Black Friday, the holy shrine of all consumerism, is fast approaching. If you wish to actually get a good deal on something you want rather than crazily fighting for waffle irons in a Walmart at 5am, it's best to go in with a game plan. While TVs and video game consoles are often the most heavily discounted items, drones have begun to see more sales in recent years as they become more mainstream. So, to make your job easier, we have rounded up the best deals on each of the most popular drones below:
DJI Spark
Percentage wise, the Spark is seeing the biggest discount for Black Friday of any of the DJI drones. Target, Best Buy, and several other major retailers will offering the controller-less Spark for $399, $100 off it's usual $499 price tag. DJI will also be offering the standard Spark for $399, but sweetens the deal by including a free landing pad, set of propeller holders, and hand guard — a total value of $36 purchased separately. However, the best deal on the standard Spark is surprisingly from Kohl's. Though they can't offer it for any less than the $399 price, you'll get $120 in Kohl's cash with your purchase, which can go a long ways toward anything else on your holiday shopping list. As for the Spark ultimate combo, you'll find it for $599 pretty much everywhere, though once again DJI is sweetening their deal by including the same three accessories.
DJI Mavic Pro
The DJI Mavic Pro is one of the most popular drones on the market today, and with good reason. It's extremely portable like the Spark, but also offers 4k, a 3-axis gimbal, and 28 minute flight times for less than the Phantom 4 series. Most retailers will be offering the
Though everyone was mainly hyped about the launch of the GoPro (aka "The GoPro Drone"), GoPro Founder and CEO Nick Woodman started off the event by first updating their camera line. Gone are all of the GoPro 4s except for the newest of the bunch, the GoPro 4 Session, which will sit at $199 as their introductory camera.
Both of the new GoPro 5 cameras share many features, the biggest of which is 4K video. No longer does the Session have to the lame duck cousin as the similarities don't stop there. The HERO5 Session also features the same new voice control, video stabilization & auto cloud upload as the HERO5 Black. The HERO5 Black has in return inherited the Session's caseless waterproof design, allowing for clearer audio and easier use. However, the similarities end there as the HERO5 Black features a gorgeous 2" touchscreen across its back, a 12MP sensor, higher video frame rates, a built in GPS, and new RAW + WDR (wide dynamic range?) photo capture.
With all of the new features I expected the HERO5 Black to easily stay at the same price as its predecessor, but GoPro will actually be selling it for just $399. The HERO5 Session will thus fill the gap between the two at $299. Both will be available starting October 2 and will also be sold in bundles with the GoPro Karma once that is released on the 23.
It’s not glamorous, but the first glimpse we get of the long-awaited GoPro Hero 5 may be this super short how-to video that shows you how to connect the unreleased action cam to your smartphone. Still, even at just 9 seconds, there’s plenty to be gleaned by this “sneak peek.”
GoPro tinkerer Konrad Iturbe discovered the video buried inside the GoPro Android app APK. The Verge was able to find the same file, titled “add_camera_hero5.mp4.” giving us hope that this is a legitimate leak and not something made up by a diligent troll.
From the short glimpse you can glean a few things: (1) The next GoPro has rounded edges and a raised record button; (2) The whole back of the camera is a touchscreen, no more BUS interface to attach accessories through, giving credence to the rumor that the Hero 5 may be waterproof out of the box; and (3) The more user-friendly touchscreen menu includes something called “GoPro Sniper,” a mysterious new option nobody seems to know anything about.
What else do you see from the video? Did you notice other features, options, or design queues can in the 9-second clip that we missed? Let us know in the comments. GoPro is expected to release the Hero 5 in time for the Holidays, but in the meantime this little video is all the “legitimate” information we have.
The GoPro Hero4 Session looks like the Polaroid Cube. It’s hard to deny otherwise. In the world of action cameras, these two cameras look like twins separated at birth where one was raised by a fun-loving family that toured in a VW Microbus and the other sent away to a prep school where athletics and fraternal orders were stressed. The maker of the Polaroid Cube clearly feels something similar as C&A Marketing filed a lawsuit against GoPro for illegally copying the design of the Cube. The Cube was originally released in 2014. C&A Marketing obtained the patent in May 2015, two months before the release of the GoPro Hero4 Session.
