GoPro dilemma.

Is it worth trying to sell my HD Hero 2 and Wifi bacpac, and put the money towards a new Hero 3 Black Edition? Decisions decisions.

GoPro to be returned.

I've now received an RMA from GoPro to send the my GoPro back, so it looks like I'll be without it for the Christmas Holidays. I was hoping to be able to have used it for the MTB clubs Xmas Eve ride, but that seems unlikely now. I don't know how long a turn around they have on repairs, but it's going to be several days in transit. Hopefully it will be sorted and I'll have a camera back that doesn't freeze when changing recording modes; a working Protune mode will be good to!

The support from GoPro has been good (despite not been able to resolve the problem with out having to return the camera). My allocated support technician replied to my emails promptly, so can't grumble on that front.

GoPro HD Hero 2 issues - continued...

I've had two problems with my Hero 2 recently, this weekend was one of those lightbulb moments - they're not seperate issues, they're related and i've just not realised it until now. Refering back to a previous post GoPro Protune firmware - buy a faster SD card! I'd been trying out the Protune feature and found that the footage was jumpy, I'd put it down to my SD card and the increased write demands of the firmware. Because of this, I ordered myself a Sandisk Extreme Pro card, with a 95mb/s write speed, this would easily cope any write demands. Yet my video was still stuttering. I've also recently been experiencing some freezing and lock ups when cycling through the camera recording modes, I'd logged this with GoPro and they're looking into the problem.

It was at that moment that the light switched on! of course they're not seperate issues, they've got to be related. After doing some googling and reading through some forum posts, it appears that it's an issue that's out there, but not affecting all camera's, even if using the same firmware version. (I got a ZeroAccess! virus from one forum for my troubles, I don't know what site it was as my PC had to be cleaned right back to (hopefully) get rid of it)

It looks like I might have to return my camera to GoPro, I followed the instructions they sent me and applied another firmware. I seemed to improve a little, but it's always difficult to tell when it's an intermittant fault. However the freezing still happened, thankfully the camera is in warranty, i've just got to find my reciept! Some sites mention that they've cleaned the freezing by rolling back to an older firmware, I've been reluctant to do this, as I'd really like to use the Protune feature.

GoPro HD Hero 2 freezing issues.

I updated my GoPro to the Protune firmware version when it was released a few weeks ago, since then I've been experiencing slowness and freezing when cycling through the camera's recording modes. I've turned off the Protune options and I still experience the problems, the freeze can be for a matter of 4 or 5 seconds between modes or can last much longer forcing me to have to remove the battery to reset the camera. I've also tried it with and without the Wifi Bacpac attached, I've logged an issue with GoPro. Will have to wait for their response.

*follow up post

Android GoPro app finally released!

The GoPro Android app is now available for download from the Google Play store - woohoo!! Hearing that the app has finally been released, I downloaded it this evening. Initially the installation failed, but after clearing some space on my HTC Wildfire I was able to install the app. If you can't remember what you set your GoPro's wireless password to be, you'll need to connect the wifi bacpac to your PC and check (or reset) using CineForm Studio.
To connect your GoPro to your phone:-

1. If you've not used the Wifi Bacpac and remote previously, chances are you'll need to update your camera and wifi bacpac's firmware. (Follow the instructions within Cineform studio and the GoPro website.
2. Go into the settings menu on the GoPro, and change the Wifi mode "Phone & Tablet"
3. Turn on your phone wifi, it should find your GoPro's network quite quickly, something like GOPRO-BN-123456, chances are it will be the only GoPro wireless network you'll find - unless you happen to be lucky enough to own more than one GoPro. You can always check your GoPro's wireless name from Cineform Studio.
4. Using your password connect to your GoPro wireless network.
5. Once connected, start the GoPro app - and see if you're pointing the camera in the right direction!

Obviously I can only comment on how the app looks and runs on my rather old HTC Wildfire (running Android 2.2.1) The interface consists of a small preview window, roughly 1" by 1/2"; a maximise button, a record button, a settings button and some information on the battery, connection and number of shots. There's also an on /off button that allows you to power on or off the actual GoPro camera. Initial opinion's on the app are:-

1. It works!
2. You can change most (not checked fully yet) of the camera settings from the app.
3. The preview isn't fully live, there is some delay in it updating.
4. The 'Locate Camera' feature might be useful, especially if you put the camera down and it's getting dark - or worst case - if you break a mount and loose the camera. The volume of the 'beep' is quite loud, but if you're at the beach/motorcircuit, the sound of the surf/engines may well overpower it.

