Interior GoPro mount

[Mortis]

Apologies if this has already been addressed elsewhere in the forum:

How are people mounting their GoPros inside the car to allow views of both driver and road ahead? I was going to get a headrest mount but with new integrated headrests that's out. Side windows also won't work as they need to be open (I want to use this for HPDE track sessions). Moonroof mount also out because no moonroof !

Any advice and suggestions much appreciated!

[sherm]

Isn't there a windshield mount?

[JL M3]

I mounted it on the dome light with an extension bar. Haven't had a chance to look at the videos so not sure how it looks.

[Mortis]

Originally Posted by JL M3

I mounted it on the dome light with an extension bar. Haven't had a chance to look at the videos so not sure how it looks.

Thanks - interested to know how that turns out. Could you send a photo of the setup?

[Swancoat]

I ripped off an angle I saw in an old Chris Harris video that I liked. Basically stuck on the rear quarter window (this was on an E92 coupe), with enough extensions to put the camera 'inside' the window opening. Since the GoPro has such a wide field of view, you see the driver driving, but also see the road from inside and outside the car with the A-pillar down the middle.

Not sure if this would work at all with a sedan though, due to the fact that you would need way more extensions, and the coupe's frameless doors let you get in and out of the car.

[xTaitox]

the new windshield mount is perfect

[Mortis]

Originally Posted by Swancoat

I ripped off an angle I saw in an old Chris Harris video that I liked. Basically stuck on the rear quarter window (this was on an E92 coupe), with enough extensions to put the camera 'inside' the window opening. Since the GoPro has such a wide field of view, you see the driver driving, but also see the road from inside and outside the car with the A-pillar down the middle.

Not sure if this would work at all with a sedan though, due to the fact that you would need way more extensions, and the coupe's frameless doors let you get in and out of the car.

Do you have a photo of this setup that you could share?

[tcpsoft]

I stuck my camera mount to the back of the seat on the smooth part near the headrest. I was worried about it staying put but it held securely for two sessions before I moved it to the passenger seat back where it held the rest of the day.

Also if you don't mind it on your helmet, I saw some Mike Skeen videos where he mounts the GoPro to the chin bar of his helmet. Looks really good and gives a, "from the eyes of the driver" perspective.

[Andrew115]

Originally Posted by tcpsoft

I stuck my camera mount to the back of the seat on the smooth part near the headrest. I was worried about it staying put but it held securely for two sessions before I moved it to the passenger seat back where it held the rest of the day.

Nice work!

[Mortis]

Originally Posted by tcpsoft

I stuck my camera mount to the back of the seat on the smooth part near the headrest. I was worried about it staying put but it held securely for two sessions before I moved it to the passenger seat back where it held the rest of the day.

Also if you don't mind it on your helmet, I saw some Mike Skeen videos where he mounts the GoPro to the chin bar of his helmet. Looks really good and gives a, "from the eyes of the driver" perspective.

Very nice ! Good to see that the suction mount works on the back of the seat. That effectively solves the problem I believe. Is the back of the seat plastic (I haven't received my car yet)?

[tcpsoft]

Originally Posted by Mortis1973

Very nice ! Good to see that the suction mount works on the back of the seat. That effectively solves the problem I believe. Is the back of the seat plastic (I haven't received my car yet)?

Thanks! I tried near the rear window but that was too far back. There are two different textures of plastic on the seat backs. The one that makes up the headrest is smoother and can accept a big suction cup mount. I tried on the other surface and couldn't get a good seal.

Interior cameras are definitely valuable - I discovered I like to help the car turn by leaning my head with the car not a good habit.

[tcpsoft]

Originally Posted by Andrew115

Nice work!

Thanks! The perspective from behind the drivers seat is definitely better than from the passenger side.

[MaynardZed]

Originally Posted by tcpsoft

Interior cameras are definitely valuable - I discovered I like to help the car turn by leaning my head with the car not a good habit.

