After talks of its existence for almost a year, everyone knew it was coming, but it s finally here: the GoPro LCD HD Hero BacPac! Most recently, the new little screens were spotted at the Consumer Electronics Show, and created quite a buzz. At the time, little was known other than the viewing screen for the GoPro was no longer vaporware, and it added little to the actual size of the camera.
Now, all has been revealed, including price and a quick video. Find it all after the break!
Just as previously mentioned, the LCD BacPac attaches to the back of only the GoPro HD HERO, via the small expansion port on the back of the camera, appropriately dubbed the HERO port. Unfortunately this does mean that if you have an older HERO or the HD HERO 960, you will miss out on the viewing fun, but chances are you’re still happy with your GoPro anyway, right?
On the LCD BacPac itself, you will find the screen, a small speaker, and a side button that controls the screen itself independently of the camera. It looks like it will control playback, power, and volume of the screen from the side control alone.
Pricing for the LCD BacPac comes in at a relative steal for $79.99, especially when you consider it includes the screen and four different rear housing covers. Why four? Well, it includes two housing covers each for both the standard GoPro HD Hero mounts, and for the HD Wrist mounts. One cover of each is waterproof (sealed) and one is not waterproof (the open skeleton door). Obviously, your application will more than likely determine which to use, though the Skeleton housing is more likely to allow for better sound, both recording and playback.
Clearly, the addition of a screen to the back of a camera will increase the actual width of the camera, although the above photo demonstrates how slim the design remains. Sure, there will be situations where you aren’t able to tilt the camera back as far as you could without the BacPac installed, but with the new firmware installed, that allows for upside down filming, it shouldn’t be an issue. If you have a GoPro HD HERO it’s a good idea to update your firmware anyway, due to the need for the newest version to accommodate the new BacPac.
Of course, adding more buttons and functions will make the learning curve to use the HD HERO a little steeper, but so far we have been able to control our mini HD wonders with little need to consult the owner’s manual.
From GoPro:
| February 1, 2011 – Half Moon Bay, Calif. – GoPro, the world’s leading wearable and gear mountable camera company, today announced the availability of the LCD BacPac, a detachable LCD screen for the company’s HD HERO camera. The LCD BacPac represents the first in a line of expansion modules to be released for the HD HERO camera. Available for order today at GoPro.com and subsequently shipping to retailers around the world, the LCD BacPac has an MSRP of $79.99.
The LCD BacPac is a detachable LCD screen for the 1080p HD HERO camera. It attaches to the camera via the HERO Port™ – a small expansion port located on the back of the camera. As a removable accessory, the LCD BacPac keeps the HD HERO camera as small and light as possible, yet provides the convenience of an LCD screen when attached. |
| Acclaimed by industry professionals and consumers alike for its broadcast quality HD video capture and unrivaled versatility, the HD HERO camera now benefits from the enhanced convenience of a detachable LCD screen:
+ easy framing of complex scenes; see exactly what you are shooting + playback video and photos directly on the HD HERO camera +transform the HD HERO into one of the world’s most powerful everyday cameras The LCD BacPac illustrates GoPro’s dedication to evolving the HD HERO camera into one of the world’s most versatile HD cameras. “We designed the HD HERO camera to be a professional HD video capture tool, and that meant planning for expandability,” said Nicholas Woodman, GoPro’s CEO. “At the core, we’ve kept the HD HERO camera as small and light as possible, cutting out everything that isn’t required for capturing incredible HD content. Our wide angle lens allows for the omission of an LCD screen for most uses, but of course there are times when an LCD screen comes in handy. We’re excited to provide this functionality to our customers via the LCD BacPac. This is the first of many expansion BacPacs to come, and one more step towards establishing the HD HERO as one of the most versatile cameras in the world.” Included with the new LCD BacPac are four new housing backdoors that can be attached to both the existing HD HERO waterproof housing as well as the HD Wrist housing which enables the HD HERO to be worn on the wrist. The new backdoors allow both housings to fully enclose the HD HERO camera plus LCD BacPac within the respective housings. Furthermore, the LCD BacPac is compatible with all existing GoPro mounts, when attached to the HD HERO camera. |
Be a HERO… GoPro
