Go Pro Black 3+ (How to Fix).

[Lonewolf]

It may be that not everyone with the Go Pro 3+ camera experiences this problem, it may be that its only applicable to the 'Black' model rather than the silver & white however I've discovered that despite the camera being awesome in many ways it would appear that it has a pain in the arse side to it as well. I've double checked this on numerous Go Pro forums and it seems that it is a well known characteristic of the camera.

In a nutshell the camera supports a 64gb card and this is what I use, a Kingston Class 10 which is the rating that Go Pro recommend due to the file sizes. The issue seems to be that after the camera has been used, i.e. maybe you've done a couple of hours filming and drained the battery, the memory card is still capable of storing much more footage. The Go Pro 3+ displays the total recording time on the front screen and it normally equates to about six hours give or take. So in theory the card should be good for another couple of battery charges......apparently not!

This is where the Go Pro 3+ varies from the earlier cameras, on the original Go Pro and the Go Pro 2 you could just keep recording until the card was full but if you try that on the 3+ it will only record for a few seconds and then automatically stop, deleting the previously recorded footage in camera through its sub menus doesn't appear to work either and if you do this you will normally get a message on the camera screen saying NO SD, even though you know there is a card within the camera.
It would appear that what YOU MUST do is format the memory card, (not quick format) which isn't a quick job but at least all will be well again after the process has finished.
Hopefully Go Pro who are well aware of this 'issue' will develop a fix......has anyone else experienced this, do you have a different, perhaps quicker way of resolving the NO SD card message and allowing normal filming? If so please share it.

Anyway, the purpose of posting this is just to let you know your camera isn't faulty and you aren't on your own!

[viper]

I think I mentioned this in a message to you , but Gopro only recommend 3 cards for the camera , Scandisk, lexmar and another expensive  one. Kingston is not on their list and when Ive used cards that are not on their list ive run into similar issues, class 10 means nothing with the cheap brands Now I have a Kingston my self and have had similar issues , I have no issues with my scandisk 64gb.

[patrick]

Can't the camera be powered externally?

[BigAlan]

Can't the camera be powered externally?

I hope so as I have one and plan to put a USB connector from the cig socket on the bike to it after I have carefully opened up the side of my spare waterproof case.

More info next week.

Alan

[patrick]

I'm powering my Drift HD from an external usb power pack. Worked well in Scotland.  The memory card (32Gb) will record for about 4.5 hours and will be full long before the power runs out.

[Andy]

Check your SD cards are genuine items if not bought from "the High St"

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/H2testw.shtml

Format first to check the whole card.

If you have contacts in USA....

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-64gb-microsd-class-10-uhs-1-memory-card/5334029.p?id=1219120331949&skuId=5334029&st=micro%20sd&cp=1&lp=3

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/memory-storage-accessories/MB-MP64DA/AM

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-microsd-card/

[Lonewolf]

I bought my card from a computer wholesale company which I have used for over 15 years on and off. I've discovered this morning that even after formatting it on the PC it will only record for 6 seconds, which is no good to anyone.

I'm going to get another card in the first instance, one which Go Pro recommend and see where I go from there.

[Kwikasfuki]

None of the retailers are immune to having fake SD cards, so the link Andy posted above should be used to validate the integrity of the card.

[Lonewolf]

Asif, understood. Confusing thing is I used it when you and I went out for our ride and I used it recently when Charlie and I went back down to the Lower Lode Inn, no issues whatsoever.

Is it possible for a card to function one month perfectly normally and then give up the ghost? Its in the camera now and its not showing any error messages but wont operate for longer than 6 six seconds. I've had a look at Go Pro's site and the cards they recommend, in particular the SanDisk one is available from CCL in Bradford (to order) so after the Bank Holiday weekend I'll have to bite the bullet and fork out another £80 for a card and see what happens. CCL's code RAM1703.

[Kwikasfuki]

Is it possible for a card to function one month perfectly normally and then give up the ghost?

Yes, depends on the quality of the components. Even some fake cards will give the expected memory but the life time will be short
Some manufactures now provide a unique code with the memory that you can check on their website for authenticity.

I would buy from a Amazon. They are brilliant on returns.

[Kwikasfuki]

Same card on Amazon for cheaper.

[Lonewolf]

Ok, I'm going to change my memory card to one recommended by Go Pro, I honestly didn't think using a good quality one like Kingston would be an issue.

Go Pro suggest this one which has a write speed of 45MB/s
http://gopro.com/camera-accessories/sandisk-extreme-64gb-microsdxc

Our local computer outlet has this one which has a write speed of up to 80MB/s and which appears to be the same card. £75
http://www.cclonline.com/product/137140/SDSDQX-064G-U46A/MicroSD-Memory-Cards/SanDisk-Extreme-MicroSDXC-64GB-Memory-Card-with-Adaptor/RAM1703/

Amazon have this one which has the same reference number as the one above and quotes the same write speed of 80MB/s but is slightly cheaper but it may not be as easy to return the card if it doesn't work as expected or becomes faulty.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00D6XTMFC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00D6XTMFC&linkCode=as2&tag=gtr1400couk-21#productDetails

Amazon also have this one which has a write speed of 45MB/s the same speed as Go Pro recommend on their web site and it's only £49
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-SDSDQXL-064G-FFPA-Mobile-Extreme-Adapter/dp/B00IJYG78I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1401132490&sr=8-4&keywords=sandisk+sdsdqxl

Then Argos have this one which they recommend as being suitable for the 3+ but it only has a write speed of 20MB/s and costs £70
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1071791.htm

So just when you thought matters couldn't get more complicated....they do. Any other Go Pro 3+ users out there want to suggest which one I should go for?

[Debs]

I use Class 10 cards from www.picstop.co.uk.

Never had a problem on my Drift Ghost HD

[Kwikasfuki]

Amazon - if its sold be Amazon, they are brilliant for returns

[Andy]

Cards are even more exclusive / expensive for 4k cameras (GoPro 4?) due to the high write speeds required.

http://www.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/sd/extremepro-sdxc-sdhc-uhs-ii/