPro is the sound. Especially when outdoors it always sounds muffled compared to a side by side video test done with a regular camera. But my battery has always managed to last long enough to get back home to charge it again...