Cheap Helmet Cam?

[ItsJustMe]

Has anyone tried the Oregon Scientific ATC-1000? It's $100 in all the big box stores this xmas season. It runs on 3 AAA batteries, and can take an SD card for expansion. I couldn't tell from the specs if it had audio, but I saw a comment in a review about "with audio" - the reviewer said that a 1GB card would give about 136 minutes of recording at 640x480 @ 15 FPS with audio.

Seems like a pretty cool toy, and also a safety item when it comes to disputes with drivers / police / dog owners / whatever.

[mechBgon]

That sounds like teh fun! :) I would love to take a 20-mile ride and squash the footage down so it runs about 20x normal speed in Premiere Elements, if nothing else :D

[genec]

I wonder if having one mounted on the bike would be a deterent to bad behaviour by motorists.

[LCI_Brian]

I wonder if having one mounted on the bike would be a deterent to bad behaviour by motorists.
Doubt it, it would be too small and mistaken for a light.

I have a much nicer, but much more expensive and heavier helmet camera: http://www.helmetcamera.com/

But I'm tempted to get one of these little guys to use when commuting. The 1 GB flash card would be more than enough for a round trip to/from work. So if something "exciting" happened I could get it on tape. Otherwise I could erase the card before the next commute.

[ItsJustMe]

I wonder if having one mounted on the bike would be a deterent to bad behaviour by motorists.

I've thought that a shirt with the phrase "Smile, you're on helmet-cam" would make people THINK they're on camera. Even if you don't have a camera, mount a light there. Or nothing; cameras are so small these days there could be one there that you couldn't see.

[huhenio]

I like the whole cam setup from Lucas ... two used vid cams on helmet would be great.

Sort of looks like a beer helmet

[TrekDen]

Saw this one advertised on TV
Helmet Cam (http://www.compuvisor.com/tohahe.html)

[oboeguy]

Doubt it, it would be too small and mistaken for a light.

My helmet-mounted light has been mistaken for a camera surprisingly often.

[LCI_Brian]

My helmet-mounted light has been mistaken for a camera surprisingly often.
I guess it cuts both ways....

FYI, it's $80 here, with shipping less than $5:
http://www.etoys.com/genProduct.html?PID=4104939&ctid=17&_e=43964&_v=43964CD8RfwCaDC4460DA22E

[The Seldom Kill]

I did once consider the idea of cycling around Central London for eight hours with front and rear cameras attached to the bike and a mass storage device in a pannier to document the general attitude towards cyclists and the customary infractions of traffic laws by road users.

You could hand the raw footage to the police and then make a condensed timelapse film with selected breaches of traffic laws slowed down for dramatic effect.

[noisebeam]

I guess it cuts both ways....

FYI, it's $80 here, with shipping less than $5:
http://www.etoys.com/genProduct.html?PID=4104939&ctid=17&_e=43964&_v=43964CD8RfwCaDC4460DA22E
So tempting at $85 delivered.

I use all CFC for cameras, sound recorders, mp3 players, etc. and have no SD cards. I'd probably want a 256MB card at least. Too bad the 32MB it comes with isn't quite long enough to record my 26min commute.

Al

[Bikepacker67]

Just got back from circuit city :)

Will give my review in a few days...

[mechBgon]

Just got back from circuit city :)

Will give my review in a few days...Can you do a quick test to confirm/deny whether it records audio? The specs at OS's site seem to indicate that it doesn't.

[noisebeam]

Just got back from circuit city :)

Will give my review in a few days...
Any chance for a pre-review earlier? ;) Like your thoughts on it out of the box after you get to see the results of the first video you make even if not while on a bike.

Al

[noisebeam]

Can you do a quick test to confirm/deny whether it records audio? The specs at OS's site seem to indicate that it doesn't.
We are so eager, we want information and we want it NOW!

Al

[AndrewP]

Is 640x480 resolution sufficient to allow reading the plates of passing cars? Police would want a date-time overlay on the video.

[Bikepacker67]

Any chance for a pre-review earlier? ;) Like your thoughts on it out of the box after you get to see the results of the first video you make even if not while on a bike.

Al


Well here's my first review...

I can't seem to take the hi-rez clips.
It's in AVI format, and it may be my flavor of Windows Media Player that is causing the prob.
So I'm now installing the software that came with the product, to see if the problem is on my end, or with the unit.

[Bikepacker67]

Yup.. that was it.
I was missing some DirectX files.

Works great now. Quality is what you'd expect, and you definitely need good lighting.
But I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with this... I just wish it wasn't 20 damn degrees out!

[mechBgon]

Awesome :) What about audio, does it record audio as well as video?

