The difference between newer GoPro built in video stabilization and old is pretty remarkable. Two videos I recorded this year on different models:
Hero 10:
Hero 5:
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Iāve time-stamped the exact spot that I want you to see.
Oh yea, Iāve seen other videos on youtube before that looked like that. Good to know what causes it.
Iām in the market to get my first action cam and was leaning towards a 360 cam because I like the idea of seeing behind in addition to forwards and panning around vs. needing two cameras facing front and back. Seeing behind isnāt really all that necessary though since the primary objective is to see out front to be able to go back and dissect driving lines, choices in traffic, etc; so in your opinion are there any negatives to say going the 360 (Insta360) route vs. just getting a traditional GoPro (or DJI Osmo) single lens style?
I have used both a lot. If I had to go with one choice it would be a normal cam.
The issue with 360 is that thereās a bunch of work involved āreframingā the footage. You stage the video in the editing process, which is fun and very cool, but adds considerable time and effort.
Itās nice being able to show whatās going on in the race around you. Hereās a good example of a busy race with packed action where being able to see behind and to sides makes sense.
But thatās really more about entertaining my fellow racers than providing me with a training tool.
The normal footage, which doesnāt require me to spend additional time staging the footage looks like this:
The regular cam is probably the way to go unless you are hoping to get views and stuff and want to make ācoolā footage.
Cam wise, Hero 13 or latest from DJI or insta is ideal. I use the lens mod 2.0 on my regular cam to stretch the field of view to what you see which is like 120 degrees. A worthy addon.
FYI music is because I use a service called epidemic that allows me to use their artists in YouTube without running afoul of copyright issues. If you put more than 10-15s of a song in a video, you tube will get mad and spank your account. Happened to me eventually, thus the subscription to Epidemic.
Another thoughtā¦ to use a 360 effectively, you will need a āunicornā mount which elevates the camera and the post supporting it is in the blind spot. Otherwise, half your footage is helmet.
Its goofy and you will be noticed so if you are achingly shy and introverted, expect āhey whatās that?ā
I have the GoPro Hero 12 Black on my kart, which is good quality (at least during the daytime), but Iām seriously regretting not getting a 360 cam, or a double-camera mount to see behind me.
A couple months ago in a practice session, one of my teammates went for an overtake on me, made contact with my kart, and flipped himself five feet into the air, landing headfirst with the kart on top. It was the worst karting accident Iāve seen, and recently I learned that driver has retired (because of that accident).
Itās tough for me to get over it, because I donāt fully understand what happened. My cam only points forward and the other driver didnāt have one at all, so Iāll never know. 
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You could consider facing seperate cheaper cam on the radiator pointing back. Run two normal. I used to do that.
Less work for same purpose (have evidence of naughty stuff or whatever).
A hero session or whatever would work fine for that.
Iām sorry to hear about your friend, thatās awful. Send it carefully folks!
The 12 is what I use, fwiw. The 13 isnāt a big change and unless you value the new lens mods, makes little difference to the 12 (same chip and resolution).
Just a note regarding these helmet mounts: you can probably only use them for rental karting. Most racing series for āowner kartingā will not allow anything mounted on the helmet because it voids the safety certification of the helmet. Cameras have to be attached to the kart itself.
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Yeah, thatās true. I donāt see 360 cam being practical for that reason in particular. Reverse cam that serves merely to record āJust in caseā seems like a better idea for you.
F-series allowed helmet cams but stuff thatās regional or national, not.
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You also get that weird banding from vibration on the older ones. The smarty cam older model was like that too from what I saw.
Here are a few videos with the Djo Osmo Action 4
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Yea I think 95% of the use I wonāt need ācoolā footage. I definitely donāt need additional work to load up videos to go back and watch them. I think for now I probably should just stick with a regular cam. Iāll research a bit more but right now I am kind of leaning towards the DJI Osmo 5.
I appreciate your insight. It has been a ton of help.
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@tankyx just got that cam
Err 4
My grandkids run gopro 12 and 13 Blacks and they have worked out great !!!
Iām tempted to purchase a camera soon but have no experience in this field and lots of online info either goes above my head or there are too many conflicting reviews.
I am not looking for the latest all singing all dancing high dollar camera. I need something that is simple to operate and easy to download/edit the video to my lap top.
Any suggestions welcomed.
Used GoPro Session if you can find it. Bulletproof, simple one button operation, good battery life, cheap.
Filmed with such a camera.
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+1 on the sessions. Quality of the session is more than good enough for coaching. They are also more reliable than the newer GoPros. The new models have issues with battery contact that can cause random shut-offs from kart vibration.
Just use a good mount on the session. Because those tiny session cameras are impossible to find if they fall off!!! Had our mount split on a practice day and deposit the camera somewhere around the trackā¦no idea where it went.
Good on board! One question, whatās the yellow box attached to the side box?
Thanks! Timing transponder.
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