Got a GoPro Hero, Let's Talk Mounting

["Dangerous" Dan K]

So I scored a Hero for my b'day. Let's talk about mounting locations. I took a test run today in the truck and love the video quality, but the suction mount and accessories that extend it seem too flimsy and result in blurry video. I'm thinking I'll be trying to use just the hard adhesive mounts with as little moving bits as possible.

Where do you guys have them, how do you like it and any tips or tricks?

I really want it on my tail section so I can critique my BP (which I know sucks). Thing is, the EX tail is not held on all that great. I may have to add some serious zip ties, maybe some foam, whatever to secure it enough.

Also thinking a front mount for POV racing footage, probably just mounted on the windshield.

I also like the lower angles, fork legs etc., but don't really know what people are using for those. Adhesive mounts on the fairing? Aftermarket mounts off fork legs?

Take me to church, I know nothing about this and would like to be shooting decent video by Saturday, with likely only Friday Penguin practice to shake out the bugs.

Thanks.

[DankDirtyBird]

[MikePan]

Lol

don't extend the mount any more than you have to cause the camera will shake violently if your on the track, even with the double sided sticky tape mount, i tried that setup on my tail section and it was not good

[Dannyf]

I used the supplied suction mount for this one.
‪KX450f SM blast‬‏ - YouTube


And I just installed the handlebar mount tonight.

[duey]

I used this mount last week at BoMo TD and it worked out pretty damn well for sticking so far out. Its a combination of aluminum arms from a "Sticky pod" camera setup attached to a tripod mount for the gopro.

[MikePan]

That was a sick mount plus you had the lcd accessory to check the camera angle

["Dangerous" Dan K]

I used this mount last week at BoMo TD and it worked out pretty damn well for sticking so far out. Its a combination of aluminum arms from a "Sticky pod" camera setup attached to a tripod mount for the gopro.

That looks REAL nice!

That was a sick mount plus you had the lcd accessory to check the camera angle

I have been wishing I had gotten that screen already, just from the test run on the truck to check angle. The weatherproof case prohibits connecting it to the laptop while mounted to look at angle, so it looks like a lot of trial and check on pc, then adjust for me. If I had some sort of gimballed mount I'd probably still invest in the LCD screen, but if I'm using the minimal amount of parts with the adhesive mounts I can deal with a little extra first time setup annoyance.

I really like the extended metal mount, seems like you could get some killer angles. Not sure how it'd work out in racing though, we tend to get REALLY close to each other already. Extra metal bits sticking out doesn't strike me as ideal.

[Pittenger5]

Im not talking about mounting anything with DDK around.

[duey]

[quote="Dangerous" Dan K;1084752]That looks REAL nice!


I have been wishing I had gotten that screen already, just from the test run on the truck to check angle. The weatherproof case prohibits connecting it to the laptop while mounted to look at angle, so it looks like a lot of trial and check on pc, then adjust for me. If I had some sort of gimballed mount I'd probably still invest in the LCD screen, but if I'm using the minimal amount of parts with the adhesive mounts I can deal with a little extra first time setup annoyance.

I really like the extended metal mount, seems like you could get some killer angles. Not sure how it'd work out in racing though, we tend to get REALLY close to each other already. Extra metal bits sticking out doesn't strike me as ideal.[/quote]

Screen is key when you're trying out different mounting technique's IMO. If you stick to the standard helmet or handle bar mounting then it won't get much use.

btw here's a vid using that mount.
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rmnVdk98og"]‪BostonMoto Trackday 8/1/2011 - 5th Session‬‏ - YouTube[/url]
Main issue with my mount is that damn vibration noise. I used 2 rubber washers mounting it but I guess it wasn't enough.

No way would I use that rig for racing, you guys get close enough to smell each others farts so yeah for sure forget about anything that sticks out further than your knees/elbows. But the mount I used I'll be setting up something that will allow the camera to sit straight up behind me (good for body positioning shots is the goal). My hyper has the mounting screw directly in front of the taillight so I'm going to try and fab up something that'll work for my next trackday

["Dangerous" Dan K]

Screen is key when you're trying out different mounting technique's IMO. If you stick to the standard helmet or handle bar mounting then it won't get much use.

btw here's a vid using that mount.
http://youtu.be/2rmnVdk98og
Main issue with my mount is that damn vibration noise. I used 2 rubber washers mounting it but I guess it wasn't enough.

No way would I use that rig for racing, you guys get close enough to smell each others farts so yeah for sure forget about anything that sticks out further than your knees/elbows. But the mount I used I'll be setting up something that will allow the camera to sit straight up behind me (good for body positioning shots is the goal). My hyper has the mounting screw directly in front of the taillight so I'm going to try and fab up something that'll work for my next trackday

Sometimes we tuck in our knees/elbows for each other I was passed by an expert last weekend that had an elbow on my bike (we think it was the fork leg but neither of us looked too close) as he came by. I had my knee and elbow tucked in to keep from hitting him. I think I'm going to stick to solid mounts on my bike.

