Since I tried it out this winter, I've been impressed by Insta360's full-fledged action camera, the Insta360 Ace Pro, and its high-definition image quality and ease of use, which seems to solve all the problems I've had with previous action cameras, have made it a must-have for me on mountain trips like hiking and skiing. It 's fast becoming a travel companion, capturing footage that exceeds expectations in a variety of situations, including hiking, trail running, stream climbing, and skiing, as well as travel.
However, of course, having just one camera doesn't mean you can shoot however you want, whenever you want. Accessories such as mounts and selfie sticks are essential tools for capturing ideal footage in each situation and using the camera without stress
This time, the Insta360 Ace Pro , so I'll review my satisfaction with each one and consider recommended usage scenarios.
By the way, the accessories I tried this time not only the Insta360 Ace Pro Insta360 X3 , so they should be useful for users of both.
table of contents
A review of genuine accessories that make Insta360 Ace Pro even easier to use
Quick release mount (Recommended: ★★★★☆)
Favorite points
- Freely switch between 1/4" screw mount and 2-prong mount
- Easy to attach and detach and securely locked
- The mount is foldable, making it easier to store than the included mount
Recommended for these occasions
- It's useful in all sorts of situations, so if you use the Insta360 Ace Pro, you should definitely have it
the Insta360 Ace Pro is only a standard "2-prong mount point," and does not have the "1/4-inch screw mount" that is used on selfie sticks and camera tripods. The included mount also protrudes significantly, so you can't just leave it on the table, and it's difficult to store (although you can remove it every time).
That's where the "Quick Release Mount" comes in handy. It's a mounting device that's compatible with both 1/4-inch screw and 2-prong patterns, and it easily attaches to the bottom with a magnet, and can be securely locked to prevent it from coming off. Simply unlock it and press the buttons on both sides to remove it
This allows it to be attached to a two-prong mount, often used for attaching to helmets or bicycle handlebars (see photo below, left), or to the 1/4-inch screw commonly found on some selfie sticks and camera tripods (see photo below, right), without using any additional parts. When not in use, the points fold up neatly, so you can leave it attached and place it on a table, or store it easily. It's also easier to carry around than a standard mount
If you only have the included mount, you will need to purchase a separate "2-prong mount to 1/4 inch screw mount" conversion adapter to attach the camera to a gear with a 1/4 inch screw
For those who use a variety of mounts for a variety of activities like me, the more small parts you have, the more complicated it becomes, and you end up getting confused every time you prepare, choosing the parts you need, so the fewer parts you have, the better. This will reduce that hassle and definitely make your camera-related luggage neater
For me, this is an essential part that leaves almost no choice. To be honest, I do wish it was standard equipment, but on the other hand, for those who want to use it smoothly, it's sure to improve convenience in all kinds of activities and situations. Incidentally, it the Insta360 X3, using the included adapter.
Multifunctional selfie stick (Recommended: ★★★☆☆)
Favorite points
- Multifunctional: can be used as a selfie stick, magic arm, or tripod
- Magic Arm makes it easy to shoot from low angles
- Tri-foldable for compact storage
- You can also mount the camera on a wall using "Mantis Mode."
Recommended for these occasions
- Travel and outdoor activities where you want to keep your luggage to a minimum
- When you want to take a selfie at a low angle or with a sophisticated angle of view
As its name suggests, the multi-function selfie stick is a convenient tripod-equipped selfie stick that can be used in a variety of ways.Unlike regular selfie sticks that simply extend straight, this one has joints and a free-standing head, which can be adjusted to extend it to a variety of angles
When folded, it's compact, just a little longer than the palm of your hand, making it easy to carry. It has two joints and a fully rotating ball joint mount at the tip, so you can adjust it to a wide variety of distances and angles
When you open the end, it becomes a tripod, allowing you to take selfies from a distance. This means you don't have to carry a separate tripod. In my experience, tripods are bulky and often end up unused, or conversely, you end up regretting not having one when you didn't bring it with you. It's one of those annoying pieces of gear. Incidentally, the tripod legs are a little short, and extending the bar to its fullest length can make it feel a little unreliable in unstable or windy places, so don't rely on it too much
When shooting in the mountains, for example, if you want to shoot at your feet at ground level, bending the camera into a U-shape allows for very realistic low-angle shots (see photo below, right). You can also use "Mantis Mode," which allows you to hold the camera horizontally if you have even the slightest handle that you can hook onto the side wall. While this might not be useful in many situations in the field, it's sure to be a great addition when you're out in town or traveling
Being able to point the camera at just the right angle in any situation makes this selfie stick much more convenient than a regular selfie stick, not only for outdoor activities like hiking, but also for everyday use like traveling. However, since I already had a regular selfie stick, it wasn't something I absolutely had to take photos for, so I'm giving it three stars. However, if you don't have a selfie stick yet, I highly recommend it as your first one. However, when using it with a 360-degree camera like the Insta360 X3, you should be aware that the selfie stick will likely be in the shot