Agreed, good to watch yourself. I discovered I was reaching too much with the steering wheel. Tilted my race seat forward a tad and my lap times started to improve again.

[starbai]

Bump... any new/innovative solutions out there? I dont like the idea of it being on the windsheild and my knock off go pro doesn't allow for inverting the video to hang it upside down from the sunroof... plus I want to be able to use the sunroof.

The suction cup on the seat isn't a horrible idea though.

[iamvietness]

Originally Posted by starbai

Bump... any new/innovative solutions out there? I dont like the idea of it being on the windsheild and my knock off go pro doesn't allow for inverting the video to hang it upside down from the sunroof... plus I want to be able to use the sunroof.

The suction cup on the seat isn't a horrible idea though.

will the suction mount work on the rear window?

[starbai]

Here is the setup I decided on. I'm going to use my Canon Powershot G7X Mark II (1080 recording and great point and shoot for the trip)

With it I got a gimbal for excellent stabilization when recording.

So its this that I wanted to mount in the car.

I wanted a bar that would connect to both seats so that its really strong given the setup isn't exactly super light.

This is the idea.

Its apparently 31" (Thanks JSM2)

Well the setup is ordered. Two super strong suction cups, a few extensions to make the 31" total length, and the rod/2grip setup for the gimbal. The bar should be able to support the normal gopro mount as well.

Can't wait to try it out!



If anyone else has any interest in the setup check it out:

[starbai]

Originally Posted by iamvietness

will the suction mount work on the rear window?

Yes the rear window is probably the easiest way to do this, I just dont like the idea of it being exposed to that much heat. Car wont be tinted yet when I pick it up in Munich.

[tchiers]

Originally Posted by starbai

I wanted a bar that would connect to both seats so that its really strong given the setup isn't exactly super light.

I did something similar with Ram mount hardware: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...6&postcount=10

It works reasonably well for me without image stabilization, so I image it'll be great with your stabilized setup.

[starbai]

Originally Posted by tchiers

I did something similar with Ram mount hardware: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...6&postcount=10

It works reasonably well for me without image stabilization, so I image it'll be great with your stabilized setup.

Yea I've already got the camera and the gimbal. I didn't mind buying the two handle gimbal holder for future use anyway... so my big investment were the two hard core suction cups and the hardware/extensions needed for length. Not as cost effective as your setup. but it works.

you got any pics of it installed on your car? Would love to see it in action.

Also did you have any trouble with getting the suction cups you chose to stay/hold the weight?

[tchiers]

No pictures of the bar itself, but I did post some of the resulting video:

The curvature of the seat works against the suction cups. Mine would not stay in place all day, so I just remounted every morning and lunchtime. Be sure to wipe the seatback with a damp cloth for best grip, too.

[starbai]

Originally Posted by tchiers

No pictures of the bar itself, but I did post some of the resulting video:

The curvature of the seat works against the suction cups. Mine would not stay in place all day, so I just remounted every morning and lunchtime. Be sure to wipe the seatback with a damp cloth for best grip, too.

I was afraid of this.

The camera setup/gimbal I plan on using isn't 'go pro grade' and isn't something I want falling and hitting the floor of the car. I was hoping that the suction cups would do well on the seats but if not, I'm not sure this is such a good idea anymore.

What about sticking a piece of vinyl on the seat? (Stuff that people use to wrap dash pieces)... think that would help make the surface a little more suction cup friendly? It'd also peel off without hurting the seat back.

I wish I had the car already to test this but I won't know if it'll work till I'm sitting at the Welt with my setup in hand trying to install it.

[tchiers]

The problem is the shape of the seats, not the surface material. The convex nature of the seatback reduces the volume delta of the suction cup, and therefore also reduces clamping force.

At the track, we're required to tether equipment in the interior - I used paracord just like you see for my Aim Solo. I would suggest you do the same. If you tether each end of your bar to the respective front seat headrest, that will prevent you camera from hitting the floor if the suction cups let go.