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Message started by justin_o_guy2 on 08/02/20 at 22:42:23

Title: Go Pro?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/02/20 at 22:42:23

When I get back on the road,, I'm thinking about sticking a camera, maybe plural, on the bike, maybe on the helmet, I've been watching videos, and I see them as useful ,,
Anyone think about it?

Title: Re: Go Pro?
Post by Dave on 08/03/20 at 03:52:14

I have a GoPro, and I only use it occasionally. For someone of my age it is a bit technically tedious, it takes a modern computer (probably won't work on your Kindle), and the battery life is a bit short for using it as a dashcam that records continuously.

It is a novelty for me, and I have recorded a few rides. The picture quality is good on the camera and when I put it on my home or office coputer - but for some reason when I load the videos on YouTube the quality goes way down. I have not yet figured out why the YouTube advertising videos have such great quality - and the one I post are a bit crummy.

If you want a "dash cam" that records continuously and you only want to save the video where something interesting happens - you should probably get a dedicated dash camera system. The best ones have cameras front and back.

Title: Re: Go Pro?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/03/20 at 09:01:20

Thanks,Dave,, I had not considered the actual use,, but dash cam is really what I want..

Title: Re: Go Pro?
Post by stewmills on 08/03/20 at 09:57:35

You need something that is designed to be used as a 'dash cam' that is designed to automatically turn on when the bike is running and off when not, so you don't have to remember to do it. They can be set to a variety of settings such as a continuous loop (time depends on memory card size), freeze previous XX minutes upon impact (g-force sensors inside camera), etc.

something like this...
https://www.amazon.com/Bikers-Camera-Motorcycle-Recorder-Sports/dp/B07DX3MN9D/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=motorcycle+dash+camera&qid=1596473764&sr=8-4

Title: Re: Go Pro?
Post by springman on 08/03/20 at 10:58:08

I'll throw in my 2 cents. I have a go pro and don't use it nearly as much as I thought I would. One of the main reasons I don't use it is that it does not have a screen on it so when you set it up you have to log on to it on the phone to make sure it is aimed properly. The new much less expensive knock offs which are in the range of $50-$80 have a screen on them and are supposed to provide a recording quality almost as good as the go pro.

Title: Re: Go Pro?
Post by engineer on 08/03/20 at 12:33:47

I think I have gone through about five action cameras of various brands. Most have an option to use as a video camera or as a dash cam with continuous looping so it doesn't fill up the SD card. Most of mine will run about 1 1/2 hours on a full charge and you can always carry an extra battery. I made a mounting bracket that fits into the front pocket on two of my riding jackets and from that height the camera does a good job plus your body dampens out the vibration.

After a ride I plug a USB cable into the camera and my computer and transfer the files to a folder on the hard drive and then leave the camera plugged in long enough to recharge the battery. When riding, I use a remote microphone clipped to the back belt loop on my jeans and at that location the wind noise is blocked and it picks up the exhaust note without a lot of valve and transmission noise.

I use it about 60% of the time. I've captured the moment a large buzzard flew into the front of my Guzzi, many close calls with deer, a couple spills, and a whole lot of wonderful scenery on back roads. Mostly I replay the videos in the winter when I can't get out. I also have video editing software so I can string together the better parts of the rides. But video editing does take a good fast computer.

The most difficult part is getting all the settings right. I'm still playing with exposure, every camera is different and they all have different options. They have options for everything, I usually go with 1080, 30 frames a second. Sixty frames and the 4K resolution make for huge files. Some off brand cameras in the $100-$150 range seem to do just as well as a GoPro.

Title: Re: Go Pro?
Post by Eegore on 08/03/20 at 12:55:18

I agree with Dave when looking at what your explanation for use is and the PC unit you have at home.

A dedicated dash-cam is less hand-on than a Go-Pro and typically have longer recording times.

Title: Re: Go Pro?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/03/20 at 15:32:30

When riding, I use a remote microphone clipped to the back belt loop on my jeans and at that location the wind noise is blocked ...

Yeah,, wind noise is different from the front..

Title: Re: Go Pro?
Post by badwolf on 08/03/20 at 18:34:07

This guy mounts a go pro camera inside a tire and drives around, looks very cool!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=467&v=rILyBg7ZjeI&feature=emb_title

Wonder what it would look like in a m/c tire?