GoPro Dual HERO System for HERO3+ (Camera not included)

I do a lot of 3D video- mostly underwater- and have several other systems. So, when I saw this product, I ordered it but had somewhat low expectations due to its small interaxial lens spread. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. This system does great 3D. So, I bought a second one and 2 more 3+ Blacks. This was before the 3+ was discontinued. I recently decided that for an upcoming scuba diving trip, I could actually use a third one. Unfortunately, here's where the problems began. The unit itself is fine but, in the last 2 weeks, I've been through 6 3+ Blacks all ordered as new- 2 from Adorama through Amazon, and 4 from Amazon itself which all had various issues and had to be returned. Some cameras had many problems, others only one. The main problem which they all had, is what I believe was lens misalignment- some by a little, some by a lot. If the camera was to be used by itself, this probably wouldn't be an issue at all, or even noticed. However, when used in the Dual with another Gopro, if the lenses don't align well, the clips when paired will show 3D that is out of convergence. Big problem! While this often can be corrected by software in post production, it requires proper software and editing skills to do so. I'm able to do this but would rather not have to. Also, I should add that a friend of mine, who's also a 3D shooter, just went through 4 in the last 2 weeks and finally decided to keep the last 2 and just clean up the problems in post production. So, be on the lookout for this problem which didn't happen on any of my previous cameras which were purchased before the camera went out of production. I'm wondering if there may be some issues with cameras which were made just before these were discontinued. No way of knowing and this might have been just my bad luck. But, 6 cameras, that's a lot of bad luck. One good thing about getting these directly from Amazon is that you can buy with confidence due to their excellent replacement/refund policy. Sure has worked for me.So, that's why I'm giving the Dual Hero 5 stars. When you get 2 good cameras, it works well and the 3D is fantastic. Just make sure your 2 3+ Blacks are perfect. Wishing you luck on that one!1st Edit May 17, 2015:This week, a friend of mine just got the Dual housing and two 3+ Blacks. I had warned him about the possible lens alignment issue I spoke of before. I'm happy to report that he got two well aligned cameras from Amazon on his first attempt. Hopefully, this means that the problem ones are out of the inventory.2nd Edit August 10, 2015Well, I decided to try it again so I could have one spare, just in case one of my other 4 3+ Blacks develops problems. I use the 4 cameras in 2 Dual housings underwater.Unfortunately, in the last 2 weeks I've now recieved 3 cameras, all of which had problems and had to be sent back for replacement. I'm expecting a 4th one in a couple of days. So far, all had the vertical lens alignment issue. I decided if this is the only problem, I'll live with it and correct it with software. Not a huge deal. Unfortunately, all 3 had other issues. One wouldn't mount to the desktop, another had lens sharpness which was just a little off, and the third had terrible white balance.I really love Gopro cameras and, overall, think they're a great company with great products. It's just a real shame that these- I assume- late manufacturered 3+Blacks have so many problems. This will make it really difficult for anyone who wants to get into 3D with a Dual system which requires the purchase of 2 of these cameras which both work well.

I'd give it 5 stars, but it can be quirky at times to use the Wifi with a smartphone, which you need to do if you are going to do anything serious with both cameras in sync to the same settings. Also, the recent batch of 3+ black gopros (which have been discontinued) do not align properly in stereo mode, so you have to do a realignment in software--be very aware of this, or your eyes are going to go buggy trying to watch the result in 3D. The sound is a little muffled as well, so you have to talk loud and towards the dual camera case. Background noise gets muddled as well--this with open slotted case for out-of-water use. I give it 4 stars simply because it exists and works. If it work well, I'd give it 5. Best setting is 2.7k protunes with color and sharpness adjustment and medium field of view (FOV). This can be downsized to 1920x1080 and really looks good, plus 2.7k lets you have some extra resolution when you finally get a better monitor or TV that can handle 4K and it does 30 fps. This difference between 2.7k and 4k is really not perceptible.

The most important thing to know about this device is that it does not work with the Hero 3 Black it only works with the Hero 3+ Black (and of course you need two 3+'s) ; I found that out the hard way but opted to sell off my old black for the black 3+ and everything is peachy.The device is ridiculously easy to use, just put the sync cable on and whatever the main camera does the 2nd one does and that includes if you change your settings. It's like operating an over-sized go pro.The free editing software from GoPro will do the file merge; simply create a folder for your project and drag the two video folder files from each 3+ camera to it and the GoPro Software will marry the two sides. There is a great YouTube video from GoPro on convergence setting you may want to check out but from there you can either finish your edit in the GoPro software or use a program like Sony Vegas etc...As for the 3D...awesome. It's everything we all love about GoPro footage but in perfect 3D. Watching the clips on a 3D TV is too cool and you may never want to shoot 2d again.