The Short Answer
Most first-time action camera owners only need three mounts to cover 90% of use cases: a helmet or head strap mount, a flat/curved adhesive mount for a vehicle or board, and a small tripod or handle grip. Everything past that is situational, not essential.
New camera, new 40-piece accessory bundle bought as a "just in case" combo, and eight months later maybe six of those pieces have ever touched the camera. That's not a rare story; it's close to universal. Accessory bundles are optimized to look impressive in a product photo, not to match how people actually shoot.
If you're just starting out, an entry-level body like the SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi pairs well with these three mounts without overspending on accessories you won't use.
The Three Mounts That Cover Almost Everything
- Helmet or head strap mount: the default for motovlogging, biking, hiking, and most POV footage. This single mount covers the majority of "how do I get hands-free footage" questions.
- Adhesive flat/curved mount: sticks to a helmet shell, car dashboard, motorcycle fairing, or surfboard. Once properly cured (usually 24 hours before load-bearing use), this is a genuinely secure, vibration-resistant option for vehicles.
- Small tripod or extension handle grip: doubles as a handheld grip for walking shots and a stable tripod for static setups, product shots, or a simple talking-head clip.
Accessories That Are Genuinely Situational, Not Starter-Kit Essentials
| Accessory | Buy It If... |
|---|---|
| Chest harness mount | You want a lower, hands-visible POV angle for sports or cooking-style content |
| Suction cup mount | You're filming car interiors or need a strong temporary mount on glass/smooth metal |
| Floating hand grip | You're shooting on or in water and don't want to lose the camera if it slips |
| Extension pole/selfie stick | You want wider group shots or need distance from the subject |
| Filter adapter (ND/polarizer) | You're shooting a lot of bright outdoor water or sky and want to control glare |
The Mount Habit That Actually Prevents Lost Footage
More footage gets lost to a poorly seated mount than to any camera defect. Adhesive mounts need a genuinely clean, dry, oil-free surface and full cure time before they're trusted at speed; strap mounts need a real tension check, not just "it feels snug." Losing a camera off a helmet at 40kph is an adhesive problem, not a camera problem, almost every single time it happens.
Start with the base kit that usually ships with most models in the SJCAM range, add a helmet strap if you're riding, and hold off on the rest until a specific shot idea actually needs it. Buying the full accessory wall on day one usually just means eight unopened plastic bags in a drawer.
One Honest Warning
Cheap unbranded adhesive mounts, especially the double-sided tape variety sold loose without a backing plate, are the most common cause of "I lost my camera on the trail" stories. If a mount is holding a device you can't afford to lose, spend the extra amount for a properly rated adhesive pad from a real accessory brand.
