gopro lcd touch bacpac waterproof free sample

The LCD Touch BacPac is a removable LCD touch screen for GoPro cameras*. As a removable accessory, the LCD BacPac keeps your camera as small and light as possible, yet provides the convenience of an LCD screen when attached. Seamlessly attaches to the back of GoPro cameras

For your money, you"ll get the camera, a waterproof housing that"s good down to 131 feet (40 meters), a skeleton door for better audio when full water protection isn"t needed, two adhesive mounts (one flat and one curved), horizontal and vertical quick-release buckles that attach to the bottom of the camera"s housing and a three-way pivot arm, so you can mount the camera on the top, front or side of a helmet.

The HD HERO also offered an expansion port on the camera"s rear panel, branded the HERO Bus. Optional accessories included the LCD Bakpac, which offered a small monitor that displayed and played back video, and the Battery Bakpac, which doubled the battery life of the camera.

The HERO3+ camera models claim dramatically improved low light performance and have a waterproof enclosure which is 20% lighter and 15% smaller than the HERO3"s, according to the GoPro website. The HERO3+ camera housing is 20% smaller than the HERO3. The cameras are claimed to have improved image sharpness (close focus down to 7" vs about 3 ft on the HERO3, at the expense of distant focus which is slightly less sharp

In September 2014, GoPro released an entry level camera named simply "HERO", priced at $130, alongside the HERO4 Black and HERO4 Silver. It is built into a waterproof housing, unlike the HERO4 line.

The GoPro HERO (2014) can capture 5mp still images and has a 5fps burst option. It is able to record 1080P at 30 or 25fps and 720P at 60 or 50fps on to a MicroSD card up to 32GB. It has an LCD non touch display on the front and is waterproof down to 40m.

In June 2015, the company started to sell the GoPro HERO+LCD, which provides video recording at 1080p at 60 fps and 8 megapixel photos. The HERO+LCD is also built into a waterproof housing.

The HERO8 Black largely introduced several new functions into the camera. Physically, the HERO8 Black now incorporates the connecting prongs that are used to connect accessories, directly onto the camera. Originally, the cameras would only be able to access the prongs if the cameras utilised either the frames (for cameras HERO5 to HERO7) or the protective cases for HERO4 and before. Moreover, the GoPro logo moved under the LCD screen to make way for extra microphones. More additions to the camera most notably were part of the software aspects of the camera. These included an option to switch between various settings presets, including standard, activity, cinematic and action shots and adjusting on-screen shortcuts of the user interface. Most notably as part of software, was the introduction of the night-lapse video, which similar to the time-lapse video mode, automatically stitches the frames captured by the camera at set intervals, however with the addition of improved low-light performance.

The HERO8 Black also attempts to address vloggers who may wish to use the GoPro in such a manner. As such, GoPro has also introduced an external accessory known as the "Media Mod" which includes a USB Type-C port for supplying power to external microphones and accessories, a micro-HDMI port and a 3.5mm microphone port. Moreover, the accessory includes a mount to connect either external microphones, LEDs or an LCD screen.

Update on May 19, 2017: The Hero4 Black has been discontinued and replaced by the Hero5 Black, a stronger camera with a waterproof exterior, touchscreen, voice control, image stabilization, and a slew of other improvements – for $399. The Hero4 Black, however, can still be found for sale, but for around $100 more, the Hero5 Black is a far superior model. The Hero4 Black is still a great camera, and if you can find it for less than $200, it’s a good buy.

The Hero4 Black’s sibling, the Hero4 Silver (originally $400, but also discontinued), is one of our favorite action cams to date. The Silver is a Full HD camera that has nearly all the features of the Black, plus a rear touchscreen LCD. But it can’t shoot 4K (at least not at the level the Black can). So, if you’ve been thinking about getting a GoPro, should you splurge for this top-of-the-line model that can shoot at higher resolutions? Or could consumers do just fine with the Silver and save some money for accessories? Here’s why you might want to.

The Hero4 Black and the Silver are almost identical in design and function. You can read our Silver review to find out what the Black’s design, features, and usage are like, but the big differences between the two is that, as mentioned, the Black shoots 4K at 30 fps; has faster frame rates throughout video resolutions (720p, 960p, 1080p, 1440p, and 2.7K); lacks a rear LCD (more on that later); support for external microphone with analog-to-digital conversion; and has a higher bitrate (up to 60 Mbps versus 45). Otherwise, it uses the same mounts, underwater housing, and battery; has Wi-Fi/Bluetooth (the latter is used for standby); ProTune for fine tuning the settings; Night Photo and Night Lapse modes; and GoPro’s Studio desktop editing software.

