GoPro question(s)

[ohiorider]

Any of you folks have experience with GoPro video cameras?  If so, and words of advice on either buying top of the line, or a model with a few less bells and whistles.  Any preference for bike mounted or helmet mounted?  Any way of remote starting and stopping the camera?

I'm probably not asking the right questions.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

[fotoguzzi]

For a newby I’d say get the session, it’s very small and can be started recording with one button even when the camera is powered off.
GoPro has an app for your phone so yes on the remote start, the app works good for changing settings etc, better than trying to use the small screen on camera.
Be aware the media can use a lot of space, I store on an external drive but keep all my raw video on the SD card, they are cheap enough to save and get a new one when full, I use 32g SD cards.
How do you plan to edit? best to edit rather than post raw video to keep viewers interest.

[ohiorider]

For a newby I’d say get the session, it’s very small and can be started recording with one button even when the camera is powered off.
GoPro has an app for your phone so yes on the remote start, the app works good for changing settings etc, better than trying to use the small screen on camera.
Be aware the media can use a lot of space, I store on an external drive but keep all my raw video on the SD card, they are cheap enough to save and get a new one when full, I use 32g SD cards.
How do you plan to edit? best to edit rather than post raw video to keep viewers interest.

Thanks!  Good info re model and storage.

Edit?  Hadn't considered that possibility, but that would make for an interesting cold weather project, and we have plenty of that in NE Ohio.  Suggestions for an editing package for a noobie at this?

Bob

[fotoguzzi]

I’ve heard good things about Luma fusion, a free download app. Have not used it myself.  You could google free editing  apps and read up on some. I use Final Cut X but that’s a $300 investment and maybe only works on Mac.

[Old Jock]

I'd coment on the Go Pro but I am now so out of touch my opinion would be next to worthless. I have a full size (for GoPro) Hero 4, 3+ and 3 and for HD they are more than adequate for me but the tech moves on at a relentless pace. They can be an utter pain to find somewhere to mount.

As far as mounting I dislike helmet mounts, you move your head much to much to get good stable footage. On the bike is best and chest straps are the best body mounts, but they often will end up with you filming the tank as opposed to the scenery

Both HitFilm & Leonardo offer free versions of their software that are still pretty feature packed for editing. The downsides are Leonardo is difficult to use at first. Finding your way around initially is an utter pain

Hit Film is a "little" easier (but still hard if you've not used editing software) The downside with Hitfilm is they make you jump through about 4 separate hoops before they give you the package

At the moment I'm just starting with Leonardo and I struggle even though I've used other editors in the past, but if you are prepared to stick with it, it's one helluva a package for free 

[fotoguzzi]

It helps to have as many mount points as you can, chin and chest mount better than top or side of helmet, the GP comes with some stick on mounts that I used on my helmets, a chesty strap doesn't cost too much. Then you'll see in my video I have a mount on the handlebar, you have to get creative to develop a suitable mount for the bars. I also use the GP suction cup, let's you put it in many places including a car in front of you for a great looking back shot. Then I have an articulating arm with a clamp, I use a microphone arm and modded it to hold the GP.  Don't miss a chance to set it down on the roadside and do a drive by or two. This clip rather old and has been posted before but it's one of my best I think.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OFeuPWgDB9k&t=143s

On my 2010 vacation I use all the techniques available like the suction cup on trunk of a car and time lapses accross big states, I use still pics for time lapse instead of the video TL feature in the GP, it's more fiddling to edit but still pics at 12MP or what ever the highest resolution is are better than freeze frames of video.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6tvRKb2yS70

[j.r.r.]

I used GoPro Hero 4 and Hero 7. Hero 4 is very reliable but it doesn't have image stabilization, GoPro introduced this feature with Hero 6 and improve in Hero 7. Hero 4 only allow recording in 4K up to 30 fps where as Hero 6 & 7 will record 4k at 60 fps. One big problem with Hero 7 is overheating, when recording in 4K at 60 fps it will shutdown within 17 - 18 minutes. GoPro specs say camera will record for 55 minutes but this is how long battery last not how long camera will work. Helmet or chest mounts are the best solution, specially if you are using camera without image stabilization. There are tons of videos/reviews on YouTube, strongly recommend to watch some, it will help you decide what will fit your needs. Practically, in segment of action cameras in under $400.00 USD there are three cameras you should check, GoPro Hero 7, Sony FDR-X3000 4K Action Cam and DJI Osmo Action (very recently released). Common consensus amount experts/reviewers:
- Sony FDR-X3000 the best image quality
- Hero 7 the best image stabilization
- DJI OSMO Action on pair with Hero 7 but doesn't overheat when recording in 4K at 60 fps
You can buy remote control for Hero 7, works very well with all models, at least with Hero 4 and Hero 7 which I tested. Small device which will allow you to turn camera ON/OFF and START/STOP recording by pushing a single button. I'm not 100% sure but Sony also offers similar device.
When buying SD card(s) make sure you get one which is recommended by manufacturer or faster. If you decide to buy older model  check what is the max size (GB) given camera will support. Not all camera will allow you to use 256 GB SD cards.

[twowheeladdict]

Any of you folks have experience with GoPro video cameras?  If so, and words of advice on either buying top of the line, or a model with a few less bells and whistles.  Any preference for bike mounted or helmet mounted?  Any way of remote starting and stopping the camera?

