Out with Akaso Brave 7 LE - In with GoPro Hero 10 Black!

I bought an Akaso Brave 7 LE in December of 2021.  I was trying to buy an action camera to replace my aging GoPro Hero 4 Silver.  It came with a huge accessory pack with many clips and fittings.  I bought an extra battery for it.  It had some features that my Hero 4 didn't have.  It's smartphone app was actually pretty nice.  I could also use it as an web cam.  It also had a tripod mount on the bottom of it.  It's UI was nice.  Also, it had two displays, one in front and one in back.

I ended up being somewhat disappointed with it because the video footage wasn't as crisp as my old ass Hero 4!  Audio wasn't all that great, either.  I stopped using it for a while.

Maybe a month ago, I began to use it again.  I sorted out the video footage issue.  The main issue was that when indoors, the captured video footage was grainy.  When in somewhat dark settings, the grainy footage was even worse, but I found out that I the Brave has light settings that I can control manually.  I tried the various settings and found that the footage was actually pretty decent!

Not long after, I was changing the battery and the battery door on the camera cracked.  A day later, the cracked portion detached completely.  This was devastating since the door couldn't close properly - the battery would move around in it's compartment.

Luckily, I'd bought a 3-year warranty with Asurion (I bought both through Amazon).  I submitted a claim and they approved it.  They wanted me to send the camera back to them.  I sent them the camera (and the detached piece of battery compartment door).  As soon as I sent it, they reimbursed me.

I've never had anything fail that I'd bought Asurion insurance for, until now.  I'm very glad I bought it.

So, I took the funds they returned to me and, after some researching, bought a refurbished GoPro Hero 10 Black that comes with an extra battery.  I bought it through Amazon.  I bought 2 years of Asurion insurance for it.  What's cool is that I can buy additional insurance on a refurbished product.

I'd looked at the Hero 11 and 12, but those were beyond my budget.  I looked at the Mini but it has a non-removable battery (that's something I don't want).  I also looked at the DJI Osmo Action 4 but that was even more expensive than the Hero 12 (it's competition).

I really just want a camera to replace my aged Hero 4.  I can still use the Hero 4 but I can retire it from being my primary camera.

The Hero 10 won't be delivered until Dec 21, though, but I don't mind.

In the next year or two, I can get the either the Hero 12, the Action 4, or even the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 (a great gimbal camera).