A big omission is a built-in monitor. Even though it’s not the flagship model, the Silver Edition contains a useful, built-in touch display that allows you to make changes on the screen rather than through tiny monochrome front-panel LCD and the Mode and Record buttons on the camera.

We realize previous Hero cameras also didn’t have built-in displays, and although it’s disappointing the high-end Black doesn’t have one, you can attach GoPro’s LCD Touch BacPac ($80) to the back of the camera if you want to frame your shot and make changes via the touch screen. From our tests, however, the LCD Touch BacPac isn’t as responsive as the one embedded into the Silver, and you’ll need to purchase an optional backdoor to accommodate the LCD.

You could, of course, bypass the optional LCD and use your smartphone or tablet not only for live view, but also to easily change settings. Wi-Fi does eat into battery life, but so will the LCD Touch BacPac.

Update on May 19, 2017: The Hero4 Black has been discontinued and replaced by the Hero5 Black, a stronger camera with a waterproof exterior, touchscreen, voice control, image stabilization, and a slew of other improvements – for $399. The Hero4 Black, however, can still be found for sale, but for around $100 more, the Hero5 Black is a far superior model. The Hero4 Black is still a great camera, and if you can find it for less than $200, it’s a good buy.

Finally, we get to the camera itself, which comes in the waterproof housing.  There is a secondary door (seen up above), that allows sound to be heard relatively clearly versus the fully sealed waterproof housing where it’ll be rather muffled.

Here’s the front of the camera, as you can see, it’s virtually identical to the Hero4 Black.  Though, strangely in my case it actually has a small manufacturing defect on the front of the LCD screen.  It hasn’t bothered me though, and I’m too lazy to deal with returning it.

With the camera powered on, all units have a front-facing LCD screen.  This screen will show you which mode you’re in, for example, video, photo, time lapse, etc…  You can simply tap the front mode button to iterate to the next mode.

The GoPro Hero4 Silver sports a new addition to the Hero lineup, a touch screen.  While you could in the past attach a LCD screen to the back of units, it always came at the cost of increased space as well as just being sorta clunky.  With the Hero4 Silver though, it’s embedded into the back of the unit while remaining exactly the same size as previous models.

Once you have it unlocked, it’ll show you a touch menu that you can go into and modify settings for each of the modes.  You effectively get all of the modification capabilities of the front LCD + buttons, with the back screen:

Thankfully, the Hero4 Silver is legit color.  Brilliantly colorful and just as crisp and pretty as the marketing shots look.  It’s a bit tricky to take photos of because of the light differential between foreground and the LCD screen, but, you can get a little bit of a feel for it in some of the below:

The GoPro 2014 series all include waterproof cases that protect the unit down to 40 meters (131 feet).  This is pretty much the max for what a standard openwater PADI/NAUI certified diver would go to (by a little bit).  And of course fine for snorkeling and other random pool activities. In the slim chance you’re diving deeper than that, you can get a more hardened case that goes 60m (197 feet). In my case, I didn’t have any dives on my radar for this time period, so it was just limited to snorkeling and pool time.  In both cases, I had no problems.

The ‘Touch’ back door allows the capacitive touch inputs to be transferred to the screen through the door. However, the touch backdoor is only waterproof to a depth of 3m, and when used underwater the touch input will not work. As such, while it is ideal for protecting the GoPro from rain, snow and puddles when on dry land, and potentially use on the surface of the water (where you’re sure you won’t drop it!), it’s not really ideal for prolonged submersion, and obviously not at all for scuba diving.

The ‘Standard’ backdoor, which is of a stronger construction and is waterproof to 131 feet (40m)  like the standard GoPro case.  The touch functionality of the BacPac does not work at all through this case, but it is still possible to access the various menu options through the use of the additional button mounted on the side of the BacPac in conjunction with the existing 2 buttons on the GoPro.

Overall, the GoPro Touch BacPac is a great accessory. It allows the GoPro to be much more than just a mounted action cam, and instead to become a properly usable lightweight, waterproof video camera. It also significantly improves the functionality of the camera and the speed with which the  settings can be altered. If you ever use (or might plan to use) your GoPro while not in a fixed mount, and can cope with the reduced battery life, then in our view the Touch BacPac is well worth a purchase.

