We are so amped over the new GoPro HD Hero2. Since we both own original HD Heros, and have abused the hell out of them with no complaints, nabbing the new version was a no-brainer. If you already know you want one, click here to skip down to the best deal we’ve found on the Hero2, which includes a free battery and free shipping. Otherwise, read on to get the goods on this killer new piece of kit.
One of the big things GoPro was touting about the Hero2 is how it’s two times better than the original. And admittedly, it has some pretty sweet specs:
- Professional 11MP Sensor
- 2x Faster Image Processor
- 2x Sharper Glass Lens
- Professional Low Light Performance
- Full 170º, Medium 127º, Narrow 90º FOV in 1080p and 720p Video
- 120 fps WVGA, 60 fps 720p, 48 fps 960p, 30 fps 1080p Video
- Full 170º and Medium 127º FOV Photos
- 10 11MP Photos Per Second Burst
- 1 11MP Photo Every 0.5 Sec Timelapse Mode
(see full specs & what’s-in-the-box here)
It’s also added a mini HDMI out, a 3.5mm stereo input (for headset or other external mike use), and it has an LED on top now, which works better for me when I use it with the chest harness. But is it really two times better everywhere? Well, they say the lens is two times sharper, and we believe them on that…what video we’ve taken so far looks great! And the image processor definitely seems to be twice as fast. And it has more than twice as many megapixels in its sensor than its predecessor had. It doesn’t have twice as wide a field of view as the original, but then…that wouldn’t make much sense. After all, your brain likely couldn’t process 254 degrees worth of information! The field of view (FOV) when shooting in full 1080p HD has been expanded, though, from 127 degrees to 170, but the old 127 degree FOV is still available as a setting, and the Hero2 also has a narrow, 90 degree FOV setting if you want a more focused view. I really like the new 170 degree FOV; it’s a little bendy around the edges (as you would expect), but still quite sharp.
What else is two times better? The interface, for one thing. It is much easier to understand right out of the box. We only had to consult the manual to find a couple of the more advanced functions. Gone are the cryptic codes, and with them, the necessity of carrying the manual everywhere! I haven’t tested out the low-light function, but reportedly its actually functional in low-light situations, which will be a major improvement over the original Hero. I also can’t get over how cool the 120fps speed is when you slow it down. I can’t wait to get up to Vail again, where I can have Steve shoot me doing freestyle @ Golden Peak. Even busting ass will look good in the slo-mo from this camera!
I’m personally really amped about the wi-fi as well, though to be honest I probably won’t jump on it as quickly as I did the Hero2 itself. Why? Well, mostly because I need to upgrade my smartphone to one that has more memory first, for one thing, LOL! (Anyone else having memory issues with their Moto Flipside?) Of course, it’s all a moot point right now anyway, since the wifi BacPac and remote aren’t even due to be released until February of next year (crummy timing on that, GoPro…totally missing the Christmas season). But hey, at least the camera’s out in time for holiday gift giving. Need a polite way to drop a hint? Add it to your Amazon wish list here, then send your woman (or guy, or parents, or whoever) a link.
So anyway…the HD Hero2 has three “editions,” just like the Hero – one essentially for head- or helmet-mounted use, one with a mounting package for surfers, and a motorsports edition for you gearheads. Though they changed the name of the Helmet edition to “Outdoor” for some reason…same basic package though. If you’re new to the HD Hero, that basically means helmet mounting straps for the Outdoor edition, mounting hardware for your board (and a special floating back, in case it pops off your board) for the Surf edition, and a dash/helmet mounting kit for Motorsports. (check out full box contents here) And if you’ve got one of the original HD Heros, you’ll be happy to know it looks like they’ve stayed true to their roots, so all your accessories should work with this new model.
Whether you’re new to the Hero line or not, we wouldn’t let you spend your hard-earned cheddar just anywhere…we’ve found the best deal for you right here, because it comes with an extra battery for free! That’s an extra two and a half hours of shooting, gratis. Of course, if you’ve already got a Hero, (and you’re not planning on selling it on eBay to make back some dough, heh) then the batteries from that will fit as well. And did we mention free shipping!
Yup just click here, and you’ll get free shipping on any order over $45, whether you buy the Hero2 or not (or go straight to the one you want via these links: Outdoor, Surf or Motorsports and free shipping will still apply).
