[vhs]

I'm posting this in this forum because I believe it's where most GoPro usage probably occurs.

What's a good mount and technique for mounting a GoPro in cabin, so that I get a good view of the windshield/track, but can also hear any comments made by the instructor? I'd like not to scratch or cause any marks from mounting as well. Also, any recommendations on a way to mount an iPhone to run Harry's with?



Thanks

 

[faizaan2000]

If you want one that captures your driving as well then the luggage bar right behind you is a good mounting spot. I use the following:

1. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KOEQXDU to clamp to the bar
2. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G970GX4 to connect the gopro
3. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KWPJ04 to join the 2

For mounting the phone they make a suction cup mount: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IV6OHC which combined with the correct size X grip https://www.amazon.com/Cradle-Holder-Universal-X-Grip-Cellphone/dp/B0055PH0XA works reasonably well for the phone. If you have a larger phone I recommend the larger size as it won't hit the volume buttons.

 

[faizaan2000]

Also I haven't tried this personally but you can run an inexpensive external mic from your gopro to capture sound better (lot of people I know run the mic out by their exhaust for example)

 

[don]

I experimented with a few mounts but just ended up using the curved 3M sticky plate and stuck it on the strut bar behind the seats. It works very well and you don't have to worry about anything coming loose, just make sure you line it up perfect!

I also think you want to get a bit of the in-car action including gear changes, speed etc.

I have a GoPro 7 Black and found that I had to turn the hypersmooth off otherwise the camera follows the turn. Otherwise if you switch it to linear mode you can zoom in on just the front windscreen and get a nice view.

Here is some footage of some driver training I did. I actually like the camera more for spirited mountain drivers as you get the scenery and can play back the drive experience.

 

[ArchiProf]

@don Great video! I am considering purchasing the same camera. What size Micro card are you using? And is this the mount you are referring to? https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Mounts-GoPro-Cameras-Accessories/dp/B00JCTQ3RE/

 

[JazzCatGab]

@vhs you know they are going to be very cautious on anything in the glasshouse during a HPDE. I mean, you even have to take your floor mats out. So you are going to need a very secure phone holder. I used this one and it passed the test. Very solid. Also, I also hoped to get my instructor's instructions on my camera but didn't work too well. You will be on helmet to helmet intercom most likely. But having it behind you may work better. Good luck!

 

[jdstein11]

I experimented with a few mounts but just ended up using the curved 3M sticky plate and stuck it on the strut bar behind the seats. It works very well and you don't have to worry about anything coming loose, just make sure you line it up perfect!

I also think you want to get a bit of the in-car action including gear changes, speed etc.

I have a GoPro 7 Black and found that I had to turn the hypersmooth off otherwise the camera follows the turn. Otherwise if you switch it to linear mode you can zoom in on just the front windscreen and get a nice view.

Here is some footage of some driver training I did. I actually like the camera more for spirited mountain drivers as you get the scenery and can play back the drive experience.

I mounted my camera in front of the windscreen in my 2018 718B using the sticky tape and the only real issues I noted were the background noise with open windows, which is what this track recommends, plus the buffeting and vibration wiggling the camera. Probably better on the bar in the 718C.

 

[RussellHodgson]

For wind noise reduction when you run with the windows open, I run an external mic form my GoPro back into the rear luggage compartment. This keeps it out of the wind noise and you can hear the engine very well.

I mount the GoPro on the bar between the two seats.

 

[don]

@don Great video! I am considering purchasing the same camera. What size Micro card are you using? And is this the mount you are referring to? https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Mounts-GoPro-Cameras-Accessories/dp/B00JCTQ3RE/

Thanks, although the sun was getting very low so the camera did have a little trouble maintaining the best exposure. Works much better when the sun is higher or even in shaded areas.

Yes, those are the mounts but if you buy the GP 7 Black then it will come with a set of adhesive mounts.

I use 128GB card which is plenty large enough but make sure you get the right speed card if you want the GoPro to run smoothly. Here is a good reference list:

Best Memory Cards GoPro Hero 7 Black, Silver, White | Alik Griffin

GoPro again switched up their lineup with the Hero 7 Black, Silver and White cameras. Each camera is tuned a little bit differently, some with completely different hardware which means they will all…

alikgriffin.com

I've also seen people using GP 5 blacks which seem to do a good job. The advantage of the GP 7 Black is mainly the hypersmooth but you can't use that for driving anyway unless you have the camera mounted outside or at the windscreen.

 

[vhs]

Thanks a lot for the info. I want to hear the instructor more than the motor, but that seems iffy.

Also, isn't an advantage of the GoPro7 over the GoPro5 is that the former takes rechargeable other batteries? Will the GoPro5 battery last 4 or 5 20 minute sessions? I haven't bought a GoPro yet, but being a photographer, I want to get the best visual and not run out of juice either.

 

[don]

There are alot of after market rechargeable batteries now for both the GoPro 5 and 7 like Wasabi.

You can also record whilst plugged in to a usb power source . The GoPro 7 seems to record more reliably using a cigarette type USB adapter otherwise it seems to want to communicate with the car PCM.

I would say it is a little temperamental and works best off the battery whilst recording in my experience. Then I'll connect the USB for charging in between. I also use the GoPro App so that may affect reliability. I'd say it is not bug free but for most of the time it works well.

 

[RussellHodgson]

Also, isn't an advantage of the GoPro7 over the GoPro5 is that the former takes rechargeable other batteries? Will the GoPro5 battery last 4 or 5 20 minute sessions? I haven't bought a GoPro yet, but being a photographer, I want to get the best visual and not run out of juice either.

