Customer Reviews

GoPro Chest Mount Harness for HERO Cameras

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Review updated 2011 Aug 10:

Vs. Helmet mount for mtn biking:

Pros:
- Better PoV perspective which captures more movement of your arms and your gear in action
- Better ground detail
- Better clearance from branches

Cons:
- Can't easily aim it behind you while on the bike and looking back at friends riding a section you just rode
- More wind noise, due to it capturing the sound of wind deflecting off your chest

Footage from my GoPro on my helmet mount wasn't very spectacular. It seemed a bit slower than in real life and made everything look flat, from making obstacles look insignificant to making pitches look level. Moving the camera to the chest mount gave my footage better ground detail to help with depth perception and since it captured my position, arm movement, and gear's movement, it gave a sense of the technique I was using to handle the steep pitches. The ground and foliage seemed to zoom by faster too, which seemed to give a better sense of speed. It made my PoV footage seem a lot more interesting to watch. I still have a helmet mount for certain situations, but this is now my preferred location/way to mount/wear a camera on my body.

Both are kind of finicky to aim. I find the best way is to not use leg attachments if at all possible. The chest mount requires the camera to be tilted up, since your chest will be at an angle to the ground, else you will be filming your bikes top tube and your knees. I found that mounting the camera upside down with it tilting upwards just enough that it allows the camera to be coerced out if you open the rear hatch is just about perfect and is how I realign it each time if I happen to move the camera from mount to mount. I then use the UPd mode (available after a firmware upgrade for the regular HeroHD 1080) or just rotate it 180 in editing software (don't flip, as that reverses the left and right orientation). Using leg attachments will make it prone to shaky video and risk being jarred loose out of position (kills the flow looking down and seeing you need to fix the aim).

The GoPro tends to have rattling/clacking sounds which can be minimized by padding the clip interface with some tape to tighten it up and maybe padding the case with tape to dull the sound of dirt bouncing off the case.

If I were to ride solo (time trial style) or behind a better rider on a generally non-stop fast and flowy ride, I'd definitely opt for the chest mount. If I were to ride with buddies who were slower, I'd opt for a helmet mount, just so I could just pullover my bike, put a foot down, and turn my head and film them attempting a section I just rode. If the view was great and I'd want to get some riding by footage of scenery off to the side, I'd use a helmet mount too. If I wanted to ride stylish, I'd just opt for a non PoV view or give the camera to someone else who would act as a chaser.

IMO, this is one of the big reasons to get the GoPro over other PoV cams. Get it, use it, and learn to love it.

I recently purchased an GoPro HD helmet-cam and this mount has made my skiing video's look stable as compared to using the helmet or head band mount that's included in the package. I guess its skiing style but I tend to move my head around more often then my chest. My chest is typically looking downhill in the direction of the fall line making for a stable platform keeping my viewers from getting sick. This is an accessory item that you should consider purchasing if you like making skiing or biking video's. I'm a big guy (6ft 225lbs)so I was concerned about this thing fitting me but to my pleasure I found that the straps are adjustable, stretch & a buckle next to the camera mount makes for quick removal. Also, it's easy to turn the camera on and start a video shoot with the camera being so close to your chest. I highly recommend using one of these if you want stable looking video's. I give it a thumbs up!

This is a great mount for any activity where you are facing forward. It is not so great for sideways facing activities (aka snowboarding, skateboarding). It is very comfortable and well made. It does what it should.

does better video capturing with less shaking compared to helmet cam placement. fits well and almost can't tell it's there whereas with helmet cam placement the weight of the camera is noticeable on the head

Purchased this for a shoot I had in Nepal. We mounted this on our Sherpa team. unfortunately the Sherpa are not very tall so we ended up with poor framing (a lot of cut off heads). I would recommend a head mount or pole mount.
You really are unable to view the shot for setting the harness height if you have a LCD. Next time I will place this unit on our tallest crew member.

The straps are highly adjustable, comfortable, and hold the camera in place. The quick disconnect is useful. I have used it dozens of times doing everything from Trail Running to Swimming, to Motocross, on roller-coasters and water slides. It is holding up well.
Besides the obvious POV type shots I have used this mount BACKWARDS ( camera on the back instead of the front) in order to get some great shots of the rider behind. Works just as well for that too.
Also, while mounted on the front with a few extension arms, I was able to get the camera in proper position to face me, which was also a neat perspective.
I consider this a mandatory piece of kit if you own a Hero Camera.

yep no problems but does need so trial runs to get the right position. The instructions are rubbish but it's easy enough to work out though. My only gripe is that there could be more adjustment vertically on the plate as I found that the camera angle was sometimes too low so you have to get the camera mounted high up the chest - when cycling to get the best angle

1. This mount is secure when in use and easy to stow when not making a ski/mnt bike movie.
2. Its easier to put on in cold conditions as you don't have to pinch the plastic that gets stiff.
3. I often put the "chesty" on going up the ski lift.
4. The included strap on helmet cam that comes with the camera would always allow the camera to flop producing sub-par movie. This mount cured that for me.
5. I didn't want to paste a mount on my helmet.
6. The speed appears enhanced as the camera is closer to the ground.

GoPro Chest Mount Harness is one of the best add-ons for the GoPro. If you are on a bike, motorcycle, ATV, or anything with handle bars it makes for great action shots. I've turned it backwards and took great video of people riding behind me.

This product is fantastic. I bought it for my husband to use with the GoPro Hero HD camera, and he loves it. The straps are adjustable, and you can really capture great video while wearing this harness without the fear of something happening to the camera. My husband thinks it is better than mounting the camera on a helmet. This is a great buy for capturing video in action (riding on an ATV, motorcycle, etc.).