Permanently Preventing Fogging of the GoPro Lens

Friday, January 02, 2009 / Posted by Rambo /

I'm currently testing a few permanent solutions to fogging internally of the "Wide Angle" GoPro Lens. Nothing peeves me more than excitedly loading the days footage into the PC, only to find 40mins of it is engulfed in fog and useless, especially as i know there were some hooten' runs on it.

Here is what I'm testing and why it will work.

Protective Vents provide continuous airflow in sealed housings without allowing contaminants to enter because of the proprietary expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane in the vent. This unique ePTFE membrane has a low surface tension, so it repels liquids, such as water, oil, and surfactants, as well as preventing dust, dirt, and other environmental contaminants from entering the housing.

You will need to drill a small hole in the case (about 3mm, i will be able to give you the tested location) and glue or press fit one of these little vents in the picture below. The alternative is to drill the same hole size and glue a stick on piece of the vent fabric over the hole. I like the first option better as it's permanent but just have to be sure there is no interference with the cam in the case.

I will have some feedback on the results in a couple of days. But test so far indicate it is a bloody ripper.

Cheers Rambo

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13 comments:

Comment by Mindy on January 04, 2009

I once tried to use rain-x on my lens for water spots. BIG MISTAKE!

Comment by Rambo on January 04, 2009

RainX needs to be rubbed on then polished off. If you leave a thick layer of film on there, the silicon in the formula causes "oil ringing" or "rainbowing" around high contrast areas of the footage.

I would NEVER put RainX on a camera lens, only a waterproof case port like on the GoPro.

Anonymous on March 13, 2009

Rambo,
Just curious about your test results...
Is the case still fully submersible with the vents? How deep?
Aloha,
Eric

Comment by Rambo on March 13, 2009

Yes Eric it works very well, but it's not for everyone as you have to modify the case and void your warranty.

However, condensation will eventually claim your GoPro anyway if it continues to fog so it may in fact prolong the cam.

Cheers Rambo

Comment by Kevin Drysdale on August 15, 2009

I'm having trouble with my GoPro fogging. Where did you purchase the Gore "Press-Fit Vents" from? Can they be purchased on-line? With a vent installed how deep can you take the camera? Finally; you state that "...i will be able to give you the tested location" - please, I'd like to know where.

Comment by dan on November 16, 2009

mine is fogging also. pisses me off, some frigging good waves today and it was fog smeared.

alexandre diver on April 27, 2010

So what did the test say, and if it was successful where can i purchase these vents. I am having some major fogging issued kitesurfing in the Cabarete with my cam, cant get more than 10 min of footage before its all fogged up !

Steve Green on May 20, 2010

Any advice for the Sony HQ1 Bullet cams - ours are fogging in cold climates on the mountain - fully sealed and the spec said "Guaranteed not to Fog" - yeah right!

Comment by Rambo on May 20, 2010

Fogging comes from tiny amount of moisture in the air inside the lens. If you can't open them to dry out with hairdryer, then let them acclimatize in the cold outside overnite before turning them on next day. If there's any room inside the case pack with small desiccant bags or dry white rice in tissue paper.

R

Anonymous on December 13, 2010

Easy fix - just pop a bag of silica gel (like you get inside a new shoe box) inside the housing when not in use.

Comment by kyteryder on December 23, 2011

I know this is a post from a few years ago. GoPro now sell anti-fogging strips, which can be inserted in the side of the housing beside the camera. Or for a cheaper slution use small silica packets, or toilet tissue paper, and replace each time camera is opened..

Comment by Unknown on August 13, 2012

There are now some third party alternatives to the expensive gopro anti-fog inserts.. Check on eBay for "fogfree inserts", I got mine for half the price and they look like the same material as the official ones

drewp on December 29, 2012

I know it's older post, but how well did the vent option in the housing work? I have an older GoPro camera and would like to try something like this. I don't like paying the price for GoPro inserts...and did not see alternatives on ebay. I don't see how folks are stuffing other stuff in the housing (rice, etc.), dessicant packs, etc.. There's not that much room in there!

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