Video camera recommendations
 

I want to get a videocamera to record my rides, both for safety and to get cool footage.

My current plan in to get the most basic 150$ GoPro Hero Session (https://shop.gopro.com/cameras/hero-...02-master.html) and mount in using a Bontrager Blendr stem mount (https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...blendr_how_to/)

But I don't know the first thing about cameras and I have a few questions.

- What are the advantages of more expensive GoPros (is the basic one good enough for most people)?
- What are other good brands? (other than GoPro)
- Is it possible to secure my GoPro to my handlebar in a way that it probably won't get stolen?
- Do I need a stabilizer of some sort to get decent footage? If so, which are good alternatives?
- What are the advantages of a chest or helmet mount?
- Any other thought or suggestions?

I ride almost exclusively on roads and paved bike paths. Occasionally, I encounter flat non-technical crushed-gravel trails. I ride in all weathers and both night and day. I don't need super high quality. Ideally, I would love to be able to leave the camera mounted on my commuter bike (and occasionally mount in on my road bike), but I worry someone might steal it if I do that.

The advantage of a helmet mount is that the camera looks where you look. That can be a disadvantage, too, depending on what you're trying to capture.


The advantage of a chest mount is that the camera captures what you "see" in front of the bike, and not what your head is turning to see. It gives a lower angle, as well, which can be cool.


Mounting on the stem, or handlebar, is going to produce some vibration that may, or may not, be welcome in your videos. I doubt there is any way to secure the camera to your bike that will prevent it being stolen. That's another advantage of the chest and helmet mounts.


All of the myriad "action cams" that are currently available are probably good enough for most people. One of the advantages of the GoPro models is that they are ubiquitous, such that there are ample accessories available, and lots of online tech support. I don't know if the least expensive model will meet your needs. You'll need to do some research. Consider things like weight, batteries, mounts, cases, and other accessories when making a decision. Don't forget that you'll need storage media for your pictures and videos. Might as well get some SD cards (or whatever the camera you choose requires), when you make the purchase.

Check the battery life. I've found with my gopro that it lasts less than a hour. Fine if your ride is less than an hour long. Not so fine if you ride for 3 or 4 hours.

I prefer cams that are waterproof w/o an additional housing

https://travelislife.org/best-and-ch...-alternatives/

The Hero Session --which is affordable-- is the only camera listed there that doesn't have Video Stabilization. Does 'Video Stabilization' mean that it video recorded will be without bumps and shakes while on a bike mount? I would think that it's required for a cycling cam. I'm also interested in buying one.

Answered my own question: Stabilization on a camera

+1

I have front/rear cameras mounted to the bar/saddle rails, respectively. The footage is invariably 'shaky'.

Or maybe I need more practice on riding in a straight line :lol:.

A long back & forth on that stuff in this section; https://www.bikeforums.net/electroni...hting-gadgets/

Another option is the Cycliq camera, tail light, head light system, the Fly6 rear mount and fly12 front mount, (on your 6 boss), I have a fly 6 that has an incredible rear tail light that has 3 levels up to 30 Lumen in constant or flashing mode, the video recording is exceptional and the system can accommodate up to a 32GB card, it also contains Incident protection technology, meaning if you bike tips over more than x, 45%? 30 minutes previous and 30 minutes after are locked into storage.
Now, this is not the quality of a Gopro video wise as it's 1280 x 720 fps but a great safety option with an exceptional tail light, as for the fly12 front mount camera and light, can't tell as I do not have one and run Nite Rider Pro 1200 LED.

Take a look at the Ion Speed Pro too. I've written my impressions about it in several other threads.

For helmet mounting, check out the Sena Prism Tube.
It is a slim, black tube with an easy-to-operate on/off switch.
They are marketing toward the motorcycle market, but there is no reason it wouldn't work for cycling.