Looking forward to getting out and trying the app.

Smart Lunar R2 Rear Light

Winter is fast approaching, bringing with it dark, wet mornings and early nights. I've got a Topeak Alien rear light, it's fine as a get me home light for those balmy summer evenings, but for the winter commute I need something with a bit more oomph! The Lunar R2 was recommended to me by a mate, so when I saw it in the sale at my local bike shop (Tredz) I popped over after work to pick it up.

The light comes with two AAA batteries which fit snugly under the lens, once you manage to unclip it! I found it a little tricky to remove the cover, but then I am a bit clumsy. Though every cloud has a silver lining, so I'm hoping that the snug fit of the two halves of the light points towards it having a good level of weatherproofing.

The Lunar R2 has five different modes which you cycle though using a single rubberised button on the unit, there's flashing, pulsing, single or twin LED modes and also a mesmerising disco mode, the 2 1/2watt LEDs have a stated visibility of up to a mile, so you're sure to be seen. The battery life is quoted as been up to 25 hours or 50 hours in a flashing mode. To see some of the modes in action, I've uploaded a video to YouTube.

The case of the light has a clip moulded into it, which you can use to attach the light to your bag or jacket, there's also 31mm or 18mm fittings included in the box so you can fit it pretty much anywhere on your bike.

#Looking out for a Hero...a GoPro HD Hero 3

An intriguing post on Facebook this evening by GoPro:-

The most epic news in GoPro history drops tonight. Ready to be blown away?

There are plenty of rumours on the Internet about a HD Hero 3, and equally as many different spec sheets! I'm assuming GoPro's news will be a confirmation of the camera and it's spec. I'm available if GoPro would like to send me a camera to review!! ..please...

GoPro Protune firmware - buy a faster SD card!

Last week saw the release of the Protune firmware for the GoPro HD Hero 2, the firmware offers some key updates for those who hope to do that little bit more with their footage. The key change is the reduction in the compression ratio, resulting in a data rate of 35mbps rather than a 20mbps, this reduces the amount of artifacts caused by the compression of the footage. Another major change is the addition of a 1080p @ 24fps mode, this allows the footage from the GoPro to be more easily integrated with output from other camera systems without the need to convert the frame rate to match.

The update also reduces the amount of in camera processing (reduced sharpening and a netural colour profile, amoungst other changes), this allows for more flexibility in the post processing of the video.

A couple of things to note:-

I currently use a Sandisk Extreme SD card, it's a class 10 card, I've had no problems with using it in the GoPro. With the Protune update switched on and recording at 720p at 60fps, the playback was jumpy, with a stutter in the video at roughly every second. Checking into the spec of the card, I think I've found the 'problem', the card has a write speed of 30mbps, obviously the protune update switched on it increased the data rate is 35mbps, 5mbps faster than the card can handle, hence the juddering video. I've been looking at buying a larger card for a little while now, it looks like I'll also have to make sure it's got a faster write speed.

One other thing I've noticed, I set my GoPro to PAL rather than NTSC, since the update this appears to always be set to NTSC. You can change the setting to PAL in the menu, but after you've exited the menu, if you go back in, it appears as NTSC again. Is this by design or by bug?

*follow up post.

Want to win a GoPro Hero 2

Click on the link below to go to Tyler McQuarrie's Facebook page, all you have to do to enter the sweepstakes is like the page and enter a valid email address. Good Luck!

Click here for your chance to win.*

(*I'm nothing to do with the sweepstake!)

GoPro Fogging up issues - a cheeky fix?

Talking with a mate in work today, he's got a GoPro, but an older model, I suspect that the Hero 2 might run hotter than the Hero. He passed on a tip he'd heard to help stop the fogging issues. A small pieces of loo roll folded up tightly and placed in the sides and top of the case help absorb the trapped moisture and (I'll say reduce rather than stop) the fogging issues. I'll certainly give it a try next time I'm out with the camera, will have to keep an eye on the temperature of the camera.

