Bullet/helmet cams

[Bumpkin]

i was lookign at this, not sure how good be as not up to speed on video tech

http://sport-cam.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=SChd720

A riding buddy had one of those though he's just upgraded to an HD model of some description, can't recall what.

Judging by this sample I'm not massively impressed TBH. Despite the name it's not HD and looking at that footage looks quite soft and over compressed/processed. It's not all about the resolution, I've seen footage shot at that res. (480p) that looks great, not like shown. The image processing capabilities of the recorder probably matter more than the raw resolution.

Look at the sample against some of the other cameras. With use you'll get more critical and that extra £50 or so will seem cheap after the event.

I went though two lesser cameras before I settled for the one I have, and am happy with, now. It was a learning curve but it makes me appreciate what I'm now using all the more. Cost a few bob along the way but mostly rescued by selling the old kit on eBay.

 

[john_aero]

ya maybe i will save up just get a good unit and leave it at that

 

[Micky]

Judging by this sample I'm not massively impressed TBH.

Neither was the guy who took it .. if you read the comments under the video he sold it .........




.......... and bought a GoPro

 

[Loiq]

it's application dependant the benifits are size and and grip / mounting accessories not much else...

 

[Yonkyo]

Just ordered a Drift HD170 from amazon. Just be aware that the price on the App is more than on the website ?? Web was 125

Ill report back when I get it

I got my Drift HD170 from Amazon yesterday. So I stuck it on my mates lid and got him to test it for me.
No heroic blast through the twisties here I'm afraid, just a ride through town.
But I was impressed with the picture quality and ease of use. Great bit of kit.
I'll be trying different mounting options next.

<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uF1SjYCsZ0A?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uF1SjYCsZ0A?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object>

 

[RJT_Berlin]

Thanks for that. Am really trying to decide what to buy - drift or gopro..... Did some research, colours on the gopro look better, deeper and more intense, otherwise they both seem great..... When mounting the drift on the helmet, di you have to stick something permanently to your helmet? Just not sure what is e best option and dont wanna ruin my lid either.

Appreciate any further thoughts

 

[Yonkyo]

Thanks for that. Am really trying to decide what to buy - drift or gopro..... Did some research, colours on the gopro look better, deeper and more intense, otherwise they both seem great..... When mounting the drift on the helmet, di you have to stick something permanently to your helmet? Just not sure what is e best option and dont wanna ruin my lid either.

Appreciate any further thoughts

the helmet fixing is by way of a plate stuck with Velcro (semi perminant).

Next is to test the suction mount (bought separately). And the RAM handlebar mount (the Drift does come with a less complicated handlebar mount).
These pics make the cam look huge. its not that big really, and its very light.

 

[RJT_Berlin]

Thanks for the pics, was wondering how best to mount onto the bike rather than on helmet. How much did you pay for the ram handlebar mount? Also from amazon?

 

[Yonkyo]

Thanks for the pics, was wondering how best to mount onto the bike rather than on helmet. How much did you pay for the ram handlebar mount? Also from amazon?

I made up the Ram mount using odd parts that i had lying around in my garage.

The Drift handlebar mount is still ok though.

I got the suction mount off amazon though. Only cost £8, and its solid as a rock.

 

[Dave h]

Bike cam

Here is my set up, when i can find out how to compress file in windows movie then i can upload video to y tube or embed on to here, anybody know easy way of doing it

Dave

 

[RJT_Berlin]

Like the idea of the suction thing but get this Wouldnt work on the gsa because of the bagster i have and also the screen blocking it..... If i was to use the suction cup on the rear pannier - would that work?? Uf not, i reckon the handlebar mount is the only one to go. Just dont fancy sticking something to my helmet

 

[GrinningGSer]

My non HD Drift is stuck to my Shoei Hornet using their sticky pad mount and for sure it can be removed at a later date without damaging the helmet by gentle peeling. I have had several offroad knocks and was worried about losing the camera, but that has never happened. To make sure, I also tied the mount to the helmet, but I think that this is unnecessary.
I am always disappointed by youtube vids because the posted result is far inferior to the original

The best vids that I have ever seen were from the HD Contour, so why have discussions gone quiet on that camera?

 

[Bumpkin]

I have one of the suction mounts shown in Yonkyo's post, nice and firm but I would still use a lanyard of some sort, just in case.

I've seen them advertised for £25 but I got mine off eBay for £6 delivered.

 

[RJT_Berlin]

Anybogy got the gopro fitted on. The handlebars of say a gs or gsa? I am tending more towards the gopro rather than the drift, the pics i have seen (both are superb) show richer colours on the gopro - guess this is just a personal opinion but it looks like the drift is easier to operate!!! Not an easy decision!!!! Anybody used both, mounted both on bars offer advice?

 

[GrinningGSer]

I have tried higher quality compact cameras, which take better movies than either drift or GoPro, to my GSA frames and the vibration is horrendous.
Here is an example of the sort of unsteady video that you'll get.
Drift (Non HD).... you've all seen the fabulous 'Earthflight'... well here is an alternative version that I shot last year and this is what your handlebar vids will look like:
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18763996?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="398" height="299" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe>

 

[Yonkyo]

I have tried higher quality compact cameras, which take better movies than either drift or GoPro, to my GSA frames and the vibration is horrendous.
Here is an example of the sort of unsteady video that you'll get.
Drift (Non HD).... you've all seen the fabulous 'Earthflight'... well here is an alternative version that I shot last year and this is what your handlebar vids will look like:
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18763996?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="398" height="299" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe>

WOW, that dog video was mental, but i just had to watch it all.
Earthfight's got nothing on that..

 

[GrinningGSer]

I'm going to wait till Earthflight has been sold all over the world and repeated on Dave for a zillion times, then I'll be writing a letter

 

[RJT_Berlin]

I cant see the vid, guess my upad is striking..... Guess the only issue is DO handlebar mounts work properly to save me sticking to the lid or is the lid the best way to go? I guess then either drift hd or gopro is almost irrelevant.....

 

[GS_or_bust]

I got a gopro hd hero 2 for Christmas. I have tried it attached to the side of my crash helmet. At 960 lines 50 frames/sec the videos are excellent. The camera is not overwhelmed by a bright sky like my earlier bullet cam was. The wide angle lens means I see the the motorbike in the picture making it more interesting than a simple forward view.

I will try to upload a snippet of video that shows the true image quality if I get the time.

 

[Yonkyo]

I cant see the vid, guess my upad is striking..... Guess the only issue is DO handlebar mounts work properly to save me sticking to the lid or is the lid the best way to go? I guess then either drift hd or gopro is almost irrelevant.....

Handlebar mounts are fine on the GSA. I've done some good filming using this method.
I'll post one up later.