Audio Visual Gear

Here is a listing of the gear I've bought, and at least until now, what I think of it, for documenting our epic adventure.

Video

Insta360 X3 360 Camera

The Insta360 X3 Camera is the current top-of-the-heap, at least if you want all of the features. I toyed with the idea of getting the 1" One RS 360 as it's sensor is twice as big, and it does seem to get better images, but it it is quite a bit heavier, it is NOT waterproof, and it's 3 piece design seemed a bit fiddly for hiking. Conversely, the X3 IS waterproof to 30', does 5.7k 360 video, has great horizon lock, a big screen, can be paired to my Apple Watch for control, and is relatively easy to swap new batteries and memory cards into (which will be super important on a 12 hour epic hike!). I did opt for the Insta3360 Care and Extended Warranty as well (from 12/17/2023 Order INS76823121716272982669F).

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  Insta360 X3 360 Camera

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Insta360 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick

The 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick disappears in the image because it is straight and on the stitch line of the camera.

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  114cm "Invisible" selfie stick

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Insta360 X3 Mic Adapter

The mic adapter allows for external mics, and in my case a wireless set.

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  X3 Mic Adapter

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Insta360 X3 Fast Charge Hub

The X3 Fast Charge Hub can charge up to 3 spare batteries at the same time. It also has a USB-C input, so it can be charged by my Audio_Visual_Gear#Anker_Portable_Power_Bank,_40,000mAh_30W_Battery_Pack_with_USB-C Anker Power Brick.

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  Power Hub

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Insta360 X3 Screen Protector

The X3 Screen Protector does what it says on the tin...

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  Insta360 X3 Screen Protector

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Insta360 X3 Battery

These extra batteries will come in handy for a 12 hour hiking day. They should last between 1 and 1.5 hours each.

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  Battery

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Insta360 All-Purpose Tripod

The all-purpose tripod is great for static pictures. It'll also get a quick-release (below) so it can go onto either selfie stick quickly and easily.

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  Tripod

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Insta360 X3 Lens Cap (Silicone)

This lens cap just slides over the two lens to protect them from scratches.

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  Silicone Lens Cap

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Insta360 Monkey Tail Mount

The Monkey Tail Mount allows you to clamp the camera onto a tree or fence, or any oddly-shaped item!

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  Monkey Tail Mount

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Insta360 Extended Selfie Stick (9.8')

The Extended Selfie Stick is carbon fiber, and extends to almost 10'. It does bend some, so it occasionally is not stitched perfectly out of the image, but can really get some nice shots. 1/4" screw.

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  Extended Selfie Stick

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Insta360 X3 Sticky Lens Guards

These lens guards just stick onto the two lens to protect them from scratches.

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  Lens Guards

DJI Osmo Action 4 Camera

I ended up getting the DJI instead of the Insta Ace because it was generally better reviewed. This will be on the front of my pack, facing forward, to get a continuous view of what's going on in front of me. This will give me full 4k shots of the trail, whereas the 360 will let me get views of things going on all around. I opted for the Adventure Combo to get some of the accessories. It comes with extra batteries and a 3 battery charger pack.

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  Adventure combo pack

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  Charging case

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  Accesories

Memory / Micro SD Cards

I picked up 515GB Sandisk V30 high speed micro SD cards. A2 rating is 4,000 IOPS read, 2,000 IOPS write. UHS Speed Class U3 4k/5k UHD Ready, and Video Speed Class V30 is UHD at sustained 30MB/s and up to 130 MB/s.

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  SanDisk 512GB micro SD

Ulanzi Falcam F22 Quick Release for Insta360 Camera

I picked up Ulanzi F22 Quick Release for Insta360 cameras for both ends of the selfie stick. This will allow me to pop the tripod feet off, or pop the camera off the short selfie stick and quickly pop it onto the "Extreme" stick which is much longer (for those epic crane shots).

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  F22 QR for Insta360 Camera

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Ulanzi Falcam F22 Quick Release for Action Camera

I picked up Ulanzi F22 Quick Release for Action cameras for my other (wearable) camera. This will allow me to mount it quickly in a variety of positions.

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  F22 QR for Action Camera

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Ulanzi Falcam F22 Quick Release Suction Cup

I picked up Ulanzi F22 Suction Cup for mounting to windshields and the outsides of vehicles.

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  F22 Suction Cup

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Ulanzi Falcam F22 Quick Release Magic Arm 11"

I picked up Ulanzi F22 Quick Release Magic Arm mainly to go with the suction cup above. This will allow me to mount on cars and things.

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  F22 Magic Arm

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Power

Anker Portable Power Bank, 40,000mAh 30W Battery Pack with USB-C

I picked up the the Anker 40,000 mAh 20W Battery Pack as my primary power source. It has USB-C and USB-A ports on it, and is power enough to run a laptop. It should be able to charge my phone, cameras, wireless audio, satellite communicator, headlamp, watch, or anything else we need powered up while on our adventure. It's a bit heavy/bulky, but since I'm going to try to run video the entire hike, I'm going to be needing to charge backup batteries while we're in motion. I'm hoping this will do the trick.

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  Anker Portable Power Bank

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Khanka Hard Power Bank Travel Case for Anker

I picked up the the Anker Travel Case to keep my power back and it's cables together.

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  Anker Travel Case

Audio

R0de Wireless Go II Dual Channel

I picked up the Wireless GO II model dual channel Analog and Digital clip on microphones. These will allow me to capture both my an John's voices while we're on trail (in separate audio channels) to get all the good jokes and quips. See below for the "dead cat" wind muffs I'll be mounting on them to cut down on the noise. I also found a nice mount that puts the receiver on the side of the 360 camera in the stitch line so it's invisible in the shot. I picked up "Rode Colors" to help easily ID which transmitter is which (I also printed labels) with silicone covers for their clips. I also go the Weishan 3-1 charging cable.

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  R0de Wireless Go II

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  "Dead Cat" wind filter

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  Rode Colors

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  Rode 3-1 Charging Cable

Insta360 Mic Cold Shoe for X3 and R0De Wireless Go

Also known as the Ulanzi PT-20, this mic cold shoe will stay under quick release shoe on the Insta360 camera, an the R0de wireless mic receiver clips onto it. It stays out of the shot as it is mounted in the stitch line of the camera.

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  Cold Shoe

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  Shoe with R0de Wireless Go II

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  Attachment

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  Mic Receiver cold shoe mounted

R0de Wireless ZGCine Charging Case with 3,400 mAh Battery

I picked up the the [hhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C1G9Z1D?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details ZGcine charging case] for the R0de Go wireless microphones to keep them charged on the hike. This base has USB-C input, so my battery pack will charge the case, but the case also has a good sized (3,400 mAh) battery too, so I can charge my phone (and whatever I need, say my headlamp) at our water breaks, and this case in the pack while we're on trail.

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  Wireless Charging Case Compatible for Rode Microphones Wireless GO 2

R0de Wireless YouShares Carrying Case

I picked up the the YouShares carrying case for the R0de Go wireless microphones to keep them organized when I don't need to be charging them. This pack carries it's analog audio cable, charging USB-C wire, and the "dead cats" that came with it. The dead cats are the wind screen to keep noise at a minimum.

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  R0de Wireless YouShares Carrying Case