rumrunn6

a little reminder, maybe just to myself? if any rain is expected, take precautions, or use the small interior batteries

I went out last night & got a little wet, but just a little. didn't hear, or smell, any frying electronics

Daniel4

Your camera isn't in its waterproof casing? Just put your battery pack inside a plastic bag.

rumrunn6

the camera is waterproof w/o a casing. I'll just use the little batteries if there's active wetness like that again. I don't usually ride in the rain. sometimes wet snow, but even riding in an active wet snow storm is very rare. I can probably just tape around the connections at the camera & battery to avoid some miscellaneous drops getting in for an hour. my wet rides are pretty short. also gonna rethink batteries in my jacket pocket

retswerb

Thanks for this - I went looking on ebay after reading your post a few weeks ago and was able to pick up a used Drift for $31 including shipping. Haven't fully tested the battery life yet but it seems to be quite good, with decent video quality. Still figuring out how best to mount it.

canklecat

Easiest way I've found to mount the Drift Ghost X to my bike helmets, using the supplied mounting shoes, is to ignore the excellent 3M tape and instead use Blue-Tak or equivalent Scotch brand adhesive putty. The shoe supplied by Drift is intended for motorcycle helmets, usually mounted on the side, and isn't at quite the right angle for typical bicycle helmets, which are smaller in circumference, with more arc and the 3M tape won't make even contact with the helmet.

Blu-Tack and Scotch detachable putty can be molded to any shape, holds securely, yet detaches without damage to most hard surfaces. I've used the stuff for at least 10 years on various projects, including outdoor mounting of wire antennas for my shortwave radio, to hold the wire against the brick exterior of my apartment complex. It held for months, much more securely than I'd expected.

I prefer to mount the camera on the top rear of my bicycle helmets for better balance. It puts the camera weight over my spine, so it causes less neck strain (I have pretty severe cervical spine stenosis, and I'm very picky about pressure on my head and neck).

To get the camera aimed where I'm looking, rather than down at the ground or up into the sky, I need to build up a wedge from the Blu-Tack or Scotch putty. I guesstimated it the first time, mounted the camera and did some test videos from my indoor trainer, while walking, and riding around the block. Usually it was very close and needed only minor tweaks in wedge shape and height to get the camera aimed where I wanted it.

On my hybrid with rear rack, I've used Blu-Tack putty to secure a Drift helmet mount for rear-facing camera. Works fine and would be a good solution for any bike with a rear rack -- which excludes all of my road bikes, unfortunately.

I also have a couple of Drift bar mounts but they're a bit crude and not practical for a rear facing camera. I've mounted the bar mounts on the seatpost or seat tube, etc., facing rearward, but the knobs for the thumb screws tend to scrape the insides of my thighs. So for now I'm not using a rear-facing camera. But those bar mounts work fine on the handlebar, stem or possibly some head tubes. I'd like to find a better solution but I suspect I'd need to have a clamp custom made by a 3D printer to suit my preferences. I'd prefer a flush mount Allen, Star or other bolt rather than the protruding thumb screws. And better quality detents for adjusting and holding the camera angle.

rumrunn6

turns out the GoPro comes w/ a wire. nice black one. tried a different mounting spot for the power bank, which I still have not charged. could have mounted it further back I guess

rumrunn6

quick note to myself
those batteries are waaay bigger than necessary
didn't need any wires because the gopro comes with one, that is long enough, when both are helmet mounted

rumrunn6

quick note to myself
for my purposes, may not need an external power source for the camera after all
3 internal batteries may be enough
might still carry one on epic long rides just in case, but for regular rides of 1-2 hrs, w/ only sporadic recording, even in cold weather, don't think I need it

Daniel4

I carry 8 spare batteries with me for my two cameras. That's enough for an 8hr45min ride in good warm weather. Probably 7hr in cold weather. My SD cards have memory six hours.

Bald Paul

Not once you install the battery cover with the opening for the external USB cable. Read the instructions with the cover. I use a similar setup, and believe me, it's NOT waterproof with that cover in place.

rumrunn6

oh I know, that's why I wrote about avoiding the wet conditions & if wet use the internal battery. but I will have to admit being out with some light snow falling & thinking "bad plan". was wondering if I would short it out

it was pretty cool using the external power bank tho. glad I experimented w/ it