GoPro Deals & Offers

GoPro Camera, Drones and Accessories: Catching Thrilling Moments

Sometimes it seems like GoPro cameras are everywhere. From death-defying downhill mountain bikers to potholers and divers, GoPros are the go-to camera for anyone who wants to capture thrilling footage of their lives.

Designed For Extreme Sports and Outdoor Lovers – GoPro

The company was founded in the USA in 2002 when surfer Nick Woodman realised that there was no easy way to capture extreme sports on camera. In response, he started working on a small camera that could deliver professional-quality footage in demanding situations, and hence the “GoPro” brand was born.

As YouTube and social media platforms took off, the popularity of GoPro exploded. Now there was a massive community of sports and outdoor lovers who wanted to watch high-quality footage and were keen to create their own. GoPro steadily developed its products, adding HD digital capabilities in 2014, live streaming abilities in 2016, and making it easier to edit GoPro footage to suit online streaming platforms.

The result is that when film-makers and sports fans feel the need for a highly mobile, resilient camera to capture the action, their first thought is usually to check out GoPro’s product range.

What Are GoPro Cameras Used For?

Since their introduction in 2004, GoPro cameras have been used across a huge variety of situations. The original aim was to capture surfing action, but film-makers have gone well beyond the creators’ intentions. A quick internet search reveals that GoPro cameras have been used by potholers, sky-divers, bungee jumpers, mountain bikers, kite-fliers, paragliders, water-skiers, downhill skiers – you name it, people have strapped on a GoPro and made films of it. There’s even spectacular footage of GoPros attached to eagles as they soar over mountain scenery (that’s how lightweight the cameras can be).

There have also been more practical uses of these highly mobile cameras. For instance, drivers often attach them to their vehicles to guard against insurance claims, while journalists often have a GoPro in their kit to quickly respond to events.

There are plenty of possible uses for GoPros. The question for budding film-makers is whether they need to invest more money to purchase a Hero when cheaper alternatives like smartphones or budget cameras could do just as well?

GoPro: Sand Skiing in Peru

Different Versions of GoPro Cameras

GoPros come in a number of different forms, with different specifications and capabilities. Here are the major varieties:

• GoPro Hero 3 – Introduced in 2012, the Hero 3 is still available from many outlets. It came in black, silver and white editions, was much smaller and lighter than older Hero cameras and, importantly, offered Wi-fi functionality. It could also capture 4K UHD footage (at quite slow frame rates). One problem with the Hero 3 was that its battery tended to be less long-lived than previous versions, but this has been largely addressed in more recent models.

• The Hero 3+ – Introduced in 2013, the Hero 3+ performs better in low-light conditions and underwater, offers slightly sharper visuals and has better noise reduction than the Hero 3. The battery life has been considerably extended compared to its immediate predecessor.

• GoPro Hero 4 – Launched in 2014, the Hero 4 was another step forward and came in black and silver editions. This time around, Bluetooth connectivity was added to the mix along with a much faster processor which boosts the frame rate of its 4K footage.

• Hero 4 Session – Released in 2015, the Hero 4 Session kept most of the performance improvements of the GoPro Hero 4 and reduced its size by 10g, but it doesn’t include a 4K mode and is less water resistant (10m as opposed to 40m). It’s a cheaper alternative for casual users.

• GoPro Hero +LCD – Released in 2015 as well, the +LCD model is essentially the Hero 4 with an LCD touchscreen so that you can preview shots and edit footage using the camera more effectively.

• GoPro Hero 5 – Released in 2016 in a black variety, the GoPro Hero 5 is the latest instalment in the Hero series. It offers 4K video capture, voice control functions, a larger and easier to use touch display, better video stabilisation and a new range of attachments to wear the GoPro during different activities.

GoPro has also introduced an online service called GoPro Plus. This subscription service allows users to upload their footage for cloud-based editing and share their films easily with their contacts. It uses the Hero's Wi-fi capabilities to synch the camera with smartphones and computers, allowing seamless data transfer.

