Many snowmobile enthusiasts, like myself, enjoy filming their exploits during their outings or capturing beautiful videos as a souvenir. So, I thought I would give you a few examples that might be of interest to you based on the different types of filming I have experimented with over the years. Of course, they each offer advantages and disadvantages, so I will take the time to explain them to you in the following article.
Main Mountings on the Body
First, filming from the top of the helmet is the most popular type. I adopted the latter myself for several years because it is easy to mount, and it is the most straightforward position to install. This position allows you to have a good view of the front while following the direction of the driver’s helmet. However, if you want to have a good view of your movements and your ride, I find this mount limits this, especially with off-trail helmets because the visor reduces the camera’s view downwards. Another disadvantage is when you are in the forest or areas that are not so clear and that there are many branches. I find that the camera can sometimes catch because it adds height to the helmet.
Another mounting option on the helmet, one that I use now, is on the side of the helmet. I find that this position is the one that provides the most benefits because it is not obstructed by the visor. You can see your movements all well as being able to see along your line of sight at the same time. It is what I like the most about the camera on the helmet because we can see in the direction that we want to and not only the direction in which the snowmobile is heading. This mounting position does not have the disadvantage of catching as with the other position explained previously.
Another mounting option that can be good is the chest camera harness. This position is excellent to see the movements of the driver, and you really get a beautiful view of the trails. You can’t, however, see what you are looking at because it points in the same direction as the shoulders. Another thing with this type of mount is that it is only a belt that ties the camera, so there is more vibration than when it is mounted to the helmet. However, with the new GoPro models that stabilize videos, this problem is no longer as much of an issue; it all depends on the model used, of course.
Mountings on the Snowmobile
Now, regarding the mounting on the snowmobile, I have performed several tests. Those that are worth mentioning are the following: mounted toward the driver from the front and from the back of the snowmobile. I do not recommend mounting the camera on the snowmobile to film the front because there is no visual on the driver nor his movements, and there is a lot of vibration on the camera because of the bumper. Also, because the camera can’t follow the direction you are looking in, you can often miss out on some action that was not in the axis of the snowmobile.
As for the mount at the front, facing the driver, this configuration can be interesting because it puts the emphasis on the driver and his movements during more technical manoeuvres, which can give an excellent overview of him. Also, on a mountain, during the ascent, this position offers a beautiful panoramic view. A disadvantage of this type of mount for off-track lovers is that the camera is the first obstacle to collide with branches. There is, therefore, a danger that something might break or that the camera might move.
A second mounting position is on the snowmobile’s bumper. We can see the body movements well. However, the problem with this position is that you don’t see what is happening at the front. This position really emphasizes the driver’s position but not the panorama.
Little Extra…
Since taking my first GoPro camera out, I have really had the chance to experiment with it, but also test several options. I have, therefore, decided to share two of them which offer interesting photos. The first is the windshield mount, which, with the help of a suction cup, allows you to have a closer view on the driver.
Another filming option is with a stick inserted into a backpack. There are several models available on the market, but I decided to make mine with a piece of threaded steel piping. The photos really are different and original with this system, but you need to be in an open space to be able to use it, or else, it will catch due to its height.
All that is left now is to film the exploits and incredible panoramas our favourite sport has to offer us…