GoPro was issued several European Union patents for the Session and an US Patent for the Session’s case in March. It says that it applied for another U.S. patent for the Session last year. Clones are something that GoPro itself has contended with for years. Amazon and ebay are filled with cameras that look very similar to GoPro cameras including the Hero4 Session. Other major
SAN MATEO, CALIF. (Sept. 28, 2015) – GoPro, Inc., enabler of some of today’s most engaging content, is making capturing and sharing immersive, on-the-go content more accessible than ever with the release of its new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled HERO+ camera. At $199.99 MSRP, the HERO+ is waterproof and mountable as well as compatible with GoPro’s vast array of mounts and accessories. It captures stunning 1080p60 and 720p60 video and 8MP single, Time Lapse and Burst photos with the same impressive image quality that GoPro has become famous for. HERO+ most notably features Wi-Fi which allows it to connect with GoPro’s mobile app and benefit from convenient tools such as a Trim & Share feature that allows the user to quickly create and share short video clips across leading social media channels.
HERO+ rounds out an exciting 2015 GoPro lineup that now boasts the new and impossibly small and simple to use HERO4 Session at a more accessible price of $299.99 MSRP. These two exciting
While the GoPro 4 Session is both the newest and the smallest GoPro camera ever, it's not necessarily right for everyone. However, Amazon has made it a little easier to decide whether or not you want to get it by dropping the price down on their site to undercut what GoPro is selling it for. Currently it is available for just $324 but that could change at a moment's notice so don't delay. If you are having trouble deciding if the Session is right for you, check out my video below on exactly that.
I really have liked the GoPro Session so far. If you already have a regular GoPro or two like me, then the Session is the perfect addition. It's great for on body mounting, discrete timelapses, or just throwing into your bag and carrying around for vlogging/travel videography. I have only had to replace the built in lens once so far but that was because I crashed my mountain bike while wearing the Session on my chest (I also had to get 18 stitches in my leg).
GoPro Hero 5 was set to be launched on October 5, but the American tech company specializing on camcorder and videography equipment decided to push it back to next year in order to allow for unprecedented upgrades to the device, reports Venture Capital Post.
Apparently, GoPro wants to live up to the hype that the Hero 5 has established since late last year. The company wants the device to become the most powerful videography equipment in the world upon its roll out by next year.
While others may think of it as a lofty ambition, it is actually a major goal for GoPro because the company is optimistic that it can meet consumer expectations given its credentials with the launch of the groundbreaking GoPro Hero camcorders in the past couple of years.
GoPro is also determined to come up with a new video camera that will surpass the features and specifications of its current model, the GoPro Hero 4, according to Realty Today.
Business decision
The delay in the release of the device may also be a business decision on the manufacturer’s part since releasing the GoPro Hero 5 barely a year after the GoPro Hero 4 made it to the market will really put the clamps on its predecessor considering the initial reports that the latter device would come out with practically the same price as the older gadget.
That would sure to draw buyers away from the old and into the new, which would not make any business sense at all for GoPro.
While I patiently (or somewhat impatiently) wait for 3D Robotics to ship the SOLO drone I ordered from them, I have begun looking around at other quadcopters on the market. I stumbled across a new one by Blade which looks like it could almost rival the Phantom 3 by DJI. Called the Chroma, it comes in 4 distinct flavors, mainly determined by which camera setup you wish to use. As I mentioned before, you can get it with the new 4K capable CGO3 (which is the most expensive at $1300), and even though this costs more than the DJI equivalent (the Phantom 3 Professional) by $50, it might be worth it because of the 1080p/120fps recording mode which the DJI lacks. If you don't need 4K video, you can save $200 dollars and get the version which comes with the CGO2+ camera. I don't think this version compete well with the its Phantom 3 equivalent because it is $100 more expensive than it and doesn't really offer much extra. That said, Horizon Hobby (owner of Blade) has much better customer service than DJI, and their quadcopters have far more accurate GPS systems (due mostly to their GPS mast) which don't require you to do the compass calibration dance.
