Camera
 

I have been watching all the post about video cam and with the evidence it puts in your hands, I think it is a great Idea. I am going to start doing some research on them to see which one would be best for myself. My question:

I noticed some are mounted on the bike frames and on the helmet. I am trying to come up with pros and cons of which would be the best. maybe both. that would be at least $100 what is you thoughts on it ? Thanks

I use the Contour HD camera, and I've got 3 of them. I don't run all 3 at once, I have that many for race filming. But I do have a setup where I can run 2 on the bike; one facing forward, and the other mounted about bumper level on my traffic side pannier, facing rear to catch plates of vehicles as they pass.

As for bike vs. helmet, I find that helmet mounting is better. On the bike, your camera points where your bars point rather than where your head does. I like the ability to aim the camera to my view while travelling in a different direction, for instance, if you hear a tire screech or a car horn and you turn to look; the camera follows along.

I too run front and rear Contour HD cameras, I have them both very rigidly mounted to the bike frame, so as to limit the amount of vibration in my videos, plus lower pressure tires are helpful too. As for frame or helmet mounted, I chose frame mounted since I'm constantly working urban traffic and my head is basically on a swivel, which gave my early videos too much of a "Blair Witch effect", and my main goal is capturing vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers.

I currently run with a GoPro on the handlebar. For a commuter, I find that their mount sucks for few reasons.

I am not about to leave the camera (or waterproof housing) on the handlebar when I park the bike. To get the camera off, I have to unscrew the camera from the mount. As luck would have it, I lost the screw once. So I had a choice to make, buy a replacement from GoPro (which isn't available as an individual part), or make my own.

To get the part, you have to buy the grab bag of mounts ($20.00) and you only get one replacement. To make the part, I was able to find a screw and a plastic thumbscrew part from ACE Hardware (a couple of bucks), but it didn't work so well. I did get lucky though, and was able to find the original screw I lost. I've since taken the precaution to tether the screw, but that occasionally gets in the way of unscrewing it, and slows me down even more. I've asked GoPro to come up with a mount that is similar to the NR MiNewt Cordless lights that would allow us to clip the camera in and out.

Due to the used nature of the camera I bought ($40 USD), I had to buy the Battery BacPac to charge the battery, and it gives me the time needed for my uses of the camera. With the BacPac attached, the camera likes to rotate down as I hit various (and normal) bumps in the road (esp. at the speeds I hit on the downhill segment (35-45mph)). To prevent this I have to tether the camera mount to prevent myself from having boring videos of my tire rolling and the asphalt under it.

I'm monitoring the video channel of Techmoan for the waterproof DKV808 camera that he mentioned in one of his more recent videos that the manufacturer is supposed to coming out with soon.

I was watching a video with a guy that had a helmet mount and there were a lot of ground shots ( he was looking down) hmm not good I really see the need for two cams in this case...

I initially was going to purchase a GoPro, but the deal fell through and I quickly changed my mind towards the Contours for their more "stealthy" appearance. With the camera name blacked out, and very securely mounted on the black painted portions of my bike frame, none have been tampered with in the nearly two years that I've owned them. I thought of mounting one of my cameras to the handle bar, but I have an ever so slight habit of moving my front wheel from side to side while pedaling, and would make for more blurrier video shots.

I have a Go Pro and I usually mount it on the handle bars but I like the chest mount as well. Good thing about the chest mount is you can snap it off real quick if there is something you want to video or take a picture of.

Both the contour and GP are more than $100 though.

You could just use some duct tape and fasten your cell phone to something secure and save your money.

Both the contour and GP are more than $100 though........

Yeah I noticed that....

Your post said "at least $100", I take it you meant "no more than $100".

I don't know if it's available in the US or elsewhere yet, but I just bought an HD camera called the FunCam S-100 (or SportsCam S-100) made here in Taiwan. I too am debating on handlebar or helmet mount. After I test it out, I may start thinking of getting a second for facing the rear. I paid right at US$100 including an 8G mini SD for it. Says it'll run for 3 hours. 81x31x25.5 mm aluminum housing and 60 grams.
http://www.longintech.com/en/goods.php?id=4

If the target is < $100, you might barely meet that and still get something waterproof but not if you want high definition. You won't be able to reliably read licence plate numbers without HD. You can slide in under $100 and get HD if you don't need waterproof.

The 808 #16 cameras with an external power source provide decent 720p video and you can get both for < $50. I ran with that for a month or two until I decided to pick up a Contour Roam. I like the Roam well enough. If they'd add loop recording it would be nearly perfect.

I also have a Crocolis Extreme Cam, which has a full set of controls and a screen. It's a little larger than the Contour Roam but it has a lot more features for less money, you can get it on eBay for $170 shipped (from China, so it will take 3 weeks or so to arrive). It comes with a ridiculous number of mounting options and a full set of cables. I like it pretty well if you're OK with a little more size and weight.

Here's a video from the Crocolis at 720p:
http://youtu.be/X1pWIpWtdxI

and 1080p (which gives a narrower field of view)
http://youtu.be/6SZy5MaUcEU

Here's the Contour Roam:
http://youtu.be/PbZIfsCzSME

Here's a 808 #16
http://youtu.be/GciAFakwdX4

Here's the 808 #16 mounted on my helmet with an external power source, 2xAA "emergency charger"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1365953...in/photostream

Heres both the Contour Roam and the Crocolis cam on my helmet
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1365953...in/photostream

I did a lot of research on GoPro and Contour. They each had their own positives. I finally decided on GoPro because they have a Chest Mount Harness as part of their accessories. Contour does not have a similar accessory to my knowledge.

I have the GP and I love it. I shoot mostly from the helmet mount. I have done Chest mount but I don't like it as much on the bike. I want to be able to aim the camera where I want. The chest is good for watching your arms, computer, etc up front but unless any action you NEED to capture isn't directly in front of you then it is useless.


Here is a demo of how I have it mounted in the bar and helmet config and a shot clip of vids showing each position.

Good point about the Chest Mount Harness.

Chest harness is awesome for other functions though, hiking and what not.

Ah, ok.

After seeing what a GoPro looks like mounted on a helmet and handle bars, I'm glad that I went with the Contour.

I know, I look geeky enough with the Contour on my head. No need to go full geek. Never go full geek.

Is there a reputable source for the 808 #16 Cameras? Google search only reveals a long list of ebay auctions.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1556994

Post #2 lists "real" suppliers.

These little cameras are great!

DPN

beautiful! Thank you kindly!

the eBay seller electoponline365 is the actual manufacturer of the good #16 cameras. That's the place to buy from.

A caveat on the Contour Roam - the internal clock is utterly worthless. Mine loses 4 or 5 hours per day. If I set it at noon it'll be an hour or more off by the time I leave work. By the end of the week it's more than a day off.

Cool, thanks for the update.

You have to take the letter 'c' out of the ebay sellers name to pull them up...

I have one of these little 808#16's and it is surprisingly good quality!