A tray gives you a steadier two-handed grip, and arms let you put video lights where they do the most good. Here’s how to build a compact GoPro rig, connect the right mounts and set up one light or two.
Where a Tray and Lights Help
Build the rig around the shots you want:
- Handling: Two handles give you a larger grip for framing and smooth camera movements. A tray works alongside good buoyancy control and camera stabilisation; it does not remove shake on its own.
- Colour: Video lights bring colour and detail back to nearby subjects. For a distant reef or wreck scene beyond their useful range, plan to shoot with ambient light.
- Backscatter: Arms move lights away from the lens so you can aim at the subject without lighting as many particles in front of the camera.
Start with a tray that fits your housing, then choose lights and arms for the subjects you shoot.
The Components of a GoPro Underwater Rig
| Component | What it does | Current Kraken options |
|---|---|---|
| Tray | Two-handed camera grip and arm attachment | TR09; GoPro-style camera mount included |
| Flex arms | Bend-to-position lighting | KR-FLEX01; built-in YS light mount |
| Rigid / float arms | Clamped positioning; float arms add buoyancy | Arms; FA03 / FA04 / FA05 |
| Video lights | Add illumination to nearby subjects | Abyss 6000 / Abyss 10000 / Abyss 20000 |
| Current kit | Select tray, lighting and matching arm style together | Abyss 6000 Action Camera Lighting Kit |
Current pricing: Follow the linked product pages for current prices, configuration choices and availability. Kraken list prices are in USD; Canadian storefront prices convert automatically. No fixed CAD conversion or assembled-rig total is quoted here.
Step 1: The Tray
The tray is the foundation of your rig: it supports the camera and gives you two handles and arm attachment points. TR09 includes a GoPro-style mount. Match that interface to your exact dive housing; do not assume every GoPro housing has a 1/4-20 base.
The TR09 Dual Handle Action Cam Tray gives action cameras a compact, two-handed grip. Its handles pivot so you can set the grip angle, and the GoPro-style mount and two ball mounts are included.
If you also shoot with a compact or mirrorless camera and want one tray for everything, the TR08 Dual Handle Tray is the broader-compatibility option — adjustable from 8 inches to 11.25 inches for larger housings.
Step 2: The Arms
Arms connect your lights to the tray. You have two options with Kraken trays:
Flex Arms — Quick Adjustment
The KR-FLEX01 Flex Arm has a built-in YS mount and is designed for TR07, TR08 and TR09 trays. It bends into position for quick adjustment without ball-arm clamps. Attach it at the top of the compatible tray handle following the supplied assembly instructions, then secure the light’s YS mount with matching hardware.
For a dual-light setup, you’ll need two flex arms — one per side.
Float Arms — Rigid and Buoyant
Kraken’s FA03, FA04 and FA05 float arms add buoyancy. The Arms page lists ball-to-ball lengths of 3, 5, 8 and 12 inches, and ball-to-YS lengths of 3, 5 and 8 inches. Pair a compatible arm with KR-CL or KR-CLPRO clamps and the appropriate light mount. 1-inch Ball Mount with 1/4-20 Stud is an accessory only where its threaded connection matches the device.
Rigid arms use clamps to hold the selected angle; float arms also offset negative buoyancy. Holding power depends on the load and clamp condition, so test the setup rather than assuming it cannot move in surge. Adjusting a clamped arm requires loosening and retightening the clamp.
Step 3: The Lights
For a compact action-camera video rig, start with Abyss 6000: 6,000 lumens of white flood, 120° coverage, 30 minutes at full output or a listed 45 minutes at 80%. If budget permits, it is the stronger video recommendation than the small Hydra 2200 WSR; auto flash-off on the WSR is aimed at strobe macro, not GoPro video.
- More output: Abyss 10000 — 10,000 lumens, 120° beam, 35 minutes at full power or approximately 60 minutes at 80%.
