Bullet/helmet cams

[GrinningGSer]

I haven't completely dismissed the Macbook idea yet, the Apple store agreed that the Macbook was faulty and I had spent a ridiculous amount of tech support time, so I asked for a refund rather than exchange. I may try another.
In fact I am shortly staying with my son and I WILL try the drift on his new Macbook

 

[GrinningGSer]

geodude your 720p vid is not bad. I reckon it could do with some more contrast and colour and that may be an exposure issue. Does any of the reasonably priced video editing software have abitity to improve such things?

 

[GrinningGSer]

Photo report
The Drift HD is the newest and smallest drift, yet still retains the same LCD display as its predecessor:

It also has the same fabulous radio remote control, ideal for handlebars etc
A specification difference is that it can shoot 9MP zoomable stills and also shoot these in a time lapse
So, GS tourists... would it replace your compact for your holiday snaps ?... read on

Field, Drift HD Wide angle 170 degree lens, 2.5mm focal length, 2.41MB size 2592x1944 :9MP capability:

Same field, HTC Desire HD mobile phone Wide angle 4.57mm focal length,1.63MB size 3264x1952: 8MP capability:

Same field, Canon G9 compact camera, Wide angle 7.4mm focal length,4.39MB, size 3264x2448: 12MP capability:

Now to crop and zoom into the distant gate, using Photoshop:
Drift HD:

HTC Desire HD Camera phone:

Canon G9 Compact camera:

So mes amis, could the Drift HD replace your compact camera?......
I would need to zoom the Drift HD lens in more for an exact comparison and perhaps I AM being
unfair with the differing focal lengths,but initial impressions
are that it wont replace a compact camera. In fact it can't even replace your decent camera phone.
The great camera Megapixel Myth strikes again.
Does the 9MP capability mean an improved sensor and better video capability over its 5MP HD170 Stealth predecessor?
Does the size difference and the 9MP capability justify another £100?
Video review to follow later when my faster Category 10 SD card arrives
Now show us some 5MP GoPro stills ?

 

[Gorilla GS]

Drift HD 170

Take a look at you tube, mrgorillags, 9mins of my first time using the Drift camera. I purchased a Samsung 8GB water resistant, no vibration SD card and very pleased with the result. I also used an I Mac for the editing. May see you tomorrow GG'er.

 

[Gorilla GS]

 

[Ravenbyrne]

I'm exhausted after read/researching and comparing, so I've just pressed the "confirm your purchase" button for the new Drift HD 1080p Mini.

The deciding factor came down to the Remote Control and the fact that it can be bike powered.

 

[patzx12]

I'm exhausted after read/researching and comparing, so I've just pressed the "confirm your purchase" button for the new Drift HD 1080p Mini.

The deciding factor came down to the Remote Control and the fact that it can be bike powered.

Plus you can see what you are videoing, my Contour is good but you dont know if its recording on not, i get a bunch of beeps and i am fecked if i can remember what the sequence of beeps mean or that i want to remember.
I think a viewfinder and a handlebar remote is essental.

 

[GrinningGSer]

It's not called the Mini but it should be when compared with the £100 cheaper predecessor:

A short 720p 50fps movie made here at the Ace Cafe last weekend. Handheld is very awkward because of hand shake, small mass and no image stabilisation.
The stills in the link (not the above HTC phone pic),are all from the 9MP camera, zoomed to half zoom so as to minmiise the fish eye effect. All stills corrected by Photoshop autocorrect so
as to massively improve colour and contrast, which is lacking in the original image.

 

[GrinningGSer]

Continued.....
The official Drift HD pdf instructions has the HDMI micro output incorrectly labelled as the USB output. The camera has a night function, but the available modes are 'Outdoor and Indoor'. The pdf states:
What are the benefits of using the camera’s Outdoor Mode?
The Outdoor mode allows the Drift HD to record video and capture photos in a dark environment, such as at dusk. It does this by
increasing the sensitivity of the camera to light. The trade-off is a slight decrease in image quality – the image will contain noise
and possibly be slightly more blurry. Please note that this is normal for digital cameras. The Outdoor mode is also more effective
when capturing photos than when recording video.

I believe that this explanation is arse over tit because it hints that Outdoor mode is for low light and has a decrease in video image quality. I have emailed Drift.

 

[John Armstrong]

I just bought one off them - excellent price and next day delivery.



Greg

Any problems with the purchase as they seem to be at £218 + £10 postage now, which is a fair bit cheaper than the rest?

TVMIA

 

[GrinningGSer]

The older Drifts, came in a bigger box with more accessories and strapping, such as a helmet strap. Slowly I am ordering extras. Guy Gerrish suggested the handlebar mount for the radio remote control, and it is a nice bit of kit which keeps the remote very secure and stable. It even comes with an additional strap:

 

[Greg Masters]

Any problems with the purchase as they seem to be at £218 + £10 postage now, which is a fair bit cheaper than the rest?

TVMIA

No problems whatsoever!

 

[John Armstrong]

No problems whatsoever!

Ta

 

[GrinningGSer]

Here is a short off piste goggle mounted shot, filmed last week, using the mini Drift HD. Location: on the glacier near Col D'Iseran. The video was shot at 1080p 30fps and reduced in quality to 720p for Vimeo. The remote radio control is invaluable in my opinion and can be seen attached to the wrist at the end.
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/38682914" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe>

 

[GrinningGSer]

Drift HD have updated their firmware to 1.1.42 on 24th May 2012
Here is how you do it

I am blown away by the improvement and the Vimeo below does not do justice to the improved image quality and also increases in colour saturation. This was shot, of a short clip on a ride last Sunday and trust me it is a zillion times better on a HD telly because much is lost in translation to Vimeo:
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/43210959" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe>

There is nothing published on the net about what the firmware does, other than improving changes from light to dark areas, so I emailed them and the reply was :

Re: Firmware 1.1.42 24/05/2012 Drift HD
Thanks for your enquiry.
The firmware update has addressed the cameras reaction to transitions from shadows to light, and this does give the impression of increased colour saturation. Hopefully you should notice that blue skies are blue, as opposed to the white-out effect often seen in bright light.
This version is more sensitive to light than previous versions, so on very bright days it is worth experimenting with an exposure setting of -1.
The bitrate has also been increased, improving the general quality of the image.
Please feel free to email if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Adam
Team Drift

I am very pleased and love this little vid camera

 

[eonbkuk]

hi guys

have been looking through this what make is the mini dvr because the only ones i seen on fleabay are about £40 not sure if its the same one also looking at the 720 drift hd and would welcome comments on that as well

thanks

eon

 

[john_aero]

was having look at these, they any good?

Like gopro results just they are way too big for my liking

http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/minidvr-hd-bullet-camera.html

 

[daesimps]

That is a rebadged/imported version of what I've just bought from eBay for £116. I'm still waiting for it to be delivered, but Techmoan have a good review of it here:


http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2012/7/5/a-1080p-wired-bullet-cam.html

I'll be sure to let you know how I get on when it turns up.



Dae.

 

[john_aero]

cheers let me know how find it

 

[illustratedman]

was having look at these, they any good?

Like gopro results just they are way too big for my liking

http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/minidvr-hd-bullet-camera.html

I have that cam, superb piece of kit. Great quality video, battery life approx 4hrs, easy to mount and use especially with the remote controller. Sound quality on the bike is shite have an external mic now but not tried it out yet.