Naked GoPro Hero 9 kits for FPV now available

You can now turn your GoPro Hero9 into a sub-30 gram camera for FPV with these kits.

GoPro Hero9 has excellent image quality and stabilization for FPV. Here’s a sample from LeDrib from Rotor Riot:

The problem with the Hero 9 is the weight. It is noticeably heavier than previous GoPros, weighing as much as 158 grams, which is almost as heavy as the Insta360 One R with 360 mod, battery and frame (165 grams).

But now, you can get the image quality and stabilization of the Hero 9 in a sub-30 gram package with a naked Hero 9 kit. Naked GoPros and action cams have become the preferred type of camera for many cinematic FPV pilots. A bare-bones GoPro or action cam generally weighs under 30 grams, compared to around 120 grams for a regular GoPro. The lighter weight offers several advantages: better handling, longer flight times, and the option to use smaller quads that can fly through tighter gaps.

There have been several conversion kits available for Hero 6, 7, and 8. There is also a naked Insta360 One R branded as the Insta360 SMO 4K. And recently, Kim Tang has been selling naked Hero 9s for $540 + shipping. Now there’s a more affordable DIY conversion kit for Hero 9. NamelessRC has created a BEC and case for Hero 9, which are available from Pyrodrone:

I also saw this modestly-priced STL file for a Hero 9 case by Unique FPV, although I don’t know which BEC he’s using and whether the NamelessRC BEC would work:

The only thing that’s missing now are instructions for the conversion. I’ve seen one that involves a hacksaw, but I’m supposing there’s a better way to disassemble a Hero 9: