Mounting fingers
Also known as: GoPro mount, two-prong mount, three-prong mount, thumbscrew mount
The interlocking two- and three-prong mounting system with a thumbscrew used by GoPro and many other action cameras and accessories.
Updated
What it means
Mounting fingers are the flat prongs that slot together and are held by a long thumbscrew. A camera or frame has two fingers, a mount has three, or the other way around, and tightening the screw locks the angle. GoPro popularized the system, and it became a de facto standard across action camera brands and accessory makers.
Newer GoPro models have folding fingers built into the camera body, so the camera attaches directly to mounts without a separate frame. Other brands provide adapters from their own systems, such as a magnetic quick-release, to standard fingers.
The system is simple, light and very adaptable, which is why thousands of mounts use it, from helmet bases to bike clamps.
How it works in practice
Tighten the thumbscrew firmly so the camera does not flop forward on bumps. A small tool or a wrench-style thumbscrew helps get extra torque, especially with gloves. Rubber spacers between fingers add friction and reduce rattling on high-vibration mounts such as a handlebar.
Chaining several extension arms lets you reach odd angles, but each joint adds wobble. Keep chains short and tight for action, and use longer setups only for static shots.
Keep a few spare thumbscrews in your bag, since they are small, easy to drop in snow or sand and essential to every mount you own.
What to watch out for
Plastic fingers crack in crashes and wear over time, especially on cheap mounts. Inspect them for stress marks, and replace damaged parts before they fail during a ride.
Over-tightening can strip threads or crack thin fingers in cold weather, when plastic is more brittle. Firm is enough, and a quick re-check after the first run is better than brute force at the start.
Different brands use slightly different tolerances, so some third-party mounts fit loosely. A loose fit means vibration and movement in footage. Test new mounts with a short clip, and add a tether where losing the camera would end your filming for the trip.
How RawClip handles it
Whatever mount you use, the footage is what counts. Upload clips from every angle of the day in one order, and RawClip picks the strongest moments and edits them into one highlight synced to music.