DJI Osmo Pocket: Recommended Accessories

A few weeks ago, I published a review on the DJI Osmo Pocket, and why I feel it’s the best tool for capturing match video for the competitvie shooter.  Having used it for several local (and one major) match since that time, I’ve feel pretty comfortable recommending some accessories.

In my initial review, I did state that the OP was good to go out of the box without any accessories – and I still stand by that statement.  However, many of the below accessories will make life much easier and help expand your creativity and useage of the OP beyond just getting video at matches.

Smatree Carrying Case For The Osmo Pocket ($19.99):  The OP is a bit on the delicate side, and it comes with several small pieces that can be easily lost.  So a carrying case is almost a necessity.  There are dozens out there made specifically for the OP, but the reason why I chose the Smatree is that it had a long, slender cut out in the front of the case that fits an Anker Portable Charger (which I already owned for by Apple devices when traveling).  The case protects the unit well, had special cut outs for all the little adaptors for the OP, and holds my charger which I can use to top off the batter on the OP.  It’s perfect for me, but again there are many choices at around $20.00.  Incidentally, with this setup I was able to pass on the pricey DJI Charging Case for the Osmo Pocket.

Cover/Gimbal Lock ($19.99):  This little cover by PolarPro is pretty slick and is something I really do consider to be a “must have” essential – especially for match use (where you’re always in a hurry and things tend to get tossed around).  It just snaps on the front of the OP and locks the gimbal in place, protecting not only the gimbal head and the lens, but also the scratch-magnet touch screen on the OP.

The DJI Expansion Kit (~$100.00): This pack directly from DJI contains three very necessary accessories – the Osmo Pocket Controller Wheel, the Osmo Pocket Wireless Module and the Osmo Pocket Accessory Mount Adapter. The controller wheel is the big one – you’ll have much better control over the gimbal with it. The wireless module is also a necessity if you intend to use your mobile phone in conjunction with the DJI Mimo app as a remote. Finally, the Accessory Mount Adapter allows you use GoPro mounting accessories with the OP. I don’t know how much I’ll need/want to use it, but I (like many of us) have a bunch of GoPro mounting accessories laying around so it’s nice to know the capability to use them is available to me. This kit isn’t really needed to get match video, but very helpful for doing many other things.

USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Adaptor (~$50.00): The built-in microphone on the OP does a pretty decent job, and will be fine for picking up the sound of gun fire and bullets hitting steel targets for match video. But for most other video applications, you’ll want to use an accessory microphone like the EDUTIGE ETM-001 Microphone which is perfect for this size of device. To do that, you’ll need to purchase the DJI USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Adaptor. This accessory only recently became available and DJI is the only company making one at the moment, so it’s relatively expensive unfortunately. Again, the built in mic is fine for match video, but for many other applications an accessory mic is almost a necessity.

Polar Pro Tripod Harness ($29.99): Infuriatingly, there is no built-in option to mount the OP to a tripod (1/4″ 20 screw). Fortunately, there are several accessory options which accomplish the task. Firstly, if you pick up the recommended Expansion Kit, it comes with the GoPro accessory adaptor, which will get you on a tripod if you already own a GoPro tripod adaptor. PolarPro makes a couple of nice units like this dual WiFi harness for the OP. The harness is allows maximum use of accessories (lights, microphones, phone holders, etc.) with two different tripod mounts – and since you’ll likely be wanting to use a mobile phone as a remote, the harness allows for the WiFi adaptor to also be on the OP. PolarPro also makes a simpler (but with less expansion options) Tripod Adaptor that’s also compatible with the WiFi base accessory. I strongly recommend getting one of the available Polar Pro harnesses, even if you don’t intend to ever tripod mount the OP as they are great protection for the OP.  Used in combination with the Polor Pro Gimbal I mentioned above, your OP will be will protected.

All told, I spent about $200.00 on additional accessories for the DJI Osmo Pocket. And I didn’t even touch any ND/Polarizing Filters which many swear by as being necessary.  Again, while some will see that as a negative, I see it as a positive. One of the things that makes the GoPro Hero series of cameras so appealing is all the GoPro made and 3rd party made accessories for mounting the camera, and attaching accessories. The Removu K1 was actually a predecessor to the OP by several months and I strongly considered the device. But it was the DJI and aftermarket accessory support which ultimately made me choose the OP. Those accessories tend to be useable with future generations which DJI will inevitably release of the Osmo Pocket.

To get better video quality than the Osmo Pocket delivers would require a DSLR and gimbal rig at the very least – or a dedicated 4k video camera. Both solutions are cost prohibitive (at least relative to the inexpensive Osmo Pocket) and not practical for capturing match video. So for this reason, I consider the DJI Osmo Pocket the first and currently best alternative to using a mobile phone for capturing match video.

Here’s a video from the ThruMyLens YouTube Channel where I go over the essential accessories I bring to a match: