Go Pro Warning
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 3:47 pm
Wanted to share a rather unfortunate event with everyone. On a great wave day here on Lake Michigan and after capturing some amazing footage in long head high plus waves my Go Pro Hero 3 sank as I handed the camera to another rider for filming. We did the hand off well outside the surf zone in water that had less than a foot of wind chop on it.
I had the Floaty BacPac attached and the Go Pro Head strap mount, which I found to a amazing tool for hand held shooting. As you can adjust the head strap around your hand giving image stability, control of the shot, along with easy of kiting.
I was shocked as I watch the camera slowly sink before the other rider could get to it. So why did it sink? Not because the case opened as my thick gloves prevented any chance of undoing the locking mechanism or the case was cracked, but because of a design flaw at Go Pro.
When I called about my camera sinking in such an odd way I was told to my surprise, that the floaty is not designed to float anything but the naked camera and case. This important information is something Go Pro does not share or give a warning to on the packaging of the floaty BacPac in anyway or one any of the accessories. In fact the floaty BacPAc used with accessories is a common feature on many of the official Go Pro videos. Regardless the obvious communication error on their part they didn't seem interested in offering much to me but another surf kit camera for $160 off list price.
I received this in a follow up email from Go Pro:
"We do appologize for not clearly stating that the Floaty BacPac is not designed to hold up more than just the camera. Please be sure in the future to avoid puting any other mounts on the camera when using the Floaty BacPack"
So be careful with your Go Pro if you own one, don't expect the floaty BacPac to do its job and second don't expect a billion dollar company to communicate critical facts about their products to the end user.
I had the Floaty BacPac attached and the Go Pro Head strap mount, which I found to a amazing tool for hand held shooting. As you can adjust the head strap around your hand giving image stability, control of the shot, along with easy of kiting.
I was shocked as I watch the camera slowly sink before the other rider could get to it. So why did it sink? Not because the case opened as my thick gloves prevented any chance of undoing the locking mechanism or the case was cracked, but because of a design flaw at Go Pro.
When I called about my camera sinking in such an odd way I was told to my surprise, that the floaty is not designed to float anything but the naked camera and case. This important information is something Go Pro does not share or give a warning to on the packaging of the floaty BacPac in anyway or one any of the accessories. In fact the floaty BacPAc used with accessories is a common feature on many of the official Go Pro videos. Regardless the obvious communication error on their part they didn't seem interested in offering much to me but another surf kit camera for $160 off list price.
I received this in a follow up email from Go Pro:
"We do appologize for not clearly stating that the Floaty BacPac is not designed to hold up more than just the camera. Please be sure in the future to avoid puting any other mounts on the camera when using the Floaty BacPack"
So be careful with your Go Pro if you own one, don't expect the floaty BacPac to do its job and second don't expect a billion dollar company to communicate critical facts about their products to the end user.