How to record a ride - mounted cameras?

[Magnum]

I would like to record some rides on my bike, and was wondering which type of camera would be good to do so and where to mount it.
I read once on this forum that you can put a normal video camera in a tankbag? Are the helmet cam options affordable, and good quality?

[speedplay]

Ive used a helmet cam on my enduro and got some pretty good results (till mud gets on the lens!).

Have a word with seggons on here.
Ive seen the vids he produces from his bike cam and they are better than anything I have done.

[yorkie_chris]

I got a dogcam 520 line cam and a digital recorder for £130 IIRC, that was used in perfect nick. I'm considering selling it ;-)

[the_lone_wolf]

Provida, they even give you a printout of your calibrated top speed...

Not cheap though;)

[Seggons]

Here is a PM I sent to someone that asked a similar question.

"My setup is this chasecam recorder (http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/chasecam.htm) with this bullet camera (http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/sony-hq1-550-helmet-camera.htm) mounted onto the side of my radiator.

There is many many different options you could go for. For example if you wanted something cheap then you could use the ATC-3000 (http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/atc3000.htm). The pros of this camera is it's all built in to the camera and it's cheap. The cons are that the quality isn't up to much (search youtube for vids) and the mic is built in which gives crummy sound at anything quicker then walking pace.

The next step up is this little package (http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/single-bike-camera-kit.htm). I have owned this one in the past and it's not a bad package overall. It works and gives a gives a good image but it can get a bit temperamental if used allot which is what made me choose the chasecam.

The next step from there is the package that I have. While it is very expensive it does give an amazing picture (DVD quality) and is reliable.

There are many many other options (check out the dogcamsport site to see). If you already have a camcorder that has a AV input then you could just buy a bullet camera and plug it into the camcorder. :)"

[[JP]]

I got a dogcam 520 line cam and a digital recorder for £130 IIRC, that was used in perfect nick. I'm considering selling it ;-)

what digital recorder do you have?
i have the same, a 520 dogcam, but im using a Mustek PVR400 as recording unit and its rubish as it's not solid state, so too many vibrations and the file gets corrupted..

[[JP]]

Seggons.. what kind of problems did you find with the DV500? I was looking at that a couple of weeks ago... but at 235.. ouch!

[Magnum]

Thanks for the replies. Seggons the first set up is wayyyy out of my budget, but the second one seems more like it.

YC - have you got any videos i can see of the camera? I may be interested depending on quality and price.

[Seggons]

;1793583']Seggons.. what kind of problems did you find with the DV500?

I personally found the connections inside the DV500 'wore out' which resulted in a loose connection so I had to send it back to get a new one. The other problem I had was general bad handling of the recording which resulted in the unit freezing at a random point or corrupting the files. :)

[arcdef]

so if i got one of the dog-cam bullet cameras and hooked it up to a dv camcorder what sort of quality should i see?

[Seggons]

so if i got one of the dog-cam bullet cameras and hooked it up to a dv camcorder what sort of quality should i see?

http://www.youtube.com/user/advancedbiker

Watch some of his videos as he uses a camcorder to record.

His setup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01g4Ap1hZbM&feature=channel_page

[FG1]

I have a camera bracket for sale here:

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=125963&highlight=camcorder

Interested ????

[yorkie_chris]

Thanks for the replies. Seggons the first set up is wayyyy out of my budget, but the second one seems more like it.

YC - have you got any videos i can see of the camera? I may be interested depending on quality and price.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSVA1_ICMn0

The mic is capable of way better, but it was in my lid so overloaded like buggery. Have had much better results since. No way I was keeping any video evidence of those rides though...

[SoulKiss]

I did these on my 4Kam and Cowon A3 setup on the way to AR08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BccHs4lAOP8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frkuJjpDChs

Unfortunately YouTube compression messes them up a little but you can get the idea.

[Magnum]

I did these on my 4Kam and Cowon A3 setup on the way to AR08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BccHs4lAOP8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frkuJjpDChs

Unfortunately YouTube compression messes them up a little but you can get the idea.


Where abouts is that camera mounted on the bike?

