ItsJustMe

Just noticed this:
Tony Hawk helmet cam is today's "woot.com" special. $40. woot.com specials are for one day only, typically reconditioned stuff but some friends have been happy with purchases there.

I don't know how good a commute cam it would be; it only operates in 320x240 mode when not tethered to a computer. Some investigation is in order, but if it works for you, $40 is pretty cheap.
Personally I'm using the Oregon Scientific, which is usually $80 online and does do 640x480 @ 15 FPS (though not terribly well; a quality digicam it ain't, but it works).

oboeguy

Heh, interesting deal. I think I'd like something a little better. 30fps, for example. I suppose that's a big drain on batteries, though. Obviously SD cards are cheap enough now that sufficient memory is not a big deal (you can get a 1GB card for $40 or less if you know where to look).

sgbdeals

I am new to commuting... May I ask why one would need a helmet cam for a commute (other than "It's just cool")?

Thanks!

truman

so the cops will believe you when it comes down to your word vs. some cage driver?

ItsJustMe

30 FPS would be nice, but 15 FPS is a perfectly acceptable way to get twice as much video on a card. I like getting about an hour on a 1GB card.
Actually I'm getting ready to buy a new camera, and I'm only paying $40 for a TWO gigabyte card, and it's a 133x card at that.

sgbdeals: they're kind of cool, but also a few people like to know they're getting stupid cager tricks (and license plate numbers) on video.

There's a thread around here somewhere about someone who bought one of the Oregon Scientific units, and the very next day he got nearly assaulted by a nutjob in an SUV, who came at him for no reason at all on an empty street. He was able to show it to the cops, and they actually took action. There are other such stories. Without video, the cops will not really do anything about stuff they don't witness (and sometimes about stuff they do).

In some parts, it's probably a good investment just to have evidence if you get assaulted. It doesn't make a lot of sense in some areas; I never really have any problems with drivers here, I just bought it because it's kind of a fun toy and I also plan on strapping it to rockets this summer.

sgbdeals

Thanks for the 2 answers... My assumption was that it was used for some situations where you are asked to "prove it"... I just didn't know if there were other reasons!

Thanks! I may have to get one to play around with after my wife forgets how much I paid recently for my first road bike and accessories!

RonH

A friend used his helmet cam to video our Bike to Work Day ride last year. Not sure what he used but great video.

robtown

Yes, I've considered getting a good setup but they go for $500+. Something like a $100 camera and a small light recorder that uses SD cards and takes RCA input would be nice.
I pulled the trigger on this woot.com deal this morning - for $45 shipped it could be fun. Who knows, some smart Emergency tech might pick up the helmet cam and find out what my last few seconds were like.

ItsJustMe

So many accident reports here say "I was riding along, next thing I knew I was waking up in the ER. Most traumatic injuries that result in unconsciousness make you lose your short term, so even surviving victims probably have no idea what happened to them. This thing might be nice in that regard.

oboeguy

Dang it you guys are tempting me. Still an hour or so left at least on Eastern time.

Edit: never mind, only 320x240??