Action Cam Virgin - Please be gentle

[The Stimulator]

Hi, I’ve been toying with the idea of a Go-Pro (or similar) for a while, and being off to NordKapp in a few weeks it seemed like a sensible time. I had looked at rental but for 5 weeks it seems just as cost effective to buy one. The main thing I would be using it for is scenic road trips, so nothing too adventurous. I have no intention of flooding this site with videos (too many really good video producers already ), or putting out on YouTube or the likes for public consumption.

Quite like the idea of a chin mount, and also a fixed mount on the my 1300 (poss handlebar?). Not too worried about permanently powering the camera, but quite like the idea of having a spare battery so I can set the camera off before leaving on a trip I know will fit the bill, and then perhaps swap battery during a stop.

Possibly looking at a budget of around £400 incl mounts, but know I’ll need to add more for extra battery/memory card.

I realise it’s a bit like a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question, and everyone has their own opinions, but happy to take ideas/recommendations. Before anyone asks, I have gone through this forum and looked at options for chin mounts, but not fixed mounts.

 

[John Armstrong]

I'm very wary of adding anything to my helmet, and so have a handlebar mount, and may get a chest mount as well.

The DJI Osmo Action 4 Adventure combo seems to be getting good reviews, event the TMF has gone over to one, whether that's a plus point is up to you! Adventure option comes with 3 batteries that can be easily charged, which seem a really good idea.

DJI Osmo Action 4 review: a polished GoPro alternative with hassle-free mounts

DJI looks to take the Action series to new heights with a larger sensor

www.techradar.com

 

[Keith A]

Second hand Go-Pro - I have used GoPros on my track bikes for years & they are very reliable & very good quality video.
You do NOT need the latest/greatest model. (In my opinion).
The adhesive mounts on the front of the bike are ideal.

 

[Traffic893]

If you are not going to produce videos for YouTube or similar and it’s just for you so to speak, Ghost XL. I have one, helmet mounted, it’s a ‘what if’ camera for me.
The quality of footage is very good and it’s reasonably cheap, more money for Norway.
There are loads of action cams under £100, Amazon, but it’s more about what you want to use the footage for.

 

[Rugged Path]

I bought one from Aldi. Discounted to around £25. No front screen so difficult to centre myself but, with such a wide angle it would be difficult to be out of it.
Made several test videos and it is clear enough to view on a big screen TV. Only the wind noise spoils it as it is installed on a handlebar rod to the side of the screen on the Electra Glide. Sound is better when stopped but with a wee bit of rumble to the camera.
This is just an experiment and fun to try.
It only videos in timed lengths so need to know how to string them all together and input a narration.

Sent from my MI 9 using Tapatalk

 

[EKIMYRF]

Second hand gopro 8

 

[landmarkjohn]

Or a GoPro Hero 6 even. Remote control on off device strapped to the handlebar I found handy.

 

[Popell]

There's a chap on here who spunked a big wedge to get camera, mounts batteries etc, go pro brand etc. Made a few great videos of a Picos trip and never bothered to use it again.
I know its sat doing nothing and it really should go to a new home, consider buying it and move it on when you've scratched the itch/returned from Nordkapp

 

[er-minio]

Possibly looking at a budget of around £400 incl mounts, but know I’ll need to add more for extra battery/memory card.

I think with that you can buy one of the latests GoPros around that budget to be fair.

But, I agree with EKIMYRF, a used GoPro 8 might suit you and be a cheap option.

I use a GoPro 7 (that it's now a bit battered... might need a replacement in a year or so) and I'm still very happy with the results. Stabilisation is good enough if mounted on the body.

I don't want anything on my helmet, so the camera is attached to my backpack strap (when not mounted on the motorbike directly) and I use an external powerbank for it on long trips if needed/want. I do sometimes use a remote, but I can also reach it easily with my hand as it's on my chest essentially.

Posted some of my short videos before here and there, but this is the quality from a GoPro 7 (various types of use) and I still find it excellent for any personal use/recording of trips, annoying all your friends with short videos from your bike jaunts :

Waterproof

 

[Jazbee]

I also fancied giving a gopro 'a go' and bought new kit including a chest mount and a chin mount.....duly went out filming short bike runs to test it all out and read everything about editing etc. All going well until I went to upload the stuff

Living in a village we have decent download wifi speeds of c. 40 but uploads are between 3 and 5..... took about 8 hours overnight to upload 20 mins of filming......gave up in the end and sold at a loss

 

[EKIMYRF]

I think with that you can buy one of the latests GoPros around that budget to be fair.