[nhbubba]

I so want one of these things. In to see what people come up with..

[korndogg]

I just got one of these and used it for the first time today. Stuck it to the gas tank with the suction cup - viewing through the windshield. I was surprised how smooth the video is. No bad audio noise. Maybe I'll upload a clip.

[doug1611]

Mounting on something solid or making it solid with as few parts is the key. Mounting on the front of the tank at the right angle gives a good shot and lets you see your speed and gear shifts (assuming you have that on the bike).

One secret I found is when using the hard adhesive mounts is to tear off a small piece of a paper towel, napkin or tissue and lay it on the mount, then slide the clip into it. This makes the connection much tighter, less vibration.
You'll have to experiment with the correct thickness of the paper, you want it as tight as you can then tear off the extra.

I also mounted one on top of my helmet which makes for a great shot but I don't think they allow it anymore, at least not for the races. (maybe track day?)

[Pigman]

Also.....a Good idea is to Saftey wire it too. I can't tell you how many people have lost or had there cam fly off and loose it... esp if your doing a Track Day.

[OreoGaborio]

Dan, you saw the vid of my "battle" with Doucette, right?

For the front I used a sticky mount right on the front of the tank. Used two SHORT extension arms to move the camera forward and up a little to get it right up to the steering damper.

For the rear, a sticky mount to the undertray. Then I drilled through both edges of the sticky mount and the undertray and added a little safety wire to make sure it stayed on. No arms.


If you wanna get one on the tail, I would probably stick it directly onto the grab bar if you've still got one. If not, I'd probably mount it drectly onto the subframe and make a small hole for an arm to go through whatever it needs to go through to get above the tail.

You could try mounting it on the tail itself but it might get pretty shaky unless the bodywork is mounted pretty solid.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

Thanks all. Pete, I have not seen that vid but will look for our when back at my pc.

I will check out the tank today. For the tail, I think my only solid point is the grab bar. Thinking a later of rubber roof to damp vibration. I'm going to see if a buddy can fab me up an aluminum bracket for the handle with a flat surface on top for the adhesive mount. Thoughts? Will the rubber roof do me or should I use something else?

[OreoGaborio]

Curved sticky mount won't work? Long shot but give it a try if you haven't already.

Some sort of bar clamp might work, too.

There's a regular bar clamp for 20 bucks
http://gopro.com/camera-mounts/handl...eatpost-mount/

and a roll cage clamp for 30.
http://gopro.com/camera-mounts/roll-bar-mount/

["Dangerous" Dan K]

The curves mount does not grab enough real estate for me to be comfortable. Bar and cage mounts are a good idea, I'll take some measurements when i get home and check them out.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

So I got a chance to get out to the bike w/ the camera and mounts. I'm skeptical of the tank mount, it could end up in my way and I'd need a few extensions to get it to clear the cluster/etc.

The windscreen looks like a viable option, and is fairly solid. It's held on with 4-6 good sized REALLY tight zip ties, and even though that is a ghetto way to mount it the thing seems pretty damn solid. Worth a shot.

For a lower shot up front I can go to the bottom of the fairing, fairly close to the fairing cage where it is solidly mounted. This one might work as well.

The grab bar is going to be tricky. Not anywhere near enough real estate for a sticky mount, and it's not round in the least. It's an odd oval shape, and I don't have the tools here to accurately measure it. I'm hoping I can get all my #'s at my buddy's shop so I can draw it up and he can machine me something. Based on how far it is from round, I have my doubts about how a round mount like for the bars or roll cages would work.

I'll keep up with this thread as I experiment, but keep any ideas and input coming in the mean time!

Also, Pete, I checked out that vid and I love both angles. The quality is sweet off the tank, with the windscreen blocking the wind it just may work. I'll give it a go.

I loved the undertail camera, if I had a couple/few I'd probably run one like that. I may give it a whirl sometime anyway.

[OreoGaborio]

put it on the tank where it would end up... put it in photo mode & take a picture. Look at it on your PC and there's your view.

With the clamp mounts, especially the roll bar mount, it doesn't have to be perfectly round.

[Trickniner]

I just got one and this past weekend and tried out a few mounting options. I ended up using the wrong aspect ratio for the swingarm mount. I think the 16:9 would have been better by allowing more of the the road alongside me in the shot, although adjusting the angle probably would have helped.The tail section is a little shaky but with some tweaking the swingarm and helmet view will definitely work out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1lL81wUoks

I also want to try out the suction mount on the take like others have mentioned. The forward view would be good but I also think you can get a pretty cool angle by facing the camera back at yourself and using the 4:3 aspect ratio to get a lot in the frame. Also I've seen guys use the suction mount off the right headlight area to get a shot back at the riders and the right controls so you can see the brake and throttle control.