Kayak Action Camera - Akaso Brave 6 Plus vs GoPro Hero 7 Review

When looking for a kayak action camera, you have to consider how it is being used. I put the Akaso Brave 6 Plus through the same environmental conditions as my GoPro Hero 7 - actually out kayak fishing instead of just walking around the block to show the video quality comparisons. The Akaso is a candidate as a camera for kayak fishing given the low price - but there are some issues I discuss in the video that should help you make the correct decision.
Affiliate link to camera: amzn.to/2NHrSIr
Subscribe to Kayak Hacks: goo.gl/BAxRXd
You can follow the channel on FaceBook as well.
The Kayak Hacks Fishing channel covers kayak, wading, shoreline, spin, and fly fishing. It features gear mods to make kayak fishing more comfortable, efficient, and enjoyable. I share many tips, tricks, and "how to's" for both spin and fly fishing. These are useful regardless of whether you are fishing from a boat or on your feet. Please subscribe! Thanks!
Steve's CatchGuide series of fishing books are available on Amazon. They cover where to fish in Maryland and Virginia as well as tips for Fly Fishing. Just search for "Steve Moore Fishing."
Affiliate Quick link: amzn.to/2V5otGr
Affiliate Disclaimer:
I do not have an affiliate or sponsorship relationship with any brand. I do have an affiliate relationship with Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Any product link to Amazon is an affiliate link. I appreciate your support in using those links since the small commission generated offsets the cost of the stuff I test for the channel. Thanks!
In short, you accept all risks of using any ideas presented in this video. Do not apply any suggestion if it will ruin the appearance, function, or structural integrity of your kayak.
Nothing in this video creates any expressed or implied warranty or guarantees a result. I shall not be held liable in any way or manner for errors, misleading, or incorrect information. If you find an error, please notify me right away using the contact form for the channel.
The bottom line is that you must make a judgment and not rely on the opinions expressed here.

[@AquidneckRider]

In a pinch I guess it would be a good option but I would just suggest waiting and saving up to get a GoPro.

[@DaleWalkerHoleshot]

What a nice guy and good review, thank you !

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@kenp4464]

Well done sir. Nice review and video.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@TheSamoanWatchman]

Thanks

[@olddadoutdoors]

I’m no professional and know very little of cameras and making videos. But I think the go pro looks smoother and has better colors.

[@lordsatyr4846]

WoW. Love to get the Akaso 6 plus..

[@2reelyakrz481]

Love your PVC test rig!!! Nice fish too! Nice side-by-side review. Akaso definitely has more lens flare and the GoPro has better audio. We aren't content creators per se (we just post stuff by request for friends), but as a 2nd camera to be used when the primary is off, I could see it as being useful. We do plan on setting up a camera to be run off an AGM battery (so we can run it for hours without starting and stopping and risk missing interesting moments). The camera's USB port would necessarily be exposed to nature to some degree - I'd definitely rather use a cheap camera for that role.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

That is a great point!

[@TheFishingMommy]

Wow what a great test! I actually have an older Akaso that I think I paid like $40 for but have never used. In your test, the Akaso had good resolution but the color looked really bad to my eyes. I much prefer the color profile on the GoPro. I also noticed that the Akaso had a lot of lens flares that the GoPro didn’t. Definitely did not like the sound of the Akaso either. I may actually use mine on a stick for some underwater shots, as someone else suggested (in the waterproof housing). Thanks for doing this review!

[@timgreer7440]

I definitely think the GoPro Hero 7 is the better camera especially when it come to the sound quality. The Akaso Brave 6 would be fine for doing personal videos that are for your own entertainment. Thanks for doing the comparison.

[@cschruthable]

Thanks for this review, I've been looking at both. Seen more bad reviews for the GoPro7 than the akaso in terms of out of the box usability/formatting. I've decided on this or the GoPro5 hero, but they are getting harder to find.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I never tried to adjust the white balance on the Akaso since I did not do that on the GoPro. Maybe tweaking would remove the blue twinge.

[@cschruthable]

Thanks for responding, i think since I've waited a few years so far I'll hold out till the give away and if I'm not the lucky guy, I'll just order one of them since I don't need audio anyway. The only thing I prefer so far with the GoPro is the audio control to turn it on and off

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I will probably do the giveaway in two weeks.

[@dailyrants33]

Akaso Brave 6 Plus comes in a waterproof case.The only downside is the recording flash light is so tiny and the beep so faint that is hard to tell if its recording or not, same on the remote.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

They are going to send me the "7" model to test. Let's see how that goes

[@jelly_fishing]

Nice review of the cameras. Did observe the blue tinge. But was not that bad.

[@Rick1dat]

I like the Hero better, sound is better, and clearer, Hero isn't blueish and it's water proof. Free is good and even at 130 for Akaso once wet got buy another seems that is one big pain. But thanks for doing another give away, stay dry.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Yep. Giveaway coming up soon

[@Legallyblindoutdoors]

I believe it would make a good camera for underwater shots

[@TheFishingMommy]

I have an older Akaso that I’ve never really used but I think that’s exactly what I’m gonna do with it!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Probably so. I did not test that.

[@rockfoxdesigns]

I looked at the akaso, go pro, and osmo action when choosing cameras, ended up going with the osmo action. I would consider the akaso for an underwater camera with the waterproof case, but the sound quality was a deal killer for my primary camera. Also the Akaso zooms in more to stabilize the footage.

[@bobbyhogan9207]

That looks like a nice camera. I have never used a camera and sure would appreciate the opportunity to try one.