- Larger scenes: Abyss 20000 — 20,000 sustained lumens, 120° beam, 40 minutes at full flood. Account for its larger body and arm load.
- Video plus fluorescence: Hydra 5000, Hydra 10000 and the newer Hydra 20000 remain valid white-video and colour-mode choices.
Two independently aimed lights can improve coverage and reduce shadows. See our action-camera video-light guide for the full comparison.
How to Position Your Lights
Use the live view to aim your lights before recording. The goal is to light the subject, not the water between it and the lens.
- Spread the lights to the sides of the housing. For very wide scenes, try bringing the light heads slightly behind the front of the housing.
- Start with the beams angled slightly outward, using their edges to illuminate the subject. Check for a bright hotspot or a dark gap in the middle.
- Record a short test clip. If particles are brightly lit, move the lights farther out or back and adjust their angle. If the subject is dark, check that the beams reach it before adding power.
Bring the lights closer together for nearby subjects and adjust as the distance changes. There is no single inward angle that suits every shot. Flex arms bend into position; ball arms let you loosen, reposition and retighten the clamps.
Complete Rig Packages
Abyss 6000 Action Camera Lighting Kit is the current ready-to-select option: TR09 tray, single or dual Abyss 6000 lights, and either BM3 ball-to-YS arms with one KR-CL clamp per light or FLEX01 arms. Camera and underwater housing are not included. Confirm your housing’s GoPro-style mount and clearance; an adapter may be required.
| Setup | Components / current option | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Compact single light | Abyss 6000 kit — Single light; TR09 + one Abyss 6000 + one BM3/KR-CL or FLEX01 arm | Nearby subjects; add a second light later |
| Dual-light starting point | Abyss 6000 kit — Dual light; TR09 + two Abyss 6000 lights + two matching arm assemblies | Independent coverage from both sides |
| Higher-output custom rig | TR09 or TR08 + two Abyss 10000 lights; choose compatible arms, mounts and buoyancy | Wide-angle video with brightness headroom |
| Large-light custom rig | TR08 + Abyss 20000 lights with an appropriately supported arm system | Larger close-range reef and wreck compositions |
| Video and fluorescence | Hydra 5000 or Hydra 10000; Hydra 20000 for high-output WRGBU work | White video plus colour / fluorescence modes |
Current pricing: Follow the linked product pages for current prices, configuration choices and availability. Kraken list prices are in USD; Canadian storefront prices convert automatically. No fixed CAD conversion or assembled-rig total is quoted here.
Putting It Together: Step by Step
- Mount the tray: Use the included GoPro-style mount with a compatible housing, or the correct adapter for your housing. Check clearance and tighten according to the mounting instructions.
- Attach the arms: Assemble the selected FLEX01 or BM3 arm configuration according to its supplied instructions. For rigid ball arms, secure the tray-side ball joint with the appropriate clamp.
- Mount the lights: For FLEX01 or ball-to-YS arms, secure the light’s YS mount with matching hardware. For ball-to-ball arms, use a clamp and the light’s ball mount. These interfaces are not interchangeable snap fittings.
- Set arm angles: Set a starting position, then tighten the clamps or bend the flex arms. Check that the arms hold the lights securely and stay out of the camera’s frame. Fine-tune the lighting in the water using the steps above.
- Check your buttons: Make sure you can still reach the GoPro’s record button and mode switch with the tray in hand. The TR09 pistol grips are designed to keep access clear.
- Buoyancy check: A fully rigged tray-and-two-lights setup adds weight. Test your buoyancy with the rig in a pool or shallow water before your first deep dive.
Tips for Better Action Camera Footage
Get Close
Move closer to put less water between the lens and your subject. Check focus and framing on the screen: a wide field of view does not mean the camera can focus at any distance. Keep clear of coral and give animals room rather than chasing a tighter shot.
Set the Controls Before You Descend
Set and practise the controls before the dive, then switch the lights on in the water when needed. Avoid running high-output underwater lights continuously in air. The Abyss 10000 is rated at 35 minutes at full power, or approximately 60 minutes at 80%; plan illuminated shooting time rather than assuming an hour at maximum.
