KymcoForum.com
General => Roadcraft => Topic started by: ScooterWolf on May 18, 2016, 07:13:44 PM
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I’m in the market for a good helmet mounted camera, though it can also be of a universal design/mount good for attaching to various part of the bike.
Does anyone have any good suggestions?
- Wolf
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Go-Pro.
Karl
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My first choice, but there’s a lot to choose from. I’m looking at someone in the $200 -$250 range, that works well in low light, has a good microphone, battery life, and HD 1080 p30 quality. Not sure if other factors are a thing, but if it has stabilization abilities too that would be a plus.
- Wolf
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List all the choices you are considering.
Personally I do not like the footprint of the Gopro, if it were me I would look for a more sleeker design.
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I just got a Drift Ghost S with a Drift mic a couple weeks ago. Satisfied so far. My big deal was that I wanted to be able to put a mic on it so I could narrate while riding. Seems to be working well. I also like the slimmer design vs the GoPro and the rotatable lens so I can mount any which way and it keeps the slim profile. It also has the standard .25" camera screw hole on one side so it mounts to any tripod out there or any device with that standard hookup. Technomoan on youtube has some good comparisons and reviews. Also gives you links to raw footage so you can compare models. Check out my first go at it in the Eye Candy section of this forum.
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Thanks Wkrps, I’ll check out your footage and the Drift Ghost S as well.
- Wolf
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Yes, the drift looks good. More expensive than I’d like, but I like the remote mic, which is something I’d like to use.
- Wolf
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I have seen other HD cameras that were way cheaper and slimmer than the Go-Pro. At the same places as the GP, like BestBuy. Go for it!
Karl
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I just got the GoPro Session which is the smallest one they make. I love it so far. I got it at Best Buy for 200. Nice and clear video and you can preview it and see it on your smartphone so you can position it correctlly.
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Mnpugdog, does the GP Session have a microphone, or a port to add one?
- Wolf
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the go pro hero 2 has mike and speaker plugs, so the new ones should have the same things,
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Sony Action Camera does great videos, particularly in low light. BUT the mike is awful.
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The session has a mic on the front and back of the cam, no outputs since the case is waterproof. No extra case needed like the other Go Pro's. With it on top of the helmet I get the wind noise from the wind screen but if you're stopped and cussing someone out it will record it 8) I would think if you wanted to mount it on the bike somewhere behind the wind screen it would pick up more.
I do like that you can use the app to help aim the cam and then after you have it set the way you want all you have to do is push the button on top to start and stop the recording and power. I run it in the loop formation so all it does it just keep recording over it self and I don't have to think about it till something happens and then I will have it on video. And it's in 1080p too at 60 frames per minute. And using it at night is not to bad. There is a couple of places coming home where all you can see real well is what is in the headlight but you can still see some off on the side. During the day the clarity is incredible.
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Good to know about the microphones. I’d like something I can narrate to while driving. I may be able to use some of the GoPro cameras from the film dept. equipment room where I teach, but I’d like to have my own camera that I can use year round. I’ll be doing my research now.
- Wolf
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Also check Garmin virb. I am not sure about the microphone thing but I think you can attached the mic on the back. But the video quality is excellent. They have basic which is black in colour and elite (white).
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Not sure if it makes a difference but I have my cam mounted on top of my helmet. maybe mounting it on the side it would pick upp you talking.
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One of the things I’ll be experimenting with is the placement and position of the camera. Too high on my helmet and it will give it a high angle security cam feel to the footage. I’d like something maybe below the eye line. Maybe shoulder level. Ideally, having multiple cams would be the way to go, but that’s only if I can get another one from the equipment room in the department I teach in.
- Wolf
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I have a chest mount for mountain biking. I have found it to be ideal for first person videos.
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I have a chest mount for mountain biking. I have found it to be ideal for first person videos.
And having that behind the wind screen might make it easier to talk with the action too and hear it.
Not just the wind as you drive
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Good suggestions. I wasn’t sure if there were real chest mounts, or if it was something people jury rigged. Another thing for me to look into.
- Wolf
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thats the one advantage to Go Pro is they have a ton of different mounts to pick from
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I’ve seen a lot of them. I take it that they only fit GoPro cameras, unless there are adaptors out there.
- Wolf
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I do a fair amount of riding, and I am beginning to think a dash cam is a good idea. I think might get a little more respect when people realize they are being recorded.