[Bikepacker67]

Awesome :) What about audio, does it record audio as well as video?

Yup... pretty well too. Normal talking level (with it placed about 3 feet away) was picked up perfectly.

I'm SURE it'll pick up the odd "Get OFF THE FLUCKIN ROAD!" :D

[mechBgon]

Yup... pretty well too. Normal talking level (with it placed about 3 feet away) was picked up perfectly.

I'm SURE it'll pick up the odd "Get OFF THE FLUCKIN ROAD!" :DSWEET. :)

[carless]

We are so eager, we want information and we want it NOW!

Al

I just purchased the ATC 1000. It has audio.

[carless]

I will have a review later. I'm at work on a cell phone internet connection (108Kbs), I do have some initial thoughts.
>Without batteries it feels like a 99 cent small flashlight.
>First pics I took: my neck x 12, you orient the movie button forward.
>No flash, menu is hard to read.
>It states in the instruction book not to use it in rain.
>The endcap cover for the USB/TV/SD connections is made to disappear, need something to "leash it".
>I read someplace (forum?) not to format the SD card in the camera because they forgot to protect the firmware (OS). Format the card and then put it in the camera. I'm not sure if this is true.
>The software is "Action lab" it's 600 mb of stuff. It has clunky english and a mega drain on my 2.4 ghz winbox. I think it's designed for kids.
>Update feature failed, I may have to use my complete collection of Adobe programs?
>Connecting to Windows, from the camera didn't work for me. I'll use an SD card reader anyway.
More later.

[spandexwarrior]

I wonder if having one mounted on the bike would be a deterent to bad behaviour by motorists.
It can be, according to a local messenger who uses one. Sometimes people will back off. I wouldn't rely on this happening to often, though.

[Bikepacker67]

Ok... here's a bit more of a review:

This thing is totally useless in low light.

[mechBgon]

Hmm, how about low light with a high-end headlight (as in, reading license plate numbers from 10-20 meters) or did you try that already?

[Bikepacker67]

Hmm, how about low light with a high-end headlight (as in, reading license plate numbers from 10-20 meters) or did you try that already?


Yup. Already tried it with my cygolite (admittedly not the STRONGEST headlight, but still pretty good).

Nahhh... this is a daytime toy.

[mechBgon]

Yup. Already tried it with my cygolite (admittedly not the STRONGEST headlight, but still pretty good).

Nahhh... this is a daytime toy.Scums! :( Thanks for the update, though!

[carless]

What are some unique uses for this?
Hidden audio in low light, "the license # is ..."
Flight recorder if you go down?
Forum critique of video car/bike incidents?
Record what LBS does/says to your bike?
Combine with a speed radar to make a mobile speed trap?
Upload video and/or travelogue?
What can't you film?

[LCI_Brian]

What are some unique uses for this?
Hidden audio in low light, "the license # is ..."
Flight recorder if you go down?
Forum critique of video car/bike incidents?
Record what LBS does/says to your bike?
Combine with a speed radar to make a mobile speed trap?
Upload video and/or travelogue?
What can't you film?

I figure I have everything to gain by keeping this on my helmet 24/7, and the only downside is that I'm carrying five extra ounces of weight....

[spandexwarrior]

Here is a review:
Oregon Scientific’s ATC-1000 “extreme” helmet cam
Posted Oct 7, 2005, 10:20 AM ET by Evan Blass
Related entries: Digital Cameras, Wearables



Oregon Scientific is a pretty staid operation to go up against the likes of skate-god Tony Hawk, but that isn’t stopping them from seeking a niche in the burgeoning helmet cam category; their take on thrashing-it-to-the-max is the ATC-1000, a helmet-mountable digital camcorder/still cam that records dizzying footage of the most jerky kind while you spin, flip, and wipe out. While the choice of 640 x 480, 320 x 240, or 160 x 120 resolutions is a nice touch, the apparent lack of any frames-per-second specs isn’t very confidence inspiring. The ATC-1000 comes equipped with a 32MB SD card, upgradable to 1GB, and includes both PC editing software and an AV cable for TV viewing. As tempting as these helmet cams are, we’re thinking of waiting out the trend for the robot minicopters with HD cams that buzz us while capturing all of our gnarly moves.

Update: An Oregon Scientific rep has confirmed that while the current model only manages 15 fps, future revs will step this up to a much more satisfactory 30 fps.
Review website (http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000970062242/)

[LCI_Brian]

Yup. Already tried it with my cygolite (admittedly not the STRONGEST headlight, but still pretty good).

Nahhh... this is a daytime toy.
Can you still see motorists' headlights .... for example, if a motorist is pulling out of a driveway and stops to let you pass before he enters the street?

