Go Pro's Digital Hero waterproof wrist camera

When given your choice of aquatic wrist-wear this summer, why opt for the nerdy-but-possibly-lifesaving SenTAG, when Go Pro's Digital Hero shock-proof polycarbonate sport wrist camera is so much more interesting? Sure, it's gigantic and unwieldy, but it weighs less than 3-ounces and is waterproof up to a depth of 30-feet. Plus, it goes around your wrist! What else could you want? Specs? Oh, right. With 32MB of internal memory, you can expect to get VGA photos and QVGA videos, with the latter giving a frame-rate less like Step Into Liquid and more like an old movie of Babe Ruth running the bases. We admit, it doesn't quite live up to legitimate underwater cams like Pentax's Optio WPi, but for $80, including the necessary AAA battery, what can you expect? Just think of the totally rad footage you'll get when you combine it with your Tony Hawk helmet cam.

[Via Travelizmo]

[karmaghost @ Jul 18th 2006 10:42AM]

Seems kinda stupid.

[demon @ Jul 18th 2006 10:52AM]

it is stupid

[DemiGod @ Jul 18th 2006 10:52AM]

Can't you just by a one use underwater camera for fraction of that price or even a case for your camera

[Stan @ Jul 18th 2006 10:55AM]

For the record, I know this thing is a piece of junk. I was hoping the sarcasm was laid on thick enough. Was it not?

[Jon @ Jul 18th 2006 12:08PM]

I think you miss the point. The camera is marketed toward sports like surfing and snowboarding, where you need your hands free to actually take part in the sport, then snap off a couple of pics of your friends. I have the 35mm version and I love it for surfing.

[NeoteriX @ Jul 18th 2006 12:33PM]

It looks perfect for those occasions where you want to punch someone and capture the expressions of the gawking onlookers.

[Stan @ Jul 18th 2006 12:38PM]

Jon,

You don't worry that a giant thing on your wrist might end up smashing you in the face during a wipe out? It seems like a waterproof camera in a small pocket might be a little more convenient.

[Sven @ Jul 18th 2006 1:50PM]

I'm a pro and this sounds great! A couple questions - Is it possible to shoot it while tethered to a Mac G5 quad? What about tripod mount?

[johnnyoh @ Jul 18th 2006 2:10PM]

seems like a device made in the 80's. the old james bond days

[Jon @ Jul 18th 2006 2:24PM]

Stan-
With a small camera in your pocket, you risk losing it while extracting it/ putting it away. Also, the thing I like about this camera is that if I'm paddling back out after a wave, and I see a buddy riding one, I can quickly snap off a picture. I guess it's a question of quickdraw vs. undo velcro, take out of pocket, aim and shoot. I haven't smashed my face on it. yet.

[Stan @ Jul 18th 2006 2:27PM]

Jon,

Excellent, glad you found something that works for you! I'm also glad you haven't hit yourself in the face with it. I, most certainly, would.

[Todd @ Jul 18th 2006 2:27PM]

This is actually Microsoft's first gen SPOT watch, which was never released.

Also, the same design team who designed the Digital Hero are currently designing the final version of Microsoft's new DAP; code named "Zune" which in Norwegian means "ugly boat anchor" ;)

[Rob @ Jul 18th 2006 2:51PM]

A camera like this is made for shooting while surfing. I've seen a guy who always brings one of these cameras out with him when he surfs (the film model). I've taken out an older Canon Elph digital with a water housing, and it's really difficult to manage the camera while surfing. I should figure out a way to strap it to my wrist like this camera! Ha, I just remembered, here's a link to movies I've taken while surfing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOzk2kZogg0

[Gadget @ Jul 21st 2006 5:42AM]

Great Idea with a small wrist camera, but then again, why haven't they thought about the size. Don't think anyone are willing to around with that one.

[Matty @ Jul 22nd 2006 2:38AM]

Stan...have you even seen this camera in person? I did not think it was out yet??

A rep showed it to me last week and it is mini and surprisingly sweet for how small it is http://www.goprocamera sample images, etc. That photo in your blog is the camera in the up pivot position -- for taking photos. It's actually pretty small.

[Rob @ Sep 25th 2006 2:36PM]

Crap, I actually bought one of these for surfing, and I'm VERY disappointed. I've taken surf photos with a consumer digital camera and water-housing and had lots of success, so I know it's not just me. With this camera, out of 200 photos taken, about 3 have been usable, but still looked crappy.