Cons of using a bike camera?
 

Has anyone thought of the possible disadvantages of using a bike camera? I feel more concentrated to my riding when not using a camera. When I do use a camera, I tend to keep thinking what is being shot in the camera each moment, and sometimes would turn my handlebar toward something interesting (such as a cute dog) in order to catch it in my video, which could be bad in certain situations. Furthermore, if one does use a camera, it seems to be more important to have a camera in the rear recording the vehicles behind you, than in the front. Thoughts?

(I'm talking about using camera in case of accidents, not for sightseeing)

I keep my camera on my helmet. I mostly forget it's there. One disadvantage is that I have it mounted on the side of my helmet, so sometimes if I didn't cinch it down well it will list to that side.

I recently started using a light on the top of my helmet, and everyone seems to think it's a camera. I've noticed lots of drivers suddenly stop for me (when they don't have a stop sign and I do, which is REALLY annoying) and occasionally when I don't even HAVE my camera on, pedestrians/other cyclists/etc will suddenly start acting goofy and mugging for "the camera." Also mildly annoying.

Con: It's just one more thing to have to keep up with.


You said,If the only reason for running the camera is for your own education, then maybe.
Considering that the majority of bike/car accidents are from the front (at intersections/turning) and that around here, license plates are on the rear of the car only.
A rear facing camera would be limited in gathering information that would be beneficial after a crash, even more worthless if the driver didn't stop.

I absolutely do not even remember that the camera is there. I flip it on when I put the helmet on, and flip it off when I see it blinking after I get to my destination. Sometimes I get all the way to my desk before I notice the blinking light and remember that I have a camera.

Did you just get the camera? Sounds like new-toy-itis. I thought about the camera my first few rides too, but now I don't realize it's there.

+1 I have a rear facing camera mounted under the seat of my road bike that has proved useful. No electronics except simple dyno powered lights on my city bike, but it's rarely ridden on roads with cars.

I'm not that interested in having a camera on my bike for recording rides but something I might find useful is a rear facing camera that had a display mounted to my handlebars. In other words an electronic rear view mirror since I've never found actual rear view mirrors to work all that well for me.

It is perhaps one application I could see for something like a google glass like device that doubled as sun glasses/winter goggles, - or maybe they could be called winter googles.

Yes, I know you can mount rear view mirrors to your helmet but i never seemed to be able to get one adjusted so I could easily take in what I wanted to see behind me. I found myself just looking back.

Yes :). Also, I was bored to watch the videos after each ride, since, when mounted on the handlebar, the scenes were just what I had seen during the ride, so it's like riding the ride all over again. Guess I will not watch the videos if the ride turned out uneventful.

That's the way to do it. I charge mine up when I bring the helmet in and charge the blinkie too, usually every couple of days. The cam is set on loop recording. Unless something happens on the ride, I rarely look. I might peek in the directory just to make sure that there are files there with today's date on them, to ensure the thing is working. When I get a new camera I'll look at files to see how it works in daylight and night. I never look just to look.

+10

The scenery on my commute is pleasant/interesting enough but I see it nearly every day. ;)

I bought a Contour and don't use it - here's why:

1. The footage makes riding look more exciting - I don't want exciting in the event of an incident. I think it's the wide angle lens and the shaking of the camera - but passes look closer than they really were and speeds look faster. I think camera footage is likely to make me look more negligent (at least my contour).

2. More weight on my head - I already have lighting up there and it starts to get annoying.

3. Unlikely to get a readable plate in hit and run. I have to be looking JUST RIGHT.

4. One more thing to keep charged.

5. Attitude of LEOs - in my area they're "funny" about being recorded and there's an implied question of "why are you doing something odd" and an assumption of aggression on your part. I think other people feel the same way.

6. It's another thing I have to carry around once I park. I can't leave the helmet with a camera on it.

If I was being targeted for attack, I'd consider getting a camera to document and help in prosecution. Otherwise, there is little value in a camera. I prefer to ride defensively, and doubt a camera would record anything of value in the event of a random incident.

You cannot leave it on the bike and it's a PIA to put on and off every ride , seems a downside.

It will be a hassle making sure every ride that the
battery is charged and the memory card is not full.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFf8l...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

Just the thing for some of our comrades on A&S to gather more "proof" to post of how dangerous and reckless motorists are with their close passes.

I love gadgets, but a camera is hard to keep up with for me. Sometimes, a shot is very moving, so I'll take my phone out, but it's hard. Even if my camera were mounted on my handlebars or chest or helmet, setting it up and taking care of it is something I'm not willing to do. I've done it in the past.

But if you like it, go ahead. I really appreciate the lovely pictures and videos others provide.

As it is now, I have to keep track of water, bungies, bags, trousers straps, helmet, shoes, lights, repair kit, charge of light batteries (if appropriate), goggles, gloves, bike computer (sometimes) and I-don't-remember-what-else. A camera brings me over the top.

With that said, it depends on the length of the ride. Two or three miles, and I'm likely to carry very little. If I'm doing a century ride with friends, I might bring a handheld camera.

A century is when I don't want a camera! You'd think they're so light that you wouldn't notice, but after 30 miles I do. The light and camera combo are too much weight pressing down on my head.

Who told you to put a camera on your head? :lol:

On a century ride, you can even go without the helmet, because presumably, you're on lightly-traveled roads.

I carry a camera in my pocket.

Good point ;)

I live in England ... there's many more cameras on me any moment than I care to count :rolleyes:

No need to add to that number!

Absolutely everyone I've seen talk about this, and my own experience, points to a wide angle lens making things look LESS dangerous. The wide angle lens makes it look like a close pass was actually not close.

I'm not really sure what the point of this thread is. It seems like another thread where people are telling other people why what they do is dumb, or that anyone who does things differently than they do is wrong.

If a camera seems like a good idea to you, go ahead and do it. If not, don't. It being a good idea for one doesn't make it a good idea for someone else, nor does the opposite hold true.

I ride with a camera. It isn't a problem at all. It adds almost nothing to my weekly ritual time - maybe adds an extra 15 to 20 seconds a week to plug it in the charger every 2 days when I get to my desk. It's the only thing on my helmet and it weighs so little that I forget it's there and don't even remember to turn it off when I get home until I see the light flashing.

:rolleyes:

I find that a contour camera pointed forwards on the helmet makes close passes look about the right distance of the pass. A contour camera pointed backwards on my left wrist makes close passes look like they were not close at all due to the wide angle lens (just like the mirror that says 'objects are closer than they appear'.


Maybe you should try the camera facing backwards. I have gotten plate numbers on footage of near misses. So with one front and one rear camera, there is a good chance of getting a plate number other than some guy that broadsides me.

Using a camera to record accidents can be a double edge sword. It will also record you running through RED lights, stops signs, and various other infractions. As someone posted above, ride defensively.

Cons...expense for something I've never had a need for in over 40 years of riding a bike.

The video can always be trimmed :D