GovernorSilver

Check out this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-s...ng-camera.html

GoPro cameras look too expensive and bulky - while some users on that thread do use GoPro, there are others that recommend other brands.

howsteepisit

More likely your survivors need you to have a gopro incase someone hits you.

I-Like-To-Bike

I think buying a weekly lottery ticket is more likely to pay a cash dividend to survivors than gopro video. Either way, you can always dream.

ItsJustMe

Well, you need a CAMERA in case.... Nobody NEEDS a Gopro specifically. They are somewhat clunky cameras and are expensive for what you get. If you absolutely need the absolute finest video quality you can get for < $1000 or so, then the GoPro Black current model is pretty good. If you aren't in that range, there are much cheaper cameras that will deliver. If you need the best quality, go for a Black Magic - $1000 and up.

ItsJustMe

That's a ridiculous statement. It assumes that most times when a cyclist is involved with an accident with a car, the cyclist is killed. This isn't even vaguely true.

howsteepisit

No more ridiculous than thinking a camera can protect you in case you are hit by a car. And I have seen very few posts where a gopro was used to witness for assigning fault in a bike/car collision.

I-Like-To-Bike

On a rare occasion somebody or the heirs actually actually do collect a big payoff from a lucky lottery ticket. Seems far more likely than any cyclist mounted camera serving any significant cash benefit to an cyclist accident victim or his heirs.

ItsJustMe

I don't think very many people think the camera can protect you. IMO a camera's ONLY purpose is to serve as a witness. And, honestly, to record video of idiots doing idiot things that I can post to youtube.

WalksOn2Wheels

I made a whole thread about this, much to everyone's chagrin, but I just can't be bothered to mess with a camera for a daily commute. It would suck out all the joy of riding my commute. As soon as I need 7 lights, a helmet mirror, head to toe lime-green-cat-urine-hi-vis gear and a camera facing front and rear just to be considered "safe" is exactly when I'll say eff it and drive the car.

Not dressing like a ninja, one really good head and tail light, follow rules of the road, ride predictably, avoid really awful routes, command the lane when needed, ride to the right if it is wide enough; those are my methods of risk mitigation.

howsteepisit

If you recall, this discussion started with me making a tongue in cheek comment a poster cain that they need a gopro in case theyare hit by a car. I agree that in some cases a gopro may provide witness to what happens, in many case the camera angle will not be able to show clear fault, or may actually indite the cyclist. Thus we are now seeing in threads that two go pros are needed. IMO it is rising to the point of ridiculousness.

I agree the most common use is just to prove how moronic people can be and to subject percived fools to public ridicule, especially by self-rightous cylists who feel morally superior to those who dare to choose the mode of transportation that serves the user the best.

I am done ranting and with this discussion now.

ItsJustMe

"In case" is not the same thing is "so that I don't" get hit by a car.

I-Like-To-Bike

True. Note that posting videos to YouTube might be a form of "giving witness" in case of an accident or motorist misdeed, but that is not the same thing as being useful as a tool (or witness) in court for the recovery of damages to a victim of an accident.

Chris516

Do a camera comparison.

LorenzoM

I use Drift Stealth 2and I must say it’s excellent. First, it’s comfortable and small. When I haveit attached to the helmet I don’t feel it so it doesn’t disturb me. Also itlooks nice Second, its batteries has the longest endurance on the market, 3hours, and they recharge very fast. Also you don’t have to worry aboutweather, because it works when it rains. I’m satisfied with it and don’t planany changes.

ItsJustMe

Man, I would really love to get one. I keep hoping they'll come out with one with interchangeable batteries, but at some point I'll probably just have to give up and resign myself to having to charge the camera twice a day.

FWIW 3 hours is not industry leading, but it's pretty good. The Fly6 is 6 hours. The Drift HD Ghost is 3.5 hours. A few others are in the 3 to 4 hour range.

Chris516

I have an odd question for this thread.

How do you store the videos'? I quickly ran out of storage space. I bought one 64GB card. Is there a way to store them online?

Redhatter

There probably is if uploading 64GB of data in one hit isn't too much of a burden on your Internet connection.

Chris516

I have a hi-speed data connection. But what online wouldn't charge me for it?

Redhatter

Keeping a server online 24/7 costs money… so they've either got to charge you for it, or find some way to monetise your usage, either by advertising when you visit the site to store or retrieve your videos, or (unlikely) through the videos themselves.

Is there a reason why it all must go online? And is this going to be a public or private archive?

ItsJustMe

Why would you store the videos? Put the camera on loop recording, just let it keep overwriting. You only need the video if anything interesting happens, and then you only need a minute or two at most of video.

ted m

I nearly T-Boned a car backing out of a driveway. She was doing her makeup. A helmet cam video would have been great had i hit her and needed to fight the insurance company for repairs.

But I also see a lot of weird stuff that would make for fun postings.

Most of the video is make would probably just be me biking a trail somewhere and saying hello to birds and bunnies as I ride by. That video night be bad to show.

Chris516

75% potential submission to law enforcement; 25% Analysis of ride.

I did delete a bunch of videos' from short rides.

When I approach a personal driveway, or business driveway entrance/exit. I get to the absolute left of the lane. So, The driver sees' me better.

kickstart

If someone is backing out of a drive, one is on their blind side with many things potentially blocking their view the further one is to their rear. It would make more sense to move right to be further into their line of sight, then go wide once they know you're there.

Chris516

That is a bad idea. Unless, A cyclist brakes and waits for the vehicle to pull out completely, then puts the vehicle in drive and pulls away. If a cyclist doesn't brake, they should pass the vehicle in the rear. By passing behind the vehicle instead of in front of it. You don't have to account for them not seeing a cyclist and suddenly putting the vehicle into DRIVE.

Clunky how? I am not agreeing or disagreeing. I am just curious why you think they are clunky.

I was given the GoPro Hero4 Silver. Because, The family member that gave it to me for my birthday in May, had asked around. They were told by several LBS, that the Hero4 Black, while having more capability(and the one I had wanted) was problematic. So, The Hero4 Silver is a better choice.

ItsJustMe

It's a big square brick. It looks idiotic on a helmet, and is awkward to mount almost anywhere except the chest mount is pretty good actually.

Any of the cameras that are narrower and longer (versus GoPro's wider than it is long) ratio is much better for mounting.

Honestly I don't know how GoPro is so popular other than marketing. I don't think you could possibly design a less suited shape for an action camera than a brick with buttons.