Nissan 370Z Forum - How To Make An Awesome GoPro HD In-Car Mount For Approx. $30 (AK370Z)

So I was in a search for an in-car GoPro mount for a while now. I refuse to pay big bucks for in car mounts but there aren't even any good ones out there. Any ones that I liked even a little bit, are over $100! I have also reached out to a few members here to gather ideas (and thank you for you replies) but I was not 100% happy with it or was able to pin point a specific mount idea. I keep brainstorming. Then one day, this idea came to my mind out of no where. My goal was to make something that's cheap, serves my purpose and easy to remove. Well folks, I present AK370Z version of the GoPro in car mount. I spent about $30-$35. I have attended HPDE and my video came out pretty good. Let me know what you think :tup:

What you'll need:

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1. 3"x3" coupling from Homedepot $6
Link: Fernco 3 in. x 3 in. Cast Iron, Plastic, Steel, Copper and Lead to the same, Flexible PVC Coupling-P1056-33 at The Home Depot

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2. Charlotte Pipe 3/4 in. x 2 ft. PVC Pipe $1.28
Link: Charlotte Pipe 3/4 in. x 2 ft. PVC Schedule 40 Plain End Pipe-PVC 04007 0200 at The Home Depot

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3. Mueller Streamline 3/4 in. PVC S x S x S Tee $0.46
Link: Mueller Streamline 3/4 in. PVC S x S x S Tee-401-007HC at The Home Depot

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4. Mueller Streamline 1-1/2 in. x 1-1/2 in. x 1 in. PVC Slip x Slip x Slip Reducer Tee $3.26
Link: Mueller Streamline 1-1/2 in. x 1-1/2 in. x 1 in. PVC Slip x Slip x Slip Reducer Tee-401-211HC at The Home Depot

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5. Mueller Streamline 1 in. x 3/4 in. PVC Schedule 40 Pressure Spigot x Slip Bushing $0.76
Link: Mueller Streamline 1 in. x 3/4 in. PVC Schedule 40 Pressure Spigot x Slip Bushing-437-131HC at The Home Depot

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6. Oatey 8 oz. PVC All-Purpose Cement $6.40
Link: Oatey 8 oz. PVC All-Purpose Cement-308213 at The Home Depot

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PS: I should mention here that this part "may" be optional if you have similar or any strong plastic adhesive at home. You can save $6 and can bring the cost of this unit even less!

7. GoPro Handlebar and Seat Post Pole Mount $19.99
Link: Handlebar and Seat Post Bicycle Camera Mount - GoPro Ride HERO

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Receipt:
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STEP 1:
Slide the 1"x3/4" bushing into the 1.5" x 1.5" x 1 in. PVC Tee.

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It should fit pretty snug.

STEP 2:
Loosen the 3"x3" coupling clamps. Remove both clamps and put them aside.

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STEP 3:
Now take a utility knife and cut the plastic/rubber coupling. Please take extreme caution as the knife is very sharp. One accidental slip and you will cut your hand.

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STEP 4:
Line up and wrap the flexible rubber coupling around the rear stabilizer bar right behind the seats

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Mark with a pen where the top flap sits.

STEP 5:
Cut the excess rubber piece. Please do not cut the exact size you measured. Cut maybe a cm or two larger. This will prevent from overlapping when you tighten the clamps later.

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STEP 6:
Now Cut the 1.5"x 1.5"x 1" tee right in the middle

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STEP 7:
Lineup/wrap the rubber coupling to the rear stabilizer bar. Be sure the put the "cut" area toward the rear hatch/down. Then Open the Clamps and put them aside. Now take the clamps and line them up on the rubber coupling's groove.

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STEP 8:
Then the cut tee and put it in between rubber coupling and clamps. Once you're happy with the position, tighten them up (not fully though).

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STEP 9:
Take the 3/4" x 2' pvc pipe and cut to the appropriate length. I think mine is about 12". It should be anywhere from 11.5" to 12". Now mount the 3/4" PVC tee on to this 12" pipe. The length of this pipe depends on how you want the camera mounted. Please read the Camera adjustment paragraph below

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STEP 10:
Take the 12" pipe and put it on the clamped tee. Make some adjustment to the tee so that is looks like this:

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Once happy with the height, add the GoPro Camera

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Fine tune the angle of the long pipe and GoPro housing.

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You can take some sample footage and check your camera angle. Adjust anything that needs to be adjusted.

STEP 11:
Once you're fully satisfied with the mount, the angles and the camera test video, it's time to permanently attach them. I used this all purpose pvc cement. If you have another form of adhesive in your house or can buy a smaller bottle, you can save $6 here. Also, remember to put thin layer of cement on the surface.

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Painting: (optional)
If you want to paint this mount, follow the steps 12 thru . If you do not wish to paint your mount, congratulations! you're mount is ready to use :tup:

STEP 12:
For Painting, you'll see sand paper, rubbing alcohol and a spray paint color of your choice. I went with textured paint which gives it a very professional look

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STEP 13
Start sanding the unit. After you're done sanding, you should have a very smooth surface that has a satin finish ready to be painted. Before painting, pour some rubbing alcohol on a cloth or paper and clean out the whole unit. Then air dry. This will remove any post-sanding powder residue

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STEP 14:
Time to paint! Please follow the instructions on the paint bottle. Please allow appropriate dry time in between coats so that there's no run. I put two coats. Once you're done painting, it should look like this:

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I think the textured look is awesome! :tup:

Final Product:
You're done! You've just made yourself a homemade GoPro in-car mount. It took me maybe couple hours from start to finish. I think the finished product looks awesome! I took this setup to a HPDE and passed tech inspection with no problem (however I haven't been to BMWCCA HPDE but I highly doubt they will give you hard time).

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GoPro setting change:
Here's a GoPro quick sheet to help you make some setting changes as you'll be shooting from the inside of your car. From GoPro settings, select "sPt" from defaut "Cnt" setting. You'll thank me for this :)

CAMERA ADJUSTMENT:
This is my fav camera view. As you can see, I have allowed JUST ENOUGH tilt so that you can see the top of the shift knob. This way you can see when i shift. To the right and left, use your side mirrors to guide you. I usually have a little bit of area outside the mirrors. I try to Keep the windshield right in the middle or as middle as possible. Since you're in sPot metering on your GoPro, you want to keep your main focus in the middle. I should also mention that the length of the long pipe depends on how you want the GoPro to see out. If you want to see more "hood" and want to come from a little higher, cut a longer pipe, point upward and then pivot the GoPro housing more downward. I personally like my camera right at the level or slightly above the eyes. I think my videos came out pretty good.

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Enjoy your new GoPro in car mount. I was really shocked how well it recorded and how sturdy it was. I have a autox event coming up soon where I'm going to use it. I'll def. post the video here. You guys tell me what you think of this. I'm always open to your suggestion and thoughts :tup: