Insta360 x3??

[BikeFather]

I’m thinking of getting the Insta360 x3, this being my first 360 camera.

I was about to pull the trigger until I realised that being on a bike I would probably need to protect those precious lenses.

But those sticky lens protectors have very poor reviews, apparently they easily get scratched as they is no coating, problems with glaring, fogging and overall reduced video quality.

Apparently the x2 has a premium lens guard which is decent, but they don’t have anything for x3, even thought it’s getting close to a year since it has been released.

Has anyone got the X3? What’s your experience with it? Or in general have you had any issues with any of the previous versions? Do you normally use your Insta360 with or without sticky protectors?

 

[Theodor]

I have the x2, have not used any lens guards with it, except when not using the camera, I keep the cap on it. So far so good. Just rinse it under a tap, when bug hits it.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

I have an X2 and have never fitted lens guards either, no issues. I am mindful that they can be vulnerable, so try not to hit the camera on the ground etc.

 

[Drakhen99]

I have a GoPro Max, and I used the lens protectors on it [they're pop-on, no sticky stuff]. Good thing, too, because I damaged 2 of them in the process of finding out the best way to mount it on my bike via selfie stick. I use an Insta360 Bullet Time selfie stick, too.

My recommendation would be to make sure you have a 2-point mounting system, to prevent the camera from falling. I use a velcro strap as the 2nd mount, or make sure the double ball arm mount is situation in such a way that it cannot fall.

360 cams are a lot of fun

-John

 

[BikeFather]

Thanks. I've also asked a few other popular YouTubers I've seen using the Insta360, and they said the same, they're not using the protectors for the exact same reasons, all the issues it's causing.

It's good to know that it's fairly "safe" to use without the lens protectors. I was worried that being on the road, you might get a stone chip or something, but I guess you have to be really unlucky for that to hit exactly the lens.

Thank you, everyone.

 

[BikeFather]

in UK we have a lot of bushes, trees, etc.. on the roads, and I have heard the X1 was struggling with all that foliage. Is X2/X3 any better? How is the overall quality, do you at least get a 1080p shot when reframed?

 

[PhilTonic]

Yes. I would never buy an X1, since it's not waterproof.

 

[Meifesto]

I hvae the Insta 360 X3, will share a video in a second.
I did get the stick on protectors, so far (3 rides) they seem to be still fine and look nice.
It is important that they are placed correctly, and you do have a frond and rear one.

But at least on the phone I don't see a negative difference.

 

[Theodor]

... you might get a stone chip or something, but I guess you have to be really unlucky for that to hit exactly the lens....

How many times, in the past year, have you, in your whole body, been hit with a stone? I think It has happened to me once or twice in my whole motorcycling "career".

 

[BikeFather]

How many times, in the past year, have you, in your whole body, been hit with a stone? I think It has happened to me once or twice in my whole motorcycling "career".

I've been the unlucky one that I had to change or fix the windscreen to my car 3 times in the last few years

 

[R-Rated]

I've been the unlucky one that I had to change or fix the windscreen to my car 3 times in the last few years

I have touch paint in my glove boxes and on my bike for the fine roads here in the US. I have scrapes on camera bodies. I even had a bug up my nose once so me and stuff hitting me is going to happen.

Does Insta have a damage replacement program like GoPro?

 

[Meifesto]

Does Insta have a damage replacement program like GoPro?

In form of a insurance, yes.
Bit more expensive then GoPro, but I have heard they even replace a lens if you dropped the Insta.
Together with the lenscaps and you are around roughly 50 euros extra.

 

[R-Rated]

In form of a insurance, yes.
Bit more expensive then GoPro, but I have heard they even replace a lens if you dropped the Insta.
Together with the lenscaps and you are around roughly 50 euros extra.

That would be a good investment I guess. I know I had two Hero8 get swapped out through GoPro's plan. Plus about 4 batteries for the 8 and Max.

 

[wannaberoa]

I have the insta X3 and i'm very glad i've got the lens protectors, those lenses are so important, once you have spent £450 on the camera, the extra £20 isnt much.

I took my camera to The Malle Mile the other week and didnt get the RAM mount quite tight enough, ended up dragging it down the lane by the lens.. fortunately they stayed in place and the only thing i have to do is get a spare protected.

 

[Drakhen99]

I have the insta X3 and i'm very glad i've got the lens protectors, those lenses are so important, once you have spent £450 on the camera, the extra £20 isnt much.

I took my camera to The Malle Mile the other week and didnt get the RAM mount quite tight enough, ended up dragging it down the lane by the lens.. fortunately they stayed in place and the only thing i have to do is get a spare protected.

100% !!! I destroyed a couple of lens protectors on my GoPro Max before I had my go-to mounts set up. Now, I only use the protectors for new mounting positions.

-John

 

[Moto Mengy]

I like the X3 and it's a nice improvement over the X2, but it's not enough of an improvement to make me upgrade from the X2 to the X3.

It will be interesting to see how much the inevitable X4 will improve even more.

 

[tojjer29]

I have the One X2 and I have the Premium lens guards with it. I've only used the lens guards twice and that was because I had the camera filming down low. I'd say if your getting an Insta, get some kind of lens guards cos changing the actual lenses is a PITA.
This is kinda weird, cos I just mentioned in another thread I might be selling mine very soon. I find the editing a faff personally. I think you either take to that or you don't.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

I find the editing a faff personally. I think you either take to that or you don't.

I only ever do simple edits with my 360 cameras, I generally find they look better and have never been a fan of the tiny planet look personally, although I know some like it. If I am running the 360, the only faff I find is the stop starting on rides to get multiple cameras recording and synched and then same for stopping recording... I guess if I used the GoPro 360 cameras I could use their remote too, but I always fully turn off my cameras between clips, so that wouldn't work for me really either.

 

[Drakhen99]

I only ever do simple edits with my 360 cameras, I generally find they look better and have never been a fan of the tiny planet look personally, although I know some like it. If I am running the 360, the only faff I find is the stop starting on rides to get multiple cameras recording and synched and then same for stopping recording... I guess if I used the GoPro 360 cameras I could use their remote too, but I always fully turn off my cameras between clips, so that wouldn't work for me really either.

FWIW, Yes, I like the tiny planet [sometimes], but I also turn my cameras off completely... using the GoPro remote. So, your theory about using the remote for gopros is correct

In fact, I used the remote to turn off my GoPros during my VAMM trip - and I was able to use no more than 2 sets of batteries per day.

-John

 

[Moto Mengy]

I only ever do simple edits with my 360 cameras, I generally find they look better and have never been a fan of the tiny planet look personally, although I know some like it. If I am running the 360, the only faff I find is the stop starting on rides to get multiple cameras recording and synched and then same for stopping recording... I guess if I used the GoPro 360 cameras I could use their remote too, but I always fully turn off my cameras between clips, so that wouldn't work for me really either.

I don't care much for the little planet stuff either. I always use my One X2 at a "normal" field of view, but I do love to rotate it around a lot.