GoPro has become synonymous with surfing, cycling, skiing, parachuting and other extreme sports. The number of videos shot using GoPro cameras has grown so much that the company is seriously considering monetizing them. A large number of firearms enthusiasts already use its small cameras to document hunts or capture fast-moving, three-gun events.
GoPro was camera sponsor of the Industry Day at The Range event
But until now, GoPro has not officially tried to push hard into shooting sports. Now the San Mateo-based company seems to have sensed the big opportunity in this segment. That’s why the company was one of the sponsors of SHOT Show’s Industry Day at The Range 2015 on January 19. Members of the media were invited to the event to try out new firearms and accessories.
GoPro showcased its Sportsman Mount, which allows users to attach Hero4 action cameras to rifles, shotguns, paintball, pellet guns, handguns, fishing rods and archery bows. You can mount one or two cameras (front- as well as rear-facing) to capture immersive footage from different angles. Unlike the company’s surfing mounts, the Sportsman Mount is non-reflective to ensure low visibility, keeping hunters’ needs in mind.
What inspired GoPro to get involved in shooting sports?
The mounting solution has a specially designed “BacPac Backdoors” that stabilizes the camera during recoil to record better videos. The Sportsman Mount was initially launched in July last year. But it was aimed largely at fishing and archery bows. When asked about what inspired the company to push further into the hunting and shooting sports market, GoPro’s public relations manager Ryan Chuckel told Military Times that the company has always wanted to help people create and share engaging content about their passion.
The company looks for activities where people can capture new content, and then gives them new points of view. GoPro recently announced new firmware updates that would allow its action cameras to take slow-motion HD 720p at 240 frames per second. The updates are free and expected to be released next month.
GoPro shares fell 1.23% to $46.93 at 9:50 AM EST on Tuesday.