[noisebeam]

Thanks to everyone who posted reviews and mini-reviews. I'm gonna get me one.

edit: should be arriving sometime between dec. 12-15. I'll let y'all know what I find.
Al

[bikewench]

Record what LBS does/says to your bike?

lol....

well.. I'm getting one for Christmas...
a little birdy told me..

And speaking of LBS's ...
Now.. when I'm riding along and I hear click.. or a ting... or a squeak squeak squeak...
I can at least run my audio by my sweet lil bike mechanic Karl.. and he's gonna hear what I hear....

.. cause it's so much fun trying to describe what my bike is doing... and have a cute guy standing there listening to me trying to emulate my bike... :rolleyes:

[ItsJustMe]

Thanks for the heads-up on eToys price. I was going to get it at Best Buy, but the less money I give them, the happier I am.
I didn't expect it to do well in low light. Proper digital cameras don't like low light, my experience with cheap digicams in low light is, they all suck more than you would think.

I have multiple uses for this cam; I also want to duct tape it to a kite, loft it with balloons, and other stuff. I already have a few SD cards so this will be great fun.

I'm waiting for my xmas money, as my CC is already high enough :-/ But thanks all for the reviews.

[ItsJustMe]

BTW, what's the battery life like? Will I need to buy a full set of AAA cells every ride? How does it do with rechargable NiMHs? I'll get one anyway, just curious.

[noisebeam]

Any leads on cheap 1GB cards?

Otherwise I'll get a $55-60 Kingston or Viking SD card from newegg.

Can the camera itself be used as the card reader? - i.e. can you upload the data to a PC by hooking to the camera via USB?

Al

[Bikepacker67]

Any leads on cheap 1GB cards?

Can the camera itself be used as the card reader? - i.e. can you upload the data to a PC by hooking to the camera via USB?

Al

Nope.
The card doesn't "click in" like most SD devices, but rather the rear cover keeps the card in. And you have to remove the cover to gain access to the USB port.

You'll need a card-reader.

[Bikepacker67]

Can you still see motorists' headlights .... for example, if a motorist is pulling out of a driveway and stops to let you pass before he enters the street?

Yes. But that's about all you can see.

[ItsJustMe]

You'll need a card-reader.

Here's my favorite card reader:
http://www.supermediastore.com/bytecc-4slots-19in1-internal-35inch-cardreader.html
It goes into a 3.5" floppy slot on the computer. I hate having wires all over the place. I've used a couple of these and they work fine, at least for SD & CF. The extra USB port in front is helpful too for thumb drives.

[carless]

Here is a review:
Oregon Scientific’s ATC-1000 “extreme” helmet cam
Posted Oct 7, 2005, 10:20 AM ET by Evan Blass
Related entries: Digital Cameras, Wearables



Oregon Scientific is a pretty staid operation to go up against the likes of skate-god Tony Hawk, but that isn’t stopping them from seeking a niche in the burgeoning helmet cam category; their take on thrashing-it-to-the-max is the ATC-1000, a helmet-mountable digital camcorder/still cam that records dizzying footage of the most jerky kind while you spin, flip, and wipe out. While the choice of 640 x 480, 320 x 240, or 160 x 120 resolutions is a nice touch, the apparent lack of any frames-per-second specs isn’t very confidence inspiring*(15 fps =640x480, 20fps = 320x240). The ATC-1000 comes equipped with a 32MB SD card*(internal memory, you don't need a card), upgradable to 1GB, and includes both PC editing software and an AV cable for TV viewing. As tempting as these helmet cams are, we’re thinking of waiting out the trend for the robot minicopters with HD cams that buzz us while capturing all of our gnarly moves.

Update: An Oregon Scientific rep has confirmed that while the current model only manages 15 fps, future revs will step this up to a much more satisfactory 30 fps.
Review website (http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000970062242/)
*My corrections.

[slvoid]

All talk and no one has posted the output from the camera yet. I wanna see how the quality is! COME ON PEOPLE!

[carless]

Here are my notes after a day using the ATC. I can't provide photos because they are slightly over the 100kb limit, as are video's. Are we allowed to post hash/torrent links?
Men only: don't relieve yourself or don't look down when you do sporting the new ATC 1000.
The out data connection is USB 1.1 not 2. When viewing videos from the card it chokes, much like early news video's on dial-up connections. I assume it will do this on the TV. If you copy the video to the computer (then CD/dvd) it will play fine.

