GoPro Hero vs Liquid Image Mask

[David Z]

I already have a Panasonic Lumix TS3 but can't think of a good way to mount it to my gun, so I'm looking into grabbing one of these too:

http://www.liquidimageco.com/products/water/scuba-series-hd-wide.php

or

http://www.makospearguns.com/product-p/mgpchdoh2.htm
+
http://www.makospearguns.com/product-p/mscbr.htm


With the Go Pro, I'd also grab the rapid on/off gun mount, so they'd both end up being around $350. If anyone has any experience using both products, it'd be great to hear from you. :thumps:

Dave

[IyaDiver]

Forget Liquid Image, get GoPro HD2.
I got both.

Liquid image video is not that good and the mask is another pain for me, not suitable for my face.

You WONT want want to dive without the most comfortable mask you can get your hands on, its not about the price but is a personal fit.

Have fun.......

[David Z]

Thanks for the info Iyadiver. I already have a mask that is great and comfortable. I reckon I'll go with the gopro 2 early next year then.

Cheers,

Dave

[IyaDiver]

Forgot to tell you, with a GoPro, a scuba flat lens housing is required. The original waterproof housing they come with is soft focus underwater due to curve lens. Wait a bit, GoPro will come with their own flat lens in a few months. It will have no black edges at any format choosen. Should be US$50 or so.

Have fun shoppin....

[David Z]

thank for all the advice

[David Z]

*thanks

[solunamar]

I have the GoPro mounted on my guns with a mount from ************* and love it. I didn't have to drill any holes or dick around with anything that affected the gun. They make them for euros and guns like Riffe and Wong, etc. I just got a GoPro tripod adapter and was done.

[Dan Silveira]

I just thought I should chime in to offer some interesting pointers about the liquid Image masks.

1st, I love the LIC masks. I have been using them since the company hit the market.

My favorite thing about the company is how they continue to make the product better.

Here is their timeline of products:
Back in 2007 they came out with the first LIC mask.
-It was yellow
-Rated to 15'
- VGA quality with no audio 3mpx photos

In 2008 they came out with the video series mask.
-It was Red and Black
- rated to 30'
-D1 quality video with sound 5mpx photos

In 2009 they came out with the Scuba Series HD mask
-It was Blue
-Rated to 100ft
-720p HD @ 30fps quality video w/ sound and 5mpg photos

In 2010 they came out with several improvements to the old models + they added Wide Angle to their HD cameras
-This camera was grey and black
-Rated to 130'
-720p HD @ 30fps quality video w/ sound and 5mpx photos + Wide Angel lense
In 201o LIC also launched their Snow / Ski, and motor cross video goggles with HD and wide Angle.

In 2011 LIC came out with the 1080P HD video mask with wide Angle.
-this mask is all black
- Rated to 130'
-Shoots 1080p HD @ 30 fps, or 720p at 60 fps, or 12mpx photos, and has the option for a remote strobe activator.
LIC also made modifications to the frame with hopes to make it fit more faces.

As you can see from the list above, the cameras that Liquid Image has produced over the last few years have come a long way. The quality is outstanding, the cameras are durable, more comfortable, and very easy to use.

Here are some of my videos which I shot with my Liquid Image mask - check out the quality for your self rather than listen to one person who says otherwise:
California Spearfishing by Dan Silveira - Omer Spearguns .m4v - YouTube
Blue Water Spearfishing in Baja.m4v - YouTube
Blue Water Spearfishing in Virginia - YouTube

And last, I want to extend a 20% off discount code to any of you who are willing to give the mask a try:

Here is my Liquid Image discount affiliate code: ACDS00111

Here is the link to their online store:
http://shops.hookit.com/liquidimage/


Till the Next Adventure,

Dan Silveira
http://www.spearfishingisnotacrime.com

[SpearoTastic]

I just thought I should chime in to offer some interesting pointers about the liquid Image masks.

In 2011 LIC came out with the 1080P HD video mask with wide Angle.
-this mask is all black
- Rated to 130'
-Shoots 1080p HD @ 30 fps, or 720p at 60 fps, or 12mpx photos, and has the option for a remote strobe activator.
LIC also made modifications to the frame with hopes to make it fit more faces.

As you can see from the list above, the cameras that Liquid Image has produced over the last few years have come a long way. The quality is outstanding, the cameras are durable, more comfortable, and very easy to use.

