Progress Update: First Test Run in the STi
Today we loaded up the STi for its first real-world gear shakedown — laptop, cameras, mounts, cables, and the growing tangle of accessories we’ll be living with for nearly three weeks on the road.
The goal wasn’t to get everything perfect. It was to answer a simpler question: does this whole mobile content idea actually work? And after today, the answer is — yes, in theory, it does.
We got power to everything, ran the laptop with OBS, cycled through camera angles, and tested the general layout. It’s not seamless yet — and connectivity is still very much a question mark — but the bones are there. With a bit more tuning, this setup can do what we need it to.
Gear Loadout
Today’s test helped clarify what’s working and what still needs some dialing in.
We’re currently planning to use the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 as the primary streaming and dash-mounted recording camera. The stability, compact size, and direct USB-C output make it a strong fit — and frankly, it just works better with the rest of the setup right now. This was not our first choice mostly due to wanting it free to run-and-gun
We had originally planned to run the Insta360 X4 as the main cam, but our specific unit has been giving us some issues during testing. It may need repair or replacement before the trip. That said, we’re not writing it off — it still has huge potential for exterior, scenic, and walkaround shots. We can definitely see it on a selfie stick at Moab, the Grand Canyon, or capturing 360° moments at scenic turnouts.
For audio, we’re using RØDE Wireless PROs to mic ourselves in the car. Early tests sound clean, even with wind and road noise in the mix — and we’re working on ways to route that cleanly into the stream.
The stream itself will be handled by an older Dell laptop that — so far — seems up to the task of managing camera inputs and OBS. The MSI gaming laptop, while a powerhouse, is just too heavy and power-hungry to run full-time in the car. Instead, it’ll handle ingest, editing, and storage when we’re parked or posted up at the end of the day.
We’ve still got plenty to learn about both the Osmo and the X4 — from ideal recording modes to thermal management — but that’s all part of the pre-trip work. This is a rolling setup, and we’re building flexibility into the system from the jump.
We are bringing y’'all along with us. Sit in the front with us!
Content Plans
This won’t be a daily stream-and-go trip. We’re aiming for a mix of live, cinematic, and casual content depending on where we are and what’s happening.
Livestreams: Planned for specific points of interest — Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Bonneville Salt Flats, Lake Tahoe, Pikes Peak. Not 24/7, but focused and meaningful.
Vlogs: Short, story-driven segments covering cool moments, weird roadside stops, and “what it’s actually like” to live out of a performance car for 7,000+ miles.
Timelapse + B-Roll: Long road segments, mountain passes, and maybe the occasional rainstorm if we’re lucky.
Photo Journal: Still images captured at key stops — the WRX in its element, the gear in use, the mood of the road.
All of this will feed into the Clutsh blog, Instagram, Twitch, Facebook, and Bluesky — and we’ll be archiving full recaps once the trip is complete.
And a Tease...
We’re also incredibly grateful to have a few brands already stepping in to help make this trip possible:
Continental Tires is stepping in to provide a fresh set of tires for the STi — not just for safety, but for peace of mind. We’ll be covering thousands of miles across every kind of terrain, from sun-scorched desert highways to winding mountain passes. Knowing we’re rolling on something we trust makes a huge difference.
High Brew Coffee is fueling the long haul with a supply of cold brew — which, let’s be honest, might be the most critical piece of the gear loadout. Whether it’s a sunrise departure or a midnight upload session, High Brew will be in the cooler, within reach, and keeping the crew sharp.
We’re continuing conversations with a few other potential partners who could help us take this even further — from keeping our gear powered in the middle of nowhere, to helping the car survive a few off-road detours we probably shouldn’t be making. Nothing to announce just yet, but if it all comes together, you’ll be seeing more logos, more gear, and more capability added to the plan.
This trip started as just a long drive. It’s becoming something a lot more layered — a testbed, a showcase, a launch, and a story worth telling.
