GoPro helmet mounts...what's the best/latest?

PeconicPuffin · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 1830

I'm looking to get a GoPro and use it on a helmet mount. Have seen people with them on top of the helmet, on the front, and on the side. Have no idea how they're mounting it. I'm not using a Gath (I've seen that there's a product for Gaths)...what are people doing that they're happy with? All input welcome.

techno900 · Joined: 28 Mar 2001 Posts: 4162

Mine, 3 years old came with a helmet mount. The mount sticks (two sided tape) to the helmet. Then the camera attaches to the mount with a hand tightened screw/bolt.

I mounted mine near the front of the helmet, otherwise you get the helmet in the video if you mount it on the top. The mount has a slight curve on the base to match the curve of the helmet, allowing good contact over the entire base of the mount. Find the right place where contact is at the maximum.

Some folks have attached leashes, connecting the camera to the helmet in case of glue failure.

Wind-NC.com · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 4:50 pm Post subject:

Hi Michael,

Sorry in advance if this response is deemed "too commercial"...

-The easiest/least permanent is the vented helmet strap, which you feed through the vent holes in the top of your lid. It is easy to install and remove, and you can re-use it indefinitely on as many different helmets as you want.

http://wind-nc.enstore.com/item/vented-helmet-strap-mount

-Slightly more permanent since you stick a mount on with adhesive, but it includes some hinges to change angles and take "selfies", is the helmet front mount:

http://wind-nc.enstore.com/item/helmet-front-mount

-The side mount is pretty much the same as the front mount, just comes supplied with a different angle bracket so that you can attempt to level the horizon.

-And of course, cheap insurance, the Floaty Backdoor:

http://wind-nc.enstore.com/item/floaty-backdoor

So that stuff is all pretty standard and has been in use for a few years now. Nothing new there. Otherwise, some people are making their own mounts that spin like a helicopter blade on top of the helmet. There is some pretty cool footage coming out of those. Beware sail piercing though??? It looks like this I guess, but probably cut much shorter for windsurfing applications:

http://www.diygopro.com/diy-gopro-swivel-helmet-mount-improved/

Hope that helps!

pete1111 · Joined: 16 Apr 2005 Posts: 193 Location: The Dude

scrap the helmet and get the clew view unless you want to take video of everybody else.
http://chathamwindandtime.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=135

make sure you get the remote for the camera. My second spock ever, thank god for the camera and the clew view otherwise nobody would have believed me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgsXpcEDXc8

mine is one of the first design and that's why you see the bar in the cam but the WaterKook change that so it's not in the view anymore. Very Happy

nw30 · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 6:43 pm Post subject:

I've seen lots of GoPro vids using all different kinds of mounts, placed in all kinds of different locations. The best vids that I have seen where you feel like you are truly along for the ride is with the mouth mount, which actually has the camera a bit below your mouth, more in front of your chin. The camera is held a lot more steady then when on your helmet, which can add unwanted vibration.
Check out this vid and you'll see what I mean, you feel like you are in the foot straps thanks to Levi Siver, I've never gotten this feel with a helmet cam vid.
http://vimeo.com/116365477

KGB-NP · Joined: 25 Jul 2001 Posts: 2856

The problem with the helmet mount videos is they are extremely unstable. It tends to look like Mr. Bobblehead shot the video.

manuel · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1158

Definitely set it up on the clew or front of boom (when surfing) then mix them both when editing. I have yet to do that but it'd make for some great videos.

Then use the 960p quality setting so nothing gets cut out, the rendering is very nice, the 720p lacks a bit, the 1080p crops out too much, and finally with editing software you can crop the image to your liking.

Here with original image, these are video snapshots, not pictures:

Cropped to hide the boom mount:

My custom mount which is finger slicing safe when washed by the waves:

I then use the rollbar mount and some uphaul line to hold the camera.
The mount is a PVC pipe sliced along its length with an aluminium pipe inside for rigidity, everything is wrapped in duct tape and electrical tape, no shaking and very light. I just need to be careful when setting the sail down.

skyking1231 · Joined: 10 Jul 2000 Posts: 280

makes sure to have a tether on the camera (not the mount) to helmet or whatever.

techno900 · Joined: 28 Mar 2001 Posts: 4162

reinerehlers said:

PeconicPuffin · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 1830

Thanks everyone. My main application will be to capture my wife's windsurfing (she's working on jibes). Otherwise I'd be all about the clew view. Might like to try a mast top mount for fun one day! Years ago when water cams first came out I sailed with an ATC (boom mounted) and found myself distracted by the camera...it interfered with my enjoyment of windsurfing. But that's me.

I think the through helmet strap that Andy showed is what I'll try first.

Thanks again!