Action Cam Options

[RandallS]

As I ride, for some reason I rarely feel like stopping to take photos, so I was considering getting an Action camera to either mount on helmet or handlebars. As I'm really not sure about the utility of such a such a device (for me), I am no hurry to spend GoPro kinds of dollars.

Any suggestions on products or process?

Thanks

 

[onlineaddy]

Many options, at different price points, in this space. I too don't need the top entrant as I'm mostly using mine as a dash cam of sorts. Would have loved a 360° cam for all-around recording, but the ones with acceptable image quality (and workflow) are too costly for me. I settled on an AKASO action cam (in the Brave line) for a good cost/quality compromise. If you're looking for something better, I would recommend looking at DJI Osmo Action. Good luck!

 

[FezUSA]

I was in a similar situation a few years ago, wanted an action cam to put on my motorbike but also wanted to use it for scuba diving with the family, outdoor family adventures (zip lining, bike riding, vacation stuff) as well as being able to hand it off to one of the 5 kids and not be worried about damage or loss which ruled out a GoPro. Elected to go with the Yi action cam available on Amazon. Very happy with that choice and I know they now have 4k versions. Not quite as good as the current GoPro at the time, but better than the 1 model older GoPro and still much much cheaper.

A few years later and have since bought a GoPro for specific diving purpose and a special trip. It's newer and better, but not one that I will be handing off to the kids or using for anything else. If I was buying new right now with your (and my original criteria) I would get the newest equivalent of the Yi Action cam.

 

[Dewey]

I use a Kodak PixPro, but if I were to give one recommendation it would be to use a quality handlebar mount. I've gone through several cheap chinese action cam bar mounts bought off Amazon and they all failed in everyday street riding, on one occasion sending my camera careering down the road where it smashed to pieces (I'm on my 3rd camera). Recently I bought an official GoPro handlebar mount from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GCKO96C, which so far has worked well with my camera, I liked it came with 5 different width handlebar rubber shims, it's made of aluminum, and crucially clamps with a single hex-wrench screw, rather than what I was using previously low quality 2-adjustment screw mounts with brittle plastic screws that always shatter with handlebar vibration.

I also bought off ebay an additional male to male adapter/connector to make my camera case work with the mount.

The current Official GoPro handlebar mount has changed design to use a quick-release https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/mounts-accessories/handlebar-seatpost-pole-mount/AGTSM-001.html

 

[WattsUpDude]

In my experience, Sony has the best image stabilization with BOSS (Balanced Optical Steady Shot) and the best image quality, day and night (or low light setting).

Chinese ones like Yi 4K has pretty good value for quality, there are YouTube reviews everywhere.

I do like the GoPro for its shape and options though.. very easy to mount on chest unlike Sony.

If you go on YouTube, there are bunch of people comparing them side by side.

Having owned Sony action cams, they’re not the best at stabilization. The top two at stabilizing (without using a gimbal) are GoPro and DJI. I currently have a DJI Osmo Action on the front of my bike and my Sony on the rear rack. I’m thinking about getting the new Hero 9 since it can do horizon leveling without a gimbal.

These aren’t the latest cameras in this comparison but it’s still relevant:

 

[WattsUpDude]

okay, I just watched your video.. I didn't know GoPro already had Hero 9

wow, okay, it is better than Sony.

Your statement above would have been true just 3 years ago. Sony was definitely king at stabilization. This space moves fast. I’m a total Sony and DJI fan boy. I shoot with a a7III and an RX100V. I have a DJI Mavic Pro, Osmo Pocket and Osmo Action. The Hero 9 might be my first GoPro purchase. The footage so far looks really good.

 

[SoCalDave]

Dcrainmaker actually uses a wide variety of electronics for biking, swimming, running and hiking, and thoroughly reviews it.

