Upgrading My Vlogging Gear:
A Glimpse into the New Setup

Hello everyone, Kevin Brittain here. Today is a special day—it's new recording equipment day! For those of you who have been following my journey, you'll know this is a big deal. Every couple of years, I take the opportunity to upgrade my vlogging gear to ensure the best possible quality for my content. So buckle up and keep reading to find out all about my latest gear and why I've chosen it.

Welcome back to consecutive day 1546 of Diary of a Runpreneur. If you're new here, I'm on a mission to save the lives of children by attempting the ultimate ultra-marathon of run vlogging every single day. My goal is to run a distance equivalent to a lap of the world, barefoot. If you believe in this mission, please subscribe, share, like, and comment. The more people we get involved, the more money we raise, and ultimately, the more children's lives we save.

The Old Setup

Before diving into the new gear, let's discuss what I used to use. My old setup included:

- Insta 361 RS 360-degree action camera

- Invisible selfie stick

- Lavalier microphone with an adaptor

- Rode Wireless Go 2 setup

- Microphone adaptor and mounting attachments

This setup has been fantastic, especially because the invisible selfie stick allowed for a clean, stitch-free capture. The 360-degree camera with its fisheye lenses was great for capturing comprehensive footage. But as you can imagine, with daily use, wear and tear are inevitable. My equipment has seen temperatures ranging from -10 to 47 degrees Celsius, along with rain, snow, and blistering heat.

The New Gear

Now, it's high time for an upgrade. So, what did I choose? I’ve decided to stick with the Insta 360 brand but upgraded to the Insta 360 X4 360-degree action camera. This model is lauded as the best 360-degree action camera from Insta 360. While brands like GoPro have always been a strong competitor, I find that Insta 360’s compatibility with additional equipment suits my needs better.

Some highlights of the new setup include:

- Insta 360 X4 360-degree action camera: Improved resolution and user experience; can now record in an astounding 8K, up from the 5K of my previous camera.

- New extended selfie stick: It has an adaptor for a tripod, although I’m still using my older, shorter one for now because it’s lighter on my arm during runs.

- Rode Wireless Go microphone set: I’ve upgraded my Lavalier microphone to the Rode Lavalier Go, specifically designed to be compatible with the Rode Wireless Go 2 set.

- New microphone adaptor and mount: This ensures all my equipment stays securely attached to the selfie stick without being overly visible.

One notable addition is the dead cat wind muffler. Unlike the basic foam cover I used before, this fluffy accessory drastically reduces noise distortion and rubbing, ensuring clearer audio.

Why Upgrade?

You might wonder, why upgrade when the old setup still works? Well, given that my equipment must endure daily rigorous use in various weather conditions, it's essential to keep everything in top condition. Constant wear and tear mean that even the most robust equipment starts to show signs of ageing after a couple of years. Instead of waiting for it to break down, I proactively upgrade to maintain quality output.

My advice to anyone in a similar position would be this: don't skimp on equipment. Invest in the best you can afford. Better components generally mean a longer lifespan, especially when used under challenging conditions, as I do. Upgrading isn't just about quality; it's about consistency and reliability too.

So there you have it—my latest vlogging setup. I'm excited to see how this new gear performs and am hopeful it will enhance the quality of my content even further. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop me a line. I'll respond to everyone.

As always, if you support my mission to save the lives of children by run vlogging every day, please subscribe, share, like, and comment. The more people we reach, the more lives we save. Thanks for being part of this journey. Stay positive, stay happy, and I’ll see you again tomorrow.

Best,

Kevin Brittain