They’ve got great customer service (I think they’re a small company, which are always better on cutsomter service). Be warned though; these guys tend to go out of stock quickly.
OK then! So much for that deal. They’ve not only changed it (from a free battery to a free 16GB SDHC card), but they seem to be on perma-backorder now, with nothing shipping until mid-December. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to cut it that close to Christmas, when shipping slows down all over. So we’re going with the backup plan: Amazon. Check out their prices here. If you’re lucky, they’ll have dropped already, as Amazon prices often do. 
You still get the free shipping, and if you really need a 16GB SDHC, they have some that are ridiculously cheap, right here.
We looked on eBay, but as of right now, there’s nothing especially great about their prices (you can check for yourself by , though, as we realize such things are subject to change at a moment’s notice). It might be good if you want to nab a package deal with lots of extras, but we recommend waiting until you get it and start using it before deciding all the different ways you want to try mounting it. I’m a huge fan of the chest-mount harness for almost everything, but Steve hates it so…yeah. Just get it and mess around with it before deciding if you need a different mount for every activity.
So what are you waiting for? Nab your HD Hero2 now, and start shooting your own action!
…Oh, you wanted the full specs? Here you go…
For all editions, the camera is the same. Specs are below the “what’s in the box” sections for each edition.
Outdoor Edition – what’s in the box:
1 11MP HD HERO2 Camera
1 Waterproof Housing (197′ / 60m)
1 HD Skeleton Backdoor
1 Rechargeable Li-on Battery
1 USB Cable
1 Vented Helmet Strap
1 Head Strap
2 Curved Surface Adhesive Mounts
2 Flat Surface Adhesive Mounts
1 3-Way Pivot Arm
Assorted Mounting Hardware
(ours also had GoPro stickers in the box, but YMMV)
Surf Edition – what’s in the box:
1 11MP HD HERO2 Camera
1 Waterproof Housing (197′ / 60m)
1 HD Skeleton Backdoor
1 Rechargeable Li-on Battery
1 USB Cable
2 Surfboard Mounts
1 FCS Plug Mount
1 Floaty Backdoor
Assorted Mounting Hardware
1 year warranty from GoPro
Motorsports Edition – what’s in the box:
1 11MP HD HERO2 Camera
1 Waterproof Housing (197′ / 60m)
1 HD Skeleton Backdoor
1 Rechargeable Li-on Battery
1 USB Cable
1 Suction Cup Mount
1 J-Hook Buckle
2 Curved Surface Adhesive Mounts
3 Flat Surface Adhesive Mounts
1 3-Way Pivot Arm
Assorted Mounting Hardware
1 year warranty from GoPro
Specs for all editions:
Camera Optics:
2X Sharper Professional Glass Lens
f/2.8 Fixed Focus
170º Wide FOV (Including 1080p)
127º Medium FOV (In 1080p + 720p)
90º Narrow FOV
Video
HD RESOLUTIONS:
1080p: 1920×1080, 30PFS
960p: 1280×960, 48FPS + 30FPS
720p: 1280×720, 60PFS + 30FPS
STANDARD DEFINITION RESOLUTIONS
WVGA: 848×480, 120FPS + 60FPS
High Performance,1 /2.3” CMOS Image Sensor
Light Sensitivity: .84 V/lux-sec
Video Format: H.264 codec, .mp4 File Format
Exposure Control: Spot, Center Weighted
White Balance: Auto
Photo:
RESOLUTIONS: 11MP, 8MP, 5 MP
FOV: Wide 170º FOV, Medium 127º FOV
CAPTURE MODES: Single, 10 Photo Burst, Time-Lapse*, Self-Timer
Time-lapse photo every 0.5*, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, & 60 seconds.
* Now supports 1 photo / .5 sec mode, which requires Class 10 SD Card.
Audio
Mono, 48 kHz, AAC Compression, Auto Gain Control
Stereo External Microphone Input (3.5mm)
Storage
Mmory:
SDHC: Up to 32GB (Class 4 or Higher)
AVERAGE RECORDING TIME WITH 32GB SD CARD:
1080p30: 4 hours
960p30: 6 hours
720p60: 4 hours
720p30: 6 hours
WVGA 120: 4.5 hours
Compatibility:
Microsoft Windows® Vista, 7 and Later
Mac OS® x 10.5 and Later
Compatible with all GoPro BacPacs
