This thread is dedicated to those with GoPro Camera's and any unique custom mounts you have made, tips for others, etc etc.
I've had GoPro camera's since they came out several years ago and were being advertised in Sky Mall (those catalogs on airplanes)! I was on a business trip, came across the advertisement and thought it was pretty cool, so I bought it. That's where my love affair with this awesome device begun. I've been fortunate enough to meet the founder of GoPro, Nick Woodman, a few times. Great guy that took a vision/concept and ran with it to one of the most popular sports/adventure cameras in the world. Enough about that.
First of all, I have found the connector screws to come loose pretty frequently. A quick trip to the local hardware store and I replaced all of them with M5 hex bolts. Here is a picture of the case I keep them in. It holds the connectors together MUCH MUCH better:
(http://s8.postimage.org/c202jil9d/Bolts.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/c202jil9d/)
The GoPro does come with some functional mounts, but I've aways wanted an extended mounting arm. Sure, GoPro sells all those little pieces, but I was sick of bolting them together, keeping them straight, etc. Therefore, I got some small PVC Pipe and made my own extenders with using two GoPro brackets to use on the top and bottom. Here are a few photos. If anyone wants the direction on how I made them, shoot me a private message:
(http://s7.postimage.org/d7haj7akn/Extenders_1.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/d7haj7akn/)
(http://s7.postimage.org/z97kt8v2f/Extenders_2.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/z97kt8v2f/)
I love doing time lapse photography and having a GoPro makes it so easy with the preset photo option within a given amount of time (every 2 seconds, 5 seconds, etc). To do some interesting ones, I took an egg timer and rigged it up to mount on a tripod and then the camera on top. You get an awesome 60 minute, 360 degree time lapse. It's very cool. I wanted a bit more functionality, so I purchased a mechanical water hose timer and did the same thing. Works like a dream.
(http://s15.postimage.org/nbsp3d6hz/One_Hour.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/nbsp3d6hz/)
(http://s18.postimage.org/8xtwpda2t/Two_Hour.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/8xtwpda2t/)
And of course the bag I keep everything in!
(http://s15.postimage.org/neh63xzjb/Bag.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/neh63xzjb/)
I just got mine last weekend. I'll keep this thread at the top so I can tinker with ideas brought here. I'll be filming my first run this weekend, can't wait. Only issue for me is editing the video, I suck at that so any software that helps I welcome.
Are you using Windows or a Mac computer?
Lots of options for video editing programs, but none of them are exactly "easy." However, I have found that Pinnacle Studios (Windows based program) is probably the easiest on the market to use.
Got my Hero2 for Valentines day but haven't had a whole lot of opportunites to use it yet.
Quote from: CayoHueso on March 21, 2012, 08:06:07 AM
Are you using Windows or a Mac computer?
Lots of options for video editing programs, but none of them are exactly "easy." However, I have found that Pinnacle Studios (Windows based program) is probably the easiest on the market to use.
Mac. I downloaded GoPro Cineform Studio
Quote from: muskrat on March 21, 2012, 12:19:33 PM
Mac. I downloaded GoPro Cineform Studio
Honestly,
I kind of like plain old iMovie for making videos. Simple.
I may pick up a Hero 2 in a few days. I already bought 32Gig class 10 sandisk from b&h photo, auto charger 2 usb and plan to get the battery bac pac so I can charge on the bike.
Anyone DIY anything to hook up external mic and get decent bike ride videos along with ext. mic ?
Very interested in hooking up external mic.
as for editing, FCP X. If only i had creativity to edit nice cuts. I find it hard to cut a clip because I think it all looks good and is important. [bang]
ps. reason for getting go pro is in case some cagers f's me up, at least story can be told. I got to figure out easy way to turn it on and off ( i guess the blue tooth thing they are coming up will help). Had the 1st gen Go pro but that battery was sooo horrible.
