GoPro Hero 11 GPS for racing: the value pick for telemetry
The GoPro Hero 11 Black has strong GPS and is arguably the best value camera for racing telemetry. It uses a newer u-blox chip than the Hero 10, logs position at 10Hz with a richer data stream, and is now cheap second-hand. Switch GPS on, get a lock, and upload to Race Ninja for lap times.
If you want one camera for racing telemetry without spending a lot, the GoPro Hero 11 Black is hard to beat. It has GPS, the data it records is genuinely good, and now that it's a couple of models old you can find it cheap.
What GPS the Hero 11 has
The Hero 11 introduced a newer u-blox GPS chip than the Hero 10, one that can read from up to three satellite systems at once. That means a faster, steadier lock, which matters at a tree-lined circuit or somewhere with tall buildings. It records your position at 10Hz, ten readings a second, written straight into the video file.
It also moved to a richer data stream than older Heros. Alongside position and speed it logs the quality of the GPS fix, which good software can use to throw out dodgy points before they spoil your lap. That same chip carried over to the Hero 13, so the 11 and 13 are the two strongest GoPros for telemetry.
Why it's the value pick
The Hero 12 dropped GPS entirely, and the Hero 13 costs current-model money. That leaves the Hero 11 in a sweet spot: proper GPS, the good chip, and second-hand prices because it's no longer the latest. For a club racer or a karter who wants data without a big outlay, it's the obvious choice.
Getting good data out of it
Two things make or break your data, and neither is the camera's fault. First, switch GPS on in settings, because it can be off by default or after an update. Second, give it a clear view of the sky and wait for a solid lock before you record. Film before the lock and that clip has no position data, even if it locks on later.
From footage to lap times
Upload your Hero 11 session to Race Ninja and it reads the GPS, detects each lap, and splits it into sectors. You get your racing line on the track map, side-by-side lap comparisons, and AI coaching on the corners costing you time. The Hero 11 records the data, Race Ninja turns it into something you can use to go faster.
So if someone asks which GoPro to buy for lap timing on a budget, the answer is easy. A used Hero 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the GoPro Hero 11 have GPS?
Is the Hero 11 good for racing telemetry?
Hero 11 or Hero 13 for telemetry?
What GPS frequency does the Hero 11 record at?
How do I turn Hero 11 footage into lap times?
Step-by-Step Guide
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1
Enable GPS on the Hero 11
Open settings and switch GPS on. Confirm it after any firmware update.
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2
Lock onto satellites
Power up outdoors with a clear view of the sky and wait for a solid GPS lock before recording.
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3
Mount with a sky view
Keep the top of the camera, where the antenna sits, clear of bodywork and mounts.
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4
Upload to Race Ninja
Send the footage in for automatic lap times, sectors, racing line and coaching.
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