Need advice on GoPro / GoPro alternative and suction cup mount for tuft testing

[Cd]

I am seeing some cheap GoPro cameras on Ebay.
I plan to do tuft testing with them.
My main question would be about the suction cup mount.
I have seen videos of these things mounted to almost everything from submarines, to rockets.

How do they work ?

Do you need a slick surface for it to get suction ?

I would be a bit nervous about the thing falling off the car .
Would they stick to Coroplast ?

Please post your experience with them.
Are there certain models I should avoid ?

I notice some have WiFi - what is that all abour ?
I just need the cheapest, basic setup that will show what the tufts are doing without falling off the car.

Anyone here have a GoPro alternative that you would recommend ?

Thanks !

[M_a_t_t]

The suction cup works best if you clean the surface, then apply the suction cup. If the surface is damp I think it has the potential to work a little better, but not sure on that one.

You can always add a tether to a mirror housing or strong magnet placed nearby.

I don't think it would stick to coroplast very well. Too much flex. I've never tried though.

I think the wifi has 2 purposes. So you can remotely see if you are in frame and I think you can save the video to the connecting device.

I have a SJ4000, the original knock off gopro. It works good enough. I paid like $50 for it used with some basic accessories. It accepts all gopro mounts.

The last time I used it was when I was assembling a harbor freight trailer. The file is saved on my laptop though and I can't find the charger. Otherwise I'd share it. It works pretty good for the price. I did buy a knockoff gopro before I bought the SJ and it wasn't that great.


Edit:
I'm 90% sure this was recorded with the SJ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKop...nnel=NoUploads

I am going to try this for a mount. I already bought the suction cup. It is works really well, but it has to be smooth, flat surface. For example, my fridge door has little dots/shapes and it wouldn't stick. The side of the fridge is completely smooth and my 65 lb dog couldn't pull it off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXL-...psandTricks%22

[CigaR007]

Go with a camera that has a built-in display as it will allow you to instantly confirm that your camera shot framing is optimal for the desired task.

My current setup (1st gen. GoPro) involves recording-removing SD card-validate framing in laptop-adjust framing if needed - THEN I can proceed with recording the actual video. Very time-consuming.

I believe newer generation cameras can broadcast the video feed to your smartphone via WIFI; could be handy if you want a "live" feed.

[M_a_t_t]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

Go with a camera that has a built-in display as it will allow you to instantly confirm that your camera shot framing is optimal for the desired task.

I am not sure if you are referring to my suggestion or just in general, but the SJ4000 does have a screen on the back side of it.