Quote from: muskrat on March 21, 2012, 12:19:33 PM
Mac. I downloaded GoPro Cineform Studio
Cineforum is pretty limited, but nice for easy cuts. Like AB.....I use Final Cut X. I downloaded it off piratebay.org (note: I do not condone using torent sites). It is pretty complicated, but I am figuring it out. There are tons of How To videos on YouTube to learn the basics.
www.lynda.com (//http://) is a good website for Final Cut X tutorials.
Quote from: ab on March 21, 2012, 05:05:34 PM
I may pick up a Hero 2 in a few days. I already bought 32Gig class 10 sandisk from b&h photo, auto charger 2 usb and plan to get the battery bac pac so I can charge on the bike.
Anyone DIY anything to hook up external mic and get decent bike ride videos along with ext. mic ?
Very interested in hooking up external mic.
as for editing, FCP X. If only i had creativity to edit nice cuts. I find it hard to cut a clip because I think it all looks good and is important. [bang]
ps. reason for getting go pro is in case some cagers f's me up, at least story can be told. I got to figure out easy way to turn it on and off ( i guess the blue tooth thing they are coming up will help). Had the 1st gen Go pro but that battery was sooo horrible.
I don't have any experience with hooking up a mic, but check out:
goprouser.freeforums.org
It is a forum dedicated to GoPro's. You will find a TON of useful information. If it has been done...you will find it there.
As for the remote use.....it was supposed to be released in April, but they pushed it back again. I am not sure of the tentative date anymore. I find it rather easy to turn on and off by just using the buttons. I know on the forum I posted people have rigged up remote triggers for them. Kind of slick.
I think the noise at speed would be awful. I've tried this as well and it always ends up sounding like shit, unless you rigged a mic near the exhaust or the engine. If you have a dry clutch bike, all you hear is the rattling of the clutch if you run an open cover.
Quote from: CayoHueso on March 22, 2012, 05:22:29 PM
....
www.lynda.com (//http://) (//http://) (//http://) is a good website for Final Cut X tutorials.
.....
goprouser.freeforums.org
...
The best FCP X tutorial i found is by 1) Ripple Training 2) Larry Jordan. Highly recommend both and worth every penny.
I will have to check out the forum you mention for go pro. Really interested in hooking up the mic near the pipes :-)
Do any of you have the "battery bad pac" and does it really allow you to charge it and at the same time tape ? I was thinking to hook it up to the battery for continuous taping. Anyone try it ? and can confirm it works. Did they include the skelton door with it ?
Maybe I missed something but how do you know when you're battery is charged? And if I have the battery pack installed (2nd battery piggyback), will it charge both?
Quote from: ab on March 24, 2012, 06:56:13 PM
Do any of you have the "battery bad pac" and does it really allow you to charge it and at the same time tape ? I was thinking to hook it up to the battery for continuous taping. Anyone try it ? and can confirm it works. Did they include the skelton door with it ?
I have the extended battery and the LCD. sucks you can't use both at once, but I got the LCD basically to just set up my mounting before shooting. I hate the fact you really have no idea what you are seeing with the standard camera. Now I can mount the LCD, move camera around to get the positioning I want and then slap on the extended pack to get longer video/photo. You can get continuous power by plugging it in while shooting, but not sure how the cases work while doing this. I haven't tried it.
Quote from: muskrat on March 24, 2012, 08:23:16 PM
Maybe I missed something but how do you know when you're battery is charged? And if I have the battery pack installed (2nd battery piggyback), will it charge both?
Another great question and one that I was baffled by as well. If you are charging the standard battery in the camera the red light turns off when fully charged. There is a battery meter on the shitty display when it is fully charged. I just plug mine in for 3-4 hours and then think it is charged.
If you have the extended battery, you have to plug the charger into that......not the camera. It charges separately through its on USB port. I have no idea how you tell how this is fully charged since there is no indicator. There is a button that you hit that lights up 3 green lights. This indicates the battery strength. Obviously the more lights lit indicates more battery strength. Sorry I can't help more, but that is the best I have figured it out.
PM me if you want to chat more about this.
ok so if the battery pack is installed I still have to charge separately then right?
Oh and today I screwed up and filmed only part of what I intended, plus I mounted it too low and on the crash bar on my Harley and it bounced off that the whole way. [bang] I need that LCD display ASAP. This "good deal" I got is starting to be a money pit.