320X240 is OK to use. I haven't worked out the time w/ 1GB card.
The default is 640 for video and pics. If you ride to the store (in 340x240)and stop it, leave and restart it on the way home you will have 2 videos: 340 and 640. This killed my 1GB card in about 2hrs. You must go to the menu each time and select 340.
I aimed the camera (helmet mount) wrong, too low, got lots of pavement and shadows, but I'll adjust and try again.
The video/audio in daylight is very good
To transfer 1GB is 2 hours.
I'll continue with some good scenarios to use this in the next post.

[slvoid]

Can you email a screen cap to me?

[mechBgon]

Here are my notes after a day using the ATC. I can't provide photos because they are slightly over the 100kb limit, as are video's. Are we allowed to post hash/torrent links?
Men only: don't relieve yourself or don't look down when you do sporting the new ATC 1000.
The out data connection is USB 1.1 not 2. When viewing videos from the card it chokes, much like early news video's on dial-up connections. I assume it will do this on the TV. If you copy the video to the computer (then CD/dvd) it will play fine.

320X240 is OK to use. I haven't worked out the time w/ 1GB card.
The default is 640 for video and pics. If you ride to the store (in 340x240)and stop it, leave and restart it on the way home you will have 2 videos: 340 and 640. This killed my 1GB card in about 2hrs. You must go to the menu each time and select 340.
I aimed the camera (helmet mount) wrong, too low, got lots of pavement and shadows, but I'll adjust and try again.
The video/audio in daylight is very good
To transfer 1GB is 2 hours.
I'll continue with some good scenarios to use this in the next post.Thanks for the info, and if you can email me any pics at mechbgon Gmail com, I can squeak 'em under the 100kb limit in an image editor and post them for you. Better yet, I can host them in original size.

Also, if the computer has USB 2.0, then a USB 2.0 card reader would light a fire under the transfer, versus using the cable.

[carless]

Here are some practical uses and ideas.
Use the camera as a safety device first. If you mount it to your helmet you always grab both.
Forget the club rides, glorious tour, and grandma's last visit, use a real camera for that. Think 7-11 camera footage you see on TV, and you'll be happy.
License plates: you might get a picture, you might read it and record w/ your voice. You will get something, such as a description of the car.
If you have an incident, you can always reach up and switch to high resolution (640) to record the particular concerns of drivers. To cut the conversation short you could say "Smile"
There is no night use: confirmed w/ HID flamethrower and some street light. But a great habit would be always wear your helmet w/ATC, always adjust the resolution and at night go to 160 and use it as a recorder. I can read license plates with my light.
You also could use this as a touring travelogue. Set the helmet on a picnic table an yak.Each day do 5/10 minutes about your bug bites or the forgotten tent poles, etc. You could do a minute @4mph up a hill and what gear you wish you had.
A word of caution: don't take this inside a business without turning it off. I always look as "normal" as possible and a helmet/baklava/hirez jacket/spandex and a hidden camera is just.... well it could be perverted.

[carless]

Thanks for the info, and if you can email me any pics at mechbgon Gmail com, I can squeak 'em under the 100kb limit in an image editor and post them for you. Better yet, I can host them in original size.

Also, if the computer has USB 2.0, then a USB 2.0 card reader would light a fire under the transfer, versus using the cable.

I started to tweak the size of pics and realized, people want to see the real deal, not further compressed.
I hadn't considered the reader, I'll find out what the speed on it is.
How about if I split up some short videos/pics and send them to you. Give me a size limit and file types. I have a cable connection, but your gonna be swamped with requests....

[mechBgon]

I started to tweak the size of pics and realized, people want to see the real deal, not further compressed.
I hadn't considered the reader, I'll find out what the speed on it is.
How about if I split up some short videos/pics and send them to you. Give me a size limit and file types. I have a cable connection, but your gonna be swamped with requests....I have tons of capacity left at Gmail, so I can receive anything you've got to send. But I have a slow dial-up connection at home, so actually retrieving the files will be most practical if they're still pics and/or a short video clip that has a file size of, say, 4MB or so.

Down at work, I could use the T-1 to get a bigger file downloaded and then convert it to Windows Media Player format (which comes out pretty compact), and then host that too. While it would lose some quality versus raw .AVI, that's a real-world usage pattern. So if you feel like sending a longer clip, don't hesitate to send it too. I'm going down to the office tomorrow. :)

[carless]

I'll be on tomorrow, after looking at all the files I realized I have 95% of everything shot at a too low helmet angle. I have 1 hr of shoulder pavement, there is no viewfinder. I'll try again another day.

[spandexwarrior]

I always look as "normal" as possible and a helmet/baklava /hirez jacket/spandex and a hidden camera is just.... well it could be perverted
I think you mean "balaclava." Baklava is a Greek food and I sure hope that you don't go into stores wearing that. ;)