How-To: 3 Most Popular DIY GoPro Projects

So you just scored yourself a fancy new GoPro camera. You’re looking to make some killer videos and be the next viral phenom. There are no short of the five gazillion YouTube videos of people strapping GoPros to their chests/heads/bikes and doing cool stuff. However, no matter how cool the stuff (or how tasty the dubstep) the first-person POV has become, well, boring.

You, my friend, need a new GoPro mount.

There are thousands of video tutorials online in which DIYers teach you how to mount, rig, and  jazz up your GoPro — so many, in fact, that we created a site called DIYGoPro.com for the sole purpose of sifting through the dizzying amount of GoPro tutorials to showcase only the ones worth watching. And if you’ve ever tried to find a decent tutorial video among the countless muffled, dimly lit, out-of-focus monstrosities out there, you know how much of a timesaver this is.

Here are the site’s top three most popular tutorials. Each is basic — using everyday hardware — yet each will add new dimensions to your GoPro masterpieces, letting you get the most out of that expensive new toy. Plus, you could build them all in a single day. Enjoy.

360° Swiveling Helmet Mount

If you’ve ever wondered how people capture angles where the camera appears to be floating around them like a drone, here’s your answer: a fairly simple counterweight system fastened to the top of your helmet. Total cost here is about $30, depending on what you already have laying around.

Parts you’ll need:

• 2″ swivel caster with threaded post
• 5/8″ washers and hex nut
• 3/4″ PVC pipe (5′)
• PVC end cap
• PVC cement
• GoPro seat post mount
• 4″-long, 1/2″ hex bolt
• 1/2″ nuts (2)
• 1/2″ fender washers (approx. 40)
• Piece of felt or towel

Camera Slider

Looking to get those smooth sliding shots but don’t really want to shell out over $100 to do it? Look no further. This simple project uses a common drawer slide to accomplish the same effect as the equipment the pros use and will only cost you about $20.

Parts you’ll need:

• GoPro tripod mount
• Mini ball joint adapter (from eBay)
• 22″ ball bearing drawer slide
• 1/4″ coupling nut
• 1/2″-long, 1/4″ flat-head bolts (2)
• Tripod quick release plate
• Small bolt, 2 washers, hex nut

Pole Mount

No GoPro mount roundup would be complete without the classic pole mount. Textbook for selfie footage, following shots, and the poor man’s crane shot.

Parts you’ll need:

• GoPro tripod mount
• Old ski pole
• 1/4″ hex nut and bolt

How-To:

1. Determine how long you want your pole to be. No right answer here.
2. Cut off the pointy end.
3. Flatten the cut end. Hammer the cut end of the pole until it’s flat.
4. Prepare the cut end for the camera mount. Drill a 1/4″ hole through the flat end. Use a Dremel or sanding wheel to clean up the sharp edges of the pole.
5. Spray-paint it.
6. Attach the mount. Use the 1/4″ bolt and hex nut to attach the GoPro tripod mount.
7. Mount your GoPro camera. Here’s a tip: when filming following shots, hand the camera down toward the ground as opposed to balancing atop the pole. This will give you much smoother footage.

What do you think?

There you have it. These were the most popular mounts, but maybe not the best. If you have a GoPro, what mounts have you made? What mounts would you suggest people make or buy first? For more tutorials, check out DIYGoPro’s website.