I've been using both an SJCAM M20 (~$106) and an SJC4000 (~$60) to document my rides.

I got the The SJC4000 a few years ago for home videos. I later upgraded to the The M20 due to its gyro stabilization. I now use the M20 for home videos and bike commutes. I use the SJC4000 solely for bike/dashcam videos.

I've used the cameras on both my handlebars and helmet. Though I look especially dorky with the camera on my helmet, I believe it works better there for safety reasons -- it's much more visible to cars and they seem to behave better when they see it.

Are you using an external battery with the SJC?

No. My commute is about 45-50 minutes each way. Though the camera battery could probably last for two rides, I charge it before each one. Here's a pic of my "charging station" at work:

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqzyojufi.jpg

The OP has abandoned this thread and requested deletion a while back.

He asked that because there were some people just being ass's.

By the way, if you are using a GoPro or GoPro clone there are a bunch of replacement lenses available that can narrow the field of view optically and provide a better image than trying to zoom in digitally. I used one of the longer focal length lenses on an old GoPro I had attached to a Hexacopter that I play with occasionally.

Polaroid Cube
 

Polaroid Cubes are inexpensive, have good quality, and mount with all sorts of accessories. If your ride isn't more than an hour or two, you can easily go on a full charge.

I have a ton of cameras that I use for my cycling. I generally ride 30-40 miles a day and most of that is in medium to heavy city traffic.. I only run a camera on the rear of my bike though.

I keep a USB lipstick sized batter pack in my saddle bag and run a cable to the camera. I can get almost 15 hours of total run time from most.

Here are my cameras ( I switch them up every so often)

Fly 6
Garmin Virb (OG - Discontinued version)
GoPro Session 4

I also have and used a Varia Radar and a Dinotte Quad Red rear light.

Here is the OG Virb mounted with the Dinotte:

https://s24.postimg.org/s9lbskjhh/15...45895024_o.jpg

Here is the GoPro Session mounted with the Radar attached to my saddle bag.

https://s24.postimg.org/hlhktq9id/13...06694456_o.jpg

That's a wee bit over the top. He might not have got a good look at the car, let alone the plates. Like me, he might not even have a phone (I ride and live where cell phone reception is very spotty.) Lastly, he probably correctly surmises that the police would only laugh.

I bought a sony action cam. for $200. Unfortunately, it only records about 1 hr, and sometimes it is difficult to resolve the license plate numbers. I do notice that motorists, when they see the camera, behave better.

I also have the radar. What would be ideal is to have a camera that is activated by the radar and takes a snapshot of every car as it closes the gap.

an armored personnel carrier will get respect.

Fly 6 in the back and Fly 12 in the front. It's more expensive, but worth it IMHO. I got 3 of 5 digits on a rear paper temporary motorcycle license plate that was flapping. He had to have been going at least 80 mph. The Fly 12 1080 camera is pretty sweet.

I would love to see Garmin incorporate camera controls in the Edge series, then the Varia radar could trigger a 1 min recording (variable) when something approaches the rear. We would also need to have some sort of ANT+ controlled camera too, It would be nice if GoPro or Sony jumped on the ANT+ bandwagon. I am not sure we would see any of the cheaper manufacturers invest in ANT+ since I believe certification is $25000 USD per device.

riding with a helmet mounted sportcam is definitely a convenient way to go because you don't have to stop to take a pic or video clip. but I still like carrying a small camera for better quality pics. if where I am is worth photographing then I don't mind a little stop to capture it

I had a Rideye for a year but I dropped it and it changed the focus to super close. I can't fix it, and haven't been able to get a reply from the manufacturer. But it worked well while I had it.

I liked the "looping" feature. I didn't have to manage the files, it just overwrote them.

I also liked that it didn't scream CAMERA. It looked as if it might be a light.

But I am looking for a replacement now and not loving anything I find. Maybe a GoPro session. But short batter life and no overwriting make it a less lovable. I'd enjoy more suggestions.

I have a Fly6 on the back. The new mounting system is a lot better than the old one. Camera is fine. Light is good. Recommended.

What about the new cam from Xiaomi

OOPS! This is really a good gear!

[MENTION=193594]mc9000[/MENTION], are those speakers that attach to the helmet?

Nope, that red case is for the bluetooth earpiece/usb charger cable (But now that you mention it, it does look like a pair of speakers)