GoPro Question
GoPro Question
Im new to using a GoPro. I have a trip coming up this summer and I want to use the camera to get pics as I drive. My question, while youre driving do you use voice commands or the GoPro phone app to control your GoPro? Any additional tips for using a
GoPro while riding are appreciated.
Thanks!
GoPro while riding are appreciated.
Thanks!
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 210
Likes: 108
From: East Central South Dakota
I run a Hero Black 7. I have a claw attachment on the right handle bar so it sits up behind my windshield, high enough the view is not obstructed by the windshield. Idea is within reach to hit record & up behind the windshield to reduce bug splatter on the lens, but I still take time to clean the lens at each stop/gas stop.
I just shoot video & then use GoPros ability to snap a picture from the video when, during editing. I power the GoPro off the bike, ran a fused usb lead to the battery. GoPro battery life sucks IMO. I just hit the record button whenever I feel the ride ids video to photo worthy.
I once did a post on my set up & will either pm you or reply again with the link.
I just shoot video & then use GoPros ability to snap a picture from the video when, during editing. I power the GoPro off the bike, ran a fused usb lead to the battery. GoPro battery life sucks IMO. I just hit the record button whenever I feel the ride ids video to photo worthy.
I once did a post on my set up & will either pm you or reply again with the link.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 210
Likes: 108
From: East Central South Dakota
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,731
Likes: 22,825
From: North Carolina
Batteries, Batteries, Batteries and more Batteries.
I have an older Hero 5 Black that has been a good unit. I am close to updating to a 360 camera.
At first I tried shooting still photo’s to save battery life and just found it too difficult to drive, watch and shoot.
I discovered I could video for 15 to 30 seconds or ever how long I want to and extract my still photo frames from the video.
Did I mention these things eat up batteries?
I have tried both the remote (battery life is short) and the cell phone app. The app works good and you have a good visual of what is happening and what the camera captures. However I have found almost every time I used it that it would eventually freeze and I would have to stop and reset it.
With those problems I simply started keeping the camera on a handlebar mount. It is programmed to start videoing with a press of the top shutter button, and another push and it stops and I see it “Saving”.
I do this many times during a ride and it has proven to be the most simple way to use it for me.
Make sure you invest in a couple of 128gb or 256gb Extreme SD cards. Learn how long your batteries last and plan ahead to switch them out as you stop for breaks to assure you have plenty of power. My unit is an older unit now, but from my research battery life is still a major issue with all the newer units as well.
I know this probably doesn’t address your main question, but hope it may help you plan and prepare. Try it out several times prior to your trip.
Also keep an eye on your lens as you stop and plan to clean off the bugs or you’ll be unhappy later.
Enjoy
I have an older Hero 5 Black that has been a good unit. I am close to updating to a 360 camera.
At first I tried shooting still photo’s to save battery life and just found it too difficult to drive, watch and shoot.
I discovered I could video for 15 to 30 seconds or ever how long I want to and extract my still photo frames from the video.
Did I mention these things eat up batteries?
I have tried both the remote (battery life is short) and the cell phone app. The app works good and you have a good visual of what is happening and what the camera captures. However I have found almost every time I used it that it would eventually freeze and I would have to stop and reset it.
With those problems I simply started keeping the camera on a handlebar mount. It is programmed to start videoing with a press of the top shutter button, and another push and it stops and I see it “Saving”.
I do this many times during a ride and it has proven to be the most simple way to use it for me.
Make sure you invest in a couple of 128gb or 256gb Extreme SD cards. Learn how long your batteries last and plan ahead to switch them out as you stop for breaks to assure you have plenty of power. My unit is an older unit now, but from my research battery life is still a major issue with all the newer units as well.
I know this probably doesn’t address your main question, but hope it may help you plan and prepare. Try it out several times prior to your trip.
Also keep an eye on your lens as you stop and plan to clean off the bugs or you’ll be unhappy later.
Enjoy
Batteries, Batteries, Batteries and more Batteries.
I have an older Hero 5 Black that has been a good unit. I am close to updating to a 360 camera.
At first I tried shooting still photos to save battery life and just found it too difficult to drive, watch and shoot.
I discovered I could video for 15 to 30 seconds or ever how long I want to and extract my still photo frames from the video.
Did I mention these things eat up batteries?
I have tried both the remote (battery life is short) and the cell phone app. The app works good and you have a good visual of what is happening and what the camera captures. However I have found almost every time I used it that it would eventually freeze and I would have to stop and reset it.
With those problems I simply started keeping the camera on a handlebar mount. It is programmed to start videoing with a press of the top shutter button, and another push and it stops and I see it Saving.
I do this many times during a ride and it has proven to be the most simple way to use it for me.
Make sure you invest in a couple of 128gb or 256gb Extreme SD cards. Learn how long your batteries last and plan ahead to switch them out as you stop for breaks to assure you have plenty of power. My unit is an older unit now, but from my research battery life is still a major issue with all the newer units as well.
