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Where should I mount my action camera?

This is how to capture immersive footage on your GoPro.

Motodeal
Where should I mount my action camera?

Action cameras are all the rage these days. Popularized by brands like GoPro, these nifty portable cameras get praise from professionals and casual users alike. We use them in many of our motorcycle reviews and find them helpful in more ways than one. 

If you recently bought an action cam or you're considering getting one, the question may have crossed your mind, where should you mount it?

What's an action camera, and how is it useful?

Action camera

For those unaware, action cameras are recording devices designed to capture the action as one experiences it. Its most common use cases include extreme sports and activities. People like taking them on thrilling rides on roller coasters or exciting swells on surfboards. 

They also happen to be great for motorcyclists, as evidenced by the massive amounts of moto vloggers currently creating content on the internet. Their rugged and compact form factor makes for a device that you can take anywhere. They're small enough to be barely noticeable on most naked bikes, sportbikes, cruisers, and other motorcycles. The wide field of view an action cam tends to record also helps produce an immersive image that can look stunning in the right hands.

Action cam uses range from informative to entertaining content. Some riders use action cams to teach motorcycle skills to newer riders, while others use them to capture long rides or trail rides. Some even use them as dashboard cameras for recording daily commutes. Whatever the use case for, we can't deny that action cams have found a home with many riders across the globe.

Where should I mount my action camera?

Riders commonly mount action cams on their helmets or motorcycles. Each option has its share of pros and cons. Depending on what you're using the camera for, there are several locations where you can consider mounting the device.

Mounting an action cam on your helmet

Action camera helmet

The helmet is the most common spot to mount an action cam. There are a few reasons for this. The first of which is pure convenience. When you're riding, your helmet is with you all the time, at least it should be, and this means that you'll likely carry that action cam with you everywhere. 

The second reason is for the immersive point of view (POV). Mounting an action cam on your helmet gives an angle that other locations can't match. When you're watching first-person footage of someone riding a motorcycle, you tend to feel like you're there yourself. That's why many people like this angle, and that's why it's the most common mount location you'll encounter on YouTube and other video-sharing platforms.

If you go this route, you'll have to spring for a specialized helmet mount that fits with the camera. These are relatively cheap, but you'll have to decide whether you put the camera at the top of the helmet, on the side, or below the visor.

Mounting an action cam on your chest area

action camera chest

If you don't want to put an action cam on your helmet, you can opt for a less common mount position. Some riders like to put their cameras near their chest area. This position would require a separate chest mount harness that you'd need to purchase. A chest-mounted action cam moves in tandem with your body, and you'll have to keep that in mind while riding.

Mounting an action cam on your motorcycle

action camera motorcycle

Some riders don't like the added weight that an action cam brings. In these cases, they mount the device somewhere on the motorcycle, typically on the handlebar, rearview mirrors, fenders, or tail-end of the bike. That offloads the weight from the rider to the motorcycle itself, making for a more comfortable ride. If you mount the camera on the front of the bike, you can also position the camera to face yourself or the road for more dynamic angles.

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