GoPro Review

Hi there,

I have only been using the GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition since Easter. It has been great using it, having had more use out of it than I thought that I would. I want to take it everywhere with me, but this is a little inconvenient. So far I have used it for skiing, mountain biking and a few still shots. 

When film it is relatively easy to use but only once it is set up right. If I had spent more time looking at how it works before using it. I would have maybe got more use out of it the first time I used it when I went skiing, as I only had it set up right on the last day. Also the battery life is a bit of a buzz kill when spending the whole day out skiing, it would run out in the morning. So a bit of advice would be to only have it turned on when recording to save the battery. I did find it some what hard to tell if it was on and recording, as the bleeping sounds were not as easily heard with a hat and helmet on, but once you know what the bleeps mean then you get the hang of it. To make sure I always ask someone just to make sure as I don’t trusty my self to get it right. 

The use of the wifi accessories work well, regarding the wifi remote and the smart phone app, these will have their own comparison review soon. With the GoPro having a wide angle lense it does mean that when filming someone you have to get very close to them, to get a good view, as if you are only 5 meters away it looks like you are a lot more.

When using the GoPro for stills it is not so good as it doesn’t focus very well when close up to objects like a flower, as you have to be close to get the detail with the wide angle. This may just be me not setting it up right. When using the burst mode it does lag a little to when it starts taking the photos by a few seconds. 

Overall it is a great action sports camera, just a bit annoying about the battery life. It keeps me thinking of new ways to film things and look at different types of mount to try to improve the shots. 

Thanks 

Jacob Mann

Hi there,




This is a bit of a follow on of my last post but I think it is a great examlpe again of athletes pushing there boundaries and taking there riding to the next level. It is also defiantly worth a mention. This film of Danny MacAskill is an eye opener to what he is capable of on a bike and what he imagines in his head as challenging. Check it out. For more information on the film go to Redbulls website.

Thanks

Jacob Mann

Athletes progressing their sports

Hi there,

I was just catching up on the recent youtube videos the other day and stubble across this video called Drew Bezanson vs Joyride 150. This is a great example of how people push the sport they compete in, as through the video we see Drew just looking at a bike park seeing new lines, the majority of us would not even see as a possibility of a line choice. These types of video are great and it really shows how sports are progressed by the pioneers who are just at another level. Granted there are lots of other great BMX riders that have great videos of them pushing the boundaries too, they are just talented as Drew. This video and many others like it are curtsy of Red Bull, who I think are taking extreme sports to the next level with their athletes, with top training camps and helping athletes with doing the things they dream of. Which is great for the sports they are supporting. The progression of energy drinks in sport has been a mostly positive impact with the support they bring with big money and names to help athletes reach that next level. With regard to the actual drinks themselves been the only real down side to the companies, as they are not so good for people and in high consumption can have a detrimental effect. These big companies provide sports teams and individuals with the support that is greatly needed in the current economic climate, without some of them, some athletes would not be able to progress as fast or as far.

Thanks

Jacob Mann

New 661 Riot Shin Guards 2013

Hi there,

With protection high up on the list of every mountain bikers mind, shin pads may be something to try out. With not so many people to keen on them I cannot see why. I often have my feet slip of my pedals and get a painful shock, when my pedals dig straight into my shins. But you don't have to suffer, invest in a pair of shin guards, they are worth the money. Here is a new pair of shin guards I have just purchased the New 661 Riot Shin Guards 2013,  these are my thoughts on them. These are a great buy they are well padded so they my be a bit on the bulky side, but that is not a problem as they are light and very comfortable. the protection they provide is great with the EVA pad.  The fitting I find is great and they stay where they are. also compatible with your knee guards as well so you don't have too choose between the two as you can have both. Once you start riding you forget you even have them on, so you wont have to make any adjustments to make them comfortable for you. For me I would rate these 8/10 as they are a great product.

Thanks

Jacob Mann

New 661 Rage Knee Guards 2013

Hi there,

With knee guards been one of the essentials of protection for mountain biking, it best to get a good pair that perform well, these are the 661 Rage Knee Guards 2013 and here is what I think to them so far. Firstly they are a nice comfortable fit, but they webbing I find on the upper leg is not tight enough compared to the lower leg webbing. Also the material in contact with the knee cap is a little irritating at first but after wearing them for a while you don't notice it anymore. I find that they are a little bulky in comparison to other knee guards I have tried in the past. the actually padding and protection is effective and is able to take high impacts, that you want from your knee guards. I have found when riding the top of the pad bunches up a little bit, which maybe because of the loose webbing on the thigh. This did mean I did have to keep pulling it up every so often. Overall they are a good pair of knee pads and are relatively comfortable. I would give them an overall rating of 7/10.

Thanks

Jacob Mann