The cloud service is intended to be used in conjunction with the GoPro Plus app and the GoPro editing suite called Quik. This enables users to add captions and other visual elements, isolate highlights from their footage and synchronise their footage to a musical backdrop, so it’s a powerful addition to the GoPro toolkit.

• Download GoPro app for iOS

• Download GoPro app for Android

With all of these devices and services working together, it’s easy to see why professional and amateur videographers have embraced GoPro so avidly. If you have to capture and edit footage on the go, and you need a rugged camera to do so, there are very few alternatives.

Drones and Other Products Available from GoPro

GoPro don’t just make cameras. In fact, they have diversified across a wide range of image processing and capture technologies, and encourage film-makers to combine their products to get better results. Other items in their product range that might be worth checking out include:

• Stabilisers – The Karma Grip is the standard stabiliser for all models of GoPro and enables cyclists, runners or skiers to stabilise their camera as much as possible in demanding situations.

• Mounts & Accessories – Tools that allow the different Hero models to be attached to bikes, snowmobiles, surfboards, skateboards and the human body (among many other applications). Also features replacement batteries and remotes.

• The GoPro Karma Drone – Launched in 2016, the Karma Drone is a natural progression for GoPro from human or ground-vehicle-mounted cameras to cameras mounted on aerial drones. The Karma comes with a controller, stabiliser and Karma Grip and aims to provide additional flexibility for film-makers. However, there have been some problems with the Karma Drone roll-out, namely issues with the power unit resulting in a product recall, so availability might be tricky.

The company has also introduced Advanced systems that offer exciting new AV possibilities but might be out of the price range of ordinary consumers. The most innovative is probably the GoPro Omni, a VR optimised camera and editing tool. The Odyssey is another key product, which enables 360-degree panoramic video capture.

GoPro: Key Specifications

However, the most popular products in the GoPro range are the Hero cameras. The most advanced of these is the Hero 5 Black, and it comes with the following specifications:

• Capable of capturing 4K footage at 30fps

• Can capture 12-megapixel still images

• Wide angle photo and video capabilities

• Automatic stabilization

• Touchscreen for editing and capture

• Voice control supported

• Integrated waterproof casing (valid up to 10m)

• Stereo audio

• GPS tracking function

• Automatic uploads when idle to GoPro Plus

• Easy editing via the GoPro Plus App

The GoPro 5 Session is a slightly stripped down version of the GoPro 5 Black. The Session model lacks a touchscreen and offers lower frame rates at some HD settings. However, both models capture 4K at the same frame rate and both offer features like SuperView, while the Session is smaller and more mobile.

What to Think About Before Buying a GoPro

We’ve looked at the various models of GoPro and some of the accessories available, and it clearly adds up to a powerful range of film-making products. However, that doesn’t mean that buying a high-powered GoPro 5 Black will be the right option for you.

It’s an expensive piece of kit to use once or twice a year, so it’s worth assessing whether you really need its advanced capabilities. Will you actually be heading out on your bike or strapping on your scuba kit regularly enough to justify the expense? If so, the impressive underwater performance of later GoPro models makes sense, but if you only need a camera every now and then, cheaper alternatives may be better.

If you just want a video camera to capture friends and family at play, GoPros aren’t essential. They are high-spec, they offer 4K capture and they are hard to damage, but smartphone cameras have come a long way too. If your phone has a good camera, ask yourself whether adding a GoPro Hero is the best use of your resources.

However, if you have specialist needs, GoPro cameras could come into their own. Divers are a case in point. The GoPro Hero 4 and the Hero 5 are both exceptionally well suited to capturing underwater footage, being rated to 40m with their lightweight housing. If you want to capture corals and fish at their most beautiful, the 4K capabilities of the GoPro can’t be beaten.

What About the Competition to GoPro Hero Cameras?

