Budget...ish Helmet Cams?

cycletheroad

Hi .........is their any decent enough helmet cams out there that are not too expensive, other then the gopro range, i see multitude of them on ebay in around the 50 to 100 euro mark, has anyone purchased any of these?

tomasrojo

That reminds me. I mean to ask in another helmet-cam thread: does firmly attaching protruding objects (lights, cameras) to the helmet render it less effective as a helmet? Increased potential for rotation, or bits of plastic being driven into your scalp? Or do they all just snap off if you're unlucky enough to have a head impact?

(I'm not asking about whether helmets are worth the bother or not; just whether you are getting too far from the ideal of something approximately round.)

ednwireland

got one of these
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Mini-Sports-DV-Video-Camera-webcam-2gb-micro-sd-/260855682902?pt=UK_Consumer_Professional_RL&hash=item3cbc35d756

havent used it yet though, but at 18.99 ........................

Beasty

tomasrojo wrote: »

That reminds me. I mean to ask in another helmet-cam thread: does firmly attaching protruding objects (lights, cameras) to the helmet render it less effective as a helmet? Increased potential for rotation, or bits of plastic being driven into your scalp? Or do they all just snap off if you're unlucky enough to have a head impact?

(I'm not asking about whether helmets are worth the bother or not; just whether you are getting too far from the ideal of something approximately round.)

It's something that's slightly bothered me about my helmet light. Having said that, it's attached by a lightweight plastic "bolt" which looks like it will give way without too much force, and there's a large disc-shaped connector on the inside that should spread any impact

macnab

ednwireland wrote: »

got one of these
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Mini-Sports-DV-Video-Camera-webcam-2gb-micro-sd-/260855682902?pt=UK_Consumer_Professional_RL&hash=item3cbc35d756

havent used it yet though, but at 18.99 ........................

I got one of those too, its a Muvi Pro or something like that, it worked 4 or 5 times then died. I paid about €50 for it on iBood though.
I wouldnt mind paying 18.99 for another if I thought it would last so let us know how you get on with yours.

Lumen

tomasrojo wrote: »

That reminds me. I mean to ask in another helmet-cam thread: does firmly attaching protruding objects (lights, cameras) to the helmet render it less effective as a helmet? Increased potential for rotation, or bits of plastic being driven into your scalp? Or do they all just snap off if you're unlucky enough to have a head impact?

I'd say if you're going to strap chunks of metal to your head you'd want the protection of a helmet.

Was that the question?

CardinalJ

I've a GoPro which I find really good.

There's a few on eBay for just over €100 second hand. Don't know if you want something new or not though.

vibe666

have a read of this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055935996 (you can probably read the first page or so and then skip to the last few pages).

there's a 720p version of it out now that works very well.

Kintarō Hattori

vibe666 wrote: »

have a read of this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055935996 (you can probably read the first page or so and then skip to the last few pages).

there's a 720p version of it out now that works very well.

I have one of those but there are two problems. As it comes in the pack battery life is only about 40 minutes and secondly it's not waterproof.

Other than that the image quality is very good when considered in relation to the price.

Lumen

CardinalJ wrote: »

I've a GoPro which I find really good.

They seem quite robust. Check out the view at 35 seconds.

monument

ednwireland wrote: »

got one of these
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Mini-Sports-DV-Video-Camera-webcam-2gb-micro-sd-/260855682902?pt=UK_Consumer_Professional_RL&hash=item3cbc35d756

havent used it yet though, but at 18.99 ........................

Here's footage from one of those on my handlebars:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inxmMB8Wv7I

I stress on the handlebar as fixed to a helmet half decently you body should act as a shock buffer, but in the middle of handlebar it's get a lot of shock and movement.

cycletheroad

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/250890613483?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Thanks for all the info folks..........i decided to chance this one, comes with a years warranty, ticks all the boxes, ill let ye know how it performs.

monument

Please come back and let us know how that works out, I'll likely to get fed up of my home-made handlebar mount at some stage.

CramCycle

monument wrote: »

Here's footage from one of those on my handlebars:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inxmMB8Wv7I

I stress on the handlebar as fixed to a helmet half decently you body should act as a shock buffer, but in the middle of handlebar it's get a lot of shock and movement.

Same camera on my handlebar mount

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHwBCn7ZpXY

monument

CramCycle wrote: »

Same camera on my handlebar mount

That's somewhat like my original results, had to get something made up.

Iwannahurl

I tried putting a serious video camera on a serious mount (Manfrotto SuperClamp + ballhead) but had to give up because of serious jitter. In fact, the brass spigot eventually broke.

Lightweight cameras on cushioned mounts is the way to go IMO, so my ambition is a helmet-mounted GoPro.

Some amazing GoPro videos on YouTube. For example:

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

Undercover Elephant

monument wrote: »

Here's footage from one of those on my handlebars

How did you mount it?

I have one of those, but have never used it on the bike. It switches itself off after 20 mins, so not sure I'd really use it anyway, but it might be worth a try.

Rew

Go pro all the way. I've used mine MTBing and Skiing, not cheap but best money ever spent, there bullet proof!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z6_iVfovdU

This was attached to the fork while I was filming my Husky running:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-s1PocbjK4

Becarefull of cheaper GoPRo's there are older non-HD models around.

Lemag

Undercover Elephant wrote: »

How did you mount it?