Quote from: muskrat on March 25, 2012, 06:25:19 PM
ok so if the battery pack is installed I still have to charge separately then right?
Oh and today I screwed up and filmed only part of what I intended, plus I mounted it too low and on the crash bar on my Harley and it bounced off that the whole way. [bang] I need that LCD display ASAP. This "good deal" I got is starting to be a money pit.
You are correct on the charging. I have no idea why it works that way, but it does. You have to charge them independently.
Dude, they are totally money pits!! The LCD is a must have if you want to guarantee accurate footage. I have taken plenty of shitty footage, mostly while mounting the camera on my helmet. Now that I have the LCD, I can check out what I am see prior to recording. I have my wife adjust the camera while mounted on my helmet to ensure good footage.
Definitely check out my fix for securing the brackets together. I've found the stock tightening bolts to slip and move. I use my M5 bolts now and it NEVER moves. Cheap fix.
Videos too right?
alex and kim ride Rev B.mp4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttRDNdmSrzk&feature=youtu.be#)
3 Drz 400's Me, My girlfriend Kim and my brother Jonathan.
Fun ride, Kim's first time on two wheels, She crashes very lady like.
Im white, brother bumble bee and Kim is lovely in Blue
Total Newbs with the HD gopro
Absolutely with the videos [thumbsup]
That's a good video. The GoPro is a bit quirky and takes some getting used to all the functions on it.
Looking for a tank mount now. Can't find my old one.
How you mount yours on tank? (not planning in using the suction mount and def not on helmet)
The LCD is bit too :-(
go with the ram mount system. Much more in the way of adjustments just over the bikini fairing. Mine is waiting for me to give her a run tomorrow. The gopro adapter is 8 bucks.
Did a quick looksie at ram mount but didn't see a tank mount. Don't really want handle bar mount or such. Need a shot of the gauges to give decent perspective of ride.
Something like this but cheaper version will do. Will probably need the gopro tripod mount adapter .
http://www.pashnit.com/more/cameramount.htm (http://www.pashnit.com/more/cameramount.htm)
Searching for external mic now Abd somehow hook it up near the pipes. Trying to find anyone that attempt that. There was a DMF post sometime ago with a DiY but can't find it or see what became of it.
Quote from: ab on March 26, 2012, 04:26:02 PM
Looking for a tank mount now. Can't find my old one.
How you mount yours on tank? (not planning in using the suction mount and def not on helmet)
The LCD is bit too :-(
The suction cup is bad ass. That thing will NOT come off. However, it doesn't stick to all surfaces very well. It sticks to my metal tanks just fine. It also will mount to carbon fiber just fine. I've seen them mounted on indy cars pulling over 3g's and they don't come off. I think JR Hildebrand is a GoPro Athlete.
I am a big fan of the helmet mounting too. It gives a very good perspective of what you see. If you are looking to record for the safety aspect in case something happens, I would think this form of video would be very beneficial as you know what you saw.
GoPro also makes two different size mounts that will bolt on to your trellis frame or fork. One of them is the "seat post" mount and the other is a "roll bar" mount. If you do get them, put some rubber between the bracket and your frame to help reduce vibration.
+1 on the RAM mount system. They are really nice.
Bought sandisk 32gb class 10. Good price at B & H photo. Bought SD card reader. Works ok to import when I hook the gopro via USB to my MacBook pro. But the SD card only, no luck. Errors out and unmounts.
Unable to update firmware via cine.. Studio. I guess I better check what version I got. Just picked it up over the weekend.
Which ram mount are you guys swearing by? Exact model? Are you mounting on handlebar? Not sure I want that. Still prefer tank mount but not sure if it's safe to have object like that protruding n poking my eye out incase of the unfortunate happens.
Ps just installed tapatalk - sweet
If you have the Hero 2 it says to NOT install the firmware update on the webpage.
It is up to date (currently).
Discovered that the rear fender on the Multi gives a GREAT location but horrible vibration.
