Best Video Camera for Recording Scent Work
The best camera for recording scent work depends on a few things: video quality, how easy it is to operate at the start line, and whether the camera fades into the background or is constantly in the way.
After watching what other competitors use, I settled on the Insta360 GO 3, and recently upgraded to the Insta360 GO 3S.
Quick note: Don't buy the camera-only configuration. You have to buy the standard bundle, which comes with the Action Pod Dock and Mini Camera. The mini camera needs the dock to charge.
Why I Use the Insta360 GO 3 / 3S for Scent Work
When I first started in scent work, I saw a lot of GoPros mounted on chest harnesses or head straps. But they always looked big and heavy to me. They didn't look fun to wear, with the large camera and head-strap contraption needed to hold it. And maybe I'm more vain than I thought, but I didn’t love the look of a large action camera strapped to my head like special ops ready to storm a building.
It also seemed awkward. I’d watch people fumbling for the record button. The chest-mounted harness looked difficult to put on and was in the way of hands and leash during runs. Before my runs and at the line, I want simple so I can get into the moment and focus on the upcoming search. During my search, I don't want to even know the camera is there.
When it was time for me to by a camera, I started looking for a better option. That's when I came across the Insta360 GO.
It's really small. Almost invisible small. It snaps into the included hat clip using magnets. I didn't like having it hang off the bill of my hat, though, so I bought a headlamp strap on Amazon and attached the clip to that. It works whether I'm wearing a hat, a winter beanie, or nothing.
The best part? Most people don’t even notice it. And if they do, they assume it’s a headlamp.
The Insta360 Go 3S is black, making it even more unobtrusive.
The hat clip has adjustable angles and “clicks” into place, so once you dial it in, it stays there. I've learned the angle needed to keep my dog in frame for my team, depending on the event and environment we're running.
To start recording, I set mine so I can double-click and it starts recording even if it’s powered off. I don't have to search for a record button. When I'm called to the start line, I just double-click it. It beeps once to tell me it's recording. When I'm finished i click it once, it beeps once, and then rapidly three times and I know it's done recording.
Why Head Mount Works for Scent Work
I prefer mounting it on my head for a simple reason: I am always watching my dog.
With a chest or neck mount, my body might be angled somewhere else if I'm opening up or using body language to communicate direction to my dog.
The head mount keeps the camera pointed where I’m looking, which is where my dog is working. Additionally, with a chest or neck mount, your leash and hands can block the view of the video. I’m trying to study my dog’s behavior, not produce a documentary about my leash management. I already know it needs work.
Video Quality
The video quality is very good outdoors and in well-lit interiors. In darker interior settings, especially in warehouses or low-light areas, it will appear slightly grainy. Yes, larger action cameras with larger sensors may perform slightly better in low light. But for me, the trade-off of a larger camera and bulkier harness isn’t worth it. I would rather accept some grain and keep the setup minimal.
Here's an example of video quality from a training session
Here's a detective run (inside and outside)
Excellent buried in a dark interior
Storage and Practical Use for Training and Trials
I use the smaller 64GB version, more than enough for a full trial weekend with room to spare. Unless you forget to hit stop and accidentally record 40 minutes of walking around, recording the inside of your pocket. Don't ask how I know this.
The Insta360 Go offers over 4 hours of HD recording, almost 3 hours in 2.7K mode. The 3S can record for almost 1 hour and 30 minutes in its highest-quality 4K mode. And both can record over 1.5 hours in free frame mode, a cool mode that lets you choose horizontal or vertical video after you're done recording. It's a cool feature, but one I don't currently use. I want post-processing to be as simple as wearing the camera.
Since I start recording while walking to the search area, there’s some extra footage at the beginning. If you want to delete it, you can easily trim the front and back using the Insta360 app and export directly to your phone. Most of the time, I just leave it as is to keep things even simpler.
A Few Minor Quirks
The GO 3 has had a couple of quirks I've noticed.
I would set it to record continuously until I turned it off, but sometimes it would reset to a 10-minute recording limit. I’d change it, but it didn’t always save the setting. I'm not sure if this is something I'm doing wrong or a camera glitch. It has only impacted me a couple of times in longer detective runs or training sessions. It's frustrating when it happens, but it isn't generally an issue
Occasionally, when placing it back in the action pod, it seemed secure but didn’t charge as expected. I just have to be sure it's seated properly. Speaking of the battery, when out of the action pod, the battery life is about 30-40 minutes. So when running higher levels, I always put it back into the action pod to make sure I don't run out of battery.
