Video Camera who uses one?

[GraemeL]

I bought two of these a while back, they work very well and I think they are worth the few dollars.

Based on that recommendation ... two ordered

Andrew

They work quite rather well and it helps that the camera weighs nothing.

Here is some footage of it in use

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eurh_X_useI&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

Graeme

[AUbicycles]

For my GoPro HERO I needed to improve the mount and dramatically improved the stability.

Original mount on the stem with a sticky pad, bluetac jammed on the left / right side to better fit the contours of the stem and a cable tie. Even with a cabe tie over the camera and case, vibration was getting through. In what will be an ongoing process (as I will be using different mounting positions) I have improved the video quality adding some bartape underneath which significantly has improved dampening.

Next challenge is condensation that builds in early morning rides. It builds directly on the inside lense (of the case) and notice that the GoPro fix are two strips and other tricks are anti-fog on the inside. Any tips for preventing raindrops from forming on the outside? The surfer trick of licking the lense make not work from riding, though I am willing to try.

[GraemeL]

For my GoPro HERO I needed to improve the mount and dramatically improved the stability.

Original mount on the stem with a sticky pad, bluetac jammed on the left / right side to better fit the contours of the stem and a cable tie. Even with a cabe tie over the camera and case, vibration was getting through. In what will be an ongoing process (as I will be using different mounting positions) I have improved the video quality adding some bartape underneath which significantly has improved dampening.

As far as mounts go, I really like the Quick Release Mount that I made a few weeks ago, It is cheap to make, is rock solid and frees up the real estate on your bars.

If you don't have the Tripod Mount, you could just fix a small piece of wood to the L bracket as a platform and use a GoPro adhesive mount instead.

This can be mounted to the front wheel quick release or rear.

Next challenge is condensation that builds in early morning rides. It builds directly on the inside lense (of the case) and notice that the GoPro fix are two strips and other tricks are anti-fog on the inside. Any tips for preventing raindrops from forming on the outside? The surfer trick of licking the lense make not work from riding, though I am willing to try.

It is recommended that before you use the camera, you open the case and let cold air from an aircon blow into it for 2 mins, either from the aircon in your house or car. Close the case while aircon is blowing onto it and never open the case outside.
Put small strips of tissue in the case with the camera, this will help prevent fogging, or you can also get the anti fog strips, which by all accounts work very well. For water drops, use Rain-x http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/products/rain_x


Graeme

[AUbicycles]

Thanks for the feedback. On the mounts you made (saw the lovely photos when you first posted) is this a rock solid mount?

Are you getting any extra vibration that you feel needs to be dampened? I am finding front mounted positions to add more vibration from the forks whereas rear mounted positions seem to sit better and provide more stable video.

Will look into the anti fog options. I avtually tried the lick trick today and while it works, the effect on a bike is limited with the oncoming wind, and impractical to lick while you ride

[GraemeL]

Thanks for the feedback. On the mounts you made (saw the lovely photos when you first posted) is this a rock solid mount?

Are you getting any extra vibration that you feel needs to be dampened? I am finding front mounted positions to add more vibration from the forks whereas rear mounted positions seem to sit better and provide more stable video.

Will look into the anti fog options. I avtually tried the lick trick today and while it works, the effect on a bike is limited with the oncoming wind, and impractical to lick while you ride

You can also use some apple...Cut an apple in pieces and use them to wipe over the lens.

The mount is solid, as you can see in the pics, I reversed an L bracket, this makes it rock solid.

It doesn't matter what mount you use, DIY or brand name, the mount itself has to be absolutely tight with no movement, any slight movement is amplified as it travels to the lens. Again, regardless of what mount you use you will need to use something between the mount and bike. But be aware that if it is too thick it introduces vibrations instead of eliminating them. I find a piece of old bike tube works wonders, two TIGHT wraps is plenty.

A GoPro Tripod mount comes in REALLY handy, and can be placed just about anywhere on the bike using some hose clamps and either an L Bracket or flat piece of metal, a nut and bolt and some old bike tube.

If you want some DIY ideas using GoPro adhesive mounts...

Quick Release
Wood helps to dampen vibration, you can use a small piece of wood 1cm thick, as your platform for the GoPro and mount a GoPro adhesive mount to it. You could use this on the quick release either front or rear using the method in the photo's.

Stem
Using a small flat piece of metal approx 8cm l x 1.5cm w, two hose clamps to fit the stem, one small piece of wood the same width and length as the GoPro flat adhesive mount and old bike tube.

Handle Bars
Same as above but smaller hose clamps, you can have it on the top or hang it under the bars.

Rear Seat Stay
Same as Stem but use a small L Bracket.

Graeme

[AUbicycles]

Currently looking at some aftermarket mounts.

And feedback on the Hair Dryer... works a treat. A minute or so on cool and then pop in the camera and a little tissue, no more condensation. Now it hasn't been quite as cold this week though it is having a noted effect.

[Baalzamon]

Contour GPS vs Hero 2
Battery on Hero 2 kills Contour GPS.

[AUbicycles]

Agree... GoPro Hero (1) as well.

[coyote]

Anyone in Brisbane who wants an unused 808#16?

Or a used once Kaiser Baas Sports Camera?

I know it has been awhile since you posted this but do still the Kaiser Baas sports Camera?

Thanks Coyote.

[johnm_oz]

Oregon Scientific ATC 9K on Catch of the Day now. You may have to subscribe to see it.

http://www.catchoftheday.com.au/smallfi ... mpaign=sos

Reviews put it in the same class as the Contour and Go-Pro but it comes bundled with GPS, G sensor and 16G card for $259.

http://helmetcameracentral.com/2010/08/ ... ra-review/

I'll report back when it arrives...

