Alright, so I finally got my hands on the Akaso Brave 7. I’ve been itching to document my outdoor adventures, and this seemed like a solid, budget-friendly option. But, you know, a camera alone doesn’t really cut it, right? You need the right accessories to really make the most of it. So I went down the rabbit hole of figuring out what gear would work best for me and my Brave 7.
First Steps with the Camera
First thing I did was obviously unbox the camera and turn it on. Felt good in my hand, you know? Not too bulky. Played around with the settings a bit, figured out the basics. Then I thought, “Okay, what do I actually need to take this thing out into the wild?”
Getting the Right Mounts
My first thought was mounting. I do a lot of hiking and biking, so I needed something that could handle that. I saw a bunch of these accessory kits online, like, 42-in-1, 60-in-1, crazy numbers. It felt a bit overwhelming, honestly. Ended up grabbing a kit that had a bunch of different mounts – chest mount, helmet mount, handlebar mount, the usual suspects. Figured it was a good starting point.
Selfie Stick or Tripod? Why Not Both!
Next up was a selfie stick, because, let’s be real, who doesn’t want some epic shots of themselves in action? I stumbled upon this Akaso mini selfie stick tripod thingy. Seemed pretty neat because it could extend for those wide shots and also act as a little tripod for time-lapses or whatever. Compact, lightweight, perfect for throwing in my backpack.
- Chest Mount: I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Tried it on a hike, and honestly, it was pretty cool for getting that first-person perspective. Felt a bit goofy at first, but the footage was worth it.
- Helmet Mount: Used this one for biking. A bit tricky to get the angle right, but once I did, it was awesome. Super stable, even on bumpy trails.
- Handlebar Mount: Another win for biking. Easy to attach and adjust, got some great shots of the trail ahead.
- Selfie Stick/Tripod: This little guy is a champ. Used it for selfies, obviously, but the tripod function was surprisingly useful for setting up some scenic shots.
Powering Through Adventures
Another big thing was power. Didn’t want to be out in the middle of nowhere with a dead camera. The Brave 7 comes with two batteries, which is nice, but I grabbed an extra charger and a couple more batteries just to be safe. Better to have too much juice than not enough, right?
Experimenting with the Akaso GO App
I also started playing around with the Akaso GO app. Seemed like a good way to control the camera remotely and transfer footage to my phone. It’s pretty basic, but it gets the job done. I was able to download and do some quick edits on my phone, which was handy for sharing stuff on the go.
Learning as I Go
It’s definitely been a learning process. I’m still figuring out the best settings and angles for different situations. But that’s part of the fun, right? Experimenting, trying new things, seeing what works. And honestly, for the price, the Brave 7 and these accessories have been a great way to get into action cam videography without breaking the bank. It’s a fantastic way for me to capture and share all my crazy adventures.
I’ll keep you guys updated as I get more experience and maybe try out some more accessories. I’m thinking a waterproof case might be next on the list, especially since I want to try some water sports this summer. Stay tuned!