If I start recording with my head at a slight angle or when I'm holding the camera and then put it on my head, it will record in portrait rather than landscape mode. Now that I know about this quirk, I am more careful and don't have the issue.
None of these were deal breakers for me. But it’s fair to mention. But I hope the 3S won't have these issues.
What About Meta Glasses?
Meta Glasses are becoming more popular, and those who use them seem to love them. They are very stealth and produce great-looking video. But at the time of writing, they record in portrait mode, which is a no-go for me. Might not be a big deal for some, but I want a wider view of the search environment.
Also, at the time of writing, each clip is limited to roughly four minutes. Detective searches can run 7 to 15 minutes. Some NACSW upper-level searches can also run long. So, at lower levels, a four-minute recording limit isn’t a problem, but it can become a problem for Detective, longer NACSW upper-level searches, or training sessions. People who use Meta Glasses say it's no big deal to just hit record after the four minutes, but I don't want to have to be messing with that in the middle of a detective run.
Less Expensive Scent Work Recording Options
I spent a couple of hours searching through forums and scent work social media groups, and many people use the Insta360 GO 3 and love it. But many also say it’s too expensive for them. So I wanted to include other options to consider.
Note: I don’t have personal experience with any of these options.
Recording Options for your Phone
The least expensive option I found was a chest harness that lets you record using your phone. This Ulanzi chest-mount harness works with phones and action cameras.
The Ulanzi neck mount is another option and attaches to your phone using a magnet, which seems easier than using a clamp.
Cheaper Cameras (Knock-Offs)
I also found several camera alternatives that people are using. There’s an Insta360 Go 3 knockoff available for under $75. It has a magnetic necklace mount similar to the Insta360 and appears to include a head strap or chest harness mount, like a GoPro. The recording quality doesn’t look great to me, but it would get the job done.
A few people also mentioned a knockoff GoPro available for under $50.
All of these are reasonable options if money is a consideration. As with anything, there are tradeoffs. The video quality likely won’t be as good, but if it’s a choice between lower quality footage and no video at all, I would choose lower quality. I can’t speak to how easy it is to download or manage footage on these devices. It's super simple on the Insta 360 Go 3 and Go 3S.
The DJI Nano, an Insta 360 GO 3 Alternative
I recently picked up a DJI Nano to test. It has a larger sensor than the Insta360 GO 3 or 3S, and I was intrigued by the claimed improvements in dynamic range and low-light performance. It is larger than the Go 3 but smaller than other action cameras, such as the GoPro, Insta360 Ace Pro series, or the DJI Action series.
I’ve only just started using it, so these observations are about invisibility and ease of use, not video quality.
The included hat clip is not as good as the Insta360 GO 3 clip that comes with the camera. It positions the camera farther out in front, so I’m unsure about its stability when attached to a headlamp strap. It works fine on a hat bill, but it is noticeably more visible and heavier, and how it mounts exaggerates that front-weighted feel.
I bought the dedicated DJI head strap, and that works better. However, it’s small, the material is stiff, and it isn’t very elastic. I have it adjusted as large as it will go, and it fits tight on my head. I don’t have a particularly large head. I don’t think it would fit comfortably over a ball cap or a winter beanie. If you have a larger head or a lot of hair, I suspect it would be even more restrictive.
The mount itself is detachable from the strap, so I may try it on a spare headlamp strap. That said, the DJI strap is wider than a standard headlamp strap, so it may not be a perfect swap.
I’ll update this article after I’ve spent more time using it.
At this point, though, I’m not convinced that the potential improvement in image quality is worth the added hassle. The Insta360 GO 3 is much easier to buy, mount, and start using without extra fuss.
Ultimately It's Up to You Which is the Best
There isn’t one perfect camera for recording scent work. There’s just the one that fits your style, your budget, and how much gear you want to manage at the start line.
For me, that’s the Insta360 GO 3 and now the Go 3S.
It’s small, simple, and it disappears. I double click, hear the beep, and focus on my search. It gives me the best POV without filming my leash, my hands, or getting in the way of handling. It's easy, so I can keep my mental bandwidth for remembering where I have and haven't been in my search area. I’m willing to pay extra for that.
The cost of a camera like this is about the same as a full three-day weekend of entry fees. If reviewing your runs helps you clean up your handling, understand your dog better, and turn a few near misses into Qs, that investment pays for itself quickly. In that sense, the right camera might actually save you money over time. Because better information leads to better runs. And better runs lead to more ribbons and fewer re-entries.
I don’t always trust my memory under pressure, especially by the end of a long weekend. The video remembers what actually happened. I double click, hear the beep, and forget about it. That’s exactly what I want from a camera.
