GoPro mounting location

[Wahrheit]

Heading to the track next weekend and am looking for mounting suggestions for a GoPro camera. I want to mount it in a place that will allow a shot out the windshield but far enough back to see my shifting, and possibly speedo/tach.

Tried on back window but lighting contrast between dark interior and outside caused extreme glare through the windshield.

Was thinking about mounting to the bottom of the sunroof but with the random explosions I'm hesitant. Has anyone determined what caused them to "explode" at speed?

Any other mounting suggestions?

Thanks, Chris

[Stubek]

A friend of mine did it on the sunroof. Random explosions are an issue, but really out of how many thousands of B8 sedans sold (SWAG 30,000) only a hand full have really had it happen (SWAG200?). I don't think the go pro would cause the explosion, if it is going to blow, its going to blow.

[Deep Sea S4]

Sunroof is best. Your sunroof is not going to blow up. If it does it was going to anyway.

Seriously. How many of these do you think have blown up worldwide with 100,00's of B8's across the globe.

[PsYkHoTiK]

Sunroof for sure. Mount it a bit closer to you so you can see the digital speedo.



Rear view mirror does get in the way though.

[socfan12]

I don't have a GoPro, I have a Drift Stealth, but had it mounted on the sunroof as well. I used a Delkin suction cup mount which has an extension arm to just give a little more reach below the rear view mirror. Not a lot more, but a little more. Not sure if the GoPro has similar mounting options through third party or not.

[StratJohn]

Don't forget you can set the lighting for the GoPro- check your manual, there is a section on Vehicle Interiors, and how to get it to show what you want when its sunny outside or dark at night.

I wasted 2 hours of in-car rally footage because I didn't pay attention to that. Can only see the inside of the car, even though its pointed out the window..

[johnnyb84]

Yes, spot metering is the way to go. And yes, the sunroof is best spot for what you are asking it to do. Use as few joints as possible to minimize vibration.
If your plastic bits have been used a lot, and are slightly dirty, use rubbing alcohol to clean the little interlocking forks to make them hold better, less sag.
Good idea to have it mounted somewhat towards you, but not too much, or you might bump it with your helmet, making annoying clunking sounds.
If using the suction cup, moisten the cup a little before sticking it on a clean surface.

Also, I would try different areas for different sessions. It gets boring looking at two hours of the same view. I have mounted it on front hood, front grill, drivers side front panal, backwards on windscreen (from inside) and backwards on the trunk.
This shows a few different places I've mounted it.
This shows the front grill using a handle bar mount (roll bar mount works too http://www.youtube.com/user/johnnyb845?blend=8&ob=5
Turns out I was just low on brake fluid.

Depending on the track officials, you may only be allowed to mount it if it's hard mounted, or has a secondary retaining device to stop it becoming a projectile if the mount fails.

[BobbyJim]

How about buying two cheap cameras - one positioned behind the rear view mirror (track shot) and one looking down on the wheel, gears, etc (driver shot). No problems with contrast, you'd just need to match up the two recordings and add the driver shot as a small window in the track shot. Easy peasy!

[johnnyb84]

Just found out that there is a new HD Hero2 camera!
http://gopro.com/cameras/hd-hero2-motorsports-edition/
My HD hero just died off warranty, so I'm going to order one!

[PsYkHoTiK]

Wow! That is way cool! I wonder what are the new "features"/"Improvements". If they have a better mic (aka less wind noise) that would be rad.

[NWS4Guy]

Wow! That is way cool! I wonder what are the new "features"/"Improvements". If they have a better mic (aka less wind noise) that would be rad.

For one, it will integrate with a new BacPac coming out soon, that will support live Wifi streaming (assuming you are wherever Wifi can reach) over Skype, as well as sharing video via Skype, and a REAL LCD display of more then 2 letters to let you know what the hell you are doing

http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/g...-streaming-wi/

[vwong]

I also recommend mounting it on the sunroof. However, it'll be very difficult to capture the speedo and tach clearly while trying to aim it for the track and shifting. If you have an iPhone, download the Harry's LapTimer Pro. It'll log the speed for you so you can overlay it onto the video later. As for the tach, you'll have to get a separate OBDII-WiFi cable to communicate with the iPhone and the app. I don't have this cable yet, but the speed along with the G meter, and a track map is awesome. Here is an example (this was in my BMW).

[dingosatemyaudi]

I've mounted a camera to the posts on the center rear headrest. It's a little lower so the rear view mirror isn't in the way as much, you can see the steering shifting and depending on camera quality, may be able to read the tach and speedo.

[Wahrheit]

Thanks for all the great input!

I don't know the percentage of sunroof failures to units sold, but since nobody knows why they explode I didn't know if having something hanging by a suction cup would increase chances. Apparently, many folks have used the sunroof without incident, so that's where I'll stick it.