GoPro / Action Cam Recommendations

[4Runfun]

I am looking for a budget friendly set up to record trail rides. Looking at used GoPros but also see brands like Asako which based on reviews might work but would love feedback here based on real world experience. Would a Dashcam work as well?

Looking for Pros/Cons for Camera and Mount Set up for JL

Thanks in advance

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[TylerV76]

I use a GoPro Hero 8, with a pass through battery door so I can keep it plugged in and charging, on a Bulletpoint mount and its been great. I also hold my iPad on this mount. Rock solid setup.

Went with the Hero 8 so I could get live preview if I mount it to the front bumper and want to use it as a trail cam.

https://a.co/d/1W94hbx

 

[Heimkehr]

I've both a GoPro Hero Black and an inexpensive clone in service at this time. The former is moved between motorcycles via proprietary mounts. The latter is affixed via a RAM ball & arm on a dashboard tray in the Jeep.

The clone is occasionally a bit buggy, which a quick unplug/repower quickly fixes. I use that one in the Jeep since 100% reliability, which the GoPro has always provided, is more important relative to its mission brief on a motorcycle.

 

[CarbonSteel]

I have the GoPro Hero 10 (may not meet the budget friendly part) with a pass through battery door.

I have it mounted on a Ram Mount tough track on the top of the dash using a Ram Mount double socket arm and hardware. Rock solid.

 

[BDinTX]

I only have recent experience with the GoPro 9 black so I can't make any comparisons to other units. But I have been dabbling in video and photography for quite a while and can make this generalized recommendation - don't put too much emphasis on really high recording resolutions (high pixel counts) unless you plan to use it.

Recording 4k video requires significantly more storage than 1080p, a more capable editing hardware, and in most cases it gets down converted to 1080p anyway.

 

[C.Sco]

Any downsides to just using a suction-cup mount on the front (outside) of the windshield, around where the rearview mirror is? That's what I'm thinking about doing, I guess I'm worried about it falling off though. I don't really use a gopro enough to justify any kind of permanent mounting.

 

[yokramer]

I only have recent experience with the GoPro 9 black so I can't make any comparisons to other units. But I have been dabbling in video and photography for quite a while and can make this generalized recommendation - don't put too much emphasis on really high recording resolutions (high pixel counts) unless you plan to use it.

Recording 4k video requires significantly more storage than 1080p, a more capable editing hardware, and in most cases it gets down converted to 1080p anyway.

And higher bitrate can be far more important if its an option.

 

[4Runfun]

I decided to go budget with the camera and ordered the Akaso 7000 camera

Camera - $60 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HGM33HG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and even though I have a cheap magnet phone holder which works great, I splurged for the Bulletpoint system here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Z47R2KD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

If anyone can wait - bulletpoint has 10% off from there site but I needed sooner.

 

[dpike]

i had a gopro on my motorcycle for a little bit, it was a pain in the ass to maintain. the battery door had to be off to run off of usb rather than batteries and i was pretty much just using it as a dash cam anyway. if you mount and wire a dash cam on your jeep right, it will power up with your jeep and always be recording for trail use or dashcam use. my dash cam has a remote button that if there's an "incident" you can tap that and it will keep that footage from getting eaten up in the loop recording, it's a pretty handy feature and would be good for trail use. the only time i remembered i had it was when i had to stop for a group of wild turkeys to cross the road.

 

[yokramer]

Any downsides to just using a suction-cup mount on the front (outside) of the windshield, around where the rearview mirror is? That's what I'm thinking about doing, I guess I'm worried about it falling off though. I don't really use a gopro enough to justify any kind of permanent mounting.

The supplied 3m backed mount is super low profile and hides behind the rear view mirror very well. Just make sure you have hte gopro connected when you stick it down to make sure it doesnt interfere with the mirror

 

[Ratbert]

I decided to go budget with the camera and ordered the Akaso 7000 camera

Camera - $60 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HGM33HG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and even though I have a cheap magnet phone holder which works great, I splurged for the Bulletpoint system here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Z47R2KD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

If anyone can wait - bulletpoint has 10% off from there site but I needed sooner.

Excellent idea. We've recorded countless hours and have never looked at any of it.

 

[GATORB8]

I've got a Hero5 Black and a Max. I have bulletpoint mounts for other electronics, but just use one of the GoPro suction mounts for dash footage.

Almost all my footage over the last few years is from the dash view, and to be honest, it's kind of boring. Running it for the whole trail makes massive files that you'll end up cutting way down anyways. Plus, as others have mentioned, you burn a bunch of battery.

I wouldn't have gotten the Max myself, it was a gift. Adds complexity for something that's gonna be difficult/unlikely to use anyways.

Especially if you ride with a passenger, I'd get a handheld/tripod setup for the better exterior shots at obstacles.

 

[TexasRay]

I use a GoPro Hero 11 Max/Mini? It is the one without the screen. It is mounted to a bulletpoint mount and we use it mostly for TimeWarp videos on road trips. It is great and very versatile. It does get SUPER HOT.

One downside is that if you try charging it in the media port, you will have to play games with your phone for pairing so you can live preview. Same if you have the remote. I am going to add a USB power to the dash so that I can just have it wired there and use the remote.

Here's some sample videos of the TimeWarp feature. As mentioned above, running at 4k is really overkill for most things...I've dialed the resolution back to 1080p and get some reasonable sized video files with good picture quality. Disclaimer: The videos are just for our family vacation recaps and such - not trying to start any sort of channel or anything like that...

Utah - Escalante.


Utah - Capitol Reef - Notom Road to switchbacks and Burr Trail.

 

[Heimkehr]

...don't put too much emphasis on really high recording resolutions (high pixel counts) unless you plan to use it.

Recording 4k video requires significantly more storage than 1080p, a more capable editing hardware, and in most cases it gets down converted to 1080p anyway.

I've set my GoPro to record in loop mode in 720p. That provides more than sufficient clarity for my requirements, which is simply to have a record of the offending driver's behavior as circumstances warrant. That setting has the beneficial collateral effect of allowing more footage to populate the micro SD card over time.

Those who want to post hi-res footage for Likes and Comments may have a different use case for their camera and editing software.

 

[MUD-H2O]

I have a GoPro 8, GoPro 10, and GoPro Max. I use various mounting solutions because watching a video from one perspective (ie. dashboard only) is kind of boring. So I have a Bulletproof RubiGrid for dash cam view (and my phone mount). I have Amazon magnet mounts that work great for attaching to the steel bumpers or underneath (like oil pan) for view of crawling over rocks. I also have a SeaSucker suction mount for side mount on the windows or side panels. All work great together.

I am considering selling my GoPro 8 (and all the accessories) because it doesn't record in 4k. It just looks weird when a video goes from crisp 4k from the GP 10 to the less 1080p from the GP 8. Let me know if anyone is interested in it and I can list out everything with a price.

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