Another thing which is nice about the Chroma is that you can still purchase a "GoPro Ready" version which comes with a gimbal for the GoPro (no downlink though) and even a BNF version with a fixed GoPro mount. These two versions are a great deal cheaper costing $1000 and $600 respectively.
Below are the specs for the quadcopter itself which remain unchanged regardless of the version you buy.
"Solo is a breakthrough in intelligent flight. It’s not just smarter so that it can do more; it’s smarter so that you have to do less. We’ve turned the Hollywood toolkit into software, and allowed everyone to experience epic video, both behind and in front of the camera.” — Chris Anderson, CEO 3D Robotics
SoloTM provides a best-of-breed flight experience and unprecedented ease of use by tapping the processing power of twin Linux® computers, technology that has enabled 3DR to make radical breakthroughs in autonomous flight and camera control. As the first drone designed with every aspect of the photographer’s experience in mind, Solo can define its own flight, freeing users to focus on getting the shot. This intelligent drone is also the first to support full control of GoPro® cameras and deliver live-streaming HD video straight to mobile devices or through the controller’s HDMI port.
Today 3DR announced Solo, an all-in-one personal drone whose ease of use and powerful new features kick off a new aerial age. With computing power unmatched in the industry—from two integrated Linux computers, one on the craft and one in the controller—Solo delivers several world-first technologies, such as unfettered in-flight access to GoPro controls, including wireless HD streaming straight to mobile devices, and effortless computer-assisted Smart Shot flight features that allow even new pilots to capture professional aerial video from day one.
“We set out a year ago with the promise of not just creating the best drone, but the best overall aerial filmmaking experience imaginable. While this meant giving Solo smooth and powerful flight dynamics, it also demanded we make a smarter drone, one that could abstract users from flying so they can focus on getting great video,” said Colin Guinn, Chief Revenue Officer of 3DR. “What our users really want is great shots. They want professional tools that enable them to get those shots easily and consistently, right out of the box. Solo delivers on this promise: You get the shot, every time.”
“Solo will expand our concept of what a drone can be and do,” said Chris Anderson, CEO of 3DR. “Solo uses advanced autonomy to make creativity easier. Rather than needing skill to capture a great
There is growing speculation that GoPro will launch Hero 5 with 8K resolution in October
GoPro Inc. has already announced its upcoming revolutionary camera HERO 5 that is speculated to have features such as 8K resolution and 60mm underwater capacity. But the Californian camera maker has not provided any deadline for the roll out nor has it previewed any new features that will make their way into the latest flagship device.
GoPro cameras have the reputation to function in extreme conditions that makes the products unique. The company has been immensely successful with its HERO line and seems to be working hard to maintain its reputation by hitting the market with a better version.
However, there have been numerous speculations about the HERO 5 in the market. Many believe that the new camera will come with extended battery life as it will pack a 2,800 mAh battery as compared to a 1,160 mAh battery in the previous version. Another rumor suggests a dual-lens device supported with 3D imaging. It is also said that the camera can shoot 4K videos at around 60 frames per second. If true, this feature can provide a competitive edge to the company over competitors like Xiaomi and Sony.
GoPro’s current flagship, Hero 4, provides unique functionality such as high-resolution 4K videos. But competitors are fast catching up; Sony and other camera makers have launched their own cheaper action cameras to snag a share in the market. However, GoPro is currently unhindered by these attempts as its revenue soared 75% YoY in the December quarter.
Many experts have speculated that GoPro might launch HERO 5 in October as the market will have time to cool down after being overrun with cheaper versions. Consequently, users will pay more attention to the new and improved features of HERO 5.
I own several GoPro cameras and constantly am making videos with and about them for my YouTube channel, however, I had not had any experience with Sony's line of action cams prior to purchasing the FDR-X1000V. This is their newest and most advanced model, and is aimed to compete directly with the GoPro HERO 4 Black Edition. With that in mind I performed many tests comparing the quality and features of the two (but more on that later).
