defog gopro with aircon

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cameron2156
cameron2156
WA
149 posts
WA, 149 posts
25 Feb 2012 5:10am
i know dumb questions but do u use the aircon on cold or hot? i cant figure out
Scotty88
Scotty88
4214 posts
4214 posts
25 Feb 2012 5:15am
Cold
ScarbsSUP
ScarbsSUP
WA
354 posts
WA, 354 posts
25 Feb 2012 5:52am
Hi Cam, it shouldn't really matter. Because you are using the de-humidifying property of the aircon more so than the temp. Having said that, cold should work better.

DM
Downwinder
Downwinder
QLD
2100 posts
QLD, 2100 posts
25 Feb 2012 8:26am
I use hot air e.g. car heater or hair dryer. ( remembering the motor in the GoPro camera heats up thats why it fogs up due to the cold air in the housing ) But you still really need to use those Anti-Fog Inserts to be 100% safe
The true GoPro scam Anti-Fog Inserts otherwise the cameras are s##t.
I've lost some great footage due to the fogging
DavidJohn
DavidJohn
VIC
17570 posts
VIC, 17570 posts
25 Feb 2012 9:43am
Downwinder said...

I use hot air e.g. car heater or hair dryer. ( remembering the motor in the GoPro camera heats up thats why it fogs up due to the cold air in the housing ) But you still really need to use those Anti-Fog Inserts to be 100% safe
The true GoPro scam Anti-Fog Inserts otherwise the cameras are s##t.
I've lost some great footage due to the fogging


I'm thinking hot air with a hair dryer or car heater will do next to nothing.. You need the dry air from the air con (hot or cold) so that when you close the door you trap air inside that has very little water vapor in it that causes the fogging when it heats up or cools down.. btw I'm not sure if there's a motor in the GoPro but they do heat up when charging.. Motor cycle shops sell stuff that you either spray or wipe on the inside of helmet visors to stop fogging up when stopped at red lights on cold days.. This also works great.. The one I've used is called 'cat crap' and comes in a little tub like lip balm.

DJ

Downwinder
Downwinder
QLD
2100 posts
QLD, 2100 posts
25 Feb 2012 9:07am
DavidJohn said...

Downwinder said...

I use hot air e.g. car heater or hair dryer. ( remembering the motor in the GoPro camera heats up thats why it fogs up due to the cold air in the housing ) But you still really need to use those Anti-Fog Inserts to be 100% safe
The true GoPro scam Anti-Fog Inserts otherwise the cameras are s##t.
I've lost some great footage due to the fogging


I'm thinking hot air with a hair dryer or car heater will do next to nothing.. You need the dry air from the air con (hot or cold) so that when you close the door you trap air inside that has very little water vapor in it that causes the fogging when it heats up or cools down.. btw I'm not sure if there's a motor in the GoPro but they do heat up when charging.. Motor cycle shops sell stuff that you either spray or wipe on the inside of helmet visors to stop fogging up when stopped at red lights on cold days.. This also works great.. The one I've used is called 'cat crap' and comes in a little tub like lip balm.

DJ



Hot air always worked for me when I didn't have any Anti-Fog Inserts I used a hair dryer when I was in Fiji and Maui
rambooc1
rambooc1
QLD
326 posts
QLD, 326 posts
25 Feb 2012 3:05pm
The ultimate is a blast of scuba air, as it's almost 100% dehumidified. However, a 60sec blast from a COLD aircon system with dryer fitted will fix most problems even in the tropics. I don't bother anymore as i have adapters fitted to all my GoPros that have replaceable desiccant balls in a separate chamber that also insulates the glass case lens from touching cold water or air. See pics. This also fixes the underwater blur issue and flat lens is much better at repelling water drops.

dralyagmas
dralyagmas
SA
380 posts
SA, 380 posts
26 Feb 2012 9:45am
Can you give the details of that lens?
Scotty88
Scotty88
4214 posts
4214 posts
26 Feb 2012 8:13am
dralyagmas said...

