After a long wait, the GoPro Max 2 is finally available. Do we already have the first images of it on Mapillary? Please post links and your impressions of it here. 
8 Likes
The automation part is nice but the biggest issue I had with insta360 was the gps data either being 500ft off center or not saving at ALL. It’s great to see that GoPro will still have the GPS still directly included in the camera itself since that’s the biggest selling point for me somehow.
Agree, built-in GPS is a significant convenience (that decided my choice of camera last time, along with replaceable battery and memory-card); though I’d rather have a choice of low-frame rate video modes (8K@ 2fsps/8k10fps) than in camera timelapse.
For me this generation’s (Gopro Max2 & Insta360 X5) killer feature is the Replaceable Lenses (Change in Field), as this reduces the cost of ownership significantly, compared to the older generations (like Ricoh Theta X etc), that typically lasts less than a year due to accidental lens damage - that cannot be repaired. Alos nice to see the 8k premium is going down ThetaX: ~$600, X5: ~$550, Max2:~$500), video mapping is becoming significantly more affordable…
4 Likes
This is awesome! These specs look great and integrated GPS is great to continue to see. We will test the camera and report back! (or if anyone already has access, would love if you can share sample .360 videos and .jpeg images)
2 Likes
I pre-ordered it, I will perform a compare between the Max 2025 and the Max 2. Can’t wait 
5 Likes
I saw a picture, so the battery is probably not built_in.
Which is a good thing.
Is this a joke ? I do not understand it.
One thing I’m wondering is if the new MAX 2 lenses will fix the issue of rain fogging up the inside. I always use protective lenses on mine so that the flies on the interstate don’t become part of the lens itself, and to keep the rain and dead bug droplets more tiny on frame, but it tends to fog up inside when the rain gets bad like this:
You should place the Max so that the lenses are pointing to the side, the chance of flies on the lens is minimal. I tried the protective lenses but there where way more flies on these covers. I place the lens covers on the lenses when removing the device of the car, no chance of lens damage that way.
2 Likes
How do you fix the orientation of the images once you get a video with it sideways?
Are you using mapillary tools? I don’t change any settings when processing the files, the tools are correcting to the right angle. The same for Google Streetview. There is a setting you can use, @GITNE knows the correct setting mapillary tools.
I faced similar issue after cleaning the camera that I’m also using with lenses protection. Inside, it looks OK. When I go outside, with temperature change, humidity trapped by the protection is condensing on the inner part of the protection. I only noticed it when back home.
I am not sure what you are referring to specifically because neither the Desktop Uploader nor mapillary_tools detect and correct direction offset automagically. However, the reconstruction processing step on Mapillary’s backend does (or rather can) compute image direction with sufficient data from other images in the vicinity. But, reconstruction’s computed direction does not substitute nor makes up for the lack of image direction metadata completely because Mapillary’s search function makes use of image direction metadata rather than reconstructed direction (I am not sure why that is). So, there is indeed value in caring for correct image direction metadata and making sure that is actually delivered to Mapillary.
1 Like
One workaround for this is to put on protective lenses outdoors, not indoors (where usually relative humidity is lower than outdoors). It is best to give, both the camera and the protective lens, some time outdoors (out of a bag or other container) to adapt to air temperature and only then put on the lens.
So far, I have not used protective lenses much because I never felt like I ever really needed them. 
I don’t know, maybe I am going to regret it some day? But, I have used other cameras without such protective lenses a lot, thus I never had any issues or unhappy incidents. I just try to care for the camera like my eyes. However, I do always (carefully) put on lens caps! MAX’s (silicone) lens caps are sturdy and okay for the job but their ergonomics for taking them off and putting back on could indeed use some improvement from GoPro. A simple strip on the cap’s edge might suffice. Would be interesting to know if this is something that has been addressed with the MAX2.
2 Likes
I only use UL2GSV and the mapillary desktop uploader
I may to be very careful with the GoPro but, partially, because I know that I have the protection. But, even being more careful, I can’t be 100% sure that I will avoid avoid some accident for the camera. First case is driving and missing height limitation. Second case is mountain biking and some branches may touch the camera.
So, mostly, when cleaning the camera with water (or immersing in the swimming pool 
), I need to be careful on drying i.e. remove the protective windows long enough after cleaning. Condensation was an issue only 2 times in more than one year of use.
2 Likes
I don’t quite get what the hype is about? Those specs don’t seem that much better, and from what I can tell photos max out at 8k?
It’s definitely not going to get even close to Pro/Pro2 level of detail, and still cost lots of money. But at least it will reach the market, unlike the Kartacam it seems
@TheWizard Did you get your GoPro MAX 2 on your hand yet? I’m getting by on 6th of October and I’ll share sample sequence here