Also discovered that 8GB is far too small for 720p@60fps. But I did get a great shot of some guy in an AMG E63 trying to drag race me light to light. [laugh]
Quote from: ZLTFUL on March 30, 2012, 07:58:34 AM
Discovered that the rear fender on the Multi gives a GREAT location but horrible vibration.
Also discovered that 8GB is far too small for 720p@60fps. But I did get a great shot of some guy in an AMG E63 trying to drag race me light to light. [laugh]
re vibration: Did you use that mystery white (or orange) rubber part on the mount?
It actually helps with vibration issues.
Brian R.
Yeah. The fender itself vibrates pretty bad. The new mount location only vibrates if I try to take off from a light in third gear. [laugh]
[laugh] [laugh]
If you have any exposed trellis (does ducati even make that anymore?) you can use the rollbar or seatpost mount to clamp on. However, buying some rubber to put on the mount before clamping on is a must.
MP4 files wont transfer to Imovie 09??? ??? ??? ??? ???
HELP.
Quote from: muskrat on March 30, 2012, 10:06:41 PM
MP4 files wont transfer to Imovie 09??? ??? ??? ??? ???
HELP.
No worries at all. You need to download MPEG Streamclip. It is a free program.
http://www.squared5.com/ (http://www.squared5.com/)
Here is a link to a forum where a guy gives a tutorial on how to do the conversion with Streamclip
http://mountainbikemayhem.com/helm-cam-video/edit-gopro-hd-videos-free-and-easy (http://mountainbikemayhem.com/helm-cam-video/edit-gopro-hd-videos-free-and-easy)
Let me know if you need help. I use this program and it is very simple. You do need Quicktime to use Streamclip, but if you are on a Mac, then you most likely have it.
Enjoy!
- Brian R.
I'll give it a shot today.
Thanks.
Ok, so I called GoPro support today about the bacpac and explained that I am trying to wire it up on the bike and be able to charge and record.
But the catch from my resarch is that the skeloton door does not have any opening on the back side. The lady at go-pro opened a bacpac and confirmed that the bacpac does not come with a backdoor that is open on the back-side to allow plugging in to the usb.
Since you have to have the bacpac to be able to charge and tape at the same time (from what i gather in this thread ), then what's the point of the ability to charge if there is no case that can handle the wiring ? She was baffled about that as well. it seems the skeleton opening is on top and side only .
So whoever has the bacpac, can you confirm ? What doors did they send?
How are you able to charge and record ? Isn't the charge and tape only done via the bacpac ? If yes, how then do you plug it with the case ?
Please clarify this in detail or pics if possible? I got the gopro auto usb charger and am looking into wiring it up.
Any info is appreciated.
I will take a look at my bacpac later today and will post a few pictures of it. I do believe the USB charging port is indeed on the side and there would be zero way way to put a charger in there, unless you drilled out a side piece for it.
Have you gone to the GoPro forum and posted your question? People there have done everything under the sun.
- Brian R.
Quote from: CayoHueso on April 04, 2012, 05:58:10 AM
I will take a look at my bacpac later today and will post a few pictures of it. I do believe the USB charging port is indeed on the side and there would be zero way way to put a charger in there, unless you drilled out a side piece for it.
Have you gone to the GoPro forum and posted your question? People there have done everything under the sun.
- Brian R.
Thanks. Let me know your findings please.
I believe the charger on the bacpac is on the bac and not the sides. The skeleton (adapter for bacpac) case doesn't have a door that is open on the back to allow usb charging and has got me concerned. If you can post up pics, that would be great.
yes, I will have to join the forum you mentioned in the thread [thumbsup]
Not sure if drilling a hole won't crack the case. I have tried on a pelican iphone case and it was not pretty.
Quote from: ab on April 04, 2012, 05:34:58 PM
Thanks. Let me know your findings please.
I believe the charger on the bacpac is on the bac and not the sides. The skeleton (adapter for bacpac) case doesn't have a door that is open on the back to allow usb charging and has got me concerned. If you can post up pics, that would be great.
yes, I will have to join the forum you mentioned in the thread [thumbsup]
Not sure if drilling a hole won't crack the case. I have tried on a pelican iphone case and it was not pretty.