But, I agree with EKIMYRF, a used GoPro 8 might suit you and be a cheap option.

I use a GoPro 7 (that it's now a bit battered... might need a replacement in a year or so) and I'm still very happy with the results. Stabilisation is good enough if mounted on the body.

I don't want anything on my helmet, so the camera is attached to my backpack strap (when not mounted on the motorbike directly) and I use an external powerbank for it on long trips if needed/want. I do sometimes use a remote, but I can also reach it easily with my hand as it's on my chest essentially.

Posted some of my short videos before here and there, but this is the quality from a GoPro 7 (various types of use) and I still find it excellent for any personal use/recording of trips, annoying all your friends with short videos from your bike jaunts :

Waterproof

Thise are great clips

 

[er-minio]

Thise are great clips

Thank you!

 

[JonnyBravo]

I think with that you can buy one of the latests GoPros around that budget to be fair.

But, I agree with EKIMYRF, a used GoPro 8 might suit you and be a cheap option.

I use a GoPro 7 (that it's now a bit battered... might need a replacement in a year or so) and I'm still very happy with the results. Stabilisation is good enough if mounted on the body.

I don't want anything on my helmet, so the camera is attached to my backpack strap (when not mounted on the motorbike directly) and I use an external powerbank for it on long trips if needed/want. I do sometimes use a remote, but I can also reach it easily with my hand as it's on my chest essentially.

Posted some of my short videos before here and there, but this is the quality from a GoPro 7 (various types of use) and I still find it excellent for any personal use/recording of trips, annoying all your friends with short videos from your bike jaunts :

Waterproof

great videos

I'm off to to ride the Himalayas in August and want to take some video whilst riding of the trip for me, not for youtube !
-will look out for used gear as advised and I like the backpack idea as I will be wearing a camelback.

 

[er-minio]

off to to ride the Himalayas in August

Oh wow.
I'm envious

I like the backpack idea

Mine is fixed like this:

The clip is this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BSE454S?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Battery bank in the backpack is this:

Amazon.co.uk

GoPro 7 doesn't really charge while recording, but when I stop the recording and the camera is in standby it starts recharging from the battery. It overheats a bit, but I can go on all day like that.
My understanding is that the 8 and later models can use external power while recording and have less thermal issues.

 

[Barnoe]

I have a GoPro 9,11 and 12.
If you know someone with a Costco card, you can get the GoPro 13 for £290

Main features are shared by all GoPros from 8 onwards.
there are lots of other brands around, avoid the amazon sub £100 cameras... been there tried that awful!

The Insta360 X3/4 are good but a bit gimmicky, yes it does 360 but as a normal camera its crap, quality and lighting are a compromise, not a patch on the GoPro's

The only thing to bear in mind is that you will need a mic setup which will come out of your budget.
when I bought my first I thought I could plug a mic straight in, its not that simple.

I think this is the reason a few Youtubers have jumped ship to other brands who have a better solution to the mic
I like the GoPro because its rugged, they take some knocks, waterproof straight from the box and video quality is great, and for motorcycle footage the image stabilization is very good too.

As for the chin mount, I use the Dango Mount which clips on and off, no glue or anything permanent.
So when your not filming your helmet is clear as it was before, its £50 though which is pricy but I've used mine for a few years now and its the best option for me.

 

[crumbles]

Can recommend a Dango mount,I have used one with the Gopro attached.

On steady roads,I could unclamp it from my helmet ( Arai Tour x 4 ).assuming you have it running....
Do a video of the scenery whilst still moving and reclamp it back on again..

 

[Bigcats]

 

[Bigcats]

DJI Osmo Action 4 Standard Combo - 4K/120fps Waterproof Action Camera with a 1/1.3-Inch Sensor, Stunning Low-Light Imaging, 10-bit & D-Log M Color Performance, Long-Lasting 160 Mins, Outdoor Camera​

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C783YNW7?smid=A30DC7701CXIBH&th=1

 

[vRSG60]

A second hand TomTom Bandit, is ideal, the app is easy to use. If your'e not interested in editing, you can shoot video then download onto your phone, give the phone a shake and it puts together a 1 minute ong clip of random highlights. Easy then to upload to facebook or wherever.
Comes with a remote.

 

[Bravo]

Anyone know of an action camera that will connect to my intercom so I can add commentary as I'm riding?

I drunkenly agreed to set up an Instagram account last night to chronicle my adventures on my Kettle ..... gt750john if anyone's interested.

Warning it could contain adult language.

edit ... I didn't realise how many scantily clad women are on there,I should have joined ages ago.