DJI Osmo Action GPS for racing: what the GPS remote gives you
DJI Osmo Action cameras don't have built-in GPS. To record speed, route and elevation you need the DJI GPS Bluetooth Remote, which pairs to the camera and logs position. With the remote fitted, you can upload DJI footage to Race Ninja for lap times, sectors and a racing line, just like a GoPro.
If you run a DJI Osmo Action, there's one thing to get straight before you rely on it for telemetry. The camera itself has no GPS. To get speed and position data you need DJI's GPS remote. Once you've got that, a DJI is a strong telemetry camera.
No built-in GPS, and that's fine
The Osmo Action 4, Action 5 Pro and the Osmo 360 don't have a GPS chip inside. What they do have is the DJI GPS Bluetooth Remote, a small accessory that straps to your wrist or mounts on the kart. It has its own satellite receiver, records your speed, route and elevation, and sends that to the camera over Bluetooth so it ends up in the footage.
The camera's own motion sensors handle tilt and G-force. The remote handles position. Together they give you the full picture. The remote is sold separately, so factor that in when you're comparing a DJI setup to a GoPro with GPS built in.
Why bother, if GoPro has GPS built in?
Plenty of racers prefer DJI's image quality, low-light performance or mounting options, and the GPS remote brings the telemetry up to par. If you've already got an Osmo Action, you don't need to switch to a GoPro. You just need the remote.
Getting good data from the remote
Same principles as any GPS device. Give the remote a clear view of the sky, and let it lock onto satellites before your run. Mount it where it isn't shielded by your body or bodywork. A wrist mount works, but on a kart a clear spot on the bodywork often gets a better signal.
From DJI footage to lap analysis
With the GPS remote recording, your DJI footage carries the position data Race Ninja needs. Upload it and you get the same treatment as a GoPro: automatic lap detection, sector splits, your racing line on the track map, lap comparisons and AI coaching. Race Ninja supports the Osmo Action 4, 5 and 6 and the Osmo 360 with the GPS remote fitted.
So a DJI absolutely works for racing telemetry. Just remember the remote isn't optional. It's the part that makes the data happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do DJI Osmo Action cameras have GPS?
What does the DJI GPS remote record?
Can I use a DJI Osmo Action with Race Ninja?
Is a DJI as good as a GoPro for telemetry?
Where should I mount the DJI GPS remote?
Step-by-Step Guide
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1
Get the DJI GPS remote
DJI Osmo Action cameras need the GPS Bluetooth Remote for position data. The camera alone records none.
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2
Pair and position it
Pair the remote to your camera and mount it with a clear view of the sky, away from your body.
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3
Lock on before your run
Let the remote acquire satellites before you start, so the whole run is logged.
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4
Record and upload
Film your session, then upload the footage to Race Ninja for lap times, sectors and your racing line.
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