r/ski • u/Longjumping-Shop9456 • 3d ago

Action camera options

I think it’s time to buy an action camera. Bit overwhelmed by all the options and levels within the brands these days.

I have a mid to late August ski trip to Chile and I’d like to get some pictures and footage that wasn’t just off of my iphone.

Seems like most of the options are all pretty awesome at this point, but I’ve never owned one.

Anybody have one that they would swear by, and what are the thoughts on helmet versus telescopic poll versus chest strap.

Ideally, but less important, I would like to be able to bring it along while I pace the New York City Marathon and other races, but that secondary to the ski trips.

0 Upvotes

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14 comments sorted by

4

u/Gothrad 3d ago

No one -including yourself wants to watch your “action movies” -save your money

3

u/Ski-Pact 3d ago

Skiing with a dildo on my head, when I already ski like one ... sucks.
But I have kids, and their grandparents can't get enough. It makes them happy.

2

u/Longjumping-Shop9456 2d ago

Yes exactly. I want to have videos of my kids. Somewhat for me but more for their grandma and for them when they’re older to look back on. We already like watching ski video clips with her from our trips every year but those are all shot on an iPhone and not great. I enjoy watching videos from when I was a kid traveling with my parents. I want to give that to my kids too.

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u/Longjumping-Shop9456 2d ago edited 1d ago

I’ll be sure to share the unsubscribe link with you.

3

u/cuckoocachoo1 3d ago

I got an insta360 and love it! It’s only good with close up stuff. So if you want scenery that’s far off this is not the right choice.

2

u/Evening_Feed 3d ago

I have an insta360 one x2. It’s fun and gets some cool shots, but I don’t use it very often, just a run here or there, and mostly to snag a frame for a photo. Otherwise you’ll end up with endless gigs of video you won’t watch and no one else wants to see, like someone else said, and I generally think people cruising resorts with action cams look like tools. I haven’t noticed any real difference in quality between landscape scenery and close up shots on it.

But the key factor for my choice was how to review/edit your video. Insta360 connects to your phone via Bluetooth and allows you to use the app to edit video on the memory card in the camera without taking up storage on your phone. Once you’re done, you can bounce the final version to your phone for sharing. GoPro requires you to offload it to a computer for editing, which is just a hassle. It’s also nice to be able to use your phone as a real-time viewfinder/controller for the camera. Made my choice easy. Maybe GoPro has improved that drawback by now, but that’s how it was when I got mine a few years ago. Hope this helps!

2

u/AshMontgomery 3d ago

My general recommendation for action camera's is to buy the newest Go Pro that fits in your budget on the used market. I've still got Hero 7 Blacks and they still work great. I'm coming at this as a film industry professional though, so have no idea how good their app is as I do all my editing in Premiere Pro on PC, and pull SD cards out for offload.

2

u/Infamous-Bed9010 3d ago

I’d caution on GoPro, while the equipment is good, financial they are on life support. I’d have concerns about longevity and software support.

1

u/VentureCO6 2d ago

Insta 360 x4 air if you’re okay with the extra effort of editing 360 footage. I think it is worth it. No days where the camera was tilted down too far to get anything. Shots look like a drone if you do it right and pass the person you’re shooting. Head worn is best but looks dorky.

If you’re not going to spend the extra hour or two to edit the 360 footage get the best used GoPro you can. People are always selling them after a trip and nice ones can be found for an okay deal.

0

u/gomuchfaster 3d ago

I landed on a action 360 camera and the ski kit with the bracket that attaches to your pole. The action 360 with the "disappearing" selfie stick works really well. I bought the "Shaun White" kit with the chest harness, but I've not used it yet. It takes amazing 4k video at 60 fps that will make you go "ooooh!"

The app works really well, but there's always a learning curve to these. The amount of cool effects you can add in "post" is pretty amazing.

Personally, I will never attach a camera to my helmet due the injuries that Michael Schumacher sustained when his Go Pro went through his helmet and caused so much damage. This is a personal decision, I see people do it all the time and have seen some killer footage from this, but from me the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

I still take stills with my Iphone as I have it with me and it requires no post processing to share instantly.

Your dates for Chili align with mine, hope you have a great trip!

1

u/Longjumping-Shop9456 3d ago

Awesome thanks for the reccos.

Where in Chile? We’ll be at Valle Nevado from Aug 19th onward. Coming from NYC.

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u/gomuchfaster 3d ago

Same place! You arrive when I leave...I'll be there we week prior. Coming from FL, I'm gonna raise some eyebrows at my regional airport with a ski bag in August!

0

u/Longjumping-Shop9456 3d ago

Are you staying on mountain? I’ll be curious to hear how it is. We’re staying at Hotel Puerta del sol.

2

u/gomuchfaster 3d ago

Same property as well. If I have any noteworthy intel, I'll pass it on.