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GoPro launched its widely successful range of helmet cams in 2005 and they have grown increasing popular in the extreme sports world. In 2009, they upped their game and brought their amazing cameras into the High Definition market.  The first high definition model released was the GoPro HD Hero which took the spot of leader in the market, being the first full HD 1080p helmet camera.

The GoPro Hero has come even farther in the recent years, branching out into 5 different models, the HD Motorsport HERO, the HD Helmet HERO, the HD Surf HERO, the HD HERO Naked and the HD HERO 960.  Each model has its own unique accessories and mounting equipment it to allow it to achieve the best results in the particular extreme sport you are looking to use it in.  Like the Surf model being able to be mounted directly onto a surfboard for really wild photos and video on you in the middle of a wave.


All the models are 1080p HD resolution cameras with exception of the HD HERO 960, which is only a 906p HD camera.  Even though the GoPro 960 is only a 960p HD camera it is still on top of the market for HD sports cameras and helmet cameras.  The reason for this is because it is not only a very reasonable priced HD Camera, it is also all you really need to get great HD photos and video from the activity you are doing.

You might be asking, why would I go buy a puny 960p camera if I could go out and buy a 1080p camera?

Well check this GoPro 960 Highlights 2011 Video for starters!!

Well the major factor is where you want to watch your videos.  The GoPro 1080p cameras output its signal at 1080p = 1920×1080 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate while the GoPro 960 outputs its signal at 960p = 1280×960 pixels (4:3), 30 fps, 12 Mbit/s data rate.  This might be look like gibberish to you but what it means is that the 1080p cameras are best suited for watching the videos on widescreen TVs that are setup for 16:9 aspect ratios.  The GoPro HD 960 on the other hand is setup for 4:3 aspect ratios which is much better suited for YouTube and other internet video players.  Now if you are anything like me, I would much rather have millions of You Tubers watch my videos on the Internet than just me and my dog on my TV in my living room.  You can still capture video in 720p mode with is a 16:9 aspect ratio setting if you want to watch it with Rex at home.The price is the second factor when looking at this particular helmet camera.  It normally retails for around $179.00 while its 1080p counterparts retail between $269.00-$299.00.  To me this makes the GoPro HD Hero 960 a no brainer because with that $100.00 dollars you save on the price of the camera, you can easily go and buy a few extra mounts for it so you can attach it to a ton of other extreme sports products you might own or rent in the future, like a rocket powered mountain bike!That is not to say that you do not get mounting equipment when you buy the camera itself.  You actually get enough to take care of most situations for mounting the camera.  It comes with the following accessories:

  • 1 HD HERO 960 camera
  • 1 Rechargeable 1100 mAh Lithium-Ion Battery
  • 1 Waterproof Quick-Release Housing (180′ / 60m)
  • 1 Curved, 3M™ Adhesive Mount
  • 1 Flat, 3M™ Adhesive Mount
  • 1 Helmet Front Mount
  • 1 Headlamp-Style Head Strap
  • 1 Quick-Release Buckle
  • 1 USB Cable
  • 1 Component Video Cable (HDTV)
  • 1 Composite Video Cable + Audio Out Cable

The most important accessory in this list is the Waterproof Housing.  This not only keeps that camera safe from water up to 180’ / 60m and snow but it also keeps the device safe from bumps and scraps.  If you are planning to use this camera while mountain biking, snowboarding, skateboarding or anything that you might fall in the camera, then this little case will save your videos and camera from destruction.

The camera itself is an amazing piece of equipment; it can capture still photos as well as HD video.  It is sporting a 5 megapixel camera, so you will get decent pictures of the tree you are just about to run into but do not expect them to look as good as your million megapixel Digital SLR camera.  For photos, you can setup the GoPro 960 to take the photos at various intervals; the intervals include 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60 seconds.  This is perfect for someone who does not want full video but instead a neat scene by scene slideshow of themselves nailing that unbelievable trick.  Or set it to single shot, triple shot, or self timer for more traditional photo taking.

The video on the camera is quite good quality with great resolution, especially with the FPS (Frames Per Second), which allows it to keep recording during bumpy rides without skipping.  You can record 2.5 hours of video on a single charge of the battery and it will capture 9 hours of video on a 32 GB SD card.  This is all hands free video capable of getting a 170 degree field of vision.  So you just have to turn it on and start riding without worrying about having to fiddle with buttons or making sure you are looking in the perfect spot to get the video you want.

Now what video of you crashing into a street post would be worth watching without the sound of you screaming like a girl?  Well the GoPro HD 960 is sound capable. That is right, it has a built in microphone to capture every little girlie scream you let out.

After all said and done, the GoPro HD HERO 960 is a really solid and complete extreme sports camera that will capture all the action you can throw at it.  The price is really affordable to anyone who wants to show off their skills and it delivers amazing sound, photos and video quality for that reasonable price.

Now what are you waiting for?  Go out and start showing off to the rest of the world with your new photos and videos from the GoPro HD HERO 960!