In its decade of existence, the GoPro doubled in sales every year to become the number one best-selling camera in the world. (Woodman is now a billionaire, with GoPro valued at $2.25 billion).

Not bad for something that started out as a single use 35mm camera.

“Customers make up new ways to innovate with the camera,” Shaikh explains. “People would buy the camera, use it for something we’d never even dreamt of, and we get ideas on how to innovate.”

Having seen quite a few DIY solutions in the scuba diving GoPro market, it’s really interesting to see how they tap the crowd mind. Especially considering the stock housings prior to the HERO3 line were terrible for underwater use, but now the flat port is standard.

Anyway, check out the original article for a bit more information about the multi-billion dollar company we strap to our heads and take underwater.

Simple, easy to build, easy to source materials, not too bulky, what’s not to like?

Have you made any custom accessories for your compact underwater video setup?

• GoPro HERO3 Black Edition
• No filter
• UKPRO POV Black Pak
• SanDisk Ultra 64GB Micro SDXC (had a bad format so was unable to shoot more video that day)
• Edited with Final Cut Pro X (first time use he says)
• Due to local internet speeds, it took about 400 minutes to upload this ~4 minute video, ouch!

Not bad for a first timer, just shows how easy to use the GoPro really is for scuba diving!

Ever shot video in a cenote or cavern?

We personally have the Backscatter Flip red filter and love it. But we also got it before the SRP Dome filter was available. Here are some basic differences in design:

Snake River Prototyping Dome Filter

• Designed to be completely removed and replaced when needed
• Blocks front informational LCD and partially impedes front button
• No tools needed
• Domed design intended to reduce color aberrations

Backscatter Flip Filter

• Flips up and down in front of the flat port when needed
• Does not block any functions of the GoPro Dive Housing
• Requires one-time installation by loosening a bolt, mounting the lens, then tightening the bolt
• Flat design is smaller and more streamlined

But what about the quality of both? The only way to demonstrate that is with a video! Luckily, we found a side-by-side comparison, so take a look:

Which GoPro Hero2 Dive Housing filter do you prefer?

From one of the biggest names in GoPro aftermarket accessories, Snake River Prototyping (SRP) has started taking pre-orders for their new Dome red filter. They don’t have a product page up yet, but here’s what we’ve been able to learn by scouring forums and other pre-order reviews.

The Snake River Prototyping Dome is designed to fit the relatively new official GoPro Dive Housing. The Dome is a wet filter, so it can be easily put on and taken off while on a dive. It has a special coating to help it be more resistant to scratches. It just pops on and off, but it does block the front informational LCD, so you’ll either want the LCD BacPac or you’ll need to remove the Dome to see your settings. Based on the reviews we’ve read, it also makes pushing the front button a little more difficult, so keep that in mind.

Snake River Prototyping Dome Lens Demonstration

Will you be picking one up for your Hero2?

The Wi-Fi enabled HERO3: Black Edition is the most advanced GoPro, ever. No expense was spared during its development, resulting in a GoPro that is 30% smaller, 25% lighter & 2X more powerful than previous models. New resolutions and frame-rates include 4Kp 15, 2.7kp 30, 1080p 60, 1440p 48, 960p 100, 720p 120 and 12MP burst photo capture at 30 fps. Yes, for real.

Here are the basic facts so far:

• 3 Editions (White, Silver, Black)
• All three are now MicroSD, have built in Wifi, flat lens standard and is thinner
• White quality = HD Hero 1
• Silver quality = HD Hero 2
• Black quality = All new, super awesome specs
• Old mounting accessories still compatible

VitalMTB has the best information at this point, so here’s what they have to say:

From what we can tell, the top of the line HD Hero 3 camera is leaps and bounds better than the HD Hero 2. All three new models are about half the size of the previous version, include an improved housing, and the specs are well… very impressive. Model by model, here’s how it breaks down:

GoPro HD Hero 3 White Edition

The White Edition looks to be an upgraded HD Hero 1 Camera that includes WiFi, a new flat underwater dive lens and the new, thinner profile. Available 10/21/12.

• $199 MSRP
• 1080p/30fps, 960p/30fps, 720p/60fps
• 5MP photos
• Up to 3 shots per second in photo burst mode
• WiFi built in
• Improved Housing (Locking Latch / Dive Lens)

GoPro HD Hero 3 Silver Edition

The Silver Edition is basically an updated HD Hero 2 camera with WiFi built in, the thinner size and and improved housing. Available 10/21/12.

• $299 MSRP
• 1080p/30fps, 960p/48fps, 720p/60fps
• 11MP photos
• Up to 10 shots per second in photo burst mode
• WiFi built in
• Protune and White Balance
• Improved Housing (Locking Latch / Dive Lens)

GoPro HD Hero 3 Black Edition

This is where things get really interesting. The Black Edition uses brand new technology and boasts some incredible settings, including 60 frames per second at 1080p. Available mid to late November.

• $399 MSRP
• 4K/15, 2.7K/30, 1440p/48fps, 1080p/60fps, 960p/100fps, 720p/120fps
• 12MP photos
• New photo burst modes with up to 30 shots per second
• WiFi built in
• Remote Control Included ($79.95 otherwise)
• Protune, White Balance, Continuous Photo, and Picture in Video capabilities
• Improved Housing (Locking Latch / Dive Lens)

While most of your current GoPro accessories will still work with the new cams, note that the cameras now use Micro SD cards due to size restrictions.

Will you be upgrading?

Here’s a great video making the rounds on Facebook from a great liveaboard trip to the Channel Islands, enjoy!

Head over to our Facebook Page, like us, enter the raffle and we’ll randomly select a winner on August 1, 2012.

If you refer friends and they sign up too, you get bonus entries (up to 100 bonus entries!).

So head on over and enter to win!

Could this be it? Probably not.

ScubaBoard member AquaProHD reports that he’s received official word on a slip-over red filter for the official GoPro dive housing coming soon from Snake River Prototyping (SRP).

Already an established name in the compact underwater videography industry, SRP makes the popular Blurfix housing that was one of the original flat port housings that corrected for the underwater blur issue found in stock GoPro housings.

Not only will this new slip over red filter work on the GoPro dive housing, but it will also work with the SRP Blurfix housing and other camera housings, making it an incredible versatile accessory.

From the source at SRP:

What I can say is, it’s the quality you expect from SRP and URPro! Like I have said in the past, if it isn’t something new, exciting, and of high quality, than we won’t make it! Obviously I can not share any pictures, nor commit to a release date at this time, more details coming soon…

It’s definitely an exciting time in compact underwater video!