Here are some of my videos which I shot with my Liquid Image mask - check out the quality for your self rather than listen to one person who says otherwise:
California Spearfishing by Dan Silveira - Omer Spearguns .m4v - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEUumWInwFg)
Blue Water Spearfishing in Baja.m4v - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYTM9kxlLDk)
Blue Water Spearfishing in Virginia - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5V0jEfBqFA)

And last, I want to extend a 20% off discount code to any of you who are willing to give the mask a try:

Here is my Liquid Image discount affiliate code: ACDS00111

Here is the link to their online store:
http://shops.hookit.com/liquidimage/


Till the Next Adventure,

Dan Silveira
http://www.spearfishingisnotacrime.com

I want one, just cannot afford one, even with your discount, Dan.

Maybe next year? If the economy picks up.

[David Z]

Thanks for the discount code Dan, I'll be buying one of the choices early next year so I'm still undecided but thanks for that info

[Castronova]

Dan, how cumbersome are they compared to a standard mask? Can you feel the weight? Drag? And are they low volume? Just wondering since its called "scuba" but I guess that could be the depth designation~

[Suchalif77]

I bought a liquid image hd wide angle off of ebay last month.It was watching all the youtube videos that sold me.I love it!!!This thing is designed very well.I'm not going to buy a gopro just because every Tom,Dick,and Harry has one.For a mask with a hd camera attached to it the weight is distributed very evenly.The batteries are on the side,and the main optics are above your eyes.The fit,and volume are that of a high quality diving mask.There are even mounts for adding lights to both sides.Don't overlook this mask.It was well worth the $230 I spent.Mine was used,but in near new condition.You just have to keep checking ebay.They will pop up.

[IyaDiver]

An intergrated camera-mask restricts user from using the camera on land.
That is a waste. If you have a small camera like a GoPro, you can do so much more with it on land than in water actually. Its a go anywhere, do anything camera.

Liquid's mask is NOT a great quality mask, if you already own a great quality mask, you will know what I mean. One example of a quality mask is Riffe, that is Gull of Japan the OEM. Hard to fine a silicone skirt smoother on a face than this product.

Faces fitting Liquid shape of skirt or not , is personal shape of user's face , so no comment on this one.

The depth rating of 130 feet is too shallow if you are a scuba hunter and too shallow for some very good freedivers.

OP was asking a Liquid 720p HD model.
The GoPro HD1 is a 720p/960p/1080p US$250 or so
127 degrees at 1080p
170 degrees at 720p
FLAT LENS HOUSING NOT INCLUDED

The new HD2 will be able to do 720p at 127 degrees with later software and already can do 90/127/170 degrees at 1080p now.

Liquid's new 1080p retails at US$399 , for US$300 you get a GoPro HD2 Outdoor ( head strap in package ) and its soon to come US$50 Flat lens housing and add US$80 on top of that, you get an LCD BacPac which has extra doors so you can dive with it as a handheld all for US$430 + tripod mount + a CamGrip...cheap cheap stuff.

If using UW camera as handheld, LCD BacPac is a good item to have, unless you know the camera aiming ( need practice) , then an LCD is not important.

Video to video 720p Liquid model as pointed out by OP, compared to a GoPro HD1 , far better a GoPro. I have both so I know. 1 dive with Liquid 720p at low viz of 3 meters , for me is enough to retire it. No experience with Liquid 1080p.

The Tom, Dick and Harry made a smart choice going for a GoPro that's all.:D

You can't mount Liquid on a speargun.
You can't give/pass a Liquid in a dive situation to a friend to video you:D

One last most important fact for a head mounted camera, no matter what brand.........your viewer will puke watching it in no time. The way hunter scan the horizon, on TV that footage will cause headache. Takes practice to remember you got a camera on your head when scanning. Do it very slow and it will be OK. Do it like you do now aka scanning for fish like a car's wiper, the only footage use-able will be some seconds when you are actually concentrating on the fish, that is when you are about to pull the trigger.

.

[Suchalif77]

Dan???

