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]
  
• Camera ID: 64 Model: H24.02 Codename: Pebbles
• FCCID: CNF-CPSS1 (NEW)
• GoPro MAX 2 User Manual 

See the extensive teardown of the original 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 or possibly two 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. UPDATED The lens is an actual optical element. Removing it will distort your image!!!

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

Stitching

Because the lenses are axial, the stitching on the GoPro MAX 2 is significantly better than that on the original GoPro MAX. When directly placed on the helmet, you no longer get that horrific fracture of the helmet and mount. Now you will only get a slight line as seen below. I do not find it that distracting and is easily overlooked on videos. 

Notice the slight line on Katie's MAX2 mount. She is not using an extension at all. Screenshot from FlywithKatie on IG (please follow her)!

To completely remove the line, you would have to raise up the camera. In our sport, it's not worth the risk of an entanglement. 

GoPro suggests 14" from the base to completely remove the nadir. I've seen stitching artifacts further than that, so perhaps my camera is not calibrated correctly, or the movement is too quick for the shutter.
[Stitching or shutter issue on left brake line. Notice all the dust devils there!]

Be advised, you will always see some shading effects in bright light due to the illumination of the replaceable lenses.

Heat Dissipation & Temperatures

As GoPro was unable to switch to the smaller feature sized processor of the GP3, heat dissipation is a huge concern. Already customers are complaining about runtime of only 20 minutes when the camera is stationary. 

To deal with the exorbitant heat of back to back sensors and an aging 12nm processor, GoPro developed some patentable technology. US Patent US20250142192A1 illustrates how the external and internal heatsinks are architected.

This is not my area of expertise, but I believe this two heat sink method, 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 void in the camera's cavity, provides a bit of a thermal buffer zone (think a spring). In most action sports, the camera is physically moving and thus can easily shed the excess heat. This camera is an air-cooled VW Bug, don't keep it stopped and idling too long; it's designed to be moving.  Remember, it's an action camera! 

For cold environments, I have not seen nor been able to trigger the low temperature, thermal thresholds. 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  is much better than the GoPro MAX. I feel this is the 360 camera to get this season over the DJI and Insta360 for skydiving. The small formfactor makes it a winner over the X5 and the lens covers makes it more robust than the DJI OSMO360. 

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

As soon as you get about 8 feet away, the image quality is fairly grainy. These cameras are not a substitution for a primary camera, especially for outside video. If you are going to be part of the action, a 360 camera is a great tool. If you plan on shooting outside video, grab a standard camera. See GetHypoxic Highlights

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

GoPro Quik

I must say, GoPro Quik does have some nice new features with the object tracking. I tried it out on a 4-way and it worked fairly well provided you break the exit up from the jump. I don't feel it will be super useful for most people who want to flow through a few viewports, but it's definitely a nifty tool.  

Design Wins

Purple is unconfirmed thus far, but likely

 
Additional Resources

GoPro MAX 2 Videos on Instagram
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.