Rootman

I've often thought of adding a pair of video glasses or a helmet cam to my gear, part for saving anything interesting I may see and also for safety. In case I am in an accident I can prove - hopefully - fault.

Anyone have something that really works and is relatively cheap? I know GoPro stuff is good but a bit expensive.

sm1960

My contour HD takes great video. I use it mostly skiing, just got a helmet mount for my bike, only used on a few rides so far.

sauerwald

I also use the Contour and am quite happy with it. I do not like mounting a video camera to my head, I find that I am turning my head quite a bit and the result is a very difficult to watch video, rather I have the camera mounted on my handlebar where I get a pretty clear view of what I usually see while riding.

1nterceptor

Try posting in the electronics section, you might get more responses.
Some folks seem to like Jumbo 808 camera, less than US$70.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBnbuzCINV0

Jamesw2

[h=1]Xdreme HD - 1080P Full HD Extreme Sports Action Camera (Waterproof, Automatic Image Orientation)[/h]


https://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Digital_Cameras-Camcorders/Sports_Action_Camcorders/Auto_Image_Orientation_HD_Sports_Video_Camera

Chris516

I am planning on getting the GoPro HD Hero2https://gopro.com/cameras/hd-hero2-outdoor-edition/

MGMorden

I use a pair of iKam extremes for recording various things. They come with several lense types (clear, shades, amber) and generally work pretty well.

I think I got mine on sale for $50 (they're normally $75 to $100), but I've seen what I swear I think is the exact same product except unbranded for around $20 on eBay.

dougmc

If all you need is enough video to prove who's at fault, one of the old 808 cameras (the #3 doing 640x480, for example) taped to the top of your helmet will do it. For around $15 + $6 for a memory card. For even more coverage, you could get another and aim it backwards.

There are better cameras -- these have really bad rolling shutter issues, and higher resolutions will make it easier to pick up license plates, but if your primary concern is proving fault, 640x480 will suffice.

If you want better, you might want to explicitly pick what your budget will be and start from there -- there's oodles of options.

ItsJustMe

I just sold my Contour Roam and ordered up one of the Sony ActionCams. This is a new phone that's only just been released.

They are very similar in performance to the GoPro - it looks like they do better in low light but in bright sun some highlights may be blown out - this is a good compromise for me. At $198 for the base unit they're really decent looking - and they come with the underwater housing for that money.

I ordered the WiFi version which allows you to use your phone (Android or iOS) as a viewfinder to line up shots properly, control the camera and download recorded content. If it works as well as I think it will, I'm going to order a second for rear-facing (and sell my other HD helmet cam).