I've seen online reviews, and just last week I saw it in person, when the employee at a motorcycle shop clamped one onto the passenger grab rail of a motorcycle I was test-riding. He explained their insurance company is now requiring it, after a couple bikes came back with damage, and the rider swore he didn't do it.:twitchy:

Look up DC Rainmaker on Google. He has the best reviews for cyclists. Totally unbiased. Very detailed. In your case of video cameras he has plenty along with comparison videos of actual rides.

I am not connected in any way. I have went to his site many times for unbiased reviews on cycling items before I bought. You won't be disappointed. Best part is he is an avid cyclist.

john

If you aren't interested in recording in 4K, you should take a look at the Garmin Virb Elite. It records 1080p@30fps, completely waterproof in terms of cycling, has the best battery life, and is the cheapest of the garmins since it is the oldest. I use two, front and rear, and record all of my rides. I use the k edge combo mount on front. Garmins also connect to your ant+ devices and through there software make it easy to overlay that data on your videos. I am a bit biased though as I have only used the Garmin. I keep looking to upgrade to something better, but every time a new Garmin or GoPro comes out I get disappointed. The new stuff seems geared towards short video clips and not recording entire rides.

I bought a Contour HD 1080P years ago and it's still going strong. One of the things I like about it (which I didn't know when I bought it) is that the battery is a standard Nokia BL-5C, so it's been really cheap and easy to get replacement batteries over the years. I don't know if the current models continue to use that battery. My regular commute is up to about 90 minutes which the Contour will do provided you aren't recording on the highest quality setting.

this guy?
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/tag/action-cams

I like the looks of the TomTom, gonna check out his review on that. thanks

I bike commute in Washington, D.C. with a 3-year old basic GoPro Sessions on my helmet -- it does an excellent job. What is now "basic" was once cutting-edge, and not so long ago....

A few months ago I got a Hero 5 for paddling and feel no need to swap it out with my helmet cam.

Yep. That is the guy. Works out of Paris. He does some really nice reviews of products and seeing he is a active cyclist, he hits most of the stuff that is important to a cyclist. Like I said, I go there for a new product review first to see what a real cyclist thinks. Some overkill for the average rider but I'd rather have more information than not enough.

john

This!!

When I was considering a Hero4 Session a couple of years ago, his very detailed review sealed the deal for me. And the best part is, he answers every question (very quickly in most cases) posted to him, no matter how trivial it might seem. :thumb:




:)

I use the Cycliq cameras on most of my rides, but I wouldn't call them 'action' cameras, but the manufacturer does not promote them as such either. They still provide good video tho'. I also own the Garmin Virb Elite, which I would choose to record an epic ride as it has overlays for speed, power, elevation, grade, route etc.

Keith

DC Rainmaker is a rather well-known name, which by itself precludes any possibility of his being "totally unbiased".

In any case his reviews are just that - reviews, sort of like extended advertisements, "reality shows" of product advertisement world. By nature, a review can't propely approximate the actual experience of owning the product. And regardless of which reviewed product one gets, one will invariably discover lots of issues not [dis]covered by the review.

Often, going back to his review of a product I personally own, I see in hindsight how his reivew was deliberately crafted to tiptoe around some problem present in the product. "Totally unbiased" is out of question here.

+1 for GoPro Session. I run one on the front and one on the rear. Nice and small, self-contained, waterproof, and decent battery life.

Look, by unbiased I meant he is not supported by a particular Vendor so his reviews are not swayed by his relationship with a Vendor. At least I have seen no information to say otherwise to this date.

Of course, reviews are just that, reviews. He certainly cannot cover every minor detail of each product either. So one would have to realize that he might miss a thing or two there. Generally speaking most people want a comprehensive review of the product and I believe he does a good job at that. He is also responsive to critique of his reviews from what I have seen so I would imagine you got back to him about how he deliberately tiptoed around some problems. I am curious to how he responded to your findings because he did respond to my criticisms on one of the products I bought based upon his review.

The fact remains that his site, in my opinion, is the best review site for cycling electronics. The author of the thread wanted some information on video cameras and I gave him a website to look in to. If you can come up with a better one, I'd like to know about it and I'm sure those reading this thread would appreciate it too.

john