I know this probably doesnt address your main question, but hope it may help you plan and prepare. Try it out several times prior to your trip.
Also keep an eye on your lens as you stop and plan to clean off the bugs or youll be unhappy later.
Enjoy
I have an older Hero 5 Black that has been a good unit. I am close to updating to a 360 camera.
At first I tried shooting still photos to save battery life and just found it too difficult to drive, watch and shoot.
I discovered I could video for 15 to 30 seconds or ever how long I want to and extract my still photo frames from the video.
Did I mention these things eat up batteries?
I have tried both the remote (battery life is short) and the cell phone app. The app works good and you have a good visual of what is happening and what the camera captures. However I have found almost every time I used it that it would eventually freeze and I would have to stop and reset it.
With those problems I simply started keeping the camera on a handlebar mount. It is programmed to start videoing with a press of the top shutter button, and another push and it stops and I see it Saving.
I do this many times during a ride and it has proven to be the most simple way to use it for me.
Make sure you invest in a couple of 128gb or 256gb Extreme SD cards. Learn how long your batteries last and plan ahead to switch them out as you stop for breaks to assure you have plenty of power. My unit is an older unit now, but from my research battery life is still a major issue with all the newer units as well.
I know this probably doesnt address your main question, but hope it may help you plan and prepare. Try it out several times prior to your trip.
Also keep an eye on your lens as you stop and plan to clean off the bugs or youll be unhappy later.
Enjoy
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 453
From: Canada
My wife bought me a GoPro 9. I've been using it with mixed results.
As @Cosmic Razorback stated - batteries. I've pulled my 12V socket and installed a USB plug, run a USB-C cable up the handlebars to the RAM mount on the brake clamp. I also have a RAM ball on the left engine guard for the low w/wheel road shots. But the battery doesn't last long, so... run a cable across the tank..? The batteries changed with the GoPro 9, but stayed the same for the GP10. I only have the one battery as I have the charging cable, but I paid a lot of money for internal wiring, and circumvented it with this and the Lightning for CarPlay...
You can set the camera to take a photo every 5, 10, 30s, 1min [and such]. I just run video. I pull a photo if I want. [Another shoutout to Cosmic Razorback...]
Once you've ridden, now to see what you "got." The GoPro app on iOS kinda sucks. It's slow, and it is the only method i've found to get the speedometer "sticker" on the video - usually I don't -want- the speed to be displayed... So I use VLC to see what was captured in raw footage. I'm cheap - so I've been having pretty good success using iMovie to edit movies. Cutting the crap is important if you get to videoing. There is so much video on an hour ride, and you end up with the road rolling in front of you, which isn't like riding IMO. Audio is drone-ish, and I've been trying to record commentary to be yet another poor quality youtube commentator. [ha ha]
I've heard the GoPro 10 is less buggy - but that's always a sales gimmick. Maybe it is..
As @Cosmic Razorback stated - batteries. I've pulled my 12V socket and installed a USB plug, run a USB-C cable up the handlebars to the RAM mount on the brake clamp. I also have a RAM ball on the left engine guard for the low w/wheel road shots. But the battery doesn't last long, so... run a cable across the tank..? The batteries changed with the GoPro 9, but stayed the same for the GP10. I only have the one battery as I have the charging cable, but I paid a lot of money for internal wiring, and circumvented it with this and the Lightning for CarPlay...
You can set the camera to take a photo every 5, 10, 30s, 1min [and such]. I just run video. I pull a photo if I want. [Another shoutout to Cosmic Razorback...]
Once you've ridden, now to see what you "got." The GoPro app on iOS kinda sucks. It's slow, and it is the only method i've found to get the speedometer "sticker" on the video - usually I don't -want- the speed to be displayed... So I use VLC to see what was captured in raw footage. I'm cheap - so I've been having pretty good success using iMovie to edit movies. Cutting the crap is important if you get to videoing. There is so much video on an hour ride, and you end up with the road rolling in front of you, which isn't like riding IMO. Audio is drone-ish, and I've been trying to record commentary to be yet another poor quality youtube commentator. [ha ha]
I've heard the GoPro 10 is less buggy - but that's always a sales gimmick. Maybe it is..
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Novice
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 9
From: Central NY
What they said
I bought the Hero 7 silver and later the 8 plus two batteries and a charger wanted plenty of battery time and two cameras to switch for long trips through National Parks I ended up using the 7 more because the battery seems to drain faster on the 8? I mounted on the helmet so I could turn my head and look around to take more in I turned it on and off manually because I didnt think it would hear voice commands but practice and see? The helmet mount gave great shots and you can turn your head from side to side to catch more but it can also be a little annoying if you do it too much or too fast I had to make myself count for a few seconds to slow down the movements back and forth. Im technology challenged though so
. And Im not sure why but both cameras chunk clips into 11 or 17 minute lengths it might have been the phone I was using with the app at that time someone said but no idea. Its great to have footage and you can add music from your phone music library after which is great