Doing some web research, I came across Tachyon BikerCam Motorcycle Camera System. Anyone familiar with this one. Has good reviews on Amazon, I read them all.
I used a borrowed GoPro Hero mounted to my helmet once, was not real user friendly IMO, and definitely larger than I would like. So probably not interested in GoPro Hero system.
The GoPro Hero Session looks cool, small size, and appears price competitive with Tachyon BikerCam. Has a bunch of reviews on Amazon, will be doing some reading, and report back. Cheers
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for a couple of seasons now.
It is 1080P and cost about $80. US, if I remember correctly.
It is much smaller than a GoPro.
Have not used in low light conditions because I don`t ride in those conditions anymore.
Satisfied with the camera.
Have a couple vids posted on this website.
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Hey Chaz,
Does the Tachyon shoot still images, photoburst, or time-lapse? Ive been looking at some of the Sony Helmet cams, along with the GoPro's
but I'll add your choice to my research as well.
- Wolf
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Hello ScooterWolf, you know I am not sure. Main selling points are small size, ease of use. I think mainly video, recorded in 15 minute sections, then overwrites existing video when memory is full, approx 8 hours as I recall. So, Tachyon very good for dash cam.
I did read a lot of Hero Sessions reviews on Amazon and think it's not for me. Sessions compared to Tachyon: battery life rather short (less than 2 hours) and Tachyon can be set-up to run continuous from your scoots battery.
I saw some good info on Sony, so plan to research Sony a little more. Cheers
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Thanks Chaz. I agree the GoPro's battery is too short. Good for short trips, like when I commute to work, but not much beyond. Also, nothing really good for connecting to your helmet unless you have a specialized accessory, or you attach it to your visor.
I do like the image quality. Here some pics from a film I'm working on. Both images need to be color corrected.
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Swolf, I take it you are using GoPro?, which one? My son-n-law is loaded with GoPro, but probably too expensive for me. Cheers
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I been checking out a GoPRo Hero 3 Black edition from the equipment room from the film department where I teach. Couldn't check anything out this weekend as someone else needed it. They are expensive, which is why I'm just checking them out, but I still want a helmet cam of my own.
- Wolf
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Pulled the trigger. Just ordered the Drift Ghost S camera and accessory kit from Amazon. Real excited, but hope it gets here before my trip to Canada on the 20th. Amazon said it (with free shipping) would arrive between the 15-20th. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Additionally, I will be gearing my bike with two GoPro cameras (both from the universities where I teach -- freebies!) both mounted on either side of the DT at various angles. My logistical planning stage is now about battery life, battery numbers, as well as SD cards. I'm also hoping my school equipment room will have a good mic to connect to the Drift Ghost as well.
Planning stage is nearly complete. Have checked off the following:
Annual tune up
New brake pads
New tires
Oil changed
Faulty left front turn signal replaced
Helmet visor and rear LED helmet light replaced
Large Cargo duffel bag
Cargo netting
Duck construction pants (may get knee pads for wearing under them too)
Need to do:
New phone card for track phone
List and map of motorcycle service stations along travel route
Decide on additional tools to bring
- Wolf
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Am interested in the Sena Prism helmet camera and going to do more research on that but here is a review from SLUK on it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFSMIwF-5DQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFSMIwF-5DQ)
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Nice cam. Is the built in mic being used, or can an external one be added?
- Wolf
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Nice cam. Is the built in mic being used, or can an external one be added?
- Wolf
This member has all the info as he uses them on his site. http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?action=profile;u=11002 (http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?action=profile;u=11002)
I will try to get some more info from him.
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Thank you. Appreciate it.
- Wolf
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Hi chaps,
All the info you need is here: http://www.scooterlab.uk/sena-prism-camera-gizmo-review/ (http://www.scooterlab.uk/sena-prism-camera-gizmo-review/)
Thoroughly recommend them. We use in conjunction with Sena 20S intercoms for audio and the results are great.
BTW, SLUK is building to be a great resource. If there's anything you need, use the magnifying glass search icon and there's a fair bit of stuff about "prism"
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Thanks. I enjoyed reading the review, and it may have given me another option before I went with the Drift Ghost. I'll also bookmark the Scooterlab site as it is a robust source for scooter info. Thanks for sharing.
- Wolf
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Hells yeah!
Drift camera arrived today. The bad news is it did so just as I was on my way out. Didn't get much of a chance to look at it, but will do so when I get home, and tomorrow night as well. I'm hoping I can get an external mic for the trip up too.
Psyched!
- Wolf