Image: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET.
I enjoy taking photos of cars in action for vlogs, short films, and documentaries, but if you’re going to attach an action camera to a vehicle, you need to make sure it’s not going to turn into a debris on the side of the road or, worse, go through someone’s windshield.
One of my favorite tools for filming vehicles is the Insta360 X3 action camera, which allows you to take original and creative images. Plus, because it’s a 360-degree camera, you can crop the shot during the editing process to get the exact view you want.
When it comes to car mounts, you have many options. A simple magnetic mount is fine if you just want a static shot, and with the right accessories you can even use your smartphone to take photos. However, if you want to get the right angles and effects, you need to get a professional mounting system that gives you the ability to attach the camera to the vehicle wherever you want.
And you probably won’t find a better car mount than this three-suction system from Insta360.
I could take this rack and attach it to my truck or one of the many cars I rent these days. But why do that when I could travel the few miles to Anglesey Museum and take pictures of one of their impressive vehicles.
And there is a choice among these vehicles.
Image: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET.
The kit I use contains everything I need, even the Action Invisible Selfie Stick from the same brand (Insta360). Everything in the kit is high quality and professional level, from the pump suction cups to the clamps and rods. Everything fits together perfectly and attaches securely.
Image: Insta360/ZDNET.
The suction cups are amazing. They grip well and the pump generates enough vacuum to hold them in place, each capable of supporting a load of 20 kilograms. The soft rubber ensures that you do not leave any marks on the paintwork of the bodywork, which is essential when borrowing other people’s vehicles.
The triangular frame created by the three suction cups helps build a solid structure for the camera. Each suction cup and joint of the frame is adjustable, allowing the camera to be perfectly adapted to the vehicle body.
Image: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET.
Given all the clamps and adjustments, I expected installation on a car to be a pain, but after an initial learning phase it became second nature, and the change from location on a vehicle took only a minute or two.
Image: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET.
I also expected to have difficulty removing the suction cups, but a simple squeeze on the tabs made it easy to release them.
This car holder met all my expectations. It is well made, easy to use and sturdy. It won’t damage the paint and shouldn’t turn the camera to mush on the side of the road. If you’re worried about the mount coming loose, you can always use a safety lanyard to keep it attached to the vehicle in case the worst happens, but I haven’t had any issues with the suction cups.
Image: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET.
I was pleased with the images captured, although I wasn’t very creative with the funky effects that the Insta360 is capable of.
If you are looking for a professional kit, this is exactly what you will get. But at €453, it’s not cheap. If you are looking for something more modest, you can buy a single suction cup system from the same brand for less than €45.
Source: ZDNet.com