Extension arms look simple. A metal bar, two holes, one screw at each end. Then you try to use one and discover that length changes everything. An arm that's perfect for lifting a camera over a helmet brim is useless for a wide vlog shot, and an arm that's great for a vlog shot rattles like a tuning fork on a bumpy trail.
The right choice depends on what you're filming. This guide walks through the HSU 7-piece All Aluminum Alloy Extension Arm Kit, which comes with three arm lengths, and shows which one to reach for in each situation.
What's in the Kit
Seven pieces, all aluminum alloy:
- 1 extension arm, 11.8 inches (30 cm)
- 1 extension arm, 6.5 inches (16.5 cm)
- 1 extension arm, 3.3 inches (8.4 cm)
- 3 aluminum screws
- 1 aluminum wrench for tightening the joints
The arms use the standard GoPro-style connection, so they fit GoPro Hero cameras from Hero 5 through Hero 13, DJI Osmo Action, and other action cameras that share the same fitting. Each arm also has a 1/4" hole, which lets you attach tripod-thread accessories.
The kit doesn't include a base mount or a camera. Use whichever mount you already have, whether that's a helmet clip, a handlebar clamp, or a chest harness, and put the arm between that mount and the camera.
Why the Material Matters
Plastic extension arms flex. Press on one and you can feel it give a little, and that give shows up in footage as a soft wobble when the camera vibrates.
Aluminum alloy is stiffer, so the arm holds its shape under the same load. It's also rustproof, which helps if your gear lives in a bike bag through wet weather. And it keeps the kit light. The whole set adds very little weight to a camera bag.
One honest note: stiffer doesn't mean vibration-proof. A long metal bar is still a lever, and the farther the camera sits from its base, the more small shakes get amplified. That's why length is the most important decision you'll make with this kit.
Match the Length to the Shot
The 3.3-inch arm: clearing obstacles
This is the arm for small lifts. Put it between a helmet mount and the camera and the lens rises above the brim. Put it on a handlebar mount and the camera clears the stem and brake levers.
At this length, leverage is low, so vibration stays under control. If your goal is a clean view without adding noticeable shake, start here.
The 6.5-inch arm: the all-rounder
Six and a half inches is long enough to change the camera's point of view, but still short enough to feel solid. It's the arm many people end up using most.
On a bike, it moves the camera out to the side to catch the front wheel and the road together. In a car, it pulls the camera clear of the dashboard edge. For vlogging, it gives you a slightly wider frame than holding the camera close.
The 11.8-inch arm: reach
The longest arm is for shots that need distance. Held in your hand, it works as a short pole for wider selfies and group shots. Mounted to a vehicle, it pushes the camera well away from the body.
One customer review mentions using this kit with a GoPro Max on motorcycle handlebars and recommends it for 360 cameras. That makes sense: a 360 camera sees in every direction, so extra distance keeps the mount and the vehicle from filling the frame.
All three together
Connect the arms end to end and you get an extension pole of close to twenty inches, depending on how much the joints overlap. The product listing describes it as something you can assemble into an extension pole, a selfie stick, or a basic stabilizer.
How to Stack Arms Securely
Joining arms is where most wobble comes from, so it's worth doing carefully.
- Line up the connecting fingers fully. The ends interlock in a layered design. If they sit even slightly off, the joint can twist under load.
- Insert the screw straight through. Angling it can damage the thread.
- Tighten with the wrench until firm. Aluminum threads are less forgiving than steel, so stop when it feels snug instead of cranking down.
- Test by hand. Hold the base and flex the arm lightly in each direction. If you feel play, one of the joints needs another turn.
- Recheck after the first ride or hike. Vibration can loosen a screw slightly, and a quick turn fixes it.
Where This Kit Works Well
- Helmet and handlebar filming. The short and medium arms lift the camera above obstacles and widen the view.
- Car and boat dashboards. The camera moves clear of the trim and angles toward the road or water.
- Handheld vlogging. A medium or long arm gives you a wider frame than holding the camera close to your face.
- 360 cameras. The longer arm keeps the mount out of the picture.
- Travel and walking tours. A compact set that packs flat into a small pouch and works as a pole when you need one.
Where to Keep It Short or Skip It
Long arms and high speed don't mix. For motorcycles, downhill biking, or any rough ride, use the shortest arm that gets the shot. Stacking all three on a fast vehicle gives you the most leverage and the most shake.
Aluminum sinks. If you're filming over water from a boat or a kayak, a metal pole won't float if it slips out of your hand. Add a floating handle or a camera tether to protect your gear.
Don't hang heavy accessories on the end. The kit is built for a camera, not for a camera plus a large light or microphone. Extra weight on a long arm multiplies the strain on every joint.
Check the fit with your camera. The listing covers GoPro Hero 5 through 13 and DJI Osmo Action. If you use a different brand, confirm it uses the standard GoPro-style connection before you buy.
Setup Tips
- Start short and add length only if you need it. Most shots work better with less arm than you'd expect.
- Frame the shot before locking the joints. Hold the camera in position, check the preview, then tighten.
- Use a tether when the camera will be out of reach. A long arm over a road, water, or a drop is the place for it.
- Wipe off sand and grit before packing. Dirt in the joints makes the screws harder to turn and wears the threads.
- Record ten seconds first. A short test clip shows whether the arm length and the vibration level work for your setup.
The Right Arm for the Right Shot
A three-length aluminum kit gives you options, and the skill is knowing which option fits the moment. Short arms for clearing obstacles, medium for flexible framing, long for reach, and a combined pole when you want to film from a distance. Keep the stack as short as the shot allows, and the footage stays steadier.
If you're checking whether the kit fits your specific camera, our FAQs page covers the compatibility questions we hear most. You can read more about how we've been building action camera accessories since 2013 on our About Us page, and the Blogs section has more mounting guides like this one.
Choose the length for the shot, and the shot usually works.
