Action Camera

[Lil Dust Devil]

I've been doing some research, but thought it best to reach out for tried & true experiences. I'm looking at getting an Action Camera for recording main match shoots, training sessions and dry firing practice. 

I need something easy to operate, remote/manual start, battery life good for main matches, etc. I also, don't want to spend a Fort Knox price. I'm open to suggestions, opinions and honest advice. 

I've tried a couple of very inexpensive cameras, but they seem to be a bit more than I want to comprehend just to turn them on and record. LOL

Thanks everyone for some direction and advice.

 

Lil Dust Devil

[Warden Callaway]

I've got a boot box of cameras and such. But I'm sure none of these models are available now. I don't think I paid over $100 for any of them.

 

As for power, I got batter packs that had plenty of power to run 6 hour match. I set the cameras up on tripods to each side of the targets pointed towards the stage. 

 

The other half of what you need is editing software and PC with graphics card. I use Adobe Premiere Elements edit software. 

 

I was given a GoPro but found it inferior in every way to my cheap cameras. 

[Houston CAS]

I have an Insta360 Go 3 camera that I use for 1st person video of stages. I like it because it easily transfers to my iPhone, where I can trim the beginning and ending of the video in a few seconds. It came with a clip that I can attach it to my cowboy hat. I press a button on the camera, then again when I'm finished. You can also control it from its base, but I don't use that feature.  

 

Here's my instagram where you can see some videos of it in action:

 

https://www.instagram.com/houstongunfighter/

 

[Warden Callaway]

Another accessory to consider is an external microphone.  I got a $20 BOYA that comes with a "dead cat" that improves sound by reducing wind noise. Also, the microphone picks up sound where you aim it. The microphones on cameras tend to pick up sound all around.  I got one camera that had its microphone on the side. It drove  me crazy because it would pick up shots from the other posse 50 yards away rather than the shots fired 10' in front. 

 

Another thought,  if and when you upgrade your phone, see how much they are going to allow you on it. My last upgrade, they were going to allow me $10 traidin.  I kept it and transfered everything on it to new phone and use the old only as a camera.  

[DukeSoprano]

I have had bad luck with Gopros, first one was an 8 and the battery swelled and of course the battery is not replaceable. 2nd one was a Hero 10 and it kept overheating and then it bricked, I guess I had insurance that let me buy another Hero 10 for $100. I doesn't overheat but I did install a white cover on it and it is mounted to a large battery pack. Sometimes it doesn't want to sync to my phone, of course its right before I shoot a match. 

My buddy has a insta360 and has good luck with it.

[The Outlaw Travis James]

Stay away from GoPro. They overheat and their battery life is not very good in cold or warmer weather.

 

I use Insta360 cameras. They have many different models. I use a 360° camera and place it down range so I can get a good view of my transitions and shooting technique. I also use an Insta360 GO3 first person camera mounted to my cowboy hat for first person views as well. You can see my videos on my YouTube for examples. https://www.youtube.com/@TheOTJ/shorts 

 

I also have some affiliate links for each camera. It gives you a free accessory if you use it to buy your camera. Let me know what model you are looking at or I can help you decide which one would be best for your application. 

 

https://store.insta360.com/product/x4?c=2994&from=nav affiliate code: INRRBGW 

[Lil Dust Devil]

sent a pm

[Shiner Bock Bob]

For the money I have been very happy with the AKASO Brave 7. The newest version is probably better.

 

[Vail Vigilante]

I really do like the Insta360. When I get the scratch, one is mine!

A lot of guys I know use them on baseball or cowboy hats.

 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

On 3/10/2025 at 11:38 AM, Houston CAS said:

I have an Insta360 Go 3 camera that I use for 1st person video of stages. I like it because it easily transfers to my iPhone, where I can trim the beginning and ending of the video in a few seconds. It came with a clip that I can attach it to my cowboy hat. I press a button on the camera, then again when I'm finished. You can also control it from its base, but I don't use that feature.  

 

Here's my instagram where you can see some videos of it in action:

 

https://www.instagram.com/houstongunfighter/

 

 

Can't see videos.   Requires a logon.

[Bingo Montana]

I have been using the Insta360 GO2 first person camera for a few years now and will buy another one when this one craps out.  It is easy to use and light enough to mount on a cowboy hat without interfering with your shooting.  The Insta360 Studio software used for editing is not bad, and can handle most of your basic editing needs.  I have an older version, the GO2 which I bought at a substantial discount when the newer G03 model came out.  So far it's held up to all my needs although the battery life is starting to shorten to where I need to put the camera in the charging case every 2 or 3 stages to make sure it has a full charge.  I will replace it with the latest Insta360 GO model when the battery finally expires.  The camera features allow for very good resolution, image stabilization, and the microphone is very good if you turn off wind mode.

 

This FP video was done with the GO2 and edited withnthe Insta360 Studio software: 

 

 

I also use a tripod mounted GoPro Hero 11 Black, however a few things to note.  To record an entire match you need to use an external battery.  To do that you will need to flash GoPro Labs firmware onto the camera which allows additional features to be used, such as external charging.  I have to use an external battery with the GoPro and as others have mentioned it will overheat and shutdown if you record continuously at high resolution and frame rates.  The GoPro really isn't suited for continuous use and you will have to stop recording every few minutes to let it cool down.  I use the GoPro remote to control the camera and start it while I'm at the loading table right before I start the stage.  That said, sometimes starting all the cameras and keeping up with the gear is a distraction.  As far as editing, I never have enough time to edit all the video recorded at every match.  

 

This video was done with both the GoPro and Insta360 Go2 with a split screen view, you can see the hat mounted Insta360 Go2 and the GoPro off to the side on a few stages.  If I was to do it over again, I think I would buy the Insta360 X camera instead of the GoPro, the 360 view is better suited to action shooting in my opinion.

 

 

 

 

 

[DukeSoprano]

Bingo Montana, I bought one of these and it really helped with overheating:

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTZ43P2V?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

[Renegade Roper]

I use a Pivo (designed for equestrian) https://pivo.ai, that is blue tooth connected to my phone. It can follow you (like following a horse around an arena) or you can have it stationary (ie, it doesnt rotate around on the tripod head).  It has a remote so you can start it up from a distance (it counts down from 3 so you know it is about to record, if you are in a position to see the #'s on your phone).  You can edit out the parts you dont want (like when you forget to turn it off after your run).  It has a bunch of other features but I dont use them.  I have tried the GoPro & numerous others but like this one.  

Roper

 

[Captain Bill Burt]

I use Meta Ray Ban Wayfarer smart glasses. They’re a bit pricey and battery life needs to be longer but they’re easy to use, do a lot more than just take pictures/video, and they’re prescription.

 

 

Edited March 13 by Captain Bill Burt

[Lil Dust Devil]

16 hours ago, Renegade Roper said:

I use a Pivo (designed for equestrian) https://pivo.ai, that is blue tooth connected to my phone. It can follow you (like following a horse around an arena) or you can have it stationary (ie, it doesnt rotate around on the tripod head).  It has a remote so you can start it up from a distance (it counts down from 3 so you know it is about to record, if you are in a position to see the #'s on your phone).  You can edit out the parts you dont want (like when you forget to turn it off after your run).  It has a bunch of other features but I dont use them.  I have tried the GoPro & numerous others but like this one.  

Roper

 

Nice

[watab kid]

always wanted a camera but everytime i thought id get one someone talked me into looking at another make so i never got round to it , nothings changed here