["Yard-Sale Josh"]

Here is the biggest thing to consider before you buy one or the other, How deep are you diving?
I have had a gopro for a while now and just got my liquid image mask in the mail thursday.
Here is the gigantic flaw with the gopro cameras when you want to shoot POV, drag.
The drag of that stupid little ****ing camera on your forehead when you are trying to punch dives over 60, 70, 80ft is just stupid. You can actually feel the drag and the wibble wobble when your moving fast totally kills your concentration and lowers your bottom times.
The new liquid image mask I got fits great and will be what I use from now on to film anything POV underwater. The gopro will still have its uses for shooting stuff above the water and probably gun mount stuff.

[sniper]

I have the Blue H.D. Liquid image mask. Works awsome!! Only thing when your mask is on your head I get into kill mode and pan around too fast. But mounting your camera on your gun does not catch all the action and you dont want to point your gun at your friends while they shoot fish. For spearfishing the liquid image is not bulky and does not get in the way. You forget its even there.
Im thinking about selling my Liquid Image Camera if anyone is intrested. My wife got me the wide angle lens model so Im selling my Blue H.D. camera.Here is a video on youtube to see quality.


century capsize - YouTube

http://youtu.be/c48IWQ7vWEE

[greekdiver]

Here is the biggest thing to consider before you buy one or the other, How deep are you diving?
I have had a gopro for a while now and just got my liquid image mask in the mail thursday.
Here is the gigantic flaw with the gopro cameras when you want to shoot POV, drag.
The drag of that stupid little ****ing camera on your forehead when you are trying to punch dives over 60, 70, 80ft is just stupid. You can actually feel the drag and the wibble wobble when your moving fast totally kills your concentration and lowers your bottom times.
The new liquid image mask I got fits great and will be what I use from now on to film anything POV underwater. The gopro will still have its uses for shooting stuff above the water and probably gun mount stuff.

You are not mounting it correctly. You can make a neoprene hat and the camera goes on top of your head. It wont move at all and you cannot feel any drag. It will feel way better than a liquid image mask.

["Yard-Sale Josh"]

You are not mounting it correctly. You can make a neoprene hat and the camera goes on top of your head. It wont move at all and you cannot feel any drag. It will feel way better than a liquid image mask.

We shall see this coming week when I go to baja for 5 days of diving. I'll be doing plenty of dives over the 60ft mark and I'll let you know how the liquid image mask preforms.

[greekdiver]

We shall see this coming week when I go to baja for 5 days of diving. I'll be doing plenty of dives over the 60ft mark and I'll let you know how the liquid image mask preforms.

This is a video in Baja with GoproHD. Dives were up to 95ft.

Freedive Spearfishing San Evaristo, Baja Mexico - YouTube

[z1taz]

very easy !
get a liquid image on yr face and a gopro on yr gun ..then every one is happy ! lol.

["Yard-Sale Josh"]

The liquid image mask (New HD model) is the greatest invention since sliced bread.
Took so much incredible video with it and there are so many things that make the mask so much better to use than the gopro.

[WESTBURY]

The liquid image mask (New HD model) is the greatest invention since sliced bread.
Took so much incredible video with it and there are so many things that make the mask so much better to use than the gopro.

Post it up Kyle, I'm interested in one of those masks' too.

How about a pic of the mask itself?

["Yard-Sale Josh"]

Try this: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=316559395045263&set=vb.100000736148639&type=2&theater

["Yard-Sale Josh"]

Joe here is the one I have: http://www.liquidimageco.com/products/water/scuba-series-hd-wide.php

[SpearoTastic]

Try this: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=316559395045263&set=vb.100000736148639&type=2&theater

Nice shot, Kyle! Excellent HD video!

That vantage point certainly makes me feel like I was taking the shot!

Score one for Liquid Image....

[greekdiver]

Nice fish and video.

I still don't see how that is better than gopro video. I am just not seeing it. It looks the same as gopro. What am I missing?

["Yard-Sale Josh"]

Nice fish and video.

I still don't see how that is better than gopro video. I am just not seeing it. It looks the same as gopro. What am I missing?

The real difference is in the color and images not being distorted with the stock lens. I have a red filter on mine which really helps with the color at depth, that and the ease of use while diving I believe are the main advantages of the liquid image masks.
On the liquid image masks it has indicator lights that you can see when you are filming that tells you if the camera is on, what mode (video or camera) you are in, and if you are recording. there are also indicator beeps that lets you know when you do something too.
Just extremely functional and easy to use. The transition between my old mask and the liquid image was flawless and I was actually surprised by how low volume this model is.