First I set about trying to understand every mode and setting which the Sony cam offers. Initially I was extremely put off by several things, namely: the lack of a dedicated on/off button, slow menu response times when tweaking settings on the camera, and the amount of clicks it takes to get through the menus. As I used the cam more and got used to the way Sony does things, the menus didn't seem quite as complex and I was finally able to completely understand the way that the video resolutions
American multinational corporation GoPro, well-known for manufacturing high definition personal cameras, plans to upgrade its existing product lineup by releasing the latest GoPro Hero 5. It is expected that the company's upcoming action camera will be released in October 2015, which corroborates with an earlier report by Christian Post.
Christian Today says that the specs of the purported GoPro Hero 5 includes superior video recording and image capturing. The new device will be far more improved compared to the company's existing flagship action camera GoPro Hero 4. One of the important features of the upcoming device will be its ability to record a maximum resolution of 8K. Although the company has yet to specify the frame rate of recording at such a high resolution, it is expected that the GoPro Hero 5 will have the capability to record 4K videos at an amazing 60FPS frame rate. Moreover, the Hero 5 will pack a faster Bluetooth 4.0 module allowing transfer of high definition content to other devices wirelessly more quickly. Considering how recording at 8K resolution will consumer huge flash memory space, the pace of transfer will be thoroughly vital. Last year, GoPro shipped out the Hero 4 action camera in two variants - silver and black. The black variant of GoPro Hero 4 turned out to be more popular mainly owing to the camera's ability to record at a frame rate of 30 FPS on the 4K resolution. On the other hand, the silver version came with a touch screen feature, but this model's 4K recording capabilities were restricted to just 15 FPS. Once the company releases the GoPro Hero 5, it will try to do away with the restrictions mentioned above and, at the same time, upgrade the upcoming action camera's performance. As far as the pricing details are concerned, GoPro is expected to release the Hero 5 with a price tag of $499.99.
Kickstarter is quickly become one of the go to sites for getting your hands on new cool innovative tech products before they go on sale to the general public. Accessories for popular smartphones, cameras, or laptops are especially prevalent. A quick search for "iPhone" routinely pulls up 5-10 ongoing campaigns looking to fund a wide of products ranging from cases and clip on lenses to wireless charging pads and projectors all designed for the iPhone. Personally, I find myself searching Kickstarter on almost a weekly basis for any new GoPro accessories which may be trying to gain the funding necessary to come to market. I've backed several GoPro-related projects in the past, and while some sadly fell short of their goal, I have been very happy with the one's that have been successful.
I decided to make this third "What I'm Backing on Kickstarter" exclusively about GoPro-related products currently seeking funding on Kickstarter since three of the four projects I am backing fall into this category (the fourth is CHATLIGHT: Lighting For Video Chat And Selfies for those who are curious). If you are a true GoPro-er, you will likely be joining me in backing one if not all of these campaigns.
This was my second attempt to choose a winner for my GoPro HERO 4 Silver Giveaway I launched back in December of 2014. The winner I picked in the first video didn't respond, and also upon further investigation wasn't actually subscribed to my channels. I tried to keep this new video as engaging as possible, even though I had to scramble when the second winner I picked had somehow disappeared. The third time was the charm though, so CONGRATULATIONS to "Red Sox Fan" [Youtube username] for winning the GoPro HERO 4 Silver!!!
Thank you to everyone who entered into this giveaway! If you didn't win, help me reach 10k subscribers so you can all get another chance to win something awesome!
If you're thinking of buying a GoPro 4 Silver for yourself, please consider using my Amazon affiliate link. I earn a small percentage of your total purchase and it allows me to fund awesome giveaways like this.