GoPro fogging up issues.

Talybont Reservoir, Canon Powershot sx210 IS

Yesterday was a fantastic early autumn or late summer day, depending on your point of view. The weather was bright and sunny, but there was certainly a hint of winter in the breeze, which was quite keen. I joined a couple of guys from a local MTB club on a 22 mile loop in the Brecon Beacons, some parts of the route were quite technical and I can safely say my legs are shattered today! I'd not cycled this route before, but have walked a few sections in the past, the views were a definite reward for the hard work. The Brynore tramroad with spectacular views back towards Talybont Reservoir or The Gap, a well known mountain pass huddled below Pen-y-fan, with amazing views both back down the valley and the long climb you've justing ridden up from Pontsticill; and in front of you, towards Brecon and the decent that awaits you - a tricky, a loose surface of rock debris (some of which were pretty big!) winding its way off down the valley. Make sure you've got a spare inner tube or at least a repair kit - I ended up with a pinch puncture!

GoPro HD Hero 2

I used my GoPro on some of the latter stages of the route, and you have to admit that the quality of the footage is outstanding on a bright and clear day. My biggest issue (besides looking a bit weird with the camera stuck onto my cycle helmet) was the fact that it kept misting up. Alot of my footage has been spoilt by varying levels of blur caused by the lens of the case misting up from the centre outwards. I'd noticed this previously, once when 'Going Ape' (at Margam Park Go Ape) and then again during the WRGB, Margam Park was an especially wet day, so although frustrated at the lack of viewable video I put it down to the very humid weather. However, WRGB was predominately dry and the Brecon ride yesterday was a fine, dry and not very humid day. As the camera warms up during use, it causes the moisture trapped in the case to condense on the lens of the case. I've empty the cupboards to look for small packs of silica gel, but even the smallest won't fit. So it looks like I'll have to pay the fairly expensive price for the GoPro Anti-fog inserts. ** A Fix?!

MBR have a write up of the route on their website HERE

Wales Rally GB, a spectators opinion.

Well, another Wales Rally GB (WRGB) is over, a full two months earlier than last years. I'm not totally convinced with the earlier date for the event, although the days are longer (in theory) which you would think would provide more light for photographs on the early and later stages, this wasn't exactly the case. The weather, although mostly dry, was cold and quite dull, but thankfully not foggy which can be a blight for the November/December dates. There's also something intangible about the dark mornings and short days of the early winter which I prefer to September, I remember quite fondly sitting in an old pub in Tremadog after the days stages, with a pint, a pie and chips and a blazing log fire. I made much more of a holiday out of the event, going up to North Wales a day early, but that was last year!

I went to the shakedown/qualification stage in Walters arena, arriving at about 13:20, basing my time of arrival on the information on the website - that it started at 2pm. I was pretty annoyed to find out that the shakedown had been running for sometime and that the qualification started at 2. You could easily argue that it was my fault, and I'd put my hands up and say 'ok, I should have got there earlier' but when the site said that shakedown / qualification started at 2pm, I thought that arriving 40 minutes earlier was ample. Based on the lack of cars in the car park and the face that people were arriving after the qualification has finished, I wasn't the only person who had been caught out.


Mini in Qualification.

I drove each day from home to the stages, normally I'd grab some sleep in the car, but it was to light this year, and I arrived later than I would normally so I headed straight out to find a perch! The first thing that struck me this year was how empty the car parks were, and of course from this, how quiet the stages were, far fewer spectators than previous years. Whether this was because of the early date of the event, the current economic issues in the world, lack of WRC cars, lack of interest or because of the bizarre ticketing structure (or a combination of these) I can only guess.

For the past 6 years I've bought my tickets in advance, either day passes or a Rally pass, based on what time I can get off from work. It was considerably more expensive this year, I bought the Rally pass, with all it's associated 85th anniversary extras and it cost me (after charges) £138, thats something like £50 more than last years. As for the day passes - or carpark passes - as they have become this year, I think the pricing is crazy. Last year, a £25 day pass would give you access to any stage carpark for that days stages, this year it would cost you £25 per car park, to watch a stage in the morning and then a different stage in the afternoon would cost £50 that 100% more than last year!!

Anyway, rant over.

