GoPro is selling its handheld stabilizer, the Karma Grip, for $299 starting today, Dec. 4.
The Karma Grip originally shipped with the Karma drone. But after the camera drone was recalled due to crashing issues, the Grip also took a step back. Now that GoPro is selling the stabilizer separately, consumers can use it with other cameras from the GoPro stable.
Those with a Hero 5 Black can use the Karma Grip out of the box. Hero 4 Black and Silver owners, however, need to add $29 more to fully utilize the stabilizer. That amount is actually payment for a harness that will fit the two cameras to make them compatible with the Karma Grip. A harness for Hero 5 Session cameras will be made available sometime during the second quarter of 2017 so its owners may want to hold back on buying the Grip for now.
The Karma Grip comes with a case and a number of accessories. The extension cable will be released in Spring next year.
The Karma Grip rivals the DJI Osmo. While the Osmo has more controls, the Grip provides far better video quality, especially when used with a Hero 5. Tech Crunch tested both stabilizers and concluded that the Grip "can take more abuse than the Osmo". The reporter also used his old GoPro cameras with the Karma Grip and discovered that the resulting pictures were far better than when the cameras were used without the stabilizer.
CNet also took the Karma Grip for a spin and it mentioned how the stabilizer mad "a huge difference in [the] results". It also noted that the Karma Grip "makes GoPro's cameras that much more useful".
The Hero 5 sells for $399 so, combined with the $299 stabilizer, taking quality pictures may be a bit too expensive for some. Fortunately for those who were affected by the Karma recall, GoPro has offered a free Hero 5 to replace the doomed Karma drone.
