You can build a working GoPro Hero 6 and 8 from spare parts, and it can actually be cheaper than buying the whole camera. If you want a naked GoPro, this is way more convenient as you won’t have to spend time taking the camera apart.

Check out my tutorials on Naked GoPro 6, and Naked GoPro 8.

Main Board + Lens Module  = Working GoPro

Hero 6:

• GoPro 6 Main Board: https://bit.ly/2YkmYHz
• GoPro 6 Lens/Sensor Module: https://oscarliang.com/product-as94

Hero 8:

• Hero 8 Lens with Camera Sensor:
  • https://oscarliang.com/product-iuk2
  • https://oscarliang.com/product-jyop
• Hero 8 Logic Board (Main PCB): https://oscarliang.com/product-um7u

These two components are all you need to make a working GoPro!

AliExpress seems to be main place you can get GoPro spare parts from. I bought two hero 6 main boards and 3 camera sensor modules from there, all working as expected. Shipping to the UK took about 2 weeks, so it’s not too bad.

Hero 6 Logic Board

Hero 8 Logic Board

Hero 6 Lens Module

You might want to put it in a case, like the BetaFPV GoPro Lite case for the Hero 6. These cases also come with BEC board which makes powering them straightforward.

For the Hero 8, there’s the URUAV/NamelessRC case:

What Else You Might Need?

It’s useful having the back touch screen, you can use it to change camera settings, check if the main board and lens module are working correctly, and you need the screen to get the WiFi password to use the phone APP.

You can get a spare touch screen from tearing down a GoPro, or you can get it as spare part. The touch screen and buttons can be reused for your other Naked GoPro’s:

• Hero 6 Touch Screen: https://bit.ly/2BnFGF9
• Hero 8 Touch Screen: https://oscarliang.com/product-d3ae

Here is a pin-out of the GoPro Hero 6 main board, and how to connect the touch screen.

And here’s the pinout of the Hero 8 and connector for the touch screen:

If you’ve never owned a decased GoPro before, maybe you should tear one down first, then you’d have the screen and buttons. But of course you can just bought the spare parts, it’s up to you.

Edit History

• Jul 2020 – article created
• Apr 2021 – updated product links for Hero 8