Your feelings are indeed correct. On the skeleton batterypac, the "vents" are on the top. The USB chargers is on the back, but there is no access to it due to the back being solid plastic. I agree that drilling might crack it. I know this is a pretty bootleg idea and wouldn't look great, but maybe use a woodburner or maybe a soldering iron and melt through the plastic? It wouldn't crack it, but something hot might work to melt the plastic away.
Quote from: CayoHueso on April 04, 2012, 07:32:25 PM
Your feelings are indeed correct. On the skeleton batterypac, the "vents" are on the top. The USB chargers is on the back, but there is no access to it due to the back being solid plastic. I agree that drilling might crack it. I know this is a pretty bootleg idea and wouldn't look great, but maybe use a woodburner or maybe a soldering iron and melt through the plastic? It wouldn't crack it, but something hot might work to melt the plastic away.
Thanks for checking and confirming. It is kind of strange they don't provide that back door that has access to the usb charger. It's really useless to have a charger that you can record at the same time but with no access [roll] Hopefully they will remedy that.
Good suggestions on the soldier or wood burner. Will look into that for sure.
[thumbsup]
hmm streaming it via apple tv (the 720p) looks good. It must be my computer can't handle it. I will try to put the video on an external fire wire hard drive and see how it plays on the macbook pro. Mind you it is a laptop from 2006 or so [bang] Just like editing video should be done on a separate hard drive than where your operating system is, the same goes for watching it probably on older laptops like mine. Anyhow, user error. (Just thought to share the dumb things I am going through)
Ok I tested my GoPro Hero 2 for about 3 days. I mounted it on top of my helmet. 1080p-30 setting; wide FOV; SD card 32gig San disk class 10 with 45mb per second.
Tried to watch it on my Mac. Ok I see it but the frame just stutters. I mean the quality is nice, but the video sucks. Nothing smooth. Just jitters. See a few secs then gets stuck sound still moving then catches up for a bit. Horrible.
Wtf - how come every1 seems to have nice shot but not mine?
What settings are you using where u captured your bike ride?
They are big files, brother. You need a fast computer to get them to stream smoothly. Mine even stutters at times on a Mac Desktop (no idea the model, but one with a big screen). I am not sure how they stream on a PC as I've never tried it. The quality of the video is awesome, so much better than the first generation model.
yep, 1st gen was horrible. I had it and lent it to a friend last year or so and haven't bothered to pick it up yet (hmm I need to and use it for spare parts - the case mainly). The battery life was just horrible. 10 min max in my experience.
I am impressed by the quality of hero2. As for the file size, i will try to use compressor and see if is manageable.
I Only wish it had a feature where I can continuously record (when it reaches max, it will erase and keep recording). Kind of like black-box. I Mainly plan to use it for safety reasons. I record and then just erase it.
I finally got around to edit some video I took last fall. No music or anything fancy. Just throw something together. Enjoy.
Edit: I used the sticky to mount the camera as close to the center of the chin guard on my helmet. The other views were taken with the suction cup mounted on the rear cowl and tank. I tried mounting on the side of the tank but it didn't turn out too well, due to the angle.
Ducati Monster S2R1000 on Buford Dam Loop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mVTeynaqmg#)
Picked up a Hero 2 last a couple weeks ago. Pretty awesome [thumbsup]
So far, though, the only thing I've really got to use it for was to attach it to my springer spaniel while he was running around. Interesting to see the world from his OCD POV [laugh]
I'm liking the chest mount. Think I'll probably use it for MTB or on the Monster, as you get a pretty good view of the cockpit on the bike.
Also, someone mentioned external mics. I plugged in my Zoom H1 recorder, and used it as an external mic. I know the audio quality on it is top notch, so I think it'll work out pretty well, though it needs a second mount ??? maybe not the best solution, but it'll sound good.
Only bad thing, the housing won't allow for the audio plug use? Seems kind of silly. So I'm thinking I'll record audio tracks seperate, then sync them back up to the video when editting, but I need better software for that...so I'm on the hunt.