GoPro used to be head and shoulders above the rest when it came to highly mobile action cams. Nowadays, things aren’t so clear cut. Examples include the aluminium Contour ROAM3, the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera (which has a handy time lapse mode) and plenty of Sony models like the AS50, which probably offers more USB, HDMI, SD and Bluetooth connectivity than any GoPro does.

Most of those competitors have lower price points than recent versions of the GoPro Hero, but you can almost certainly find Hero 3, 3+ and 4 cameras at competitive prices.

For casual video capture, smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S7, and Galaxy S8 the Google Pixel and the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will probably be absolutely fine.

GoPro HERO 5 Black vs. Session vs. Xiaomi YI 4K

Travelling With the GoPro: Does it Make Sense?

What about taking the GoPro travelling? In theory, it seems like the ideal piece of kit. GoPros are small, tough and integrated with social media and Wi-fi networks. They should be the ideal way to capture treks and sightseeing trips alike.

Another great aspect of GoPros for travellers is their wide-angle capabilities. Using SuperView even clumsy photographers can fit ancient temples and jungle vistas into their images with ease.

However, think twice before you pack your GoPro for that big trip to Vietnam (or elsewhere...). For one thing, GoPros are not particularly good in terms of battery life. Even the Hero 5 offers a few hours at best, hardly ideal if you are intending to hit the streets of major world cities all day long.

There are also technical problems with GoPros as travel cams. They don’t have a zoom, which can be annoying, their controls can be a little unresponsive, causing you to miss the odd special moment, and they sometimes crash unexpectedly.

So if you want a travel camera, GoPros could be ideal, but they have their limitations. You’ll probably get better photos than using your smartphone alone, but there will be an extra cost, a little inconvenience along the way and much more intense frustration if the battery runs out at a critical moment.

Attachments and Accessories for Your GoPro Camera

If you’ve made the decision to purchase a GoPro, buying the right accessories is essential. The camera on its own will be a lot less functional without the right attachments and housings to keep it in place.

The most useful accessory is the GoPro Head Strap and Quick Clip. The Head Strap is easy to adjust and can be attached to caps or worn straight on the head. If you intend to use your GoPro while biking or skateboarding, it’s an essential item to have.

Cyclists could also consider buying the Handlebar/Seat/Pole Mount. But this handy mount isn’t just for bikes. It can also be attached to ski poles – anything that the mount can be clamped around. When it’s in place, the mount allows the GoPro to be rotated 360 degrees and it can be clipped in position in seconds.

Potholers, runners, cyclists or hikers could also think about buying a GoPro Helmet Mount. That way, you can securely mount your camera without worrying about it becoming dislodged. It’s an essential item for extreme sports fans where protective gear is not an optional extra.

A Few Tips on Finding GoPro Deals

One easy way to get hold of GoPro products is to visit the GoPro online store at www.gopro.com and choose your items there. However, going straight to GoPro won’t necessarily guarantee the best prices.

You can find much better deals on GoPro cameras by shopping with high street and online retailers, and even better deals by checking out the GoPro HotUKDeals listings. Major high street retailers that could run a GoPro sale include Currys, Halfords, Argos and John Lewis, so there should be a shop near you where you can chat to staff and see the various models in action.

Online merchants offering GoPros for sale include Amazon, eBay, Gearbest and Very – many of which offer special savings on GoPro bundles, so don’t always look for single cameras. There may be better deals on camera, mount and head band bundles.

Wherever you choose to purchase your camera, there are some times of year when prices tend to dip. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are always a good opportunity to find cut price GoPros, as are the January Sales. New camera models are also often released in June as the travel season begins. If you look out for deals in April and May, you may well get a good price for older models. There should also be reductions in older GoPros in any case.

The Cheapest GoPro Offers Here at HotUKDeals

GoPro cameras are the best in the business for demanding situations, but they don’t usually come cheap, particularly when all the add-ons needed are included. However, amateur and professional film-makers can find excellent deals on all GoPro models by regularly checking the GoPro HotUKDeals listings. Don’t miss a deal, bookmark the GoPro listings today.