I have one of those, but have never used it on the bike. It switches itself off after 20 mins, so not sure I'd really use it anyway, but it might be worth a try.

monument wrote: »

Here's footage from one of those on my handlebars:

Monument, have you experienced this 20 minute cut off? Also, have you taken it out in wet conditions? If so, how'd it fare?

CramCycle

Lemag wrote: »

Monument, have you experienced this 20 minute cut off? Also, have you taken it out in wet conditions? If so, how'd it fare?

Mine broke after a minor fall, it also cut.off randomly, it ran for upto 20 minutes but mine maybe an old version, they may have improved

monument

Lemag wrote: »

Monument, have you experienced this 20 minute cut off? Also, have you taken it out in wet conditions? If so, how'd it fare?

Had it out once in fairly heavy rain and it fogged up, but cleared up quickly after the rain stopped. It did not seem affected but it still doesn't look that water proof.

I haven't used it that much but a 20min cut off time could explain why it cut off once or twice when recording for a while, but I can't be sure.

Dord

I've been thinking about getting a camera for my bike recently. I was looking at the ReplayXD cameras and they look pretty sweet. Quite slim compared to the others. Anyone have any experience with them? The site is http://www.replayxd.com

Rew

Dord wrote: »

I've been thinking about getting a camera for my bike recently. I was looking at the ReplayXD cameras and they look pretty sweet. Quite slim compared to the others. Anyone have any experience with them? The site is http://www.replayxd.com

For the money a GoPro or Contour HD. More features, mounts, bigger user base, spare parts, wide angle lens etc.

TBH its hard to compete with the GoPro as a package, other then they are quite pricy.

enas

This little cheap camera you're mentioning is a cheap imitation of the Veho Muvi, which supposedly is of much better quality with metal casing and good buttons. You can get it for £36 (plus £5.90 postage to Ireland as far as I remember) at the moment at http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=107283&PHPSESSID=cqokbe591jr63m10leq7gsb8e1

Having bought the cheap one on eBay (for less than €10 delivered), it didn't quite work. It worked fine on the first 4-5 times, for 20 minutes only. Then, it quite simply died. From reading different forums, this is a very normal behaviour for this camera. So I wouldn't advise bothering with it. Now I'm tempted to buy the Veho Muvi instead, at this price it sounds like a much better bargain.

Concerning mounting on the helmet, I believe there's no risk if you mount it with the provided mounting kit, as it would break with little force I'd imagine. What would worry more would be to attach it with zip ties. Anyway, even if I believe that helmet mounting is better than handlebar mounting (stable image plus you record what you see), I'd definitely chose the second option as I'm a bit too self-conscious to cycle with a stupid looking camera attached on my head (it's already very hard to accept wearing the helmet at the first place).

tomasrojo

enas wrote: »

Concerning mounting on the helmet, I believe there's no risk if you mount it with the provided mounting kit, as it would break with little force I'd imagine. What would worry more would be to attach it with zip ties.

Yes, zip ties sound like a very bad idea. So the mount is probably deliberately a bit flimsy for safety.

enas wrote: »

(it's already very hard to accept wearing the helmet at the first place).

You don't have to wear it, if you don't like it. Still a free country. I guess it gives you or a close relative peace of mind?

enas

tomasrojo wrote: »

You don't have to wear it, if you don't like it. Still a free country. I guess it gives you or a close relative peace of mind?

I don't want to give a detailed reason of why I eventually resigned to wear a helmet (as that would hijack the thread), but, mainly, yes, my wife wouldn't allow me to ride without one.

tomasrojo

Yes, say no more.

gman2k

This is the best version of the key fob camera, gets great reviews, and there is a detailed thread inc videos somewhere on boards.... (maybe Bargain alerts???)

CardinalJ

Rew wrote: »

Go pro all the way. I've used mine MTBing and Skiing, not cheap but best money ever spent, there bullet proof!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z6_iVfovdU

This was attached to the fork while I was filming my Husky running:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-s1PocbjK4

Becarefull of cheaper GoPRo's there are older non-HD models around.

I only have a GoPro. If I'd a GoPro and a husky I'd just retire and be happy for life! (at 25)

Rew

CardinalJ wrote: »

I only have a GoPro. If I'd a GoPro and a husky I'd just retire and be happy for life! (at 25)

I've a GoPro, a Husky, a Samoyed and a Huskly crossed with a White German Shepard. My like heavily revolves around picking up massive amounts of dog ****e and dog fur so you may not want to retire to that!

In saying that they are hours of endless entertainment

There are more vids of them all in my youtube channel.

Im going to get them going with the MTB when I have some free time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BvjJkZFRnw

Im looking forward to the snow so I can try this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vrjr_eN4aA

cycletheroad

monument wrote: »

Please come back and let us know how that works out, I'll likely to get fed up of my home-made handlebar mount at some stage.

Well here we are........got the Cyclops Action Camera few days ago and set it up for a spin tody, comes with fittings for both the helmet and handle bars, good solid fittings too, two velcro straps, one long, one short, one rubber strap if you wanted to do wrap around on your helmet but i actually used long cable ties through the helmet vents to hold the camera mount, easy to clip in and out the camera then. Comes with all the relevent cables, charger,usb cable etc, has an internal memory of 64 mbs but i stuck an 8gb into it, definitely up to now has worked great, here.s a clip of the camera in action,

"http://www.youtube.com/embed/XXldeBKqn8w"