Cheers
JM

[GraemeL]

Oregon Scientific ATC 9K on Catch of the Day now. You may have to subscribe to see it.

http://www.catchoftheday.com.au/smallfi ... mpaign=sos

Reviews put it in the same class as the Contour and Go-Pro but it comes bundled with GPS, G sensor and 16G card for $259.

http://helmetcameracentral.com/2010/08/ ... ra-review/

I'll report back when it arrives...

Cheers
JM

It looks the goods on paper, although the recording time is only 1.5 hrs. I would like to know what the mounting options are like as well.

Graeme

[johnm_oz]

Oregon Scientific ATC 9K on Catch of the Day now. You may have to subscribe to see it.

http://www.catchoftheday.com.au/smallfi ... mpaign=sos

Reviews put it in the same class as the Contour and Go-Pro but it comes bundled with GPS, G sensor and 16G card for $259.

http://helmetcameracentral.com/2010/08/ ... ra-review/

I'll report back when it arrives...

Cheers
JM

It looks the goods on paper, although the recording time is only 1.5 hrs. I would like to know what the mounting options are like as well.

Graeme

Yeh, I'm hoping to be able to use some sort of supplementary battery if I need to extend the time. According to CooD it comes with Superlock, helmet straps and mounts to suit, a handlebar mount and a tripod mount and is supposed to be compatible with Go-Pro mounting systems.

Built in GPS and G sensor appeals to me.

Cheers
JM

[GraemeL]

Yeh, I'm hoping to be able to use some sort of supplementary battery if I need to extend the time. According to CooD it comes with Superlock, helmet straps and mounts to suit, a handlebar mount and a tripod mount and is supposed to be compatible with Go-Pro mounting systems.

Built in GPS and G sensor appeals to me.

Cheers
JM

Being able to use GoPro mounts would be a very good selling point as well. I wonder what the battery use is like with GPS enabled?
How long before you get it?

Graeme

[GraemeL]

It seems the GPS module is an optional extra and is not standard.

Graeme

[GraemeL]

Doggy view, now I know how my dog sees the world

We went for a ride yesterday and I have put together some footage of my DIY Quick Release mount in action on slightly different surfaces.



Graeme

[johnm_oz]

Yeh, I'm hoping to be able to use some sort of supplementary battery if I need to extend the time. According to CooD it comes with Superlock, helmet straps and mounts to suit, a handlebar mount and a tripod mount and is supposed to be compatible with Go-Pro mounting systems.

Built in GPS and G sensor appeals to me.

Cheers
JM

Being able to use GoPro mounts would be a very good selling point as well. I wonder what the battery use is like with GPS enabled?
How long before you get it?


It seems the GPS module is an optional extra and is not standard.

Graeme

IME from Cood about 10 days to 2 weeks. Yeh I assume the GPS'll severely limit the battery life, that's why I'm hoping to be able to use an extension powersource.

The CooD package is advertised as being bundled with the GPS module and a 16G card. If it doesn't come with them it'll go back...

Love the dog's eye view, now I know why legs hold such a fascination for them, that's about all they see!

I'll be replicating your QR bracket now so I can use the Otek as a rear camera.


Cheers
JM

[Pushy]

GoPro stuff on special at Cell if anyone is interested.

[Lefty76]

I went as cheap as possible, and bought one of these for $35:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-0-mega-p ... slot-37717

Here's the result (with some quick editing):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4Ybfpyb91c

Not to bad for the price.

[johnm_oz]

I went as cheap as possible, and bought one of these for $35:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-0-mega-p ... slot-37717

Here's the result (with some quick editing):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4Ybfpyb91c

Not to bad for the price.

Can you resolve numberplates on the original? I wasn't able to on the youtube version. Looks good, tho.

Cheers
JM

[CommuRider]

GoPro stuff on special at Cell if anyone is interested.

Their chest mounts sold out pretty quick and the price wasn't that competitive.

[Lefty76]

Can you resolve numberplates on the original? I wasn't able to on the youtube version. Looks good, tho.

Cheers
JM

You can. Usually.
It records at 1280 x 960 at 29FPS. The image quality OK, but not great. There are some issues with blurriness over exposure when the light changes. It has a mic, but it might as well not have. Completely useless.

It's definitely more suited to uploading a bit of fun to YouTube rather than gathering evidence for road rage cases.

[GraemeL]

I went as cheap as possible, and bought one of these for $35:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-0-mega-p ... slot-37717

Here's the result (with some quick editing):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4Ybfpyb91c

Not to bad for the price.

Can you resolve numberplates on the original? I wasn't able to on the youtube version. Looks good, tho.

Cheers
JM

You would struggle to get plates. The camera is only SD Video format: AVI (640x480 (AT) 30 fps) and not HD.

Graeme

[fastwheels]

Those looking for GoPro2's could try out Torpedo7
Looks like they're on sale!

GoPro Hero2 Outdoor and Motorsports editions $299.99 each
Chest mount $39.99
LCD Bacpac $99.99
Wrist housing $39.99
Helmet front mount $14.99
Suction cup mount $29.99
Vented helmet strap $14.99

Wishing I hadn't bought mine (plus all the accessories) at the more expensive price now!

[CommuRider]

Chest mount $39.99
LCD Bacpac $99.99
Wrist housing $39.99
Helmet front mount $14.99
Suction cup mount $29.99

That's more like it! Thanks fw

[Crawf]

Tried a different view today (with a small CCR win), might stick with this one but push the bracket out wider.
Thoughts on front vs rear view?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q3-o0-px4s&?hd=1[/youtube]