Most rumors about the upcoming GoPro Hero 5 are currently fuelled by the popularity of the GoPro Hero 4 camera that was released last year and will soon became as popular as earlier models. As many new companies enter the market for action cameras, GoPro has managed to successfully hold them off and outsell its competition, shipping about 2.4 million units of the GoPro Hero 4 last year. This year, GoPro looks set to improve on the Hero 4 in many ways and even bring out new technology in the GoPro Hero 5. One major rumor surrounding the forthcoming new camera, which is expected to be launched sometime in October, is that GoPro will finally increase the frames per second and bring it up to 60 from the current 30 fps on the GoPro Hero 4. If this happens, it will allow users to shoot 4K videos at 60 fps and thereby address an issue that is currently bugging users of the GoPro Hero 4. There are also rumors that GoPro also has a camera in the works capable of recording 8K videos. If the GoPro Hero 5 has this ability, it will be released at a time when televisions will be available to play back these high definition videos. There are also indications that GoPro is going to be creating a camera that can be taken to a depth of 60 feet underwater – an improvement over the 30 feet that the current model is capable of. If this is true, the GoPro Hero 5 will become a strong favorite among divers who already use the camera extensively. GoPro has also filed a patent which points towards an upcoming camera having a door for a battery at its rear and more buttons and an LED indicator in the front. The patent which many have associated with GoPro Hero 5 has also revealed the presence of a multiple microphones within the camera which point towards recording with surround sound. -via The Christen Times
GoPro just released the mid-year software update for their HERO4 cameras. It's basically a free upgrade to a better camera for those who already own HERO4 Black or Silver, so I can see no reason not to upgrade your camera ASAP. One of the coolest things about the GoPro updates is that they can be downloaded and installed all using the GoPro Smartphone app and a WiFi connection. For those who are a little trepidatious about the whole process, I filmed myself updating both my HERO4 Black and Silver (using an Android & an iOS smartphone) to help you make it through alright. It really is a pretty simple and straightforward process, but it never hurts to know exactly what's ahead.
From GoPro:
Latest release:
HERO4 Black v02.00.00 | February 4, 2015
HERO4 Silver v02.00.00 | February 4, 2015
NEW FEATURES
Time Lapse Video
720p240 + 2.7K60 Video
Auto Image Rotation
Add HiLight Tags During Playback
30/6 Burst Photo
HERO4 Black update v02.00.00
New Modes + Features
Adds Time Lapse Video mode
Adds 720p240 video mode (Narrow FOV only)
Adds 2.7K60 video mode
Adds Auto Image Rotation
Adds 30 photos/6 seconds Burst rate
Performance Improvements
Changes Protune default video ISO to 1600
Usability Improvements
Adds Reset option for camera Wi-Fi settings
Displays Night Lapse shutter time on the camera status screen
LCD Touch BacPac Improvements
Delivers the ability to add HiLight Tags during playback
Adds new gesture to display the last photo or video captured
Automatically locks the display after the camera goes to sleep
General Improvements + Bug Fixes
Night Lapse stability improvements
HERO4 Silver update v02.00.00
New Features
Adds Time Lapse Video mode
Adds Auto Image Rotation
Adds 30 photos/6 seconds Burst rate
Performance Improvements
Changes Protune default video ISO to 1600
Usability Improvements
Delivers the ability to add HiLight Tags during playback
Adds new gesture to display the last photo or video captured
Automatically locks the display after the camera goes to sleep
Adds Reset option for camera Wi-Fi settings
Displays Night Lapse shutter time on the camera status screen
Checkout the two videos below to see if you can see any difference in quality between the GoPro HERO 3+ and the GoPro HERO 4. While they are not the same video (and were actually filmed almost a year apart), they are very similar. I filmed them both at the same indoor track and field complex and both were set to the highest resolution that they could be at while still recording at 120 frames per second. Both GoPros were also set to Protune mode.
It's to say for sure which one produces better video quality, but after watching both of the videos, my initial reaction was that the GoPro 3+ was a little clearer. This would make sense because many people have been complaining about fuzziness when recording in 1080p at 120fps on the GoPro 4. Let me know what you think in the comments below or on my Facebook and Twitter.
The GoPro 4 Black Edition is about to get even more awesome. GoPro announced back at CES 2015 that they would be releasing a firmware update for their top-of-the-line action camera sometime either in February or March of this year much like they updated the GoPro 3+ Black Edition's firmware last year at around the same time. Well now since it is officially February, you can start expecting that update to roll out any day. With that said, let's take a look at the expected features:
720p at 240fps Super Slow Motion
One of the coolest things GoPro introduced with the GoPro 4 was the ability to record 1080p Full HD at 120fps. However, many people were also disappointed because while they increased the max frame rate available at 1080p from 60fps to 120fps, the max frames per second possible for 720p HD remained fixed at 120fps.
