Insta 360 X3, is it Worth the Price? | What I Have Learned 

Craig - thanks for this video. I also watched one from Cruiseman which was also very helpful. Isn't it interesting how the main component purchase is just the beginning! As you pointed out, the camera was just the beginning. You needed an additional $200-$250 worth of support crap! I'm going through the same thing with my new Garmin XT2. The unit is finally on sale but add the modules to integrate it with my now seemingly archaic 2005 Gold Wing technology and that magical $300 of support equipment is hit. Your video here just reiterates my appreciation of what you guys do, the investment in time & money, and commitment. Even before I could quantify it, I inherently knew it had to be substantial. Thanks for the peek, you're a great educator and I at least appreciate it. I'm not ready to invest in motorcycle camera's yet, they're still a 'nice to have', whereas for upcoming trips, the Garmin is a must as my 11-year-old Zumo 660 just doesn't have the horsepower to keep up with the map updates outside my local region. Take care.

Thank you. Very helpful!

Great video. I'm working on a video now about the camera. I sold mine last November and missed not having it in my camera kit I went out and bought it again. On and off the bike, its a great piece of tech.

I have the Insta 360X3 and a DJI Osmo 4. IF I would do it over, I would get 2 DJI Osmo 4 cameras and the remote, which also functions as a GPS overlay, and can set cameras to record/stop at the same time. Then mount them in the classic way (forward/backward), and with simultaneously starting/stopping them, the footage tracks line up in your editing program. In post, cutting between tracks is much easier and quicker than reframing the Insta. Come to think of it, I should probably sell my Insta and buy another Osmo.

This is a great video!! I have the old X2 and I have the same problems!!! The quality is not top and take extra steps...and yes, I don't think I will buy again Thk U

Thanks for this, Craig. I'm considering a camera for an upcoming trip this summer and the Insta 360 was on my list but after watching your informative video I think a Go-Pro might be a better fit for me. I'm not especially tech savvy and am looking more for grabbing some stills from riding footage. Thanks again!

Insta360 x3 is a great action camera, but not without flows. And sure requires a learning curve. Don't bother if you like plug-and-play type. Yes, the quality does suffer because even if you shoot in 4k or 5.7k it is divided between two lenses, and if you zoom in (like using Normal or Liner or other options in the reframing), it will reduce that even more. Although when uploading the final clip, you can up the quality to 2k or 4k, but I've noticed that on the YT the quality is not as good as on the computer even in 4k. (My impression). To prolong the battery power, you can press the instant-on-off button without turning the cam on (side button). This way the camera won't be on a stand-by the whole time. Can use a cable too, but... make sure it's long enough and be wrapped around the stick or it will be hanging "weightlessly" up in the air and in the video :). The buttons could be more pronounced to have a better feel with gloves on. Remote control is not needed if the cam is in the reach, but it'll give you a flexibility to set the cam anywhere. Plus, it has the GPS overlay with info such as speed, latitude/longitude, road length, orientation, and simulation of you moving along that road. (Cool if in twisties). You can set all of these on the screen, or just the ones you like. I think it's $60. As for the lens protectors, I took them off as the image suffered from fogging up, glair and they're easily being scratched. Distortion can be a problem yet can be negated in the reframing. Still, you may be careful when placing the camera because if wrongly placed (lake way above, far off the side...) there's not much can be done in reframing to correct the distortion. The phone app is superb and can do lots of things. My favorite it to rotate right, left and around and the picture rotates with you 360 degrees. You can change to any format like 16x9, 9x16 etc., etc., for Instagram or tik-tok. Many special effects can be added. However, for a longer video I prefer the bigger screen of the computer. I use VideoProc for editing. Easy to learn, does all you need and it's free. Speaking about computer, you need 16 or 32gb of memory, 1tb of hard drive because the files are huge, and at least i5 processor. It is a great camera, but if you have a good GoPro or alike and like what it does - don't bother replacing it. BTW, this rotating thing is so convenient to record from a different angles. Craig, a word of advice, if I may: if you can set the stick in the middle of the handlebar or as close to it as you can, your windshield will follow the road straight up instead of under an angle giving the impression as the bike is moving sideways. Cheers.

This is a great video as I contemplate a new camera. Some questions : How much time does it add to you post production? What are the specs to your PC? Do you ever edit on the road? What do you use? This is very helpful

Thanks Craig. This was super helpful! I have been trying to decide whether or not to buy one. The one thing that I am now convinced about is that I want that 360 pivot mount for my GoPro. Can you please share the make and modrl or a link. Thanks again, you make great content that I really appreciate. Dave "Tiger " Coward

Not sold on the 360 yet but certainly appreciate your video on it. I'm still shooting with multiple cameras and letting them record until the batteries die. It's a lot of footage.lol. How is the 360 on video storage? i.e. how many hours can you record on a 128 Gb card @5K?

Thanks Craig. What program do you use to assemble the final video to be uploaded to RU-vid? The PC version of the Insta360 app?

I don't understand these vloggers who use Insta360 x3 for the rear view (at them) and a GoPro on the helmet. It defeats the purpose of the x3. If placed right, you can perfectly see the front (road) and rear (yourself) without the PITA of combining/matching the two cameras in post-processing.