Ok helmet cam experts...... looking for input.

[2fun]

I am looking into getting a helmet cam sometime in the next few months.

Anybody have any tips or suggestions on whats good, whats not, and whats a good price for said helmet cam??

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[crfjedi393]

There are literally THOUSANDS of options out there! Our local crew uses a helmet cam and we've had to modify the mounting a few times. Once because I broke something. However, I wasn't involved in the details of the purchase so I can't talk about the brand or anything. Here's a [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] if you haven't already checked it out. Once you choose a cam, you will have to decide how to mount it. Most of them come with a velcro strip. We chose to use a spare helmet and mount it permanently. Whoever wants to run the helmet cam just wears that helmet.
BTW, they eat batteries. We've lost a lot of good footage because we ran out of battery.
I'm sure others will post up on this. Helmet cams are VERY cool!

[2fun]

Originally Posted by crfjedi393

There are literally THOUSANDS of options out there! Our local crew uses a helmet cam and we've had to modify the mounting a few times. Once because I broke something. However, I wasn't involved in the details of the purchase so I can't talk about the brand or anything. Here's a [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] if you haven't already checked it out. Once you choose a cam, you will have to decide how to mount it. Most of them come with a velcro strip. We chose to use a spare helmet and mount it permanently. Whoever wants to run the helmet cam just wears that helmet.
BTW, they eat batteries. We've lost a lot of good footage because we ran out of battery.
I'm sure others will post up on this. Helmet cams are VERY cool!

Thanks for the input! I DID check out that site, and was fairly impressed by one of the packages they put together. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Not a bad price 549 for the ENTIRE package (480 lines of resolution) including the recorder!!

Looks like however the DVR is on back order!!

Is there a big difference between the 380 and 480??

Thanks again for any input you might have!

[char393]

I have the 380 from helmetcamera.com and it works great! The quality is pretty darn good, but I don't have the 480 so I have nothing to compare it to. The mount itself works great, I use the velcro mounting. I have been using hooked to my digital camcorder, but I am wanting to switch to something like the DVR they have listed in that kit as I believe it'll be much easier to pack around.

Jedi, I'm surprised that you've had issues with the battery life. My first set of batteries lasted for at least 2 hours of recording, maybe longer. I know I've only switched them out once in the entire time I've had it.

[char393]

Just found this on ebay...

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

You could get that and get the xtreme mount from helmetcamera.com ..just a thought?

[2fun]

Originally Posted by char393

I have the 380 from helmetcamera.com and it works great! The quality is pretty darn good, but I don't have the 480 so I have nothing to compare it to. The mount itself works great, I use the velcro mounting. I have been using hooked to my digital camcorder, but I am wanting to switch to something like the DVR they have listed in that kit as I believe it'll be much easier to pack around.

Jedi, I'm surprised that you've had issues with the battery life. My first set of batteries lasted for at least 2 hours of recording, maybe longer. I know I've only switched them out once in the entire time I've had it.

Thanks for the input Char! Have you ever tried to play the video back on the TV??? I was told by the guy at helmet camera.com that the play back on a TV would be very grainy????

Originally Posted by char393

Just found this on ebay...

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

You could get that and get the xtreme mount from helmetcamera.com ..just a thought?

Thanks for the link! I may save that and pick those guys brains about getting set up with one of their systems....
Way cool!! I'm starting to get excited!! LOL

[char393]

No, I've played back to the tv and it looked fine to me. Like I said though, I've not seen any video from a 480 line camera, so I don't really have anything to compare it against. Know what I mean? Maybe Zoo will chime in here. I'm curious which helmet cam he has, because the footage from Tracy and I riding together in So Cal was pretty clear on their TV as well.

Whatever you decide...hurry up and get the thing so we can see some video!

[crfjedi393]

I reckon we were expecting more than 2 hrs. of recording from those 8 double A's. I guess it's normal.

[2fun]

Originally Posted by char393

No, I've played back to the tv and it looked fine to me. Like I said though, I've not seen any video from a 480 line camera, so I don't really have anything to compare it against. Know what I mean? Maybe Zoo will chime in here. I'm curious which helmet cam he has, because the footage from Tracy and I riding together in So Cal was pretty clear on their TV as well.

Whatever you decide...hurry up and get the thing so we can see some video!

Sorry Char I guess I should have clarified...
He said that I wouldn't get a great quality picture on the TV if I used their "DVR". It apparently isn't meant for anything more than Computer vids???? Anyways, he said that for TV quality video I would need to use a regular cam-corder. He suggested the Sony DCR-96.
When I asked him how much one of those goes for he said "around 650 bucks" and I was like..

Originally Posted by crfjedi393

I reckon we were expecting more than 2 hrs. of recording from those 8 double A's. I guess it's normal.

Jedi,
Do you guys use the mini "DVR"??? If so, how'd it look on the TV???? Ever try it??

Also, which camera do you guys use?? The 380?? 480?? 560??

[char393]

Ahhh...I see now. I guess the question becomes, how you plan to use the footage you've captured?

The quality from the DVR would have to be pretty crappy to keep me from buying it. To me, having to set up and carry the camcorder on your person is a PITA. I'm thinking the convenience and ease of the DVR is looking pretty good at this point.

I know this will sound like a slam...and it's not by any means, but maybe for dune riding, the camcorder wouldn't be a big deal?

[crfjedi393]

Originally Posted by 2fun

Jedi,
Do you guys use the mini "DVR"??? If so, how'd it look on the TV???? Ever try it??

Also, which camera do you guys use?? The 380?? 480?? 560??

We use a mini DV at 380. I'll post up some vid from Wellston in a PM. It should look the same on your TV.

[2fun]

Originally Posted by char393

Ahhh...I see now. I guess the question becomes, how you plan to use the footage you've captured?

The quality from the DVR would have to be pretty crappy to keep me from buying it. To me, having to set up and carry the camcorder on your person is a PITA. I'm thinking the convenience and ease of the DVR is looking pretty good at this point.

I know this will sound like a slam...and it's not by any means, but maybe for dune riding, the camcorder wouldn't be a big deal?

Oh it hurts.... it hurts!!!!

Seriously though. The sand often has lots of whoops, and can get very choppy! AND there is also the issue of keeping sand (which tends to get EVERYWHERE ) out of an expensive camcorder!!

[2fun]

Originally Posted by crfjedi393

We use a mini DV at 380. I'll post up some vid from Wellston in a PM. It should look the same on your TV.

Thanks bro!

Would you happen to have any ATV footage taken with said cam also??

[crfjedi393]

Originally Posted by 2fun

Would you happen to have any ATV footage taken with said cam also??

[2fun]

Originally Posted by crfjedi393

I thought you might not have any.... lol

BTW, you seem a little tired there..... Perhaps its beddy-bye time???

[crfjedi393]

Originally Posted by 2fun

I thought you might not have any.

You thought right.

[2fun]

Originally Posted by crfjedi393

You thought right.

LOL

[CRF731]

I've got one from these guys. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

It works great.

[2fun]

Originally Posted by CRF731

I've got one from these guys. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

It works great.

Thanks for the link! I am going to check out as many sites and options as possible before making my decision.

[yz250guy]

Originally Posted by char393

I know I've only switched them out once in the entire time I've had it.

Clearly you are not using it enough! I haven't seen anything from that helmet cam since the KDX days. With all the riding you are getting down in Texas, there should be Terabytes of video from that thing by now Get 'er done, Char! We at least need some video of you riding effie with those longhorns mounted to her number plate....