Yesterday I bought a 1 3/4 inch billet aluminum roll bar clamp to hold a GoPro camera, I got it from Joe's Racing Products through the Summit Racing Pro Shop.

Now the question is:

Which GoPro camera version is the best option and the best value. The only place I intend on using the camera is on the race car so dealing with vibrations is important.

Thanks for any responses.

Bob

If I were buying a new Go-Pro it would be the 360 version.

I have bought a bunch of GoPros with latest version being the Hero 9 and I have been very disappointed with them all. Terrible battery life in Texas heat. They all got stolen and want to get another camera, I do not mind spending money but do not want more useless junk.

I have the crappiest one they made 10 years ago, and the video quality is outstanding.

If I were looking for something today, I'd probably go to Amazon and get something for $50-100 with a lot of positive reviews.

Thanks for the responses guys.

I'll probably end up having spending more for the roll bar clamp ($100) than the camera.

$50 "Positively" sounds good to me Tony! It'll probably get stolen in the first month anyway.

Bob

I have a Hero10 and it does excellent with vibrations, but I put it in "activity" mode. Don't skimp of the SD cards, buy the most memory and "action" you can. I'll agree the battery life leaves something to be desired though.

quote:

Originally posted by Yellow Ticket:
I have a Hero10 and it does excellent with vibrations, but I put it in "activity" mode. Don't skimp of the SD cards, buy the most memory and "action" you can. I'll agree the battery life leaves something to be desired though.

Will it not last a whole race? My Roam2 I have made 12 videos at a double race I won of them at. I only run it from just before staging until I turn off though.

My problem with the Go Pro Hero 4 (?) I was gifted is that by the time I got it out of the box it was obsolete, and the apps for the phone to operate it are half a$$ed at best. I dunno, it's probably me but it is more irritation that what the video is worth.
I should probably put one of the grandkids in charge of it.

There are a few of us that race together quite often that have cameras. Yes we point them at the other lane like NHRA says not to. I have never had anyone complain about them. Most like seeing their cars in the videos win or lose.

I have never understood the rule against pointing them at the other lane. You can't do anything with the video until you are in the trailer anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
There are a few of us that race together quite often that have cameras. Yes we point them at the other lane like NHRA says not to. I have never had anyone complain about them. Most like seeing their cars in the videos win or lose.

I have never understood the rule against pointing them at the other lane. You can't do anything with the video until you are in the trailer anyway.

I had mine angled just a bit to the other lane at the bracket finals on a time shot. They stopped me at the time ticket booth and made me point it straight. This was before they outlawed having them on top of the cage of dragsters. Most fellow racers like it watching the race after. Like you said nothing can be done about it till later anyway.

I have a couple of GoPro Hero 5 sessions and the form factor is nice for the race cars since they are nice and small. Video quality is great as well, but obviously not quite as good as the new ones because they’re generations old at this point.

My wife got me an insta360 x3 for Xmas 2 gears ago and it’s really neat. It films in 360* all the time and you can frame the video however you want after and share it in either 360 or a regular “flat” video. Here’s an example: https://youtu.be/Ps4C78RfH_M?si=JZqJtTKeh8I2f2dG

This prompted me to look up the NHRA Rule concerning cameras and how they are mounted. One camera is allowed but how it is attached is very specific, it must be a metal mount but not a metal hose clamp and not pointed at the other race car. I bought a nice billet metal clamp from Joe's Racing Products, expensive but nice.

The reason I wanted to film the run was to show my wife what it looks like while I'm making a run. I can't see any advantage to pointing the camera at the other car, but if that's the rule so be it.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by RPROGAS:
This prompted me to look up the NHRA Rule concerning cameras and how they are mounted. One camera is allowed but how it is attached is very specific, it must be a metal mount but not a metal hose clamp and not pointed at the other race car. I bought a nice billet metal clamp from Joe's Racing Products, expensive but nice.

The reason I wanted to film the run was to show my wife what it looks like while I'm making a run. I can't see any advantage to pointing the camera at the other car, but if that's the rule so be it.

Bob

Bob, point it behind you sometime also. It gives a cool perspective of the acceleration.

I have pointed them backwards and that was cool a few times. I have set it up where I could watch what happened to rear suspension during burn out and during a run. That can be helpful. Also I have used it as a poor mans data logger where I could go back and see water temp, Shift RPM and oil pressure.

They can be very helpful for sure but I am less than impressed with the GoPros overall.