onboard videos and hard mounting a GoPro Hero3 Black edition

[ussprinceton2004]

.....so, after two failures using the GoPro 3M VHB flat adhesive mounts, I decided to hard mount the Hero3 Black edition camera. I searched on eBay for camera mounts that had the standard thread size. At first, I saw the CCTV security camera mounts that you can screw onto the walls. But, I didn't like how there were pivot points that are tightened down to secure it at the desired angle. More moving parts, which can come loose because of constant vibration from the uneven terrain. I searched further and found this low profile mount with three mounting holes, perfect for my application. Here is a picture of this low profile mount.



This mount came with two different sized extensions, seen to the left and the right. The part above the low profile mount is your standard GoPro tripod mount. You thread that onto the low profile mount.

The thin polycarbonate bodies that are made by Traxxas are rather thin, so I had to place a light switch cover plate underneath the roof, essentially sandwiching the roof with the low profile mount on top. I secured these parts with nuts, bolts, and washers I bought at Home Depot. I drilled the three holes on the roof of a Slash body and also drilled three holes on the light switch plate using a dremel.






Here is our first onboard video after bolting all the parts together.

GOPR0004 - YouTube




You will notice, in that video above, that the angle of the lens would move up, from time to time. That is because the circular shape of the low profile mount would allow it to cave in the thin polycarbonate lexan roof. Also, we found out, after that 1st video, that the GoPro tripod mount would come loose, and the video would show footage off to the left. We used some JB Weld to permanently hold the GoPro tripod mount in place. Also, I figured that I should add another light cover switch plate to the roof. The larger surface area of the switch plate will prevent the thin lexan roof from caving in. Below are pictures of the final version of the hard mounted Hero3 Black.






These are some of the onboard videos following my brother around the race track.

GOPR0002 - YouTube





GOPR0003 - YouTube





GOPR0004 - YouTube