Switronix DVGP3USB Battery Eliminator USB with 10-Feet Power Cable (Black) for GoPro 3/3+

UPDATE 08.17.2015This piece works like a charm!Sometimes I don't like the extra length of the cord but, then again, sometimes I do.Look for Velcro strips to hold it along a telescoping pole so you can utilize an extended battery pack.Great for large events.UPDATE 06.27.2015I received a replacement and am happy to say that it is operating as I had wished.To make sure that there were no similar issues to the original order I tugged, lightly shook, etc., this battery eliminator and it stayed firmly seated and never lost a connection.Thank you Amazon for your replacement policy!OLDER, ORIGINAL REVIEWIt looked to be well built.Seated well and snug in the back of my Hero 3+ Black Ed.Powered up with something of a delay over batteries (I have an original and two Smatrees; they're awesome! (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K5LSA3I?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_47)BUT, IF I BARELY MOVED THE CAMERA OR THE CORD, THE POWER WOULD CUT OFF.I re-seated the unit multiple times. Traded it with batteries then this "Eliminator" to make sure that it was not something else and every time:The batteries worked perfectly and the "Eliminator" failed.Must be a short in the cord or a connection problem where the cord/wiring connects with the housing that seats in the camera.ON A SIDE NOTE.Amazon's Replacement option is wonderful in theory but in practice you may think otherwise.After going through the simple steps I found out that the replacement would not be delivered for three weeks to a month.Though the item was not Prime, it was from a Fulfillment center and I received it one day after my other Prime items from my order.I called to ask why it would take so long and was given the option for a refund.I told the Amazon rep not to do anything. I had to take a client's call and, again, ended our conversation with "Don't do anything!"Then I received a refund for a lesser amount and my Replacement Order was cancelled.The item is available again but at a higher price.An extremely helpful Amazon employee tried to help me but the system will not allow the original order price to stand.How much does Prime cost now?

I like to use my GoPro for Mustang car drives, which can be several hours long. While I can get a big enough micro SD card for the camera, there isn't a battery I can get that can reliably last several hours (changes to resolution, being in hot sun, etc. all have an effect), so I thought I would try this. Actually, I got this and a separate USB cable that goes through the existing battery because I wasn't sure this would work. But this works great! It fits in the back of the camera where the battery goes, so you want to put the back door of the camera somewhere you won't lose it! The cable is super long and there's no problem with it reaching the USB port on the stereo in my car. You also have to have a skeleton back for your camera, either the larger one that accommodates the Back Pac battery or a smaller one that has a cut out on the bottom where the cable will come through. I happened to have both, and I prefer the smaller back because the camera moves around in the case with the larger back and it could mess up the shot. Also, if you have a GoPro, you have to get the app for your phone. It lets you see what the camera sees easily.

I looked everywhere for a device that eliminates the battery instead of assembling a hack job from a YouTube video. Not to say that I don't enjoy people's ingenuity, but I like a finished product that I don't have to fiddle with too much. In terms of how well it fits and functions, it's excellent. My only suggestion, not necessarily a gripe, but a product improvement, would be to mount the cord that exits the square piece on a 45 degree angle piece of flat plastic or even let the cord exit perpendicular instead of parallel to the square piece. This way the cord doesn't have to bend at a sharp 90 degrees to exit the GoPro case. I could see that over time the strain of the sharp bend would break the wires.The way it fits in the GoPro camera housing is a precise fit. The battery door is eliminated as the square piece has tiny recesses where the door lock tabs engage. The door latches retain the Battery Eliminator perfectly, no slop at all.Second concern: Nowhere did I see any kind of power requirement for the GoPro. I own a new Hero 3+ Black and I used the cable while also having WiFi functionality turned on. I was shooting a time lapse that needed to last at least 4 hours. I tried using the cable with a USB plug adapter that was rated for 550mA at 5.0VDC. It was not powerful enough to power the camera. After a minute or less it would shut off. I tried a Apple USB A/C adapter rated for 2.1 Amps (2100 mA) and the camera hasn't encountered a single problem since.In summary, the Battery Eliminator is a must have accessory for anyone who wants to shoot extended time lapse shots with their GoPro. It's construction, though solid, needs to be handled with care so that you don't break the wires while installing it in your camera or in the clear GoPro housing with the skeleton door. And make sure you are using a USB A/C adaptor that supplies at least 1Amp (1000mA) of current at 5VDC.