GoPro HERO3

The HERO3's reduced-distortion, 6-element aspherical lens combines with user-selectable Ultra-wide, Medium and Narrow field-of-views to deliver more perspective-capture options than ever before. Add the totally updated flat-lens waterproof housing that delivers stunning image sharpness both above and below water and you've got one of the most powerful and durable image capture solutions on the planet.

Understanding that sound quality is as important as image quality, GoPro engineers completely redesigned the HERO3 to be as adept at capturing the subtle, natural sounds of voice and music as it is at capturing the immersive sounds of sport. Also improved is GoPro's already famous wind-noise reduction, ensuring that you'll hear more of your passion, be it your engine or expletives, and less of the wind during high speed activities.

From all my research on the web, it seems there were definite issues with the first "batch" of cameras that were manufactured. Also, it seems that people are having trouble updating the firmware on these cameras. Perhaps whatever the issue is with those early cameras prevents them from working properly - new firmware or not. In the Support section of the GoPro website for this camera, there's a description on how to check the firmware versions on your camera, and the version numbers of the latest firmware. I'd suggest doing that, rather than just updating the firmware out of hand, given the difficulties people have had with updating firmware on this camera. If it already has the December 14, 2012, firmware (HD3.03.02.00; Wi-Fi - 3.4.2.9) on there, I'd think you're all set. This was the case for me.

I'd say that you're safe to buy one of these cameras now, provided you purchase from a high volume retailer like Amazon, since they have most certainly sold all the early cameras from inventory. A smaller retailer may still have some of those early cameras in stock, & you could end up with one of them, along with the problems that many people have experienced. Hope this helps.