MacGregorSailors.com

Here's your predicament: you want a GoPro but you don't have, like, $400 to spend on one. Or even $300. Or even, if you find a sale, $200.

Nova Tech (via Amazon) has the Dbpower EX5000 action camera for $49.99. That's after applying coupon code 8L3VMGDG at checkout.

http://www.cnet.com/news/wild-wednesday ... 3906984835

I have zip financial interest in this - except that I just got one.

For that dramatic a difference in price, I would be extremely suspicious of the quality of that device. Save up, and go for the real thing.

Remember that Mac clone made in China


Ray

NiceAft wrote:

Remember that Mac clone made in China


Ray

Speaking of which- I sent them a request for pricing (through Alibaba) and they replied that the boat in question was still in production and not yet available.....

I bought a Go Pro clone, and you really struggled to tell what video came out of the $49.99 camera and what came out of a Go Pro.

The Go Pro was better and had more features, it generally when the light gets low that the cheaper units struggle in comparison.

Value for money and for normal use the cheap ones are pretty good and the real difference is your not paying 1/2 the asking price just for the name, technology is dirt cheap these days

Real, full-featured cameras that are shock-proof and waterproof have gotten so small and cheap, a limited-use camera like the go-pro hardly makes sense any more.

Stevenhigbee wrote:Real, full-featured cameras that are shock-proof and waterproof have gotten so small and cheap, a limited-use camera like the go-pro hardly makes sense any more.

I have a difficult time agreeing with this.

The advantage of the GoPro, besides the waterproofness, is an extremely wide angle lens. The disadvantage of the GoPro is only an extremely wide angle lens. it is quite a quality product, but it can't offer to me the intricate, manual controls on zoom, hot shoe, shutter speed, and aperture I want in a camera. I do keep thinking about getting one just for the specialty underwater shooting ability.

As to the Cheapo competitors out there, I just don't believe it. Generally, you do get what you pay for. The one mentioned seems to have an inadequate light sensory. Undepenable low light images, not something to expect in a quality product.

But, to each their own. If one is happy with their purchase, then it's the right purchase.

Ray

I do keep thinking about getting one just for the specialty underwater shooting ability.

Hey Ray - there are a number of less-committed-to-one-purpose-like-the-GoPro cameras on the market that have the underwater capability you are looking for, some in a lower price range, that are good on land too. You can google for more, I found this right away...

http://waterproof-camera-review.toptenreviews.com/

- B.

It's true. You get what you pay for. The GoPro offers features that others don't, like different framerates for compliance to international standards. On the other hand, like the name already says, the GoPro is a somewhat professional piece of equipment. The clones come in several price classes. The better the quality, the less they look like a straight GoPro rip-off. If you buy one at half the price of a GoPro, you get a very decent device for the non-professional user. The really cheap action cams look very much like the real thing, but they ain't. What's inside is very much what you'll find in cheap smart phones and dash cams. Only usable if your demands are very low. So if it really looks like a GoPro on the outside, be warned. Colors may be incorrect, image stabilizing may be non-existent and sound WILL be horrible and thus useless.
FWIW: I know what I'm talking about. They pay me for judging the quality and usability of broadcast related equipment. I've been in the broadcast business since 1994. Which is way before the introduction of the GoPros.

If you buy either a go pro or a drone, you stipulate to never being able to whine about boat part costs here again.

It's a Board Rule....that I just made up

Catigale wrote:If you buy either a go pro or a drone, you stipulate to never being able to whine about boat part costs here again.

It's a Board Rule....that I just made up

Take your rain on our parade attitude, and go somewhere else...

Ray

GoPro cameras are nice, but the batteries are all still made in China for cheap. Ever hear anyone say 'wow my GoPro battery life is awesome' brought mine along for my SE AK trip and both batteries (one extended attached battery expansion pack) neither would hold a charge after hours of charging. Love the video (with the low light exception of course, I have hours of black images with sound!) but the batteries still suck. I'll prob try a good reviewed knock off before I buy anothe GP(and the battery packs change every generation or so, so no going out and picking up a new one) I think if a knock off will last as long as the GP batteries I'd be ahead.