Best helmet or bike mounted riding camera?

Discussion in 'Gear & Accessories' started by Bubba Utah, Jun 4, 2017.

  1. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    I'm not much of a techy guy, and only feel after my last and first experience of someone being a asshole throwing objects at me that it may be time to get a camera either helmet or bike mounted. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

    Mike D.
     
  2. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    D's the man to talk with
    OOTV
    Sorry if ya felt like ya got tarred and feathered, typical guys say stuff without thinkin it threw
    (most of us anyways)

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  3. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    WASPcam Gideon 9902 Camera was one I was looking at on Revzilla. Anyone have any experience on this. I don't want to pay $400 + but will pay for quality.
     
  4. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    So Ducc, you are saying OOTV is the man?
     
  5. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    That's a big 10-4
    Very knowledgeable with cameras and electronics in general
    And pretty much everything VFR

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  6. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    "Sorry if ya felt like ya got tarred and feathered, typical guys say stuff without thinkin it threw
    (most of us anyways)"

    Thanks Ducc, but no I really do not. Like I said on the other really long and now infamous post. I can take it, deserved it, appreciated it, and apologized for doing it. It's one and done.
     
  7. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    Thanks!
     
  8. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    What the savvy dudes might like to know is if there are budget constraints and the intended usage. I just spotted a dashcam for 21 pesos. Or maybe start looking for a "previously owned" version the more popular mini-cams for 30 minute vids of your arms and bitching aboot soccer moms. A good source is a public library in the magazine section where usually one can check out back issue magazines. Video equipment mags are hot stuff and widely available.
     
  9. Expvet

    Expvet New Member

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    After a couple of close calls I decided it was time for a camera. After researching a lot of models I settled on the GoPro Session. It is small, waterproof, takes great HD wide angle video and still footage and also records sound. Turns on and begins recording with a one button push. I mount it on my windshield with a GoPro suction mount and it is rock solid with a very stable image. When you park you can remove it via a clip that attaches it to the mount. I secure the mount to the windshield with a small cable as a precaution in case it were to ever fall off while riding, but after about two years no problems at all.

    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...CMOVlq3vptQCFUpLDQod3qYMwA&is=REG&sku=1236582


    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/999131-REG/gopro_aucmt_302_suction_cup_mount.html?sts=pi
     
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  10. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    I heard my name mentioned, so thought I'd chime in. For the most part GoPro seems to be the default go to camera for most action sports. Although that may seem to be the choice, there are so many other options out there that it can be a little tough to figure out what would be the best choice. Depending on where you plan to mount the camera as well as how long you anticipate it to be recording, you will need to look at the specifications of the camera.

    Two points here are, how large a recording media you can use and how long the battery will last, and whether or not the device can be powered externally to allow maximum recording time. Most of these cameras use either an SD Card or an MicroSD card and these can be found in sizes from MB to GB. I have a GoPro Hero 2 that will accept a 200GB SD card and will record while plugged into a power supply, which kind of means that I have hours of record time available. A lot of the alternative cameras have limited media size and therefore lesser recording times, regardless of being on a powered connection and not battery.

    The form factor is also something to consider, particularly if mounting it to your helmet. Here is where the GoPro Session camera is more desirable than their previous Hero options. However, this usually means you're limited to battery life, unless you want to be tethered to your bike with a power cord. There are countless "copies" of the GoPro cameras, even the newer Session camera but you have to look at the specs, for the fore mentioned concerns of recording time.

    The other items to look at is whether or not the camera has any image stabilization, wind noise reduction and other features like Bluetooth, WiFi and other features that make recording easier. Many have smart phone apps and sometimes universal "connection" options. Something else that comes in handy at times is the ability to use the camera as a playback device so you can review and or delete footage on the camera without the need for a computer.

    Someone turned me onto this website (see links below) and I actually bought a few different cameras from them and have done some R&D with them and found a couple of decent cameras that do what I want out of them and cost me much less than even the least expensive GoPro. In some cases I was able to buy 3 cameras for less than a GoPro BUT everyone has different needs and/or features they are looking for but ultimately I'm sure you can fimd something that will fit your needs and not break the bank.

    http://www.gearbest.com/action-cameras-c_11332/
    http://www.gearbest.com/car-dvr-c_11249/
     
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  11. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    Bubba, I use an old GoPro 3+ for my vids but I only use it when I want to do a lame motovlog - LOL - I don't usually ride around with a camera. Since it sounds like you are mainly wanting a camera for dashcam/insurance purposes to record assholes throwing shit at you, etc., I would go with the Sena 10c like RidingWithTom recommends. RWT uses a GoPro for most of his motovlogging but says he uses the Sena when he just wants quick and simple dashcam style video. This is a pretty good vid where he explains his choice - I think you may find it helpful:

    Edit: I forgot to mention that at one point in this vid RWT rides with no hands for about 30 seconds while he explains his camera choice - his S1000RR must have cruise control LOL

     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2017
  12. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    On the other hand, if you want to have a higher quality super wide angle video camera for motovlogging, etc., I think GoPro is still the best choice. My GoPro shoots in 1080/60 which is the best for YouTube IMO - there are higher resolution 4k cameras of course but the file sizes become gargantuan. I like the GoPro because it can mount to your helmet's chinbar which gives the most realistic perspective since it's perfectly centered at nearly eye level - I personally don't like motovloggers with cameras mounted to the side of their helmet or their tank for example as it ruins the realism IMO. Here's my latest creation in case you missed it so you can compare and contrast how my camera looks in comparison to the RWT vid above which I believe he said was in 1080/30 with a narrower angle lens and is mounted to the side of his helmet. I think I'm gonna make some popcorn and watch it again on my big screen tonight with the subwoofer turned up all the way - another exciting night at GatorGreg's house - LOL :Popcorn:

     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2017
  13. clarkm8

    clarkm8 New Member

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    Can't go wrong with Go Pro camera. I have a Hero 3 and its video quality is really great.
     