I went to the Hafran part of the combined Hafran and Sweet Lamb stages on Friday morning. I watched the WRC cars through the stage before heading to Sweet Lamb for the National cars and the second running of the WRC cars through the complex. I left Hafran early, partly because I expected long queues to get into Sweet Lamb - this was not the case!! I was actually parked closer the start of the stage than I'd been parked in previous years when I'd turned up at something like 2 or 3am!
After the nationals had finished the stage and before the second running, Top Gear's James May took over the bottom part of the Sweet Lamb complex. He (and Kris Meeke) run a Bentley Continental GT through the complex around 3 or 4 times to get the various footage they needed - I assume for an upcoming series of Top Gear. That Bentley can shift, it pretty much emptied the water splash and managed to get 'air' over the jump. After Sweet Lamb I headed down to Cardiff to have a look at Service, and managed to get my programme signed by a couple of the drives. (thanks!)

Another trek up to mid Wales on Saturday to the Crychan stage, where again, number were very much down. I was chatting to another spectator in the 3 hour wait between stage runnings and he to commented on the lack of spectators. (nice chatting to you). As I had paid for the Rally pass I was attending to try and get to Celtic Manor, but decided not to, feeling that I'd probably just end up sitting in traffic.

Sunday saw the running of my local stage - Port Talbot, again another very quiet stage, with spectator numbers down on previous years. I must congratulate the organizers for a far better setup at the famous Margam jump. In previous years the spectator area was set a long way back from the road, and had a 'dog leg' in the barrier which quite often left you with your view blocked, this year the barrier was pegged out closer to the stage (but imho still safe) and set out in a much more sensible way, no dog leg and running for the majority of the sraight. Thank you, some common sense at last!
The speed of the cars on the straight is incredible, i've posted some video's and they look like I've sped them up, but I haven't, they really are that quick and really do jump that far! Some drivers just tapping the brakes before the jump, and really, who can blame them! From Port Talbot, another blast up the M4 to Cardiff to the final service and the podium ceremony, it was good to see a Ford 1 - 3, with Loeb been knocked into 2nd and only just beating the ever popular Petter Solberg into 3rd.

As well as my Canon 7D, I also took along my GoPro HD Hero 2 to try and capture some close up action shots. As I didn't want to get run over, I bought myself a wee pressie! the Wifi BacPac and remote (I'll do a review in the not to distant future). I tried the camera in a few locations on the stage, with various levels of success! I've posted some videos on YouTube http://youtu.be/oMGPrBZV808

GoPro triggered by the WiFi BacPac



Summing up.....

Pro's
Marshalling was better this year.
Less spectators to get in your way
Parking and traveling between stages much easier.
Weather generally better (but not by much!)
Higher degree of keepers with my photos.

Con's
Some spectators stood in the most stupid of places.
Event formation quite poor - the shakedown time a case in point.
Ticket costs - stupidly high.
Less spectators - atmosphere not quite the same as previous years.
September event date not as atmospheric as November/December.
Have to question Service Park been based in Cardiff. (I can understand why, but a 2 hour drive from stage to service!)

Wales Rally GB 2012

Wales Rally GB 2012, a set on Flickr.

A Photo set from the 2012 Wales Rally GB. The Photo's cover Qualification, Hafran Sweet Lamb, Crychan, Port Talbot, some of the Cardiff Service and the Podium Ceremony. Most of the pictures are taken with a Canon 7D and a GoPro HD Hero 2.

Neath Valley Stages 2012.

Neath Valley Stages 2012.

(Organised by the Three Counties Car Club) This year saw a particularly dusty rally, despite the recent wet weather, the day dawned dry and bright. The recent forestry works, and resulting road maintenance, had left a loose layer on top of the compacted hardcore base. In the areas of clear fell, the top surface dried quickly, producing a fine, all coating layer of pale dust.

Dai Llewellin and Phil Short won the Historic Stages in the 102 Braces Bread Ford Escort, they won by nearly a minute, ahead of Juha Kankkunen and Nicky Grist in the 101 Mk 2 Rallysport Escort.

Ay-Up vs Hope Vision R4

Ay-Up vs Hope Vision R4.

A proper comparrison is to come, just need to get out as the nights start to draw in!


