pdxrealtor

So I just got the gopro hero 3 silver and I've been thinking of how to mount it.

The helmet mount I don't like because of trees and somersaults.

The board mount is too low for powder days.

The chest strap is cool, but that would aim sideways.

I'm thinking a mid thigh mount would be best.

Anyone have any insight on this mount, pros or cons?

Any other suggestions welcome too.

Thanks and merry Christmas.

surfinsnow

The reason why the helmet mount is the best is because the camera is generally looking where you're looking. On your thigh, you're going to see the mountain wildly whipping around as you make turns, or you'll just see the side as you slow down. You can always put a mount on your board and only use it when pow isn't deep, but snowboards tend to vibrate a lot, even stiff ones. The chest doesn't HAVE to look to the side...you can angle the camera, but again, you're going get seasick watching your vids, as you'll see every turn magnified. That's why most people where them on their helmets (sorry Torpedo, god of all things cool). You're more likely to record where you're actually going, not the moves your body is making.

The other option, of course, is to mount it on a pole. Won't help with the trees or somersaults, but you'll get an interesting perspective (I've never tried it, because I don't like having a long pointy thing in my hand as I'm bombing down the mountain.

pdxrealtor

Well shit. I really want to use this thing but I just don't like the idea of helmet mount.

Watched a board mount and it looked good, but it was groomer riding.

Now that I think about it helmet mount wouldn't be pegged to the tip of your board either, cause the head naturally isn't tipped straight forward.

Seems like a much easier deal for skiers. H,mmmm, thoughts??

surfinsnow

The GoPro comes with several different mounts. Straps (for helmet and chest), permanent adhesives (curved and flat for surfboards/snowboards and helmets), plus handle bar mounts, arm straps, etc. And the helmet mount pivots, it doesn't just point straight forward. You can easily point it down so it is tracking right in front of you. With the wide-angle lens setting (there are several settings), you'll get the whole mountain. There is a reason why virtually all of the video you see, GoPro or the others, is either a pole mount or a helmet mount; every other part of your body is moving all over the place. The board, too. Ideally, if you have the money, you get a couple of them and mount one to your board, one to you helmet and one to a pole. Then edit them all together when you're home wondering where your $900 went.

pdxrealtor

Lol... One cam is enough. Just want to set it and forget it. Edit it later. I don't see how a static helmet cam works on a snowboarder when the head is turning so drastically.

Seems like a board mount or lower leg mount would be more static and orientated the right direction no matter what the upper body is doing.

I figure it's trial and error, which a lot of people on here should have experience with.

You're right on the helmet mount though, that's all I ever see a side from the pole mount.

surfinsnow

The head ISN'T turning so drastically. You should generally be watching where you're going, which means you'll be getting steadier video. Think of how much you whip the board around in turns, etc. On steeps you get sick watching it...hop turn, see the trees on the left, hop turn, see the trees on your left. You'd get whiplash just watching it...but your head tends to be looking where you are going (or about to go). Your hips and legs and the board are turning all over the place, though.

Donutz

I have a Contour rather than a GoPro, but the idea is the same. I mount mine on my helmet sometimes, plus I have a frankenpole. The head-mount is ideal for filming someone else while you're following them down the slope, because the viewpoint follows where you're looking. One problem with snowboarders though is that your head isn't necessarily totally vertical. With the Contour you can rotate the lens to compensate. Not sure what you'd do with the GoPro.

The Pole mount allows you to see what you're doing, either from the front or the back. But it throws you off a bit until you get used to it, and you can't really do things like spins off jumps.

Ideally the best place for a cam if you want to record yourself, is on a pole in the hands of a friend or on the helmet of a friend.

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Mountain Days: 30

ShredLife

if you're going to film someone else the pole out in front and above is good, but the best thing really is to just hold it in your hand and point it at someone like ironman's blaster thingie...

if you're filming yourself and you don't ride like xavier or jj or trice or whoeverthefuck is way better than most of us the only real useable, watchable footage is from a pole mount. period.

and you absolutely CAN spin off jumps with a pole mount.. i don't know where that's coming from...

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get the hell off my lawn.

pdxrealtor

Was hoping to film the run as I see it, so that would be board mount, helmet mount, or leg mount. Starting to sound like a PITA.

It would be alright if the cam just ran all the time and you didn't have to fuck with it unless you wanted to pull footage that was worth pulling.

Maybe I'll get some skis and face forward all day. .....

jml22

I always thought the pole vidoes of your face/body are kind of dumb, you can't really see anything / admire the terrain