OK Guys Santa brought me a GoPro Black for my holidays in June What accessories or advice would you suggest? I got the motorsport version, but I'm thinking I need a suction cup. So far I've been impressed with the built in Wi-Fi and linking it to the iPhone to see what the camera is seeing. Thanks
Depends on where you want the GoPro really mate. I have used just the sticky pad mounts on both my helmet and the nose cone.
If you really want a suction go, get an original one, don't get a cheap chinese knock-offs. Same goes to mounts. The mount itself is ok, but the adhesive sucks. Get the original 3M adhesive. I use mine on the helmet chin with the standard mount.
+3 3M pads all the way for me. They feel safer and are easier to find places to mount as the foot print is more forgiving than a suction mount.
Are the original GoPro sticky mounts 3M. Do you get them separate and if so where from? Does the suction mount cause damage, like the other Muffking suggests
The original mounts sold with the cameras or sold separately by GoPro use 3M adhesive. Who manufactures the mounts, I do not know. What I did was get the Chinese mounts from ebay and replace the adhesive with the 3M ones. Look it up: 3M VHB 4991. Got 1 meter of that adhesive for 7€ here in Portugal.
It's not damage that's the potential issue with suction mounts (unless it falls off and hits something on the way down). It's the likelihood of it falling off the bike at speed that's the issue, which is why sticky mounts are the preferred choice. Also keeping the mount short helps as it reduces vibrations in the camera.
my pal once borrowed a GoPro and suction mount, he used it on the side of his orange ZX10r at speeds, well its best I don't print them really. However it never moved once, but 'just in case' he made an emergency lanyard from the shoelace out of his Reebok Classic , which was far dirtier than the other shoe lace at the end of the trip. In addition to the mounts you need memory cards (or a way to back them up), additional batteries (or a power feed to 'top up the GoPro' when you stop for a coffee / lunch etc. Also spend a lot of time to learn how to use it, the remote control is easier to use than the app on the phone I find - and make sure you pals wait just 10 - 15 seconds for you to give the nod that its recording rather than zooming off while you are checking its OK. They are very good devices - also check the frame rate and resolution and if more than one person has a one on the trip match the settings as it aids the rendering / editing process.
If you're looking for genuine spares check out http://www.crookedimaging.co.uk/. They sell mounts individually and free postage. As Al has already mentioned,suitable memory cards that are up to capturing required resolution and spare batteries or a battery bacpac make a useful addition. If you are planning on using the gopro for snap shots on holiday,i've found the lcd bacpac to be most helpful,allowing me to get some good shots with the family at the waterpark.
My only advice with using cameras is that you need to keep yourself squeaky clean as if (and I hope not) you're involved in any sort of serious collision the police would seize the camera and analyse any footage. Yes, I can see the benefits but would I use one on the road? Only if i were being a real good lad.
