So I have been looking at getting a Gopro, but I was thinking just getting my feet wet on the idea. I was looking at the Hero 2, but also considering knock offs.

This has me wondering what are you using? Are you capturing those bow up's on a Gopro, phone or something else?

I am up in the air between a go pro 2 or Sony action cam. Both look great, but name sake makes me want to go with the Hero.

I've got the GoPro 3+ Black Edition. They have a very wide field of view, but on the 3's you can choose between 3 or 4 field of views so you can narrow it up considerably if need be. I'm not sure if you can do that on the 2's as well or not. Overall though I'm really satisfied with what I've got. 

Here are some of the screen caps I took last year with it that I have on my work computer.

I use  a Sony HDR-AS15. Overall very happy with it.120 &170 angles. It makes an excellent  copy, still or action.

About $160 on Amazon.

C22

I'd also suggest checking out the Garmin Virb Elite. It has a screen on the top of the camera that shows you what you're filming so you don't have to guess. Better battery life than a Go Pro and it has tons of cool features that the Go Pro doesn't. 

Are you looking for action or still?  Action POV cams are popping up all over, but the actual "hero shots" can be accomplished with other options.  I use an Olympus Tough 820 - waterproof, 12mp, 720p HD recording and has the ability to auto focus and zoom at a price point that is nearly 60-70% cheaper than a GoPro 3, 3+, 4 ,etc......

 

I simply set mine on a mount and use the LCD screen to preview the angle and zoom before I launch that way when I turn it on I know it is set at the right angle.  I can always crop and resize the photo once I download it.  The auto focus feature is a lifesaver especially in a kayak, but may not be as critical in a boat.

I was looking action, but the software I have a can take any action series and take a snap shot. I ended up buying a Sony HDR AS20 last night on Amazon. For under $160 I got the camera and all the accessories.

I do want to get a different case for underwater.

I have the gopro 3+ black also.......I have a cable to connect it to Lowrance HDS 9 so I can see what I'm shooting........can use the app on my phone too......but not being able to see what I was shooting would be an issue.

I also bought a camdo battery eliminator so I don't have to worry about battery life......it just runs off my boat battery.

I just use the timer and mount the camera on a little flexible tripod. Ive had Cannon and Olympus and they both worked well .

 

I have used several different cameras and even my phone. My GoPro makes shots I could never get with anything else. 

These pics dont come from a regular camera!