Comparison shot of the Ay Up with battery and the Hope Vision R4 with battery.

Canon 7D pop up flash failure.

Disappointed with the 7D's hot shoe, I'd been using the external flash on Tuesday, I went to use the pop-up flash this morning to find that it wouldn't pop-up. Checking the camera settings, it still thinks it's got an external flash attached. After some Googling, I've now found  that this is a common issue with canon camera's. Depending on the model of camera, there is either a single (as in the case of my old, battered 350D) or a pair of micro switches underneath the sprung metal strips on the hot shoe. When the flash is attached, the metal strips get pushed down, depressing the switch and informing the camera that there is a device attached to the hot shoe.

I've tried the tips off various forums to 'free' the switch using a cocktail stick (or other implement) and I've failed to get them to come back up. Unfortunately, my 7D is out of warranty, so it's either time to take the camera to a repair centre or take a screwdriver to the hot shoe. After a little bit of shopping around, I've had two prices for sending the camera away to get a estimate on the cost of the work required. Jessops have quoted me £25 and two weeks to send the camera away to get an estimate on how much it will cost to repair. Carmarthen Camera Centre have quoted me £15 with around a 3 week wait for the estimate. I'm pretty frustrated with Canon and the fact that this is a known and reoccurring issue, surely they've had enough time to implement a better solution? Maybe a 'flange' on the top of the micro switch to prevent it been pressed to far into the body of the hot shoe?

Top of the World ma!

The view from the top, was it worth it? Hell yeah!

The weather forecast was cold, but mainly dry, the prospect of getting spectacular views was to good to miss. So last minute, I decided to throw caution to the wind and join the rest of the guys from the MTBPigs on a weekend assault on the highest mountain in England and Wales, Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa).

There is a voluntary ban on cycling on the mountain during the summer months between the hours of 10am and 5pm, I think this is to help avoid incidents between bikers and walkers. We were outside of the ban period, but still set off early, leaving Llanberris at around 7am. Initially the route was on a section of tarmac lane, which became quite steep and was a good warm up! As it levelled off, we turned left off the road and through a gate and onto the trail proper.

The first of many push sections!

To say last minute is possibly a little misleading, the ride had been on the cards for several weeks. I'd been considering it, but I'm not a downhill rider and I'm certainly not in top condition - I didn't want to be the guy slowing everybody down. With this in mind, I'd been doing some hill climbs to try and build my fitness backup.

To climb any mountain, however small in the food chain of world mountains can be dangerous. We all took the task before us seriously and took sensible precautions, including, emergency whistles, survival blankets, extra layers, plenty of water and of course, some cash for the cafe at the top!

At first the route was rideable, surfaced with large stones and some natural rocky outcrops until a little way past the halfway cafe (which was closed), after that point it climbed steeply and the surface boulders became larger and further apart, time to push and carry our bikes! We saw the occasionally early rising runner heading back down the slope, other than that, the amazing views were all ours!

As we climbed, it became colder, with patches of snow at the side of the trail - snow angels anyone?! but with the effort of man-handling your bike over the trail you didn't notice the temperature until you stopped to take in some more of the views. The path levelled slightly as it came up to crossing the, via a short tunnel, the track of the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Tunnel under the tracks of the mountain railway, taken using a GoPro HD Hero2.

As you walked out from under the line, the view and the drops open out in front of you, certainly not a section for those who are not to keen on heights! the path then followed the route of the railway far more closely and far more steeply. The route climbed sharply from this point, even if it hadn't been slightly icy underfoot, I'd have been seriously impressed if anyone had manage to cycle this next section! At this point, more than any other I was thinking "what have I done!", I was pretty tired, unsure of how much further there was to go, and worrying a bit about the prospect of the way back down on my Kona Kula - hardly a downhill beast! But, much to my surprise, I wasn't at the back of the pack (partly because I didn't spend as much time as others playing in the snow!) and partly because my xc bike does have it's advantages.

At last, the trail starts to level.

I stopped for a breather and watched the train taking the first of the visitors up the mountain - the sensible way. Pilau had now caught up with me, and after a few minutes trying to get my GoPro HD Hero 2 to take time lapse pictures, we set off again. The path now started to level again, and as it turned to the left, it fell into shade and became lined on either side by a heavy frost.