General site:

Blog | DC Rainmaker

www.dcrainmaker.com

many action cam reviews, but doesn’t include the very most recent action cams (such as the HERO 9), which is reviewed elsewhere at his site:

Action Cams | DC Rainmaker

www.dcrainmaker.com

I purchased the Sony BOSS action cam when it first came out, and it did an amazing job of stabilization for that time. But I eventually bought the HERO 7 which did even better, and sold the Sony. Eventually I bought the HERO 8 and gave the 7 to my grandson for snowboarding. The Sony was too fiddly IMHO. The GoPros are super simple to operate and easily integrate with your smartphone and computer. GoPros are widely used not just because they advertise a lot, but because they are easy to use, have a huge array of accessories, and produce great results. They are so dominant that at one Banff film festival screening of a new film, the announcer jokingly stated that no GoPro footage was used in the making of the film.

 

[tomjasz]

I've been buying cameras from BangGood and Aliexpress stores. Cheap $40!

The Ultimate Eken H9R Review!

gimbalgarage.com

 

[Endi]

You might want to check out this Youtube video on the various kinds of Action Camera mounts for Bicycles. It'll give you a few ideas about where to mount the camera and common issues when recording video on a bike.

 

[WattsUpDude]

You might want to check out this Youtube video on the various kinds of Action Camera mounts for Bicycles. It'll give you a few ideas about where to mount the camera and common issues when recording video on a bike.

that video was uploaded 3 weeks ago but it looks like it was filmed in 2003.

 

[onlineaddy]

I use a chest mount when riding. Your body naturally takes out a lot of the bumps so they don't reach the cam.

 

[Endi]

that video was uploaded 3 weeks ago but it looks like it was filmed in 2003.

The content in the video is what matters and there's some good information in there for people who've never used an action camera on a bike. I learned a few things from it.

 

[RandallS]

Haven't pulled the trigger yet and now Costco has a Hero8 Black bundle for $399 CDN.

It includes The Handler, compact case, spare rechargeable battery and 32GB microSD card

Food for thought...

 

[WattsUpDude]

Haven't pulled the trigger yet and now Costco has a Hero8 Black bundle for $399 CDN.

It includes The Handler, compact case, spare rechargeable battery and 32GB microSD card

Food for thought...

I'm not sure if GoPro is running the same promo in Canadia as the current one in the US, but the Hero9 Black is currently $350 US for the camera, case, 32GB card and 1-year of GoPro subscription. The subscription gives you 30% off of any accessories bought from the GP website. So it's worth it if you plan to get something like the Max Lens mod (I want it but it's been OOS). For all other accessories, you're better off getting them on Amazon since they're at a fraction of the cost of the GoPro branded merchandise.

 

[RandallS]

The Canadian promo doesn't list the one year subscription, but everything else looks the same. If it is, based on the current rate of exchange, our offer may be superior. That is, of course, if the subscription is actually included. I can't imagine it wouldn't be.

With the 90 day return policy, I guess I can find out fast enough if I want to.

 

[WattsUpDude]

The Canadian promo doesn't list the one year subscription, but everything else looks the same. If it is, based on the current rate of exchange, our offer may be superior. That is, of course, if the subscription is actually included. I can't imagine it wouldn't be.

With the 90 day return policy, I guess I can find out fast enough if I want to.

Oh sorry...I didn't even mention that the offer that I was speaking of was for the Hero9 Black and not the Hero8.

 

[RandallS]

Oh sorry...I didn't even mention that the offer that I was speaking of was for the Hero9 Black and not the Hero8.

That's a darned good deal I think!

 

[WattsUpDude]

That's a darned good deal I think!

Looks like they actually sweetened the deal with the inclusion of the hand grip, swivel clip + spare battery. Might be a "black friday" deal.

 

[RandallS]

I think buying any electronics before BF would be foolish. I am very patient (for a change anyways).

 

[WattsUpDude]

I think buying any electronics before BF would be foolish. I am very patient (for a change anyways).

I’m pretty foolish. I’m of the mind that everything (especially tech) is always getting better and cheaper so I’ll just go ahead and purchase things that I can responsibly afford when I want it (and am able to utilize it). I've been using the camera almost every day for over a month now so I feel pretty good about it. Would have been nice to get that free battery, though.