Use White Balance Lock
With video lights, use a fixed white balance if your camera supports it, record a short test clip and check the colour. This avoids auto white balance changing colour mid-shot. For ambient-light scenes, use settings suited to the water and your camera rather than keeping the same setting for the whole dive. Check your model’s manual for the available controls.
Stabilisation Settings
Choose a stabilisation level that suits your movement and framing. Check how much of the image your selected mode crops, and keep tray movements smooth. A tray and camera stabilisation work together; using a tray does not mean you need to turn stabilisation off. Menu names and available modes vary by GoPro model.
Shoot at 4K60 or 4K30
4K60 gives you the option to slow footage down to 50% in post (producing smooth 30fps slow-motion) while retaining full 4K resolution. 4K30 is fine for steady reef footage. Avoid 1080p for anything you plan to edit or share beyond social stories — the extra resolution gives you cropping flexibility in post.
A Quick Note on Red Filters
A housing-compatible red filter can help balance colour when shooting with ambient light. It removes some light rather than adding illumination, so results depend on the filter, depth, daylight and water conditions. Follow the filter maker’s guidance instead of treating one depth range as a rule for every setup. When using white video lights on nearby subjects, usually remove the colour-correction filter and set white balance for the lights.
Using a smartphone instead? The KRH-07/08 Red Filter is for the Kraken Smart Housing, not a GoPro housing. For lit close-ups, put the budget into a video light; for distant ambient-light scenes, choose the filter and camera settings for the conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a housing as well as a tray?
Use a dive housing matched to your camera model and planned depth; bare-camera depth ratings vary. The tray supplies handling and mounting, not waterproofing. The current Abyss kit excludes camera and housing.
Using a smartphone instead? Smart Housing V2 — KRH08 and Smart Housing V2 PRO — KRH07 use physical Bluetooth controls with the Kraken Next Gen app, not direct touchscreen access. The PRO adds depth and temperature sensors; the KRH08 does not. Check exact phone fit and current app support. KRL-07 Wide Angle Lens is a Smart Housing accessory, not a GoPro lens; confirm the required lens-mount adapter for your housing.
Can I use just one light instead of two?
One light keeps the rig compact and is a good starting point for nearby subjects. Move it to control which side of the subject is lit and where shadows fall. Two independently aimed lights give you more coverage and control for wider scenes, but good positioning still matters.
How do I stop backscatter with my GoPro?
Move the lights away from the lens and adjust them so the beam edges light the subject rather than the water directly in front of the camera. Start with the lights spread apart and angled slightly outward, then review a short clip. Try moving them wider, farther back or higher if particles are still prominent. Work closer when you can do so without disturbing the subject or the reef.
Does the TR09 work with DJI Osmo Action and Insta360?
TR09 includes a GoPro-style camera mount. For DJI or Insta360, check your exact camera housing’s mounting interface and clearance; a model-specific adapter may be required. Do not assume every housing has the same thread or fits without an adapter.
What’s the difference between flex arms and rigid ball arms?
The KR-FLEX01 is a bend-to-position arm with a YS light mount. For rigid mounting, Arms offers ball-to-ball lengths of 3, 5, 8 and 12 inches and ball-to-YS lengths of 3, 5 and 8 inches. Float arms add buoyancy; use matching KR-CL clamps at ball joints. Choose the system that supports your light load and gives you the adjustment style you prefer.
When should I use a red filter instead of lights?
Use a housing-compatible red filter when shooting with ambient light and the filter maker’s guidance suits the conditions. Use video lights to bring colour and detail to nearby subjects; they cannot illuminate a distant reef. Usually remove the red filter for white-light close-ups. The Kraken Smart Housing filter does not fit GoPro housings.
Still deciding which tray and lighting configuration suits you? Compare the options in our GoPro underwater camera tray buying guide.
