GoPro 7 Hero Black vs 8: Worth $80 more?

[DevilEyeDog]

The good thing about the Paralenz is it's very robust and definitely doesn't flood -- have taken it on hundreds of dives with many dives in the 50m-65m/180'-220' range. The downside to the Paralenz is it can be awkward to use, particularly with thick gloves and in the dark. It 'buzzes' when you turn the dial, but you can't feel this buzzing with thick gloves. What it needs is a nice big lump on the control ring so you can feel it (hmmm, maybe a blob of epoxy glue would be enough - repeated to make it stick up). With no screen, there's no framing of the shot.

The main use for it is to be permanently attached to my umbilical light such that should I meet a mermaid, I'll have photographic evidence. Aside from that I rarely use the camera underwater. The good news is it just seems to work when I do use it.

Hence wondering if the GoPros have improved. With a proper housing it'll work deeper and the housing should be robust and the GoPro has a rear screen which would be good for framing the shot.

Great thoughts! Thanks!

 

[SlugLife]

Thanks! Amazon is selling the 8, new with diving housing for $250. So it's a significant difference between 8 & 9.

Can you link me to the Hero 8, with housing, for $250? I'm not finding it.

 

[DevilEyeDog]

Can you link me to the Hero 8, with housing, for $250? I'm not finding it.

Apologies. It was for the GoPro 7 that has the housing: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091FZQMJ9/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=ANIVUW1SREVVT&psc=1
Comes with a battery too.

The GoPro 8 doesn't have the housing, but a battery and some lanyard thing: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091G1TJ32/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

GoPro itself offers the 8 for the same price as Amazon, but you get a SD card and you have a subscription to GoPro for a year.

 

[Wray]

I don't know if image stabilization is much better on the 8 versus the 7, but the 7 is so much better with it than any previous model, that don't hesitate for a moment in upgrading. Not sure if they are going to allow a posting of a link, but if so, take a look at these shots taken here in Bonaire in the last year and see how shots on the end of a telescopic pole are so much better with stabilization. These were all taken with the GoPro red filter and default camera settings: https//photos.app.goo.gl/XX3NHBsvpRd7RgyX6.

 

[DevilEyeDog]

I don't know if image stabilization is much better on the 8 versus the 7, but the 7 is so much better with it than any previous model, that don't hesitate for a moment in upgrading. Not sure if they are going to allow a posting of a link, but if so take a look at these shots taken here in Bonaire in the last year and see how shots on the end of a telescopic pole are so much better with stabilization. These were all taken with the GoPro red filter https://photos.app.goo.gl/XX3NHBsvpRd7RgyX6 and default camera settings.

THat is pretty awesome! Very much improved since my 3 model! Thanks!

 

[Compressor]

A month ago I upgraded from Hero 3+ to Hero 9. Also got the Backscatter flip filters. I am extremely happy with the results.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Both the ones linked above have review comments saying they are or may be refurbished units working fine.

Amazon has several different offers, some are new some refurbished. It can be difficult to tell which as not all listings are clear. There is also a listing for a new 8 with remote for $299, or 8 (not clear if new or refurbished) with memory card and extra battery for $319, read the questions and reviews for each listing carefully

 

[SlugLife]

Both the ones linked above have review comments saying they are or may be refurbished units working fine.

Amazon has several different offers, some are new some refurbished. It can be difficult to tell which as not all listings are clear. There is also a listing for a new 8 with remote for $299, or 8 (not clear if new or refurbished) with memory card and extra battery for $319, read the questions and reviews for each listing carefully

Yikes, I've seen a couple that are obviously listed as refurbished, but if the $319.98 model I'm looking at is refurbished, that would be a lie, since the condition is listed as "new."

 

[SlugLife]

https://www.amazon.com/GoPro-Silver-Elite-X-microSDHC-Adapter-UHS-I/dp/B07XZK2S9C/

I'm seeing a number of reports on he hero-7, that battery life is abysmal, and that's it's prone to freezing and needing to be reset (in a away that can't be done underwater). Are those owners unlucky and got bad models? It can be difficult to gauge bad reviews on places like Amazon where there are so many fake reviews.

edit: I just discovered that "Black" "silver" and "white" are not colors of the camera, but considered different levels/models.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Yikes, I've seen a couple that are obviously listed as refurbished, but if the $319.98 model I'm looking at is refurbished, that would be a lie, since the condition is listed as "new."

I didn't see the condition listed anywhere on that listing. The reviews are good but that seller also has several other Gopro packages where reviewers aren't sure if it was new or "refreshed" due to arriving in open packaging (e-commerce). It makes me uncomfortable when it is not specified.