FeaTUres 1. Seamlessly attaches to back of GoPro cameras. 2. LCD Touch BacPac screen allows for easy visual control of camera and settings. 3. Preview and playback videos and photos including instant slow motion playback. 4. PLAYBACK button 5. Integrated speaker with audio control...

YOUr lCD TOUCH BaCPaC ATTACHING THE LCD TOUCH BACPAC TO YOUR GOPRO CAmERA TO ATTACH: 1. The LCD Touch BacPac can be attached to the HERO3, the HD HERO2 and original HD HERO. 2. Slide hooked end of the LCD Touch BacPac (A) into groove on right side of the camera body (B).

TO REmOvE: 1. Pull back on left side of the LCD Touch BacPac marked with the arrow to disconnect from the HERO Port. 2. Slide hooked end of the LCD Touch BacPac (A) out of the camera groove (B).

SWAPPING HOUSING DOORS A deeper housing backdoor is required when using the HERO3 with the LCD Touch BacPac attached. There are three backdoor options to choose from: Waterproof, Touch (enables touch functionality when in the housing) and Skeleton (non-waterproof backdoor for better sound quality by allowing more sound to reach the camera’s microphone.

UsInG THe lCD TOUCH BaCPaC You can operate your GoPro camera via touch using the LCD Touch BacPac screen, via control button using buttons on your GoPro camera or using a combination of both methods. When touch functionality is not available, for example when using the camera underwater, follow the button control instructions.

CAPTURING PHOTO/BURST/TImE LAPSE/ CONTINUOUS PHOTO* When capturing a Photo, the following icons appear on the LCD Touch BacPac screen: 1. Camera Mode 2. Resolution/FOV 3. Advanced Settings Modes 4. Interval Setting (Time Lapse, Photo Burst) 5. Wi-Fi Mode 6. Battery Level 7.

PLAYBACk videos and Photos can be viewed directly on the LCD Touch BacPac screen. To PLAYBACk—press on the side of the LCD Touch BacPac or access via touch on the LCD screen—in the mode menu tap the video and Photo files saved on your memory card will appear as thumbnail images on the LCD screen.

PLAYBACk vIDEO (CONTINUED) via Touch Screen 1. From the full screen view on your LCD, tap play button. 2. To see additional files, press 3. To exit and return to the thumbnails screen, tap via Button Controls 1. Use to toggle to and highlight the playback button. Press on your camera to select.

PLAYBACk PHOTO Using the LCD Touch BacPac screen, you can view and delete (touch screen only) your Photo, Photo Burst, Time Lapse and Continuous Photo files. 1. Previous file/Next file 2. Return to thumbnails 3. Delete file via Touch Screen 1.

PLAYBACk PHOTO (CONTINUED) via Button Control From the thumbnails menu on your LCD screen, use to toggle to a Photo file. Press to make selection. 1. To exit use to highlight . Press to select.

ACCEPTABLE TEmPERATURE RANGE FOR LCD TOUCH BACPAC Low or high temperature conditions may temporarily shorten the battery life or cause the LCD Touch BacPac to temporarily stop working properly. Avoid dramatic changes in temperature or humidity when using the LCD Touch BacPac, as condensation may form on or within LCD Touch BacPac.

Obviously using an LCD panel is going to mean your battery takes a hit.  The LCD panel can be either left on all the time or made to auto off after 60s.  In addition, pressing the button will also turn the LCD panel on and off.  GoPro makes a Battery BacPac which doubles the battery capacity of the GoPro; however, you cannot stack the Battery and LCD Bacpacs.

In addition, another “selling point” of the Hero2 is that it has 4 “operating” LEDs on it so that no matter what angle you’re at you can see if you’re recording.  The LCD BacPac covers the rear one, so if the LCD is off, you can’t actually tell if the unit is recording. Yes, the small video icon goes red when I’m recording, but that’s no good if I have the LCD panel turned off.

The GoPro LCD BacPac does exactly what it’s meant to do.  It gives you the peace of mind that you’re able to  properly and quickly frame your videos and stills and allows you to easily review the footage you’ve taken while  on location without having to transfer the data to a tablet or notebook.  Covering the rear activity LED is a bit of an issue which I’m sure I’ll get over, and the video codes are a very minor gripe (but to me worth mentioning) :).