SuzukiSavage.com - Helmet Cam

DavidP

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Helmet Cam
02/05/16 at 12:55:16

Hi Folks,
I am thinking that it might be interesting to get a helmet cam but I really don't know too much about them. From what I have read he GoPro seems to be the gold standard but also seems to be somewhat expensive (for what might be a toy that I get bored with). Are any of you using a camera and if so what do you recommend? Are there any must have features, any pros or cons to the system you are using.
Thanks
David

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Dave

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Re: Helmet Cam
Reply #1 - 02/05/16 at 16:37:17

I am in the same position as you....uncertain about what to get and how much I would use it. The technology also moves very quickly - so the longer I wait the cheaper and better the cameras become.

Last year I was interested in the Ion as it was much more self contained and smaller than the GoPro - but now the smaller GoPro might be a good price and size for the basic camera work I most likely need. I am sure it takes practice to get the camera aimed properly - I have seen a lot of videos on YouTube where the camera angle doesn't give a good field of vision.

Sometimes you can get a pretty good deal on eBay - some folks need a group of cameras for a special project - then sell them afterwards when they don't need multiple cameras anymore.

Springman is the only member on the site that I have seen use a GoPro.

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gizzo Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiCabbage. It's Savage. Posts: 1318 Australia	Re: Helmet Cam Reply #2 - 02/05/16 at 20:32:52 These are very good https://www.mobius-actioncam.com/ You need to spend some time setting up the mount because they don't have a screen to view the image. But, picture quality is good, it's tiny and light and pretty cheap. a lot of guys use them on RC models and as helmet cams.
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Serowbot

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Re: Helmet Cam
Reply #3 - 02/05/16 at 21:14:01

Most important,...
You want a lens 120' wide angle or more...(this will smooth the shots and prevent underwater effect from vibration)...
You want a good mount... (on your body is best... this will smooth the shots, using your body's natural shock absorption).... hard mounting to the bike is never as good....
Somewhere between eyes and chest level works best... (shows a bit of tank and bars,.. along with road and sky)...

Beyond that,.. you pay for resolution,.. battery life,... and durability...
and fancy stuff ( wifi, bluetooth, etc)...

I like a rear lcd screen, with menu's... (they are more descriptive, and easy to use)...
Go-pro is the pricey standard.... sj1000, 2000, 4000, are cheaper with some better features, but less selection in mounts and accessories...
Many others out there too...

I have an old low res, GoPro... and a newer sj1000 (I haven't really used yet, beyond a few tests)...
Visual/audio quality is easy... good mounting, and ease of use, are the things that make the difference...

Best luck...
Show me some fun rides... Wink

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Oldfeller--FSO Serious Thumper ModSquad Online Hobby is now "concentrated neuropany" Posts: 12673 Fayetteville, NC Gender:	Re: Helmet Cam Reply #4 - 02/06/16 at 05:54:53 Be aware that GoPro is crashing as a company (according to various web pages and tweets). ...... GoPro may not be around in a year to take care of your stuff ..... The tech companies in general are not doing all that well of late and this isn't GoPro fault per se nor limited just to them.
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justin_o_guy2

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Re: Helmet Cam
Reply #5 - 02/06/16 at 06:56:41

I've seen some real cool footage. I can see it proving that someone ran over you. Or, well, could be a Very bad witness.
I've seen some vacation slides, they were great. And some were deathly boring.
There's upside and downside. I don't even have a cell phone.
But I did carry a wind up bell and howell 8mm camera around when I was sixteen. Had a great time chasing cops ,fire truck, ambulances, and generally goofing off.

I enjoy some videos posted, but I don't see Me providing the entertainment.

IF you're a good, law abiding rider I can see it as a potential benefit should you get hit by someone. If you're someone who hits posted corners that say Twenty MPH and drag pegs thru at thirty, it might be evidence against you. Or, you Could go to Chicago and take a crash course on how to disable a camera just prior to beating someone to death.

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DavidP YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 45	Re: Helmet Cam Reply #6 - 02/06/16 at 07:46:36 Thank you everyone those are the responses I was hoping for. I checked out the Mobius site and the price / performance ratio looked good to me. As soon as I get a class M2 license (course booked for March 11 - 13) and the weather warms up I will let you know what I decided by posting a video. All the best DavidP
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old_rider

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Re: Helmet Cam
Reply #7 - 02/06/16 at 17:01:29

3 years ago I purchased an Emerson "Action Cam", for under $30... the case kind of reminds you of a goPro, but it is no where near a third of the quality.
However that being said... it was worth the money, as I rarely use it for stuff and it does work...
Open microphone makes for a crappy video sound.... and there is no Bluetooth to phone connection, it is just a turn on, start video and hope it is pointed it the general direction of the stuff you are wanting to film.
Here is one I took on the dragon a few years back....