[@jeffjackson5331]

Cool! That was a good side by side comparison. For a lower budget camera it looked pretty good. Everything seamed a little brighter with the go-pro vs the other. Its kinda like a regular picture vs an HD picture on your phone. I would definitely use the New one over the go-pro because i can’t afford a go-pro lol.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I am sure you can tweak the settings. I did not do that.

[@jeffjackson5331]

Kayak Hacks Fishing oh definitely. I liked it.

[@davidlewis9572]

Great info as always .....I think I liked the Akaso camera a lil better . Nice reds too. For a beginner making video it would be a great entry level to see if video is really what ya want to do , can always upgrade later. Set the hook brother

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Exactly. No need to spend 3 - 400 on a GoPro and give up

[@addictedjr3553]

Great review!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks!

[@Internetpilot]

Great video and comparison. The action cams I've owned/used were Swann Freestyle ($99), SJCAM (both the original $50 model and then a higher end $200 SJ5000 Plus model), and then finally the genuine GoPro Hero 5 ($270 at the time -- now $170). Although I overall enjoyed using each of them at the time, all of the non-GoPro cameras required fiddling, tweaking, and eventually compromises, and even then they still didn't have better quality. With the GoPro Hero 5 being only $170 now and still readily available on Amazon, etc., there's really no reason to buy any knockoff brand over a genuine GoPro. The only thing I really don't like about the GoPro line since the Hero 5 is that ridiculously bulky external mic adapter that is required if you want to use an external mic. Thankfully, the GoPro Hero 5 actually has rather good built-in mics (multiple), and if you use the full camera "dead cat" wind screen like you do, then it's not usually necessary to use an external mic.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I agree. The key disadvantage of the 5 vs the current Akaso is the built in stabilization. I found my old Hero 5 needed software correction in editing.

[@Internetpilot]

​@@KayakhacksFishing the Hero 5 has built-in stabilization. GoPros prior to the 5 didn't, but the Hero 5's stabilization is typically considered superior to the Hero 6.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I did not know that - thanks

[@beentheredonethatoriginals5673]

I have the same blue tinge, trying to mess with settings to make picture warmer. Also does not handle bright sunlight that well with the factory settings.....

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Let us know how you fix it!

[@michaelwblade]

Well I actually bought the osmo action and made the pvc camera mount that you had on a previous video and it works awesome. Only thing is someone stole my camera and they also took the pvc camera mount SMH. So I just bought another osmo action and I’ll be making another mount. I hope whoever took my setup has fun with it lol goes to show you that mount was the BOMB

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Be on the lookout for the setup!

[@thenextfishingadventure202]

Great information. Might be a good second camera, maybe mounted on a boom. I keep my GoPro on my head

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good call!

[@davesorenson6401]

I have 2 cheap cameras on my kayak. For KZbin they work fine and I don't have to worry about hurting them... If I do I'm out $30 as opposed to $300 plus for a GoPro.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good point!

[@JnJTrueOutdoorAdventures]

I like the video quality of the Hero 7 more than the Akaso!! I am not just saying that because I recently purchased and Hero 7 Black. I think the Hero seems more life like. The audio quality of the Akaso doesn't sound good at all to me. I guess in a pinch and as you said how much here is in cost difference it would be okay. I know I have bought and even still use one of them a cheap Chinese knock off of a GoPro. It works fine, but after getting the GoPro Hero 7 I don't think I could buy another knock off. You can see the video quality of the Chinese knock off on my New Adventure - Trip 3 from a week or so ago when I went kayaking (3 rd time out on a kayak). It is okay, but again after getting the Hero 7 and actually using it to video (latest video on my channel) to show modifications to my Old Town Vapor 10 Angler kayak I am hooked to the GoPro. Great review. Juddie - J & J TOA.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Nice trip!

[@JnJTrueOutdoorAdventures]

@@KayakhacksFishing thanks! Juddie - J & J TOA

[@WaynJul]

I don't like the blue hue. But if I would have not seen the side by side comparison I may have not noticed it.

[@nashguy2814]

The Akaso brave 7LE would be better for kayak fishing as it has a front screen for selfie posing with fish.

[@garrisonh]

I have one that looks the same but, is not branded the same. It also came with the attachments. It was only about $60 . It is fine for me but, I don't do youtube videos.I think it if I did make KZbin videos ,the Gopro would be a better option. Also, big difference in audio. thanks!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Yep. No need to spend more than what you need.

[@CarolinaBassFishingWithKurt]

Will it let you use a external battey and record without batteries inserted

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I did not test that. I no longer have the camera so I cannot go look to see.

[@Scorpion-8714]

wow nice fish man

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@Scorpion-8714]

@@KayakhacksFishing and thanks for the video. I bought akaso brave 6 plus, just today

[@mikepan9730]

Nice redfish ,live bait?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Actually, got that one on crab flavored fishbites.

[@MattMinter]

The Akaso V50 is a great camera. Seems to be better than the Brave 6. I've used it snorkeling and other outdoor adventures. I'd take 5 of them over 1 GoPro any day! :)

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@floydaltonmiller]

Akaso

[@jerrykrobby]

Great video! IMO Akaso is crap!! When you have issues with the camera they're customer service is pretty much non-existent. They never answered the phone, never returned any of my phone calls and only replied to my emails between 10 pm and 5 am. After I gave them a 1star review they emailed me and offered me a new camera if I would change my review to 5 stars. I declined.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

It makes my head explode to get emails from companies who want to give me an eval product in exchange for a 5 star review. Thankfully, Akaso did not do that.

[@jerrykrobby]

@@KayakhacksFishing yeah it's not right. Sorry for being so blunt. I just really don't like the company.

[@Tiauhui]

Akaso colour more nature...

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Yes, tough call.