GoPro Hero 7 help on a moto

[EMTFERN17]

So I finally purchased a GoPro for my moto adventures. I need input from the experienced GoPro users on what accessories I need and stuff I don’t need. I am planning on riding the continental divide on my BMW1200GSA in July and would love to document it. So....

I just got the GoPro. Nothing else yet.

How do I activate the camera when I am riding the bike with out reaching to press the power button?

I am planning on mounting it on the crash bar pointing forward. Is there a better place?

How many batteries do I need? How about the memory card? How big and how many?

Should I get more than one GoPro? How do I control them?

Do I need a better case for it?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks for responding.

Fernando

 

[norcalkid]

So I finally purchased a GoPro for my moto adventures. I need input from the experienced GoPro users on what accessories I need and stuff I don’t need. I am planning on riding the continental divide on my BMW1200GSA in July and would love to document it. So....

I just got the GoPro. Nothing else yet.

How do I activate the camera when I am riding the bike with out reaching to press the power button?

I am planning on mounting it on the crash bar pointing forward. Is there a better place?

How many batteries do I need? How about the memory card? How big and how many?

Should I get more than one GoPro? How do I control them?

Do I need a better case for it?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks for responding.

Fernando

I got a Hero 7 in Oct, my first video camera.
A whole video shot from the same angle is kinda lame. You'll probably want a few mounts.

Memory and batteries will depend on what resolution your filming in and if your carrying a laptop to download too. The vibration reduction works great on this camera but doesn't work in all resolutions. Also how are you guna edit? I don't think your basic $99 Premiere Elements will even edit 4k (that's assuming you have a computer capable of editing 4k).

If your planning on talking you will need additional equipment for decent sound quality.

I can't get the GoPro app to work on my older android phone( in theory should be able to control camera with bluetooth). No big deal to just press the power button but not being able to adjust the camera angle on helmet while sitting on the bike kinda sucks. Means trial and error when setting it up.

I just got a longer power cord to wire mine to the USB on the bike. Have read mixed reviews if this will actually work but it seems to film plugged into wall or laptop(sometimes). I'm hoping this works and I can eliminate the extra battery thing.

Don't think your footage will look good. It's guna look nothing like those GoPro promo videos. Watch some Youtube videos on GoPro settings, editing and color grading. I literally just started filming the same 30 second clip over and over in my driveway on different recommended camera settings and seeing what I could do in elements. After a weekend of messing with everything I was able to make a decent video. Haven't posted it anywhere public though.



Still a totally newbee and I suck at color grading.

 

[norcalkid]

And just for the record. 50% of me likes the GoPro, the other 50% wants to punch the little nerd in the face who designed it and the stupid Quick app. It's been such a frustrating process I'm not sure I would buy it again. I have enjoyed learning the editing and Elements, I have hated learning to use the camera.

 

[norcalkid]

I'll also add, If you want to use the GoPro app you need one of the newer phones. I can't use the GoPro app which means I can't adjust camera on helmet while looking at screenshot on phone. So it's a lota trial and error. I have Android 5.1.1 and can't get the app.

I don't think I would buy a GoPro again.

 

[EMTFERN17]

Thank you for the info. I am starting to think that I made a mistake buying the GoPro. I like taking pictures and telling a story about that picture but I’ll give this GoPro a try and see how it plays out. I may just sell the thing.

 

[yumdumpster]

Personally I dont like mounting the go pro to the bike and prefer to have it on my helmet, that way you see whatever you are looking at. Chin Mount is best IMO, but if you want to do that you are going to need to buy a mounting kit and get creative. My primary helmet I use for commuting has a Hero Session 4 that is chin mounted but that is considerably smaller than the Hero 7.

I had mounted the go pro on the top of my dirt bike helmet but I have decided to go with a chest mount instead. I didn't like having a couple of inches of go pro sticking up and hitting every branch in sight.

I record primary at 1440p 60fps, the embedded battery only gets about ~2 hours of battery life, so I carry spares on me and swap them when they die. If you are doing a bar mount you could presumably tie power into it and not have to worry about that, would be really easy if your GS has USB ports.

I use Handbrake for converting the files, as for editing, im still a newb on that front, I have just been cutting up videos with Quik, and doing some basic editing with their desktop software.

I dont even both with the app on my phone since its usually living in my camel back when im dirt biking.

 

[onto1wheel]

I'm no expert, but I have been using them for a while now (3 or 4 gopro's plus another brand) so I'll try to share what I know:

...
How do I activate the camera when I am riding the bike with out reaching to press the power button?

I'm pretty sure the gopro7 black (which I have) has many voice commands that allow you to start and stop recording, etc. I haven't experimented with this as i'm sure it takes extra battery power to keep the thing on at all times waiting for your voice command

...
I am planning on mounting it on the crash bar pointing forward. Is there a better place?

Yes, as others have said the body mount works well (I use chin mount for several reasons, but the fact I can see the light flashing is a key feature. I want to know if it's recording or not)
(this might be the only place that works with voice command while riding?)

...
How many batteries do I need? How about the memory card? How big and how many?

If you're traveling, yes, get several microSD cards. Only from the approved list on the gopro page. I use the samsung 128 cards and can fit many hours (8 hours?) on a card. You will have to experiment with your preferred video resolution.

I would suggest an external battery pack for the kind of trip you're talking about.
I have found only one option so far, from 3BR powersports (a connector that goes between the gopro and your USB power source).
Look for the "X~PWR-H5"
I have been wanting to try this option, but just haven't gotten around to it (I find it very annoying that I can only get 1 hour of my 2+ hour races before the battery dies).

...
Should I get more than one GoPro? How do I control them?

more is better. Not sure how you control them all though. Editing would be very time consuming, too.

...
Do I need a better case for it?

I don't think so. I bought an enclosure for my 7, and I found it fogged up inside making useless videos after a short time. I never had this problem with other gopros (?). You can get desiccant strips to go in the case.
I went back to using the supplied gopro frame. Haven't had any problems with rain or branches yet. I did have a crash, face first into the rocks, which scratched the "protective lens" bezel, but it's still functioning perfectly. The protective lens is replaceable

 

[bmwbob51]

Cam or Gopro Rollei & Compatible Mount Bracket for BMW R1200GS LC / Adv 2013-16

I keep mine plug into USB charger!

4.2A Motorcycle Dual USB Charger For BMW F800GS F650GS F700GS R1200GS EU Plug

GoPro Wifi Remote

I just reach up and hit the record button on the camera!