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Kenny G Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com The Singles Club...LOL Posts: 1754 Robson Ranch, Denton, Texas Gender:	Re: Helmet Cam Reply #8 - 02/06/16 at 17:34:15 Old Rider, Based on the video that you posted I think the Emerson Action Cam would meet the needs of most of us. I notice that you too ride the inside of the corners as I do. Where did we pick that riding style up? Kenny G
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engineer

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Re: Helmet Cam
Reply #9 - 02/06/16 at 17:57:22

I've had good results with an HP ac100 that I bought on Amazon for $30 but now they are around $50. Before the riding season starts I will buy another and hopefully better action cam.

There is a British guy on youtube who reviews a lot of budget priced electronics and he is good at it. Just go to youtube and in the search box type in Techmoan action cams. You'll see lots of reviews by Techmoan, many are old and no longer relevant but some are only weeks old. Here is an example of one of his reviews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JhSJfxWNqQ

He recently reviewed some very new ones that are gyro stabilized and that's what I plan to get. Techmoan is a biker himself and he also wrote a review about his Honda CTX-700 and has me interested in that bike. I am looking to replace my Guzzi this winter.

I prefer a chest mount, I rigged up a way to attach the camera to the chest pocket of my riding jacket. It is a stable location and I adjust it so that the horizon is in the middle of the frame and the handle bars are visible in the lower portion.

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old_rider

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Re: Helmet Cam
Reply #10 - 02/06/16 at 22:15:16

Well, the local big lots doesn't have any more of those emerson action cameras...
Ebay and Amazon are selling them for an average of $45, still not a bad deal... but a cheap used smart phone would work in a pinch, if you mount it right.
I will experiment with my HTC Thunderbolt (5 or 6 year old smart phone), it has a 10mp camera in it, one of the best at the time and 16 gigs of storage... (although I think i've used a few gigs up for songs)

Looking around on the ebay site there are several really cheap ones.... some for as low as $20... if you were just using them for small stuff, I think they would be fine, all chinese made...
There is a jscam with wifi, that you can connect wirelessly with a cell phone or tablet, for about $50....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WIFI-wireless-SJ4000-Waterproof-Sports-DV-1080P-HD-Vi...

And the cheap one of course.... no frills on this one....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Outdoor-Sport-Action-Helmet-Camera-Video-Car-DVR-A7-H...

This one is $65 but has a rifle barrel mount!!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-F9-HD-1080P-Video-DV-Gun-Clip-Mount-Helmet-Sport...

Watched a TON of the video reviews from Techmoan on you tube.... seems he likes this one for car cam... (he likes the roam 3 for helmet it has no mic)
I think this one is compairable with the goPro cams but half the price....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Git2-Sports-Helemet-Waterproof-DV-Action-Camera-Ultra...

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« Last Edit: 02/07/16 at 00:47:52 by old_rider »

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Art Webb Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 3007 columbus, Texas Gender:	Re: Helmet Cam Reply #11 - 02/08/16 at 08:16:03 funny how that looks so much less intimidating on camera than when you actually ride it
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DavidP

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Re: Helmet Cam
Reply #12 - 02/08/16 at 13:19:00

Well what a great community this is. I really appreciate the advice and the links to reviews. I was sold on the GoPro 4 at $199 but then I saw the GIT2 at $159 and that seems to be a better product at a better price. I particularly like the digital stabilization which is a feature that the GIT1 does not have. Unless I find anything more appropriate the GIT2 it is.

As an aside I saw the flashing LED brake light on RSD and ordered one. It arrived today and is now installed.

Thanks everyone
DavidP

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old_rider

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Re: Helmet Cam
Reply #13 - 02/08/16 at 20:53:57

DavidP wrote on 02/08/16 at 13:19:00:

Well what a great community this is. I really appreciate the advice and the links to reviews. I was sold on the GoPro 4 at $199 but then I saw the GIT2 at $159 and that seems to be a better product at a better price. I particularly like the digital stabilization which is a feature that the GIT1 does not have. Unless I find anything more appropriate the GIT2 it is.

As an aside I saw the flashing LED brake light on RSD and ordered one. It arrived today and is now installed.

Thanks everyone
DavidP

Yes, I agree, the Git2 Pro is a great choice! I watched a ton of them...because well, I WANT a new camera, even though I don't NEED one

Also, it would be nice to actually be able to talk while you ride, and see the video the camera is taking if you mount your phone or linked device on the bars or tank.
I will be saving up for that one... and hopefully the price will drop in the next six months or so while i'm saving

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gizzo Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiCabbage. It's Savage. Posts: 1318 Australia	Re: Helmet Cam Reply #14 - 02/08/16 at 21:28:14 Have not heard of the Git2 so went looking. Here it is on sale at $109 with free shipping . Sounds like a good deal. http://m.gearbest.com/action-cameras/pp_254191.html?gclid=CJPKv_D46coCFdckvQo...
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