Helmet cam

logistic

Looking to purchasing a helmet cam. Preferably an SD card cam as I don’t have an external recorder.
Do a lot off road so the picture quality will need to withstand the bumps and shock.
Any recommendations or considerations that would sway my purchase?

NeilMcEoigheann

yeah this one .......
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31529
http://www.vimeo.com/1802892, footage on the internet, although this is promoted by the makers.
http://www.goprocamera.com/index.php?area=2&productid=1 makers site.
i bought one about a month ago.
there is only 56mins of recording time with a 2gb card, although they say they will send a firmware download for a 4 gb card to be used.
the helmet attachment is very good and it comes with a head strap so you can use it without a helmet.

mr potato head

Got this Wireless helmet cam a few weeks ago but haven't had a go with it yet.
I'll stick it on my bike during a spin next week and post a sample vid, have no idea what the quality under the Irish lighting contitions will be like. (road bike, no time to go to mountains at the moment so can't check low light quality in trees)

petethedrummer

I don't own one, but this got some good reviews.

http://www.vholdr.com/

Húrin

Why would one ever want to put a camera on their helmet?

BostonB

Húrin wrote: »

Why would one ever want to put a camera on their helmet?

iPhone needs two hands...

Why video anything?

NeilMcEoigheann

Húrin wrote: »

Why would one ever want to put a camera on their helmet?

because our bodys naturally steady our heads for clearer vision so it is an ideal location to mount a camera.
handle bar mounted handle bars jump up and down too much.

bealbocht

depends on what you want it for.

for computer/youtube vids , the self contained/wireless options seem good.

picture size is on all the ones I looked at is (the above links) 640/480 so wont look great on TV, not bad , but not great. No problem at all for computer/youtube.

I have one, that is not wireless and needs to be pugged into a camcorder, which is really quite sloppy. Only one cable out to the camera/lense, but the camera bag is a mess with wires, and requires an external power source for the camera , which is 8 AA batteries, more wires, and fiddly bits.

The picture is pretty good on it, but it has problems ... well, it has probloms facing south on sunny days... ie, into the sun, gives loads of lens flare.

either of these look well cool . wish they were available when I bought mine.

http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/at-1-wireless-helmet-cameras.htm

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31529

would probably go for the first one myself, although having come back, a few times with footage where the camera "rotated" in the mount, and everything is lobsided, I can see the benefit of the square shaped camera.

As for tips using.. I would make sure you do a good few test runs, or you will come back with all sky /ground

Also, mounting it on the bike instead of the helmet, can give better footage, as it is always looking where the bike is going, but will shake the fcuk out of the camera. Perhaps suits me better, as have been using it around the city, and on the helmet mount, there is a lot of side to side movement, as you need to check traffic and short skirts all the time. Down hill mountain biking, you should just be looking where you are going
I have a clamp mount, that can be attached to the crossbar, so it rises up over the handlebars. Gives a nice view, but probably lethal if you are doing any extream biking.


started this site as a hobby , www.dublinbybike.com , and have not really done much with it, but would welcome contributions, if they were available.

BostonB

Nice idea. I only looked at one video, and you run straight though a red.

bealbocht

oh dear, should really edit some of those bits out.

On the other hand, was thinking of doing a red light/one way street/paths special.. but wiring up some courier on the Allycat, would probably make for better viewing .

mr potato head

Here's the sample vid from the AT-1 cam.

It's the first time i've really tried it. There is a little static the odd time but the recorder was in my pocket and it was when i peddled.

Picture was good, i'm going to see if putting the recorder in a backpack or different pocket reduces the interference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhiZRJoQ6DU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhiZRJoQ6DU

Never mind the date, never reset the clock on it

NeilMcEoigheann

bealbocht wrote: »

oh dear, should really edit some of those bits out.

On the other hand, was thinking of doing a red light/one way street/paths special.. but wiring up some courier on the Allycat, would probably make for better viewing .

we had that at the last alleycat on friday. HD cams and cams at all the checkpoints, class.....

petethedrummer

Some reviews of helmet cams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG5HZuRKLvg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR9bUGW_ICw
http://helmetcamreview.wordpress.com/
http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/gopro-helmet-hero-wide-video-camera-review/

Lumen

Just out, the Contour HD wearable cam.

Capture your off-road adventures, or record your commute TimAllen-style.