Dive pictures from the Mayan Riviera

[Reef_Geek]

Originally Posted by Treebeard

That definitely helps.
Doesn't the old Hero 3 also do 1080p at 60 fps? I went to Bestbuy yesterday and they had zero Heros in stock of any kind but I think Amazon still sells the old model. But the + supposedly resolves the battery issues.
Looking forward to seeing your videos when you get back.

I didn't really bother to research the older Hero3... there's only about 80 bucks difference (new) when you're talking $370 vs $450... the magnitude of spend is about half a grand after taxes and accessories. 80 bucks on that scale is just like buying an extra accessory. Plenty of kijiji ads of people selling their used Hero3's though, I'm guessing they're upgrading to the +

[Reef_Geek]

Originally Posted by Treebeard

That definitely helps.
Doesn't the old Hero 3 also do 1080p at 60 fps? I went to Bestbuy yesterday and they had zero Heros in stock of any kind but I think Amazon still sells the old model. But the + supposedly resolves the battery issues.
Looking forward to seeing your videos when you get back.

I just got BestBuy's email. Their Dec 1st cyber online sale has the Hero3+ for $399.99. Good deal.

[Treebeard]

Did you get the Hero 3+?
Just wondering how you liked it and if you were having any issues with it. I am considering picking one up before our Bonaire trip in December.

Originally Posted by Reef_Geek

just an update on my GoPro research.

1) I contacted BackScatter about whether the flip 3.1 that is made for the Hero3 would fit the new/smaller Hero3+ and they said that they are releasing a low cost adapter within 2 weeks.

2) I won some bucks at work for employee recognition that will more than cover the new Hero3+ and a 64G micro SD card.
...and boom goes the dynamite...
I just need to wait til the local Best Buy has it in stock (on their website now).

Can't wait to try out on my December Playa del Carmen trip. Hopefully the videos will be worthy of sharing.

[Reef_Geek]

Originally Posted by Treebeard

Did you get the Hero 3+?
Just wondering how you liked it and if you were having any issues with it. I am considering picking one up before our Bonaire trip in December.

Not having any issues, liking the Hero3+

I've found that although it does pretty high resolution shooting (up to 4K resolution), the best setting I've found is still 1080 at 60 frames per second (fps). At the highest resolution, it will only do 12 fps so it's choppy. Then there's a bunch of options in between... 48 fps, 36 fps etc etc... but 1080 is still HD and very good at 60 fps. at 60 fps, you can do some neat slow motion in editing.


The GoPro free software for video editing on their website is pretty slow and cumbersome, but if you can be patient, it works. Haven't tried any other software yet, I'm sure they are out there.

I haven't used it much for still photos. My friend got one, and he's pretty displeased with still photos from it, but let's face it, you don't buy a GoPro for still photos. That's what an SLR is for.

I have not yet gone diving with it. My trip is in early Dec. Looking forward to diving with it then. I ordered the Flip 3.1 combo from BackScatter directly from their website. They now include an adapter to fit the smaller Hero3+ vs Hero3. Have not yet received it, but don't expect any issues. The dive shop in Calgary up on 16 Ave is getting dive filters, but not the BackScatter Flip version... they sell much cheaper versions the snap on the front... for about $40 bucks or so.

I have not had any battery issues. The 'as promised' better battery life on the Hero3+ seems to be good... I haven't found the need to change batteries excessively. I disable the WiFi, the LED, the sound (pressing buttons), the Auto low light fps adjustment... to get good battery life. I got a 32G micro SD card and at 1080 (60fps) that's 1.5 hrs of video footage. I recently also bought a 64G card just for my upcoming trip, and that's 3 hrs of video at 1080 60fps.

Hope this helps.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Reef_Geek

Can't wait to try out on my December Playa del Carmen trip. Hopefully the videos will be worthy of sharing.

I'll be near Akumal (Grande Bahia resort) during the 1st week in Dec. Hope to find some decent snorkeling nearby. Will be trying out my new Olympus TG-2 camera underwater.

[Reef_Geek]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

I'll be near Akumal (Grande Bahia resort) during the 1st week in Dec. Hope to find some decent snorkeling nearby. Will be trying out my new Olympus TG-2 camera underwater.

That's funny, I'll be in Playa del Carmen at one of the Paradisus the first week of Dec... there must be a sale to Canadians or something for that week...

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Reef_Geek

That's funny, I'll be in Playa del Carmen at one of the Paradisus the first week of Dec... there must be a sale to Canadians or something for that week...

Haha, yeah, it's called expedia.ca (via Westjet).... We're going up with friends. They can't go up until the Sat. But we are going on the Fri (Nov 29) and saving $300 over their price, but get to stay an extra day. You really have to try all the combinations online to get the best deal...

[Treebeard]

Akumal Bay and Half Moon Bay are not far away. Akumal Bay has lots of turtles but can get very crowded. If you get there early before 9:00 its not so bad. I would not be surprised if your resort runs a shuttle to Akumal Bay. Many of the larger resorts do and it really agitates the people that stay right on Akumal Bay, hence the reason we always stay in Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay has no crowds because it is mainly condos. There are lots of fish and coral in Half Moon Bay but not as many turtles. If there is not shuttle to Akumal Bay a cab ride would probably only be a few bucks.

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

I'll be near Akumal (Grande Bahia resort) during the 1st week in Dec. Hope to find some decent snorkeling nearby. Will be trying out my new Olympus TG-2 camera underwater.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Treebeard

Akumal Bay and Half Moon Bay are not far away. Akumal Bay has lots of turtles but can get very crowded. If you get there early before 9:00 its not so bad. I would not be surprised if your resort runs a shuttle to Akumal Bay. Many of the larger resorts do and it really agitates the people that stay right on Akumal Bay, hence the reason we always stay in Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay has no crowds because it is mainly condos. There are lots of fish and coral in Half Moon Bay but not as many turtles. If there is not shuttle to Akumal Bay a cab ride would probably only be a few bucks.

Thanks, that's what we heard, too. At our resort, apparently you have to go out about 400 metres to the reef, and depending on surf conditions, might be a bit rough. And I don't want to get run over by some speed boat.

[Jakegr]

I'm going back January 11-18th... unfortunately I'll probably only be able to dive a couple of times this year. I'm going to do the Bullsharks again... I was also wondering if anyone has heard of a Whale shark trip near Playa?