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  14. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    So a little after my post, I received an email from GearBest and what would you know, they had camera specials going. I found one that seems to have promise and to boot it was less than $15 on a "flash sale". At that price I'd thought I'd give it a try. http://www.gearbest.com/car-dvr/pp_626563.html?

    I ended up buying two for me and two for my business partner, he wants to put these on his 3D printer near the print head so he can record his prints for his YouTube channel (Practical Printing). Sorry for the shameless plug!

    Anyway, they arrived the other night and I haven't had a chance to give them a thorough run through but a few initial recordings seemed to be pretty good. Like some of the other cameras I have, the size limit of the MicroSD card for this camera is 32GB. According to the cameras specs, the record time is 100 minutes, so 32GB should be fine. There is one small negative that I didn't notice when I grabbed these, is that it only records in 5 minute segments. Meaning for an hour worth of recording, I'll have 12 files. Although for editing, this means you have to string the files together, it's not the end of the world.

    Two things that make this camera interesting is it's super small size and lite weight. It literally fits in the palm of your hand and you can even make a fist with it there! One reviewer weighed the camera at 20 grams, so fitting this to your helmet should be easy and unnoticeable.

    As with everything, there are a few of down sides. For one the user manual is too difficult to read and understand. It took me a while and watching a couple of YouTube videos to understand how the buttons work. The other is the lights seem to work in reverse, when the unit is in "standby" I.e. Ready to record, the LED is lit, when you push the power button to record, the LED goes out! So if the camera is recording or if the camera is completely off, the LED is too. The one bummer that kind of gets me and again not a show stopper, is the camera always defaults to the 720p record mode when you turn into on. However two button pushes, one to the mode button and one to the power button, 1080p recording can begin. That being said, with this on the helmet, 720p isn't a complete loss.

    One other nitpick, there is no lens cover for the camera, so if it's on the helmet, hopefully aerodynamics will help keep bugs and rocks from getting stuffed into the lens! Then again, at less than $15, these cameras are pretty much "disposable" IMO.

    I hope to grab a couple of 32GB cards this weekend and do some more testing and see how I can get at least one of these cameras mounted in a place I'm comfortable with.
     
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  15. RhINO

    RhINO New Member

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    Where do you mount the camera,? I got a Sony action cam when I bought my current cellphone but I don't know where to put it


    Skickat från min E5823 via Tapatalk
     
  16. fink

    fink Member

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    So what are you looking for then. Surely you have some criteria?

    Do you want it to turn on when you turn the ignition on, or ypdo you prefer to switch on yourself. Record on continuous loop if out all day or prefer to swap batteries every 90 mins?


    Personally I use a roadhawk ride +. Wired into the bike so it starts recording on a 32 Gb card on a continuous loop, bullet as opposed to big block like go pro.
     
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  17. fink

    fink Member

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    Have to say in your clime the go pro plugged in is great. Sadly it doesn't work like that across the pond where the weather is a bit more mixed. Read pushes down most of time.
     
  18. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    If you're asking me, that would depend on which bike. I'm not at home at the moment but when I get back I can post pics/links to what I have and/or have done.
     
  19. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    RhINO, here is what I have done on my 5 and 6 Gens. As of the latest cameras I run on them.

    This is the INNOVV C3 "Snake" camera I have for the 5 gen. I run two of them, one facing front, the other facing behind me. This is the lens mounted to the front of the bike.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This is the recorder that the lens above attaches to. There's a USB port on the front left of the top cowl and it powers on when the bike turns on. The recording is automatically triggered when power is applied.
    [​IMG]

    This is the rear camera on the same bike. Similar to the front setup. There is a USB power connector under the seat that gets triggered on with the ignition. Both cameras start recording simultaneously.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  20. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    As for my 6 Gen I have two "flashlight" cameras and just as I did with the 5 Gen, I have them powered up with the ignition. For these cameras I used Rammounts. Which I might add is what is used to mount the 5 gen INNOVV recorders.

    The front has a couple of Rammount items. The main part that attaches to the bike is the "perch" mount. This goes onto the brake lever mount and then uses a couple of arms that attaches to a "torque" mount. The torque mount is what wraps around the actual camera.

    https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ram-mounts-brake-clutch-base

    https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ram-mounts-torque-bar-mount

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    The rear uses a similar setup, with the torque mount but instead of the perch mount I used a "bolt ball" with a hole base. The bolt ball attaches to the GIVI top case mount.

    https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ram-mounts-handlebar-bolt-ball-with-hole-base

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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