GoPro MAX 2 "Pebbles"

As in years past, this article is a quick and dirty rundown on the GoPro’s anticipated offering: the GoPro MAX 2.

I don't get paid for these reviews, this is not a physical teardown of a $500 camera but a deep dive at the features and firmware. Luckily, I can gleam much of the hardware from a peak at the firmware and various logs. 

Top Level:

• $399.99usd with subscription
  $499.99usd full retail
• 64.0W x 69.0H  [Same as GoPro MAX]
  Depth: 48.7Dmm (Glass lens to lens) [deeper than MAX @ 25mm] 
  Depth: 26mm (Body) [Same as GoPro MAX]
• Weight: 190g with battery of 32g  [MAX was 154g]
  (Same dimensions as HERO[9-12] Note the protection lens has changed)
• Camera ID: 64 Model: H24.02 Codename: Pebbles
• FCCID: CNF-CPSS1 (NEW)
• GoPro MAX 2 User Manual 

See the extensive teardown of the orignal GoPro MAX.

Hardware Changes from GoPro MAX

• GP2 processor Not GP3! Definitely disappointing and has much to do with the heat this camera produces and battery life. 
• Stacked lenses The biggest surprise was the use of stacked sensors. The designers where able to keep the lenses axial by putting the two CMOS sensors back-to-back on one another. Most manufacturers use a mirror to reflect the image onto a sensor orthogonal to the front plane. GoPro's geometry is likely less expensive to manufacturer and eliminates a complex lossly optical element. 
  
  
• New Wifi Chipset via PCIe The MAX 2 uses a similar chipset as the GoPro HERO13, the Broadcom BCM4362. This is a WiFi 6 enabled device (5Ghz band). 
• Battery: New form factor Enduro for MAX 2 battery 1960mAh
• GPS Still around on the GoPro MAX 2 utilizing the M10.
  

Audio

According to GoPro there are 6 total microphones. I believe these are i2s enabled mics that go straight to the audio DSP made by DSP Group. The DMB7 code states five mic input but the DSP can interpolate this to make it appear ambisonic. As far as I can tell without doing a full teardown yet the mics are located 3 on the top, one on the front, and one on the rear. The front and rear have weep holes to allow water to drain out. 

Lens

There is an antireflective coating on the glass protection lens. This is not cheap and shows GoPro's commitment to image quality. However, you will see some glow on the stitch line when one side of the camera is sunward and the other is in the shade. If you are really going for a million dollar shot, perhaps take off the protective lenses. 

New lenses are $49.99 so keeping them clean and clear is much cheaper than a new camera. 

Heat Dissipation & Temperatures

As GoPro was unable to switch to the smaller feature sized processor, the GP3, heat dissipation is a huge concern. US Patent US20250142192A1 illustrates how the new heatsink is not thermally connected to the primary heatsink. It's not my area of expertise, but I believe this allows the GoPro to be used in extreme temperatures without immediately going into thermal shutdown. Environments such as directly in the sun, in the vacuum of space, and in subzero temperatures require special care. The air in the camera's cavity, provides a bit of a thermal buffer zone. In most action sports, the camera is physically moving and thus can shed the excess heat. Think of this as an air-cooled VW Bug. 

For cold environments, I have not seen the low temperature thermal thresholds as of yet. GoPro warns about usage below -10C. Keeping batteries on your body and/or the camera on standby, helps in these environments. 

Below is the thermal shutdown temperatures for the various components. 

Firmware

As a simplification, the GoPro MAX 2 is a GoPro HERO 13 with an additional sensor/lens and a geomagnetic sensor. The user interface is the same with the biggest change being the MAX lens option on the HERO13 is now the Camera Mode: 360 vs Single Lens.

The camera does lack photo timelapse in single lens mode. It can only shoot Timewarp. Additionally, in 360 mode, it can only shoot one photo every 2 second. 

Usage - Skydiving

The GoPro MAX 2 image quality and stitching is much better than the GoPro MAX. I feel this is the 360 camera to get this season over the DJI and Insta360. I really like the small formfactor and the design is more robust than the DJI OSMO360 with the lens covers. 

[Stitching or shutter issue on left brake line. Notice all the dust devils there!]

As for 360 cameras, they're great for canopy shots, landings, and exits. Additionally, they are awesome for inside the formation provided you are touching people.

As soon as you get about 10 feet away, the image quality is fairly grainy. These cameras are not a substitution for a primary camera, especially for outside video. 

[Flying directly on top of them and video appears fairly zoomed-in]

Design Wins

Purple is unconfirmed thus far, but likely

 
Additional Resources

GoPro MAX Physical Teardown 
GoPro GP2 Research
GoPro Camera Database & GitHUB Repo
GoPro HERO13 Teardown
GoPro HERO11/HERO11 Mini Teardown

All we request is you link this article as a source! 
Thank you! - Hypoxic Team

LEGAL: This product and/or service is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or in any way associated with GoPro Inc. or its products and services. GoPro, HERO, and their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of GoPro, Inc. HEROBUS and BACPAC are trademarks of GoPro Inc.