'Action' camera for video surveying

[smithyithy]

Hoping for some recommendations here.. At work we need a camera that we can use for video surveys from a car / van, so it needs to be more like an 'action' camera than a dash cam, as it may need to be mounted to the bonnet, roof etc.

Obvious choice for this kinda thing is a GoPro, but apparently they now require a paid subscription or some other faff which will be a pain in the arse with our IT and if we change contracts etc.

So the basic requirements are:

• External use - so water / weatherproof
• High quality video - 1080p is good enough if it's high framerate, though 4K would be a nice option
• Good battery - obviously, don't want it running out mid-record
• Software - this is tricky. we can get IT to approve software installation, but no cloud / subscription stuff. we just need to be able to remove audio from files, stitch multiple clips together, export as single MP4 files that can be shared with the client.
• GPS - sort of essential, as we'll be surveying lengths of road, having the GPS location is required.
• App - not essential but being about to start / stop recording from a phone app would be useful too (saves having to park up and start/stop manually) but this isn't essential as it may be a faff to get approved / installed. If the main software is good at editing then this isn't really essential.

Cost is not a huge issue if it can be justified, just needs to meet those requirements, allow basic video editing and exporting, and not require any additional subscriptions or messing around.

Years ago we had a Garman action camera of some kind, which was decent-ish, it was a 'bullet' shaped one unlike the square GoPro style, and had some decent software with GPS map that tracked where the clip / frame was - particularly useful for our work. But that was ages ago so there may be better options now.

[vikingaero]

You only need a GoPro subscription if you want to have replacement guarantee, cloud, filters, music and other wky stuff. Certainly the GoPro 11 Hero Black can be used without sub.

Otherwise the choice is GoPro, DJI Action, Sony or Insta. Most have most of the features you are looking for - GPS, remote on/off. You can get waterproof cables too for constant power: https://gopro.com/en/gb/shop/mounts-accessories/us...

Most Garmins, TomTom action cameras haven't been updated for a long while.

[smithyithy]

Ah cheers mate.

I think I might suggest the GoPro Hero 11 then. The 12 no longer has GPS it seems - apparently for battery saving but it's essential for our use.

Looking at over £500 by the time you add the protective case, suction mount, spare battery etc