A recent video I made using the GoPro 4 Black Edition in 1080p at 120fps.
Timelapse Video Mode
The second big feature that this update will be adding is in-camera timelapse. Yes, the GoPro has always been able to record very high quality timelapses, but up until now this has always required assembling the image sequence on a computer using software like GoPro Studio or Photoshop. While I might not see myself always using this new feature (mainly because it doesn't save the original image sequence files), I can definitely see this coming in handy when I want to upload a timelapse directly from my phone or I want to save space on my memory card. This feature will be coming to the Hero4 Black and Silver editions.
Just a few examples of the insane quality timelapses you can take with the Gopro 4.
2.7k Video at 60fps
Situated nicely between 1080p and 4K, 2.7k is almost my 'go-to' resolution because it offers the best of both worlds. Recording at 2.7k gives you the ability to crop and/or use stabilization software in post production while also allowing you to record at a frame rate higher than 30fps so that you can slow the video down by 50% and still have it look good. With this update, you will be able to slow it down by 40%, not a large increase, but still a noticeable difference (and double the frame rate available in 4K).
Other Miscellaneous Improvements
Auto Rotate. Did you know that the GoPro HERO4 Black and Silver had an accelerometer inside? Now you can finally put them to use. Just like your smartphone, the GoPro will be able to sense which way is up and rotate any picture or video you take accordingly. Say goodbye to flipping upside down video in post or quickly scrambling to find the setting to switch the GoPro's orientation.
30/6 Burst Photo Mode. It captures a burst of 30 photos spread out over six seconds. This will increase the max burst time duration from 3 to 6 seconds while keeping the number of photos taken the same. I imagine this will be most helpful for taking selfies with extension poles or 'selfie sticks' as they have quickly become called.
Add Highlight Tags in Playback. Highlight tags might be a cool feature, but it's annoying to always be having to tap the side of your camera while you're trying to concentrate on filming. This will allow GoPro HERO4 Silver users (and those Black edition users who also have the LCD Touch BacPac) to focus on what you're doing and tag things later as you're flipping through the day's highlights.
Now all that comes is the wait. I'll try to keep you informed if I hear anything else and will be sure to let you know as soon as the update is release. Like the previous couple of updates, you can update your GoPro by connecting it to your smartphone via WiFi and opening the GoPro app or by doing it the old fashioned way and plugging it into your Windows or Mac PC.
It's that time of the year again! Every year around this time (well for the last 2 at least) I have held a giveaway on my YouTube channel as a way of thanking all of my subscribers for supporting me. The first year I gave away a $15 iTunes card. Then last year I upped the prizes and gave away $200 in gift cards ($100, $50, $25, & $25 to Amazon, iTunes and Google Play). And now this year I am raising the stakes even more and giving away.........!!! Actually I haven't decided what the prize(s) should be yet, that's kinda the point of this post. Since you all are going to be the ones possibly winning whatever I end up giving away, let me know what you would want to win in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter! And remember to subscribe so you can get notified when I launch the giveaway.
One item you know which is going to be flying off the shelves during the holiday season is the latest GoPro action cameras. And while the GoPro HERO4 Black & Silver Edition may be GoPro's flagship models, the new GoPro HERO is almost guaranteed to sell more due to its lower price point. Retailing for $129, the GoPro HERO is cheap enough that it can be given to kids, adults, or really anyone, not just someone who is already a GoPro-er or really into action sports. Even the GoPro HERO 3 White feels like more of a commitment at $200, even though it is just $70 more. However, you are likely to see more discounts and sales on the HERO 3 or 3+ models (and even the HERO4's) rather than the GoPro HERO, so that might help to even out the difference.
Checkout the video below to see my unboxing and first impressions of the GoPro HERO.
What do you think? Will you be giving or asking for a GoPro HERO this holiday season? Let me know in the comments below!
looks like the 
. It’s hard to deny otherwise. In the world of action cameras, these two cameras look like twins separated at birth where one was raised by a fun-loving family that toured in a VW Microbus and the other sent away to a prep school where athletics and fraternal orders were stressed.
-Hero-5-To-Launch-In-October-With-8K-Resolution.jpg)
