If you’re a regular on my social channels, you’ll already know I lean heavily on 360° photos and video. I’ve been using the Insta360 X5 and 3for the last six months with one goal: give my clients something different — something that adds a genuinely immersive dimension to their listings.
The X5 is one of the few cameras that actually fits the way I work on the water. No gimmicks, no delicate toys, just a tough, dependable bit of kit that keeps up with real sailing conditions.
It’s genuinely robust
Wind, spray, accidental knocks — the X5 takes the lot in stride. I’ve dropped it, soaked it, knocked it, even hurled it lens-down in a boatyard from mast height, and it still survived. That alone earns respect. The replaceable lenses are another practical win, especially when you film onboard regularly and don’t want to treat your gear like a delicate ornament.
Versatile without being fiddly
I mount it wherever I need — pushpit, rod holders or simply handheld — and get on with sailing. Because it captures everything in 360°, I don’t waste time lining up perfect angles. I just sail. Editing comes later when the boat’s tied up and the beers are served on deck.
Small-world Footage: Discovery 55
A powerful tool for virtual tours
Indoors is where the X5 surprised me most. It creates genuinely immersive virtual tours — the kind that make people feel like they’re standing inside the boat rather than watching a flat walkthrough. In tight interiors where a normal camera feels cramped, the X5 opens the space up. Full cabins, saloons, heads and galley layouts in one smooth sweep. Ideal for listings, client previews or capturing refits. It works just as well at tourist attractions, events and show stands. One capture gives you the whole environment at once, drawing viewers into what feels like a 4D bubble where they can look anywhere. It’s a more natural way to explore a space, and it halves the filming workload because you only need one take.
Connectivity that keeps things moving
Back on the pontoon, I open the app and the footage is instantly ready to use. No cables, no delays, no faff. When I’m juggling client calls, listings and project management, that ease is non-negotiable. Facebook remains the best platform for preserving the full 360° effect — perfect for sharing travels with land-bound friends in a way that feels almost like they were onboard.
AI Editing
The editing tools are simple and genuinely intuitive. I can reframe a tack, polish up manoeuvres, track subjects or speed up passages without wrestling with complex software. The invisible-pole “drone effect” remains the standout. You can feel the energy of the wind on playback. That feeling of euphoria is not lost in transmission.
If you’ve ever hesitated to fly a drone at sea — because the ocean has swallowed enough expensive toys — the X5 3 metre selfie stick solves that problem outright. It delivers elevated follow-me shots showing the whole boat: sail trim, heel angle, crew stacking the rail. All the drama, none of the risk.
A solid Christmas present
For sailors, vloggers, or anyone who spends more time outdoors than indoors, the X5 is a durable, adaptable, low-faff choice. I don’t keep much tech onboard, but this is one piece that’s absolutely earned its space.
Available online direct from Insta360
Click the link for offers and bundle discounts.
Choose the No Drone, No Problem bundle for seagull-view angles on a carbon fibre extending pole.
About Claire Lindquist
Owner and creator of True North Yachts with a passion for getting people out on the water safely. I have sailed as a liveaboard, a cruiser and a racer, from dinghies to bluewater yachts. I have technical background in the industry and a curiosity for boating innovations as well as an appreciation for classic crafts. When ashore you'll find me in boatyards, usually up a mast or crammed into an engine room. Away from boats, I recharge with coastal walks which keeps me grounded and always connected to the sea.