Costco’s return policy makes it a no brainer for me to shop there whenever possible. I love Costco.
I was there yesterday. Was torn between the GoPro Hero 8 bundle and the Mavic Mini bundle. Primary use will be to capture some fun fat biking memories with my daughter this winter.
The Hero 9 is obviously GoPro’s flagship model (the better battery is the biggest attraction for me), and the Mini 2 is set to release any day, with ocusync (vs wifi) and 4K video (vs 2.7). So both Costco offerings are legacy products.
In the end I picked up the Mavic Mini bundle.
Not sure about this decision. I am tired of my shitty boring GoPro footage from past GoPros, and I never did figure out a way to easily edit the footage. However, the Mini will have its own unique set of challenges, and the editing issue won’t be any better.
Not sure how much I am going to enjoy shutting down mid ride, mid winter, to pull out the mini at the summit, and do some drone piloting for 20 minutes. Seems like a strange combination of activities, resulting in no riding footage, cold hands and a very strange break in the riding. I found that fiddling with the GoPro really detracted from the ride experience and enjoyment. With the Mini, this will almost certainly be next level.
I really did despise my GoPro experiences though (Hero 2, 5, 7).
Which brings me full circle to my initial comment about Costco and its return policy...
You do have a dilemma!
The drone would be nice but also when will you use it. I don't think I'd want to pilot it with cold hands! I would enjoy having a drone but I first need to learn how to pilot one. haha I'd use it very seldom. It would be nice to have 'when I wanted it' but are expensive.
I'm still riding with a Hero2 and a gimbal. Gimbal is 2 hours old, got the Hero2 in 2012. It works for what I want but keep threatening myself to upgrade. My image quality isn't up to standard with the limitations the camera has.
However, the new cameras even with Costco bundle pricing or any sales is about 2x what I paid for the Hero2. Yes, it will offer more than 2x better image quality though.
I'm sure after my first use I'd be happy with the cost. ha It's just getting to that point.
In my Opinion, the 9 is the first camera with usable stabilization for MTB riding. The 8 would get the job done but is still nauseating at time. With a one-axis gimbal like Loam Ranger uses is the ticket.
That gimbal is a few hundred bucks though.
I do use my GoPro for things other than MTB though, rarely.
It's tough to pay $300 for a camera that sits in a box for 2 or 3 months at a time between uses.
As for editing, it does take a while to learn how to edit. Unedited videos are worse than not having a video in most cases. I've gotten okay at editing but I've been goofing around now for about 5 years with it. I know how to do what I want and I am better about leaving things on the cutting room floor. It's also a 'time' thing where it takes a week for me to finalize a video along with my work life.
Cameras on my list for various things are
DJI Osmo Pocket
Updated GoPro
Drone
Each offers something the other one does not but I sure won't own 3 of those at any one time. Two perhaps, I'd have the Osmo Pocket if I planned a trip. My Hero2 and Gimbal serve that purpose now without issue, just bulky in contrast.
I'll double check the Costco bundle pack again, I thought it was $250 when the 9 was released.
