i’m starting to do some research on purchasing a new or used 360 cam, and since they’ve now been around for a few years, figured i’d check to see what y’all would recommend based off your personal experience. i’ve been a gopro user, but i’m not opposed to something like the insta360 or something else.
I just killed mine alas.
I had the Gopro 360. I personally am going to replace it with the new insta360 v4.
The issue I had with the GoPro is it loses stabilization indoors for some reason after about 8-10mins.
Other than that it was fine! The other issue is that Gopro is supposedly releasing their new version which will compete with the new insta.
The new insta is higher resolution and probably better at low light.
Gopro has software that’s pretty good for re-framing the video. I’m sure insta has similar.
You will want a proper mount. I use a unicorn mount because there is really no way around it, the cam needs space below it to be able to do 360. Looks like crap on helmet if close to surface because it blocks the cam.
However, pro tip, it doesn’t need to be pointing straight up. It can be much more parallel to the ground.
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Additional thought:
as of right now Gopro is on crack. They are still asking 499 (full retail) for the Hero Max which is not attractive considering the newer/better insta360v4. same price.
it does appear that bbuy and the like are asking 399 though.
FYI: One thing to consider…
While gopro is crappy in terms of pretty much eveything software… there is a nice thing they do:
the membership to Gopro plus or whatever they call it.
This annual fee membership confers a few important benefits:
the Big one: Unlimited cloud storage for your footage (and auto upload stiches the segments together which really matters to me in the 360 cam)
2x a year (i think) no questions asked cam replacement for 99 bucks
So, I think Ill go that route for now as I priced out the setup id really need with the new insta360, which includes accessories and stuff, would be north of 600 clams. Ill take advantage of the fact that I already own all the accessories for the MAX. Eventually the new one will come out.
If you do buy GoPro be aware that their support is utterly non-existent and forum based. Their software, while not useless, is pretty bad. I think part of the deal is that they just don’t support anything they make. Once a new cam comes out, they don’t seem to update the old ones at all. The software seems like its abandoned (Quik). The downloader is broken mostly (but cloud uploading works well). You are better off using a card reader than trying to interface with the camera and pc imho.
the hardware is really good though!!!
for non-360, hero 12 with max lens mod 2.0 is hands down awesome.
@nikspeeds any thoughts?
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I have a fusion, the problem I have with it is the software is no longer supported. I had to do a factory reset on my Mac a while ago which lost the software- you can’t get it anywhere so I’m screwed, can’t extract the footage without a phone or iPad that has a HUGE memory.
I too am looking towards Insta 360 it seems much more user friendly in terms of extracting footage to load into Final Cut.
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They did release this:
This is for iOS as well and is very useful. I imagine it will see your device.
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Damn did you race head first off a skyscraper and land on it? That’s about as destroyed as I’ve seen a GoPro
I’m guessing it got ran over a bunch. It fell off back straight near brake zone.
Sadly not. ‘GoPro max and any camera older than hero7 not supported’
I’m going with Insta360
thanks for the feedback everyone. i’m kinda leaning towards the Insta360.
I think it is crazy GoPro expects you to import and edit 4k60fps H.265 footage on a phone! One race is nearly 40Gb of footage and trying to deal with that on a phone is ridiculous. Why the cancelled their desktop app is beyond me. Davinci Resolve is free and crazy powerful. But, it also has a ton of features which I’ll never need to use for cutting together race videos!
I used to use this for my stuff but like what was said it’s very impractical for actually using footage on your phone.
I just bought a $20 sd adapter and plug it right into the laptop
I find it useful as a hub to access cloud media. It’s also useful for viewing footage. I’ll also edit out short sequences for shorts.
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Can someone post a pic of an insta360 mounted on the kart (not helmet)? I have the odenthal racing products mount (Odenthal Swivel Camera Mount – Point Karting) plus the vibration insulator (Odenthal Camera Mount Isolator – Point Karting) and I want to know if I could attach an insta360 using this adapter (Buy 3-Prong to 1/4" Adapter - Accessories - Insta360 Store). Thanks.
If I’m not mistaken the insta uses a tripos screw mount (typical camera mount). However,the also sell the GoPro type adapter like shown.
Sounds promising. So I would remove the screwed on tuff case (Odenthal GoPro TUFF-CASE Camera Case – Point Karting) and screw the insta directly on to the isolator mount…might be more secure than using the gopro adapter.
Any ideas for protecting the insta? What do you think of this cheap lens and screen protector kit from amazon (Amazon.com)?
It sketches me out that the insta doesn’t have a hole to put a strap tie through. I’ve seen gopro guys strap tie the tuff case to the odenthal swing arm mount for backup in case the gopro comes loose.
Here’s the frame thingy.
But yeah the cam has a tripod thread on the bottom.
Also you can use frame folding back the flange type mount to use the regular camera thread.
And also this is cool
Very nice. I think I’m gonna order the insta this week.
I’m getting the max replaced by Gopro since I can do it cheaply but the 360v4 seems like the obvious way to go right now.
i’m much closer to pulling the trigger, but that insta360v4 just seems huge. i’m considering going with one of the insta360’s that are smaller and resemble a traditional gopro package.