[wparsons]

IMO, don't buy a Hero 2 unless you're considering a Hero 3 Silver or White. The 3 black has a lot of features that the 2 doesn't have, and are well worth it.

The 2 only has 1080p @ 30fps and 720p @ 60fps, the 3 black has 1080p @ 60fps and 720p @ 120fps which makes a big difference for slow motion footage. It can also shoot in 2.7k and 4k modes as well. Low light situations are MUCH better with the 3 black, and the audio sounds better too, even in the sealed case. The built in wifi and included remote make it an even better value, the wifi backpack/remote combo for the 2 is about $120 alone. The lens on the 3 case is much better as well, especially under water.

I've only had mine freeze up on me once, and it was before upgrading the firmware.

I use mine skiing, attached to an RC quadcopter for aerial footage, attached to an RC car for onboard footage on a track, attached to a real car for driving footage.

For what it's worth, I had a Hero 2 before the 3 and was happy with it. I "upgraded" because I scratched the lens by dropping it on concrete taking it off the quadcopter (using it "naked", no protective case).