I'm probably not asking the right questions.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

I have the 2nd generation GoPro with 1080 resolution video.  Unless you are creating video for professional movies you don't need anything larger than 720 which is what I ended up doing all my videos in once I saw how much memory 1080 sucked up.

The 2nd gen works best on the helmet because it doesn't have vibration damping technology, but can be bought for $30 on the used market. 

The advantages of the latest greatest is image stabilization and syncing to an ap on your cell phone so you can see what you are videoing and turn it on and off remotely. 

Most motoVloggers utilize multiple cameras or move them around to different locations to get different perspectives. 

Unless you are chasing someone through the curves, a helmet mount won't show how much you are leaning the bike over in the curves, where a bike mounted camera will. 

The bike mounted camera won't see the amazing views off to the side or where you are looking like a helmet cam will. 

If you use a helmet cam, you have to learn to turn your head slowly and sometimes if you want to show a spectacular canyon off to the side you keep your head slightly sideways while you keep your eyes on the road. 

Good luck with whatever you chose and have fun.  I have hours of video that I might do something with when I am retired and have more time on my hands.

[PJPR01]

I also like the Session model much better than the prior Hero 3 which I lost somewhere in Wyoming.  As said above, 1 button on and off...super easy, no way to screw it up.   They also have waterproof mounting  boxes if needed and some really nice aluminum after market ones.

By the way, there is a GoPro dedicated remote as well that you can strap to the bike in each reach or put in your tank bag and the buttons are much easier to use than a smartphone remote application.  It pairs to your camera very easily too.

Mounting points are super varied...I have them on the front and back of the bike.  Mounted on the front however, you are going to see a lot of bouncing if the mount is below the triple 3, and for some reason, one thing I have never been able to solve is how to mute the wind noise that is picked up as these cameras are extremely sensitive to sound. 

The Helmet one I did like was a full 360 swivel one i had mounted on the top of the helmet and makes for some interesting and somewhat artistic riding photography, and it's easy to swivel around as you are riding.

I'll admit the one thing I never mastered well was editing the videos, so I just enjoyed watching them in full or jumping ahead, but I never published them to anyone else or loaded to youtube.

[Seventy One]

I have one. Used it for a full season. Recorded nearly every ride with it. Never once captured anything with it that was actually worth watching. Everything came out tedious and boring. Haven't used it in 4-5 years. I'd sell it but it's not worth anything.   

Sure wish I'd spent that $280 on gas and tires instead. YMMV.

[Bert Remington]

Foundation question is why action camera recording?

(1) document your ride with along with map or other data -- Garmin VIRB Elite or equivalent.

(2) dashcam for automatic detailed incident reporting -- Garmin VIRB Elite or equivalent.

(3) entertaining family, friends and memories in general -- GoPro, et al.

The Garmin VIRB Elite and its kin record two tracks in parallel: the MP4 and telemetry from the integral GPS, accelerometer, and altimeter sensors.  Garmin's free VIRB Edit software integrates the two tracks with pseudo gauges (eg, speed, g-force) and map overlays to provide a value-added playback experience.  The dashcam mode automatically starts and stops a 30-minute recording loop based on vehicle motion.  The camera has an internal battery good for about two hours and a USB/12V charge port for continuous power.  Lightly used VIRB Elites in good condition can be purchased on eBay for $150 if you use care in seller selection.  You will want the snap-in cradle; a remote control is available.

I have cradles on all three motorcycles and my track Mustang.  For the Norge, it's upside down hanging from the fairing nose.  Hasn't hit the mudguard yet even with San Diego potholes.  Remote control is Velcro-strapped to clutch reservoir.  VIRB Edit uses every bit of CPU you have and then some.  But the results are cool, especially from the track.

[stubbie]

Make sure you buy the Go Pro with the ability to remove the fish eye lens distortion which may be 4 and above. And you can use Windows Movie Maker on you computer.
Or if you buy a Sony you get a free program called Action Cam Movie Maker that seems easy to use.
And I use one of these that I fitted to my mirror bolt https://www.futureshop.mu/products/puluz-gopro-hero5-session-5-4-session-4-3-3-2-1-sports-camera-puluz-aluminum-motorcycle-bracket-aluminum-alloy-mount-with-tripod-adapter-screw-color-blue
PS I didn't pay $80

[JukeboxGothic]

I gave up on the GoPro and went over to the Sonys a while back. I was working on a bike mounted gimble that took the role out when cornering. It was so efficient It also removed vibration. It was water cut aluminium and used larger motors than the rubbish gimbles on the market. Gave up on it as the Chinese would make them cheaper anyway.  If you are going to use a GoPro run it at 60FPS otherwise you will get pulsing of the image.

[wittangamo]

GoPro is like a lot of other brand names, you pay extra for the label. I did some homework and bought an Akaso V50 Elite. It shoots up to 4K with image stabilization, time-lapse, slo-mo, etc. Comes with two batteries and a charger, a remote, touchscreen, an app that lets you change settings and view through the lens on your phone, and a waterproof case and a variety of mounts. At $140, it’s half the cost of a Hero 7. Only drawbacks are poor low-light performance and no external mic option. Check the reviews on YouTube for samples.