I have a GoPro 5, and it does not last 4 20 minute sessions. It will do about 3.5 sessions. After that you need to recharge it. Or you could leave it plugged in to a cigarette lighter in the car. I just don't record the first session of the day.

 

[grasmere]

@don Great video! I am considering purchasing the same camera. What size Micro card are you using? And is this the mount you are referring to? https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Mounts-GoPro-Cameras-Accessories/dp/B00JCTQ3RE/

That’s certainly the one I use, perfectly solid and because it’s close to the bar is likely to be more stable, ie less shaky than a taller mount. I don’t use a camera, though I could, mine is a permanent radar detector sensing forwards and back.

 

[JazzCatGab]

@vhs I thought I'd post a pix with my inexpensive dash cam and two of those mounts I suggested. One of them empty but will be used for my normal iPhone with Laptimer next June when go out on the track. The other is holding a GPS to help Carmen the Cayman's iPhone in the phone compartment. Also, can't remember your tire size, but if you look at the outside 18" tires, that was with 26 psi in the morning, 28 psi when I got on the road to the track and at least 30 (probably at least 32) when they warmed up. I didn't think to check the pressure. Just fyi.

 

[vhs]

@vhs I thought I'd post a pix with my inexpensive dash cam and two of those mounts I suggested. One of them empty but will be used for my normal iPhone with Laptimer next June when go out on the track. The other is holding a GPS to help Carmen the Cayman's iPhone in the phone compartment. Also, can't remember your tire size, but if you look at the outside 18" tires, that was with 26 psi in the morning, 28 psi when I got on the road to the track and at least 30 (probably at least 32) when they warmed up. I didn't think to check the pressure. Just fyi.

Thanks for that. I had it emphasized to me at a PCA meeting, how important monitoring tire pressure is, with a goal of 35 psi when hot. Also, torquing the lug nuts between runs.

I've posted this link before, so please excuse me if you've seen it.

http://www.brrperformance.com/blog/?p=3833

 

[JazzCatGab]

Thanks for that. I had it emphasized to me at a PCA meeting, how important monitoring tire pressure is, with a goal of 35 psi when hot. Also, torquing the lug nuts between runs.

I've posted this link before, so please excuse me if you've seen it.

http://www.brrperformance.com/blog/?p=3833

Yep, and I did read that before. I definitely think the second example with the Porsche is more applicable for my 18" tires. After I ran off the track with my apparently "spectacular" 360, I was black flagged of course, and the experienced head instructor looked at my tires and, not seeing scuffing beyond the edge of the tread, suggested I reduce the pressure a pound. I think that may have been a logical suggestion because I was going much faster average speed (about 72 mph). However, it was the last set of laps for the weekend and I didn't. I did recently measure tread depth across all my P Zeroes tire widths (which are 9/32 brand new) and the tread depths were almost identical across the width of all four tires (so pretty even wear). In 32nds, 5.5 for the rears, and 6.5 for the fronts. This is after about 5,000 miles and two weekends of rookie track use. With 2/32 the legal required depth in Kentucky, I calculate that I'm about half way through the useful life of my tires (5.5/32 being the halfway mark). Anyway, if you follow the article recommendations closely, it will be interesting to see the tread depths you experience. Please let us know, although I think there are so many variables (ambient temp, pavement temp, moisture and general humidity, etc.) that I can see why the track enthusiasts keep extensive logs of this stuff.

 

[SonicSid]

Personally I'd dig into my auto photo rigging gear and adhere a Woods Grip on the inside of the back glass, then use a 1/4-20 adapter to GoPro mount. Would need to check the vacuum before each session. Not sure how to do the audio as it would suck on the camera due to the requirement of the windows being open on the DE I've attended in the past. Kitty fur over the mic? At some events, the instructor had a portable comms system; would be ideal to tap into that for the audio feed.
On other cars I fabricated a bar that mounted to the headrest posts that worked very well for long exposure interior rigged shots, but that isn't an option for the 718 seats. I could probably fabricate something onto the roll hoops on my Boxster, but that doesn't help on your Cayman. Time for a Cayman roll cage...? ;^)

 

[vhs]

I could probably fabricate something onto the roll hoops on my Boxster, but that doesn't help on your Cayman. Time for a Cayman roll cage...? ;^)

I'm a professional photographer so I could go waaaay deep on this, but I just want to review what I'm instructed to do and see my good spots and bad spots.

I know you were joking about the roll cage, but that might be in play. I'm toying with the idea of buying a dedicated track toy in the Spring, or maybe a SPB. I like the idea of protecting my DD and keeping it shiny. I've got to figure out where I want (and what I can afford) to go with all of this.

 

[SonicSid]

Indeed, we could go so far off topic about car camera rigging and I'd rather spare the wonderful folks here. I'll save it instead for an upcoming SF Bay Area group drive.
I was serious about the roll cage as I know you're looking forward to much more track time, just was unsure about your timing.
Another mounting option that wasn't mentioned was mounting a gopro with break-away mount on the right side of your helmet. Not sure if that's a good idea though, but you'd get a similar capture of your view while driving and it should be able to pick up somewhat of an instructor's voice...

 

[vhs]

I'm not sure what I'm going to do about my car situation. I was at Laguna Seca today and had the car floored a number of times and wanted more power (i.e. exiting turns 5 and 6 and the straightway). I'm thinking of getting a C GTS in the spring. I'm sold on mid engine design, but love the PDK, so a GT4 is out until they come out with a PDK model.

Is the SF Bay Area drive group with PCA or Facebook?