I miss the days where snowboarding videos were a sit-down event. And this is a criticism of how we consume all media, not just snowboarding—but I pine for the pre-smartphone era of consumption. The days of having a stack of VHS tapes (and then DVDs) on top of a TV set that was the go-to house for large ski-town cohorts that would amass into friends groups over the course of their first few seasons in town.
But that is a time far gone at this point, and to stay relevant in this quick-hit world you need quick-hit clips to be able to stop the scroll as we thumb our way down the slot machine ad oblivion. We all wanna get sick footy. But a video part in a film is such a tiny slice of the exposure wheel these days, so the clip is where it’s at. And nothing beats it than from the POV angle you get from the GrillMount.
Disclaimer: I know the owner, Ken Achenbach, who started Pro Standard over a decade ago, trying to help people get the best angle possible. He gave me a free Grill Mount after I saved a spot in line for him early one powder day at Base 2 on Blackcomb. I did offer money but he said not to worry about it. I was thankful and said I’d offer up a review on the site. I’m not trying to fluff or just talk something up because I know the guy that made it… it has its ups and downs and is not a one-size-fits-all Gopro mount. None of them are. But it might be the best thing out there if you only have space to carry one. So here’s an unbiased review of a mount I have been using to capture shots for many years. I think this is the third one I’ve owned, and coincidentally the version 3.0 of this unit. Not bad after 10 years.
The Pro Standard Grill Mount: First Impressions
Weight: 28 grams
Works With: Gopro, Insta360, DJI Osmo Action, and more
Features: Works as a mouthguard, Easy angle markings, heat-moldable to teeth
The first thing you need to get used to when using the Grill Mount is the fact that it’s in your mouth. It does take some getting used to, but if you have ever played a sport with a mouthguard, you’ll feel right at home. And if you’re sending it on a snowboard or skis, a mouthguard is actually a wise thing to have for protection. Concussions can occur if you slam your jaw and aside from the pain of it all, losing consciousness is never as cool as it’s cracked up to be.
Who Should Use The Grill Mount
This mount is for anyone who wants the ultimate POV without needing any other accessories to hold on. That’s why surfers, snowboarders, mountain bikers, and anyone who wants the closest actual position to the head helmet cams are too high up to be relatable. But for a POV shot, nothing really comes close, save for a chest cam. But even that is a little too far set back to the body that it doesn’t relate as well to putting the viewer in the scene.
So in summary… anyone who is serious about nailing a good shot from their POV would appreciate this mount. I haven’t tried the AR glasses yet but so far this is the closest it gets to the mind of the athlete without distorting the perception either by being too high or too low.
Who Shouldn’t Use The Grill Mount
Chatty influencer types might not like the fact that your speech gets slurred while holding it. It’s not something you want to talk a lot on, its as annoying for the talker as it is the listener. A few words here and there, sure—but narrating the whole time (and no judgment, some people like that kind of thing) is not what this is for.
It’s also tough to change out with other mounts due to it only being a screw-lock and not the quick release. So unless you are sure that this is the only mount you want for the day, it can be a pain to switch to something else, especially in the cold.
Final Thoughts
The Grill Mount mouthguard mount is a staple of any true action sports POV cam quiver. The product does have a certain lifespan, but for the price, you’ll probably be getting lots of use out of it before something breaks. If not, the return policy is pretty straightforward. The ability for it to double up as mouth protection adds an element of safety, and being able to slip it into your jacket pocket makes it the ultimate companion for snowboarding or skiing.
Other sports will appreciate it too. If you know what you’re getting into and don’t mind the fact that you sound a bit funny when you talk, it’s by far the best angle Gopro (or any POV cam with the two screw slots) mount out there.
Thanks for reading!
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