WRONG GoPro Model if you want decent audio
927370
***LATEST UPDATE*** After returning this model, I spent more time watching videos that reviewers had made as they compared action camera models. I noticed how the audio was acceptable in most of the GoPro line-up (not stellar, but you could at least hear people), so I purchased a GoPro 4 Session. So far it's worked out great! The audio isn't fantastic, but it does the job and the video is excellent.

***Bottom Line (for me)*** The GoPro HERO+ LCD model is designed primarily for usages where audio matters very little if at all. There are other models, even those less expensive options like the Hero 4 Session, that provide better audio while still maintaining some level of underwater use, albeit without the LCD. As I don't care about the LCD, the Hero 4 Session worked great for me.

***OLDER UPDATE*** I'm returning this after trying all 3 camera back plates. They all deliver horrible audio quality. This is clearly a design issue. The product is designed for video, and audio is not just an afterthought, it's useless. It might as well be removed from the product description and people told that this is for making silent movies. Have fun snowboarding! I'm getting a camcorder with the ability to connect a decent microphone.

***ORIGINAL REVIEW*** The real problem isn't the camera. The real problem here is me. I didn't read up enough about these GoPro models before purchasing this one. I should have. I regret the purchase and the only reason I'm not returning it is because of a bad experience returning items to Amazon in the past.

Here's the thing, I wasn't really in the market for an "action cam" but all of these amazing reviews can't be wrong, right? Isn't this the penultimate camcorder for everything? Won't this make for fantastic videos of the kids on that next vacation?

No, I should have bought a model with decent microphones and battery life. I didn't need the touchscreen LCD or the waterproof case. I needed something that shoots decent video of my sons when they're riding their bikes, or at the science fair, or whatever. Something a step up from the iPhone camera.

So I failed. But I'm still giving this thing 1 star [ updated to 3 stars later, as video quality is fantastic despite horrid audio performance ], because I'm angry and I feel like I was duped by the marketing of this thing. I am not a snowboarder and neither are my kids, but there are a LOT of moments I'd like to capture anyway, even if they aren't all action shots that I set to music (because the microphone is USELESS).
4366795
After owning all the GoPro cameras, I am Very sad to report that this camera (Hero3 Black) is an absolute NO BUY !  Even with the so-called Fix of Firmware version 2.37 in April 2013, the camera freezes up so much
that it's sure to completely Ruin any vacation or that priceless shot you Thought you were getting! I have tried every possible fix to include: Replace battery, try 3 different class 10 (ultra) 16G cards, Manual load of firmware 3 times, Protune off/on, etc.  The WiFi remote works well until the camera freezes, then your back to removing the battery again. Battery life is poor at best. Bad camera??- I think not, it's my second one. Great idea but overall a useless camera compared to the Sony or Contour.

UPDATE 04/28/13:  GoPro RMA'ed and sent me a replacement camera under their One Year Warranty Policy. In calling Customer Service, I explained what I had tried: Reset camera, Replaced battery, tried 3 different class 10  16GB  Scandisk Ultra cards, Reformatted all with camera many times, installed Manually- Firmware V2.37 Three times, removed battery and reset= with No help and camera freezes consistently .  So they felt it was a faulty camera ( which was one of the First shipped on New Release of the Black).  With New camera and now using ScanDisk Extreem Pro 16GB Card I have tested ALL modes i.e. 1080p @ 60FPS, Protune. Time Lapse etc.  With Numerous Tests I am unable to duplicate any previous Freeze or WiFi problems, and the camera is working perfect. It is only my suspicion , that the Hero3 Black requires even better than a ScanDisk "Ultra", and that the Extreme Pro Card appears to be the way to go.
1659225
I don't recommend to buy this card from this seller. i bought one hoping that I'd get the exact memory card (recommended by GoPro) as in the photos posted. Unfortunately, I got some other model which is not recommended by GoPro. Even the one I received looks like a very low quality one.
415239
can not get speaker and mic to hook up.
built in audio  when just the smallest breeze is a hurricane
video quality is horrible

the only pro is easy on of recording. at least it does that

should have kept with my 2-year-old go pros I was using but was enticed by the  ease of use for motorcycle riders of the prism tube
167834
Followed directions, tried firmware update, people in chat can't hear me; mic sounds worse than Kinect at a distance, unacceptable for the price.
549593
Did not receive the right model and also did not work correctly
3220469
This thing is basically useless, I suppose as useless as all others with this principal.
You cannot keep it stable and while walking it will swing from side to side, creating very ugly footage....and that with a GoPro. It would seem that your only option is something like the new DJI Osmo with gyro which unfortunately comes with its own camera.
BTW, i had more success with free handheld walking shoots.
4785844
Although this looks very nice and connects to WiFi far simpler than my GoPro, Video quality is like that of a webcam. after several test videos the camera began to totally pixelate at the 720p setting and after tying several MicroSD cards the results were the sam. All the cards we same as in my GoPro and worked great in it. The resolution from the HDMI is great so it is my suspicion that the problem is in the recording Firmware. This is vary upsetting as i would have expected that software would be the lest of the problems. In the end i set the camera back and will try the more recommended Xiamomi Green Cam recommended tome by a business contact
4284333
I bought a gopro hero 3 refurbished from here. The camera freezes while trying to use it. I contacted the selling company and they told me to contact Gopro for warranty help. I contacted Gopro and it has been a nightmare trying to exchange the camera. This is a huge headache, I should have just bought a new one from a retail store I could return directly to if I had a problem.
3420740
Says it works on all gopros so i bought it but it doesnt work with my go pro hero 4
3887471
DOES NOT WORK FOR GO PROS - Do not buy this even tho it is suggested to buy with your gopro its not going to work and cause your gopro to freeze
4346106
wrong title, the trail camera i recieve do not record 720p videos, be aware.
181845
I don't know what to do with it as it is useless without the go pro mount... ill be returning it and getting a REAL go pro extender unless i hear from the company ASAP.
2266104
Borrowed one before deciding between this and the gopro silver .. Big difference in image quality. Look into sj4000 cam if your Scared of on gopro 5 coming out in a few months. Or else the silver is best bet for you. Don't waste your money on this cool looking camera
4358579
In todays economy it is not often you can find a product that is just a good, if not superior to the OEM model  and at a price much lower than the one the OEM charges.
Recently I was lucky enough to make such a find. The Sportsmans Mount for GoPro Hero 5/6/3/3+..., from SublimeWare ordered thru Amazon is a very high quality component at a much lower price than a similar unit offered by GoPro. Save your money...get the SublimeWare version !!!
"Nuff" said...

R.D. Ruddle, Pataskala, Ohio
4068545
These were advertised as compatible with GoPro Hero4 Silver but they are not. Bought two for a trip aboard and both exhibited read errors that almost ruined the trip. Upon receiving the cards, ran FakeFlashTest utility against the card and the cards are indeed not fake. The micro sd reader seems to work fine and has a fairly small footprint. However, for stacked USB ports on laptops, they may interfere with the open port a little. So disappointed in these cards as I have had good luck with the same brand/card in the past albeit in less demanding requirements - just not this time on the GoPro.
245100
So I was under the assumption that when they said you lost a little part of the image, it would be... well a little.  I was so excited when it arrived.  I got my GOPRO 4 out and put everything together and then reality kicked in.  All I saw was the inside of the lens and at the far end was my shot.  I had maybe 15% of usable footage.  This is not what was advertised.  Now I don't know if GOPRO3 has this problem but when you shoot with GOPRO4 this is what you get.