First test run with the new Gopro HD Hero 2

Eish, that's the thing with gadgets. You no sooner buy one, and a coupla months later there's a better, faster, new-improved version with even more bells n whistles.

Luckily Garth was heading home via New York recently so could do a quick strategic strike on B&H for me. For those not in the know, B&H is the world's uber-camera super store. Everything under the sun, at the best prices. Nuff said. Which meant that the new HD Hero 2 made it's way back to PE.

It's double as good as the original HD - and gives you 11MP stills, and can fire off 10 shot bursts - means I won't miss your turns! The video side of it looks pretty stellar as well, with colours and clarity far improved over the original, and a much wider choice of recording options. Happy to say the limited camera menu has got a bit easier to wade through - kind of a challenge when there's only 2 buttons I suppose!

Here's a coupla tricks I've learnt for those of you out there with these lil beauties - but getting frustrated by either fogging or water drops ruining your shots. Nothing worse than you killer shot with a fat ol water drop right in the middle...

How to prevent fogging:

Fogging results from the condensation of moisture in your housing, so moisture free = no fog. Ah, you say, but how do we get moisture free? Let me enlighten you....

First of all store your Gopro housing and camera in seperate lil air tight tupperware containers, and stick some of those dessicant packs in each. Those are those lil white packets you get in the pill boxes, or you can buy em at the chemist). Basically they shlurp up any moisture.

Then, before you head out, stick your housing (open) in the fridge for a minute or two. Your fridge is much the same as an aircon, and is a moisture free environment - so it'll get rid of any moisture in your housing. Then open the fridge, and pop your GoPro into the housing and close it, whilst still inside the fridge. Then chuck your sealed GoPro in a lil cooler box and off you go.

Alternately, if your car has aircon, just hold the open housing in front of it for a minute or so, and then pop the camera in whilst still in front of the aircon - seal it up and head out into the surf. Just don't go open your housing after that - else you'll just let moisture-laden air back in and then you're stuffed.

GoPro also sells lil anti-fog inserts that work pretty good, and you can re-use plenty times. Not cheap though at R200 a pack.

How to stop the dreaded water drops:

Give your lens a big old lick and let it dry before you head out. It stops the drops collecting in the middle of the lens. Guys also wipe a cut potato over the lens, which also works a treat....although your ma might get p*ssed off with all the cut in half potatoes lying round the kitchen. Stuff like Clean Green, RainX or similar that ou's use on their windscreens to make the rain run off real quick also work well, but just make sure whatever you choose can be safely used on plastic (which is what your lens is).

K, so there you have it...no more excuses as to why you can't get the killer shot!