Magnetic Selfie Stick Holster (Recommended: ★★★★★)
Favorite points
- You can attach a selfie stick to your backpack
- The camera can be attached and detached incredibly quickly with one hand
Recommended for these occasions
- Hiking, running
- Skiing
The moment this selfie stick holster was released, I knew it would be a very useful item, even before I even used it. I've been using this type of plate-style camera holder for many years with my SLR, GoPro, and Insta360 X3, and I've thoroughly appreciated how convenient it is. Furthermore, this holster is a decisive evolution that sets it apart from simply copying previous products, and it's this that has earned it the highest recommendation this time
One of the improvements is that it is easier to attach and remove than any mount I have used up until now. Seeing is believing, so I took a video of it being attached and removed
First, attach the adapter to the end of the selfie stick to connect it to the holster. The adapter is securely attached to the holster with a magnet and pin, so it's unlikely to come off even during vigorous ground activities. To remove it, just twist the selfie stick slightly. The magnet is not sensitive to twisting movements, so it comes off without much force. It's so simple and smooth that it's impressive
Another advantage, needless to say, is that you can set the camera in the holster with the selfie stick attached. Until now, you usually had to switch from the holster adapter to the selfie stick, but with this, you can usually keep it attached to your body (you can even take front-facing shots while walking), and then quickly remove it when you're in a special place and take photos at any angle with the selfie stick in one hand, or take a selfie, seamlessly and quickly taking photos on the move. It's so convenient that it's almost too much
The only drawback is that if the shoulder straps on a backpack are too thick, they will exceed the limit of the length of the screws on the plate and cannot be attached. It's probably fine for lightweight backpacks or those with a capacity up to a day trip, but recent backpacks have pockets and other parts attached to the shoulder straps, making them quite thick, so it's unfortunate that it may not be possible to attach it to some backpacks. Competitor products offer versions with longer screws, so it would be great if they could accommodate this
GPS Action Remote Control (Recommended: ★★★★★)
Favorite points
- You can start and stop recording, check the elapsed recording time, remaining battery power, and remaining recording time, switch between main modes, and turn the power on and off at your fingertips
- More accurate GPS information can be obtained
- Waterproof to 5m
Recommended for these occasions
- Any activity where you need to set up a camera in a remote location that is difficult to operate, such as mountain climbing, river climbing, skiing, or biking
the Insta360 Ace Pro has remote control functions such as voice control and gesture control, nothing beats button operation in terms of reliability. This "GPS Action Remote Control" is literally a remote control connected via Bluetooth and also has a detailed GPS function.
Once paired, you can use it to start and stop recording, as well as turn the power on and off and change modes (photo, video, pure video, time-shift video, loop video).It comes with a dedicated strap (long and short), so if you attach it to your arm or somewhere else that is convenient for you, you can perform almost all of the necessary operations from your hand
The remote control's display not only shows the shooting mode, but also the elapsed shooting time and remaining battery life of each device. In the mountains, it's often difficult to detect light and sound, making it difficult to confirm whether recording is actually occurring. For example, this display makes it clear at a glance whether a helmet-mounted camera is recording. And best of all, it's incredibly convenient to be able to operate a 360-degree camera attached to a selfie stick stretched out behind you while skiing, without having to reach down to your hand every time. It also shows the remaining battery life and remaining recording time, so you'll never miss a battery change—it's the ultimate peace of mind for reliable filming
In the photo above, it's attached to my arm, but personally, I also wear a smartwatch on my left arm, so it feels a bit inconvenient. For this reason, I either put it in my chest pocket (although this makes it a little harder to receive GPS signals) or attach it to the strap of my backpack. For someone like me who uses it quite hard as an action camera, it's so convenient that I'd call it a necessity, but the downside is probably the price. However, there's no doubt that you get convenience that's worth the price
summary
I've been using a variety of action cameras for a long time, and I believe that what makes a camera tick is how stress-free it is and how well you can shoot the way you want. While not specifically mentioned here, basic parts that support normal use, such as spare batteries, lens protectors, and high-speed transfer cables, are also important. On top of that, having these accessories that offer even more advanced convenience will make things easier and further enhance the enjoyment of video shooting with that camera. I hope you'll use this article as a reference to enrich your outdoor action camera experience
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