Can you give the details of that lens?


+1

"Company leader to Raven, Rambo acknowledge!"
rambooc1
rambooc1
QLD
326 posts
QLD, 326 posts
27 Feb 2012 7:46am
It's called a BlurFix Adapter. http://www.snakeriverprototyping.com/products.html


A very useful and multipurpose product.

This single Product fixes 3 common issues with the GoPro HD Camera
1. The underwater focus
2. Inability to attach filters
3. Fogging




I found the adapter and filter very easy to install, taking no longer than 10mins, just follow the well written and pictorial instructions included. (See Video below)
I was very impressed with the build quality, the BlurFix is machined from a single piece of Aluminum billet and is Anodized to prevent reflections.
The two most popular modes R3 720 and R5 1080 show no signs of vignette, however if your GoPro camera is not perfectly aligned within the case you may see a small vignette on one side in R3 mode, simply ensure your camera is seated correctly. My one year old camera had a slot worn in it where it had vibrated against the case locating lugs at some point, so needed the wear slot fixed, my newer cameras had no issues. There is vignette in R4 960 mode, but it's not a mode most people use underwater. The high quality filter that came with the BlurFix has the outer threads machined off to make it low profile, so stacking filters is not possible, but you have the option of changing the filter to say a CY filter, polarized etc. If want to use your own filters, they must also be low profile. Or there is a range of quality low profile filters available from BlurFix.

The video below confirms underwater sharpness is now optimal and you have the option to remove the filter for above water shooing if required and leave the adapter in place. I tested the unit to 50ft over 1 hour with a line and anchor and it remained completely watertight. I have no reason the believe it won't go lower, the manufacturer has tested to 130ft.

I found the anti fogging beads worked perfectly, not once did i see any fogging and i assembled the GoPro and filter in midday 22 degree, 65% humidity conditions. For comparison i also had an unmodified GoPro accompany the test unit and it fogged. Be aware though, you must ensure the O ring, adapter and filter is free of any water/sweat inside the cavity for the beads to do their job of absorbing moisture in the air.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Easy to fit
Glass not Plastic
Precision made from solid billet (one piece)
The flat black anodizing eliminates reflections
Original case dome lens remains intact so does your main case waterproofing.
Can be fitted with most 55mm filters (polarized, ND, UV, Grad etc)
No Fogging - replaceable desiccant beads
Completely fixes the focus issue in 720 and 1080 modes (no vignette)
Does not interfere with camera operation - buttons etc.
Optimal focus in or out of the water
Can be used above water with no vignetting in all modes (including R4 960 and stills) when filter and o-ring are removed (adapter stays)

Cons

Requires assembly (application of silicon)
Will require maintenance to prevent filter threads from sticking (lube)
Overall Slightly more added weight.
Slight vignette in Stills mode and R4

Highly recommended for the following uses

Underwater Video and Stills
Canoes and Kayaks for the anti fogging attributes and water droplet repelling flat lens.
Airplanes or situations where an ND, polarizing filter or other filters are required.
Shutter speed control.
You could get very creative with Graduated ND filters, especially in Snow or Timelapse videos.

You could use it for motorsports as long as you're aware the filter glass may break if hit hard enough.

I have not been paid for this review, the supplier simply shipped me a single product unit to independently review.

Suppliers Website http://www.snakeriverprototyping.com/products.html

This video showcases the product installation and underwater testing, however refer to the FULL product instructions that come with the BlurFix to Install it.
Please feel free to discuss the BlurFix here, goprouser.freeforums.org/blurfix-adapter-discussion-t3582.html the manufacturer has indicated they are delighted to answer any question you may have, likewise myself.

Cheers R
Downwinder
Downwinder
QLD
2100 posts
QLD, 2100 posts
27 Feb 2012 8:02am
Thanks for this information rambooc1
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