The Mini VX™ isn’t a factory product. It’s a small-batch, 3D-printed action camera cage designed, tested and built by one person — for people who actually film skateboarding.

This page walks through how each Mini VX™ goes from a rough sketch to a finished VX1000-inspired rig ready to take hits at the spot.

Why the Mini VX™?

The Mini VX™ isn’t just a 3D-printed camera shell — it’s a purpose-built filming rig designed specifically for skateboarding and action sports.

Most cages are designed around generic camera shapes. The Mini VX™ is designed around the way skate filmers actually shoot — fast movement, close-up fisheye, directional changes, and top-handle control.

Here’s what sets it apart:

Built for Skate Filmers

Designed around the way skaters actually shoot: low angles, fast movements, fisheye work, and quick directional changes. The Mini VX™ gives you the familiar top-handle feel of the VX1000 in a modern, compact form.

Supports the Cameras Skaters Really Use

Compatible with GoPro, DJI Action, and Insta360 — the action cameras that hold up to slams, impact, and fast motion.
(Not built around fragile gimbal vlog cameras.)

True VX-Style Handling

A balanced top handle and weight distribution that give you the classic VX sway, stability, and control for follow lines and close-up fisheye filming.

Functional, Not Just Aesthetic

The Mini VX™ features a real slide-out accessory bay with cable passthrough — perfect for charging, phone monitoring, SSD recording, mic receivers, and power banks.

Durable, Small-Batch Construction

Printed in PETG for strength and heat resistance, then hand-assembled and QC’d in California. Built to handle impacts, long sessions, and daily filming.

An Expanding Ecosystem

Works seamlessly with the Mini VX™ Vertical Phone Mount, hoods, threaded mounts, cold shoes, and other accessories — all designed to support skate filming, not vlogging.

Designed, Printed & Assembled by Mark

Every unit is made in-house:
hand-drawn concepts → CAD → test footage → 3D print → post-processing → assembly → QC.
Small-batch, personal, intentional.

Made by a Skater for Skate Filmers

The Mini VX™ comes from someone who actually films skating — not from a factory, not from a hobbyist copying the look. It’s built from real use, real testing, and real sessions in the streets and parks.

1. It Starts With a Sketch

Every Mini VX™ design begins on paper.

I start with loose sketches inspired by:

  • Classic Sony VX1000 silhouettes
  • Real skate filmer grip and hand positioning
  • How GoPro, DJI Action and Insta360 cameras sit inside the rig
  • Where cables, SSDs and accessories need to live

The goal: make modern cameras feel like a VX, without losing the convenience of today’s tech.

2. Turning the Idea Into a 3D Model

Once the shape feels right, the design moves into 3D modeling.

This is where I dial in:

  • Internal dimensions for GoPro, DJI Action, Insta360
  • The exact top-handle position for stable follow filming
  • The slide-out accessory bay and cable passthroughs
  • Mounting points for lights, mics, phone clamps
  • Optional clearance for larger setups like GoPro Media Mod (via the Large Hood)

It’s a blend of VX1000 inspiration and modern action camera geometry.

3. Prototype Printing & Real-World Testing

Before any Mini VX™ goes into production, I print and test multiple prototypes to refine:

  • Durability
  • Weight and balance
  • How it feels during long follow lines
  • Lens, hood and accessory clearance
  • Stabilization performance inside the cage
  • Impact resistance and everyday skate abuse

Every refinement is based on real filming, not just bench testing.

4. Printing Each Mini VX™ in PETG

When the design is ready, printing starts.

Each housing is:

  • 3D-printed in PETG for strength and heat resistance
  • Run on dialed-in print profiles
  • Produced in small batches to maintain consistency

PETG holds up to heat, cold, scratches and rough filming conditions better than PLA or other hobby materials.

5. Cleaning, Finishing & Fitting

When a print is complete, each housing is:

  • Cleaned and inspected for any imperfections
  • Threaded inserts, magnets and hardware installed
  • Camera fit tested
  • Accessory bay checked for smooth slide and cable clearance
  • Hood fitted and tested for alignment and light control

Every unit gets individual attention to make sure it feels right in the hand and performs as expected.

6. Assembly & Accessory Testing

After finishing, each rig is assembled and put through a full setup test:

  • Handle installed and flex-tested
  • Mount points checked for lights, mics and phone monitoring
  • Compatibility tested with larger setups (Media Mod, mic cases, etc.)
  • Verified against the list of third-party tested accessories on the product page

If anything feels off — even slightly — it goes back to the bench.

7. Small-Batch Drops, Not Mass Production

Mini VX™ units are released in small runs:

  • Core colors
  • Limited editions
  • Holiday drops
  • Collabs
  • Seasonal special batches

Every unit is designed, 3D-printed, finished and assembled in California by one person.
No factories. No outsourcing. Just a one-person workshop building tools for skate filmers.

If you’re deciding between different VX-style rigs, check out the Mini VX™ vs Osmo Rocket VX comparison guide for a clear breakdown.

8. Why 3D Printing Works for Skate Filmers

Using additive manufacturing allows:

  • Rapid iteration for new cameras
  • Limited runs without huge MOQs
  • Artist-driven design flexibility
  • Custom fits and unique silhouettes
  • Strong, functional gear made one at a time

It’s the ideal mix of handcrafted and high-tech, perfect for skate filming culture.

9. Want to See the Mini VX™ in Action?

Check out:

Every Mini VX™ goes through this entire process — from sketch, to print, to your hands.

👉 Shop the Mini VX™ here