Camera Mounts, Weight Distribution, and Gimbal Basics

Centre of Gravity

The ideal CG for an FPV quad is as close to the geometric centre of the frame as possible, and low — not high. A top-mounted GoPro raises the CG and introduces pendulum-effect sway in fast direction changes.

Camera Mount Types

• TPU soft mounts: The most common solution. 3D-printed in flexible TPU, they absorb high-frequency vibration from the motors before it reaches the camera. Use Shore 95A TPU for heavier cameras, Shore 85A for lighter ones.
• Strap-and-foam: Stretch a strip of VHB foam between the camera and a hard frame point. Cheap, surprisingly effective for fixed-angle shots.
• Single-axis gimbals: Motor-driven tilt axis. Adds weight and complexity but removes pitch shake from dives and climbs. Most common on larger cinelifter builds.
• 3-axis gimbals: Full stabilisation. Only practical on heavier platforms (over 500g payload). Not commonly used on sub-250g builds.

Cable Management

Camera cables that are too tight will transmit vibration directly through the TPU mount, defeating its purpose. Leave a small loop of slack in the cable and secure it with a cable tie to the frame — not to the camera itself.

Practical Weight Limits

• 5" cinematic build: GoPro Hero 12 (153g) is near the upper limit for smooth flying without retuning.
• 3.5" cinewhoop: Insta360 GO 3 (35g) or naked GoPro (65–70g) recommended.
• Any build: weigh your payload before ordering motors — add 20% buffer for safe hover.