Helmet cameras...

[Jaouad]

Guys,
I am thinking about getting a helmet camera (more specific the GoPro HD2 http://www.championcameras.com/en/go...torsports.html)

Does anyone have experience with helmet cams? Which helmet camera would you recommend? GoPro, Replay XD, Contour, Drift, ION Air? Has anyone tried more than one of them?

thnx for sharing your thoughts...

[freeclimbmtb]

Guys,
I am thinking about getting a helmet camera (more specific the GoPro HD2 http://www.championcameras.com/en/go...torsports.html)

Does anyone have experience with helmet cams? Which helmet camera would you recommend? GoPro, Replay XD, Contour, Drift, ION Air? Has anyone tried more than one of them?

thnx for sharing your thoughts...

I have a GoPro, (the original Hero, not the Hero2)  I love this camera and everything about it....except....

If you mount it to your helmet...it turns into a sail.  if you put it on the chin its probably ok, but if you put it on the top, the wind will push your helmet back and make it uncomfortable...

That being said, I cant think of a camera id rather have, at least not for that kind of money.  Incredible mounting options, super durrable, great image quality and stabilization for combatting vibration.  You can always use they chesty harness in stead of mounting it to your helmet, or mount it just about anywhere on the bike.  And its all in the little case, no external anything.  One word of caution though, if you mount it close to the motor, all your going to hear is the blender full of rocks for your whole video...which i kinda like...

[Slide Panda]

There's a thread about GoPros some place here...

I've got a hero 2. Works pretty well, though I'm still fiddling. From what I gather, on a bike the 720 @ 60fps will net the best results. I've run the higher def a few times at track days on my single and I get a lot of jello wobble look from the vibration vs shutter harmonics. Otherwise, it's done pretty well. And there's a lot of aftermarket gear and DIY mount tutorials for it now due to it being the market leader.

As you might expect and it seems to go for all, that the onboard mic is rather lacking. I run an external mic on mine and get much more clear sound.

A buddy has a GPS contour that he MUST power off his bike for any usable life. With the GPS the onboard battery drains in a few minutes, under 10 I think.

WebBikeWorld has done a number of reviews and side by side tests
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-products-and-accessories/

[Turf]

I have a Hero2 and could not love it more, ton of accessories and even if you film yourself doing the dishes it makes it mildly exciting to watch.

[rsoffar]

I have the Hero 2, it works great but im not a big fan of the helmet mounts. If I had to get one again I think Id like to try out the contour though

[dark_duc]

I also have the HD Hero and wanted to point out that the "chesty" harness is a good alternative to the helmet mount.  Good perspective, no drag, and very little vibration.

[Slide Panda]

WHile talking about mounts - RAM makes a #2 ball to GoPro mount. It's a really good option  - costs a touch more than a GoPro mount kit - any of the ones like the bicycle mount kit. But the arm is metal and with the two balls used you can get about any angle you want easily, as opposed to the arm origami necessary with the stock stuff that only pivots one way

[Goat_Herder]

I have had a GoPro for the past year.  It's been fantastic for me.  I mount the stick pad on the chin bar of the helmet, just to the right of the vent.  I then use a number of extensions to center the GoPro, right below the windshield.  A true POV and you can talk to the camera to record voice.  Seem to work very well. 

I also got the suction cup attachment.  SUPER STRONG.  Coupled with a few extensions and you can mount it to the tank and the rear cowl.  SInce I don't want to lose it, I tie a little string when I use the suction cup.

I also use the GoPro to record video and make time-laps video of my family.  It's very versatile and somewhat affordable (Original Hero).  Hero 960 is discontinued while the new Hero 2 is $300.  I guess the popularity of GoPro means high prices...

[carbmon]

I gotta ask, why does anyone mount anything on a helmet shell that could snag on the ground and crank their neck around as they slide after a getoff?  

I mean, do y'all have a way to predictably make the mount "hang on tight" during the ride and magically "let go with zero resistance" during the slide?  


Yeah, I'm an olde phart, but I've lived long enough to ask the question   

[freeclimbmtb]

I guess the popularity of GoPro means high prices...

the HD hero (mine) was $300 when I bought it, now the Hero2 is the same price...to me that seemed like an absolutely brilliant marketing strategy...instead of a more expensive model...make the new one cost the same and discount the old one.

Either way, its a better camera with longer battery life than my fathers hand held sony video camera, and it was $200 less.

$300 for full HD in a package that small?  I really find a hard time complaining about ANYTHING with that camera..

as for the camera not breaking your neck when you crash...I guess I think of it like frame sliders...yes they COULD snag and flip the bike around doing more damage...but thats a risk you take...I just try not to fall off. 

[carbmon]

as for the camera not breaking your neck when you crash...I guess I think of it like frame sliders...yes they COULD snag and flip the bike around doing more damage...but thats a risk you take...I just try not to fall off.  

Got it .... Key concepts I missed ...

1.  Treat my body like a nuts, bolts and alloy machine (let's see, I know there's a part number for "spinal cord" here somewhere...)

2.  Renew clairvoyant license so I know when I'm going to have an 'accident'.

   

C'mon, it's not like a 'helmet cam' is the only way to get stunning video.  Be smart in your risk assessments, folks.

[freeclimbmtb]

You can always use they chesty harness in stead of mounting it to your helmet, or mount it just about anywhere on the bike.

I don't use it is a helmet cam as I stated already. 

But thanks for the advice, dad.

[Barney]

I used to gopro too, with the motorsports kit and/or some of the other mounts you can great shots of just about anything...the helmet mounts I use stick on with 3M tape and plastic - i'm pretty sure it'd explode on impact in any serious crash situation...which brings me to my next point - if you're sliding around on your head when you should be riding a motorcycle you've got bigger issues than small pieces of plastic taped to your head.  but i would probably watch that video 

seriously though, keep the rubber side down gopro or not please 

[freeclimbmtb]

I used to gopro too, with the motorsports kit and/or some of the other mounts you can great shots of just about anything...the helmet mounts I use stick on with 3M tape and plastic - i'm pretty sure it'd explode on impact in any serious crash situation...which brings me to my next point - if you're sliding around on your head when you should be riding a motorcycle you've got bigger issues than small pieces of plastic taped to your head.  but i would probably watch that video 

seriously though, keep the rubber side down gopro or not please 

 

[SupraGuy74]

I have a contour roam. Amazing camera. Great picture quality, the design of the camera is absoultely amazing. From what i was told contour spent money actually designing there camera, while go pro spent it all on advertising. I can easily flip my camera on while riding with gloves. With the roam the battery life is outstanding, never had an issue with the battery dying and i hardly ever charge it. Not to mention, having a gigantic ugly go pro hanging off the side of my helmet is not appealing to me at all