I’ve reviewed the GoPro Hero HD and talked about how much I dig the camera. It’s a great camera, and can withstand a lot of grueling conditions. However, I also talked about in a follow-on review how the GoPro Surf Hero mounts have a tendency to break under some not so large surf.
But, as I confessed in that review, I incorrectly attached the leash to the GoPro® HD Cameras (<– affiliate link) and consequently lost the camera to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. But that wasn’t the end of the GoPro. Due to the great customer service of GoPro, I got a new camera, and also learned how to correctly attach the leash.
So I thought I would spell it out for you below. It’s not the easiest thing to attach, but the key it, attach it to the hinge (shown below)! Also, the leash should come tied at one end so it is looped. Make sure it is tied tight!
1. First thing you’ll want to do is get a kitchen fork. It’s easiest to push the looped end from the side of the hinge that doesn’t have a the mounting point. See below.
2. Next, slide the fork between the mounting point on the case and pull on the loop so you can grasp the leash and pull it through. See below.
3. Next, pull the leash so you can loop the other end, the tied end, back through the loop.
4. Now, pull the tied end through the looped end. See below.
5. Pull the leash tight against the hinge. See below.
That’s it! Now you can easily loop the camera, the same way you looped the around the hinge. Although I haven’t had a mount break while I’ve had the leash connected properly, I do see how this is the correct way to connect.
Tags: GoPro, GoPro Hero HD, Waterproof Camera
Thanks a lot for posting this. I also have a GoPro Surf Hero HD sitting at the bottom of the pacific, so when I got my new one I wanted to make sure the leash was properly connected. No idea it would go through that tiny hole.
Thanks again!
Thanks also, just got my first gopro HD and will be using it for kayaking and motorcycling and couldn’t figure out how to put the leash on. This will minimise the chances of it ending at the bottom of the ocean or smashed on the road.
Your a life saver!! This is also my second and hopefully last gopro i will have to buy. thanks for showing us how to do it correctly!
No problem Weston, you can also attach the GoPro leash by removing the pin, which I guess I’ll have to show as well, but I haven’t switched my back plate to the no waterproof one so I thought I’d put this way up first.
Glad to help.
It is much easier if you click the door off thread it through itself but not tighten it until the door is put back on, a simple click down and the door is off and the pin is easy to access.
Thanks for the tip godles. Yeah, I tried a few methods but was having troubles removing the door so I went with the threading method. Maybe I’ll put up a demo of that method as well.
The easiest thing i found is putting it right on my tripod mount. with my floating GoPole handle. Once i put the camera over the leash it will never come off. but this probably wouldnt work for the surfboard mount.
Thanks, man! Wouldn’t wanna loose my hero2… Haha! Thanks a mill!
Did you have much trouble getting a free replacement from GoPro?
My boyfriend lost his off the back of his sailboat. All that was left was the leash and back door.
This is what I use, it is much safer and sturdier:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180973403338 – GoSafe Safety Lanyard / Tether & Wrist Strap for GoPro HD Hero (stainless steel) | eBay
The leash attaches to the thumb screw, so there’s not need to remove the hinge at all. I eventually switch between using the dive and standard housing, so this stays on the thumb screw regardless. The loop is just wide enough for the screw side of the thumb screw to slide in.
Can be attached to fixed stuff (i.e. boat, board, kite) or as a wrist strap.
You can use just some nylon masonry line/twine. I added loops to all of my backdoors and then will connect other leashes to it. http://dabermania.blogspot.com/2013/01/safety-tether-for-gopro-hero3.html
If you are having trouble with using the fork to thread the leash loop though the small gap around the pin and then back, using a length of dental floss looped through the leash loop and first threading that through made it a lot easier for me and worked really well.