No longer a Mac guy...which kind of sucks when it comes to stuff like this...
So I picked up one (new HD model) the other week. I think I got a bum battery as it's lasted only 100 min in bench tests and less in real life. What sort of life you you expect? From reading it should be around 4 hours
But I did manage to capture an early session at a track day. On the tech side I wired up an Audio-Technica ATR-35S Lavalier Mic using the 3.5 mm jack. I routed the wires though the frame and under the seat of my KTM 690. The power section is under seat for easy access. The mic is routed out through the tail and taped under the rear plastics (rear section for light and plate was removed for the track). Positioned there I get about 0 wind noise. You just hear the exhaust and occasional tire screech.
Little sample chancing my buddy on his 1100S until I get tied up with slow traffic (no passing in turns during this session)
Chasing Frank at Summit Point (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnJ6RuxNfGc#)
I can proform GoPro from work for a discount. Here is the list of what I am going to get. Let me know if there is anything else I might need.
HD Hero2 Motorsports Edition
The Wi-Fi Bacpac + Wi-Fi Remote Combo Kit
Handlebar Seatpost Mount
SanDisk 32GB SD Memory Card (Class 10)
Total Cost $250
Holy crap...can you get me one too? lol
Nice discount... jerk!
All you need is the motosport kit initially. You might save the wi-fi for later - not like it's going to be far from you on the bike.
Might look at the Roll-bar mount as a possible way to mount to forks. Haven't tried it though.
If you want to get a little more crazy - look around at info on external mics. My tests with the stock, internal mic just got me a lot of irritating noise. I could hear the whine from the valve train, wind and muffled exhaust - and jumbled up and messy. In that vid above with a pretty cheap powered Mic I got rid of the extra noise crap.
It didn't arrive in time, but I've got a flex book mic like you'd stick in your lap top for skype and a 12' cord that I'm going to test out. That set up ran about $5 on Amazon for the mic and extension. Quality is tbd, but a couple videos I saw illustrating similar set ups showed a marked improvment in the sound. Of course you must drill a hole in the case for the mic connection
I have to buy it all at once for the 50% off. Sorry cant get for any one else. Guess I need to add some battery's. I will use it for other things like 4x4ing so the Wi-Fi will help. I will look into the cage mount.
Quote from: BerettaMato on June 26, 2012, 09:23:43 AM
I have to buy it all at once for the 50% off. Sorry cant get for any one else. Guess I need to add some battery's. I will use it for other things like 4x4ing so the Wi-Fi will help. I will look into the cage mount.
get an extra bag of the sticky mounts!
I didn't think I'd use them, but I've found them to be the most useful...assuming you don't mind a mount plate attached to something permanently.
They aren't that hard to get off. Heat from a hair dryer and plastic scraper will do the job quickly. Or heat + just twisting/rocking will work after a while. Some other discussions tell that goo-gone works well too, be needs to be done in a couple stages as initially you only hit the outer most edge and it doesn't spread.
Has anyone tried sliding one on a cord/cable?
I think they call them "sky dollies" or something like that. I'm not a videographer [laugh]
My thoughts are that it would essentially be a go pro on a zip line. Route some para cord through a mount, clip one end somewhere, and then let the camera slide down it to get some moving arial shots.
I was thinking of trying this to get a cool aerial shot of our camp sight on an up coming backpacking trip.
Hello all , I haven't posted here in a long time as I spend most of my time over on B.A.R.F. and M.S.
But I would like to share this with you.
Working Prototype Gyro Cam Mount
After seeing what others have been trying and making. I began to look at other products, or I should say search for specific products. Light weight is not the main concern, but fabricating a product small ( still trying) and tough to handle Motorsports, mainly motorcycles. It must have multiple mounting points and handle a GoPro with the battery bac-pack. The GoPro mount was one of the first things that I was concerned about but it might be an option latter. The next goal is to try it out on the road this weekend along with thinking about a smaller mount.
A short video
Gyro Sports Cam Mount for GoPro Contour and others.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NM9hi88gzQ#)