GoPro HD Helmet Hero 1080p

Overview

Hard wearing, high definition and designed to fit on your helmet, the GoPro HD Helmet Hero lets you film high quality POV video while keeping your hands free to ride, steer or grab.

Key features:
- 1080p HD recording – the highest quality HD video.
- 170° wide-angle lens.
- 5 megapixel photo option.
- Waterproof to 60m.
- Up to 2.5 hours battery life.
- 60fps filming option available at 720p – for slow-motion editing.
- Lightweight: 168g, about the same as a mobile phone.
- Records to SD card – up to 32gb
- Integrated microphone
- Helmet mount, headstrap and adhesives included.

We say: If you’re looking for a helmet camera that’s waterproof and HD, this is one of the best. A great option for mountain bikers, skydivers, skiers and snowboarders alike.

Top tip: Get the GoPro LCD BacPac to set-up and review your shots.

Features

- 1080p HD recording – the highest quality HD video.
- 170° wide-angle lens.
- 5 megapixel photo option.
- Waterproof to 60m.
- Up to 2.5 hours battery life.
- 60fps filming option available at 720p – for slow-motion editing.
- Lightweight: 168g, about the same as a mobile phone.
- Records to SD card – up to 32gb
- Integrated microphone
- 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 seconds auto-photo mode
- 3-photo burst mode shoot
- Helmet mount, headstrap and adhesives included.

Technical

Optics
- Lens Type: Fixed Focus (2ft/0.6m - ), glass
- Aperture: f/2.8 (high performance in low-light situations)
- Angle of View: 170° ultra wide angle in 720p and 960p 127° wide angle in 1080p

HD Resolution Settings:
- 1080p: 1920x1080 pixels, 30 fps, 12 Mbit/s data rate
- 960p: 1280x960 pixels, 30 fps, 10 Mbit/s data rate
- 720p:1280x720 pixels, 30 fps with 7.5 Mbit/s data rate or 60 fps with 15 Mbit/s data rate

Video
- Sensor Type: 1/2.5" HD CMOS, 2.2¼m pixels
- Light Sensitivity: Super low-light sensitivity (>1.4 V/lux-sec)
- Video Format: H.264 compression, saved as MP4 (.mp4) file
- Exposure Control: Auto with user selectable center weighted average and spot metering settings
- White Balance: Auto

Audio
- Microphone: Built-in, mono with AGC (automatic gain control)
- Audio Format: 48 kHz, AAC audio compression

Photo
- Resolution: 5 megapixel
- Capture Modes: Single shot, photo every 2, 5, 10, 30, or 60 secs.; 3 photo burst; self-timer

Storage
- Memory: SD card, up to 32GB capacity (SDHC)
- Average Recording Times: 1080p: 12min/GB 960p: 14min/GB
- 720p: 16min/GB (30 fps), 11min/GB (60fps)

Connectors
PC Connection: USB 2.0 (data connection and battery charging) HDTV Out: HD NTSC & PAL (component cable included)
Audio Out: Combo 2.5mm jack with stereo audio and composite video out
Battery Type: Rechargeable 1100 mAh Lithium-Ion
Battery Life: Approximately 2.5 hrs

Power and Battery
Charging: Via USB to computer or optional power adapter
Charge Time: 80% capacity after 1 hour with optional power adapter; or 2 hours with a computer's USB port

Waterproof Housing
Depth Rating: Up to 180 feet / 60 meters
Construction: Polycarbonate and stainless steel Hardware: Stainless steel

Additional Information
PC Compatibility: Windows ME, 2000, XP, and Vista; Mac OS X 10.2 and later
Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.6" x 2.4" x 1.2" (42mm x 60mm x 30mm)
Weight: 5.3oz / 150g including battery, 6.3oz / 179g including housing

Contents

- 5 Megapixel HD Helmet HERO Camera
- Rechargeable 1100 mAh Lithium-Ion Battery
- 1 Waterproof Quick-Release Housing
- 1 Headlamp-Style Head Strap
- 1 Vented Helmet Strap
- 2 Curved, 3M™ Adhesive Mounts
- 2 Flat, 3M™ Adhesive Mounts
- 2 Quick-Release Buckles
- 1 USB Cable
- 1 Component Video (HDTV) Cable
- 1 Composite Video + Audio Out Cable

As my rock climbing skills improve, I thought it was a shame not to share the good time I was having with my friends, so I decided to take the GoPro HD Helmet Hero for a spin!

I tested it twice while climbing and I must say it is very easy to mount and to use. It really was just a case of attaching it to my helmet (and to my belayer’s helmet to get a different perspective) with its simple mount.

What was slightly more difficult was positioning the Go Pro for the best shot; as this camera does not have an LCD screen, it takes a bit of guesswork to find the optimum angle. This small issue, common to many action cameras, solves itself the more you use your GoPro, as you will develop a sense of which angle works best for you – my second attempt was in fact much better. However, if you prefer to be precise or maybe only have one shot at filming your amazing moves, I recommend the purchase of the Go Pro LCD BacPac, an LCD screen that can be attached to the back of the camera.

The GoPro really is as tough and shock resistant as they say, as I must admit I dropped it! I can see why this is the camera of choice for many people into rough sports, after the fall the case presented no damage whatsoever. Having said that, if you are into really extreme sports, it may be worth investing in a Go Pro Ransom Race Case, an aluminium case for extra protection.

So far so good, but it was when I got home that I had the biggest surprise. See, working here I get to see lots of action sports videos, but seeing my own, with that quality… wow. I still cannot comprehend how something that small can produce this kind of high resolution videos.

Because of its ease of use, great resolution and shock-resistance, I can only recommend this camera to any extreme sport enthusiast who wants to share his adventures with friends or create a library of fun memories to watch down the line! 

I used the Kingston Memory Card 16GB Class 10; which was ideal for GoPro recording and fast transfers.

You can find out more about the camera and its technical specification here