GoPro Hero8 Black sports a new form factor making it mountable without an additional frame or case. Keeping the standard 3-prong GoPro mounting system that users are used to. This keeps most accessories that use that mounting style will continue to work just fine with the HERO8 Black. Now that being said do you “need” accessories to get started using your new GoPro Hero8? NO. Many new GoPro users have a mindset that they should immediately go out and purchase accessories for there new GoPro camera. This is not always necessary unless you have specific needs to start capturing content.
Best GoPro Hero8 must-haves
GoPro accessories are wide and varied depending on what you are trying to capture. There are a few that I would consider standard and a must get for a new GoPro user.
- Memory card
GoPro like most digital cameras do not have internal memory they require a micro SD card to function. Other than this being a must-have accessory it is extremely crucial that you get the correct card! Starting with GoPro Hero5 GoPro cameras became much more sensitive to memory cards. It is a MUST that you get a memory card from GoPro’s recommended micro SD card list. I personally have been using the SanDisk Extreme Plus cards from Hero6 to current GoPro Hero8 Black cameras. As for Hero8, I do recommend at least a 64gb size card. You can use up to a 256gb card safely. I can’t state this enough Getting the correct memory card is extremely important! This is possibly the most principal of GoPro Hero8 accessories.
- GoPro Batteries
When you purchase a GoPro camera they do come with one battery. GoPro cameras are a compact “action” camera they are purposely kept small. Batteries capacities small especially shooting in both high resolutions and high frames rates. Recording on GoPro Hero8 at 4k-30 high bit rate is about 1 hour and 10 minutes. This can be stretched out to be close to a full 2 hours using the lower bit rate option. Check out this page for a more detailed look at record times. There are a lot of options for non-GoPro branded batteries on the market. In my experience ever since Hero6 I have had the best performance sticking with ONLY GoPro batteries.
First GoPro Hero8 Accessories
This is no dought the most asked question I get from new GoPro users. What are the best GoPro accessories to get? This is not an easy question to answer until you know a few things, that is how are you going to use the camera. Any camera from a Red to a smartphone these days is set up for what or how you the operator is using it. A GoPro camera is no different these accessories you use are largely specific to how you use your camera. Bellow, I want to share just a few general everyday uses GoPro Hero8 accessories.
GoPro “Shorty”
It is really three accessories in one. A handle, extension pole (selfie stick), and a tripod. Shorty does all of them very well. First, it’s a compact handle at about 4-1/2″ that easily fits in your pocket. It extends to just about 9″ to get selfie-style shots. Lastly and in my opinion, the best part is that Shorty is a mini tripod. This for me makes it the perfect all-around accessory for having with you when you don’t know what you will be filming. It is a little on the pricey side, but like all GoPro branded gear it is very well made. It’s also can be purchased at 50% off if you are a GoPro Plus subscriber.
Don’t just go out and buy GoPro accessories just to have them in case you “might” need them. Remember you get what you pay for.
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