[SoulKiss]

Thats on a Z750, not an SV

http://78.86.112.120/com/chaoscrypt/pics/sv/z750/pics/CamMount/

[vardypeeps]

I got a dogcam 520 line cam and a digital recorder for £130 IIRC, that was used in perfect nick. I'm considering selling it ;-)

How much :P

[yorkie_chris]

Magnums got first dibs on it, but £120 including the bits to power the cam from the bike and postage.
The gets you
dogcam 520 line camera
battery holder for dogcam (8xAA)
mic with wiring harness.
AV cable
JXD638 + charger
suction cup mounts.

You will also need an SD card (£6 for a sandisk ultra 2 2gb, I know this works well, but gave MYC the card with her new camera for Xmas!)
I have another card somewhere... but can't find it at the moment, if I do then that will go in with the deal.

The recorder is a JXD 638, for some reason you can't record from the dogcam to the recorder. But you can record from the recorders own hardware and view videos fine.

[Magnum]

The recorder is a JXD 638, for some reason you can't record from the dogcam to the recorder. But you can record from the recorders own software and view videos fine.


What exactly do you mean you cant record from the dogcam to the recorder? The cam and recorder aren't compatable?

[yorkie_chris]

The recorders internal memory can't keep up with the rate of data that needs to be stored (the dogcam is better quality than the cam built into the JXD unit), so the video gets chopped up and doesn't work.

So you need to use the JXD with an SD card that can cope with the amount of data. Hence my use of the sandisk ultra 2 card. Works fine with the memory card in the JXD recorder. You can use up to a 2gb SD card in the JXD unit.

[yorkie_chris]

My post earlier of me going through bits of wales was filmed on that exact setup. JXD638 recorder with a sandisk memory card in it.

[mikebrooman]

As mentioned earlier the ac2k is cheap and versatile, however you get what you pay for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVdUg0gkirE
The mic all but blew within the first few outings. However its quality is great for what it is, considering I use it for all sorts, the bike, strapping to the paintball gun when I play, strapping to the mast when I sail, to the push bike, to my shoe when parachuting. Its fully waterproof so I'm going to take it to USA when I'm going scuba diving.

[Bluepete]

I have had good results with a Fuji compact digi-cam, mounted on the bars looking through the screen on a Ram-Mount (Google for them). It's cheap, can be used as a video cam or stills cam and produces good results.

Recent bit from Hardy Bikers;

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/th_KirkstonePass.jpg (http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/?action=view&current=KirkstonePass.flv)

Pete

[arcdef]

Would you be able get a picture of the mount itself so i know what im looking for, Thanks.

[Bluepete]

http://www.ram-mount-uk.com/ram-b-149az.htm

[Magnum]

Pete that quality and sound is brilliant. Looks like a fun ride as well, you were going pretty fast. :D

[Mej]

Pete that quality and sound is brilliant. Looks like a fun ride as well, you were going pretty fast. :D
+1

Thats good for a digital camera, may have to get me one of these mounts

[Dave20046]

http://www.ram-mount-uk.com/ram-b-149az.htm
£25 is a lot of money for a stick and gaffatape replacement.

So is your fuji digital cam just a normal camera then pete? I saw the results at the weekend and it looked wicked. I might experiment with my camera and some tape.

[Mej]

I have had good results with a Fuji compact digi-cam, mounted on the bars looking through the screen on a Ram-Mount (Google for them). It's cheap, can be used as a video cam or stills cam and produces good results.

Recent bit from Hardy Bikers;

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/th_KirkstonePass.jpg (http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/?action=view&current=KirkstonePass.flv)

Pete

Have you got any pics of the camera on the mount, just so i know what to look for.

[Mej]

http://edelweiss.smugmug.com/photos/393426174_VBz3U-L.jpg

How does the camera attache to the actual mount???

Edit: Now i realise they screw in!

[Dave20046]

How does the camera attache to the actual mount????
you have a threaded bit on the bottom of your camera and there is a bolt on the mount. I can't see how the mounts attached to the bike though lol. That clamp doesn't look sturdy enough.

It'd be easy enough to make one though if you've got a bit of rod and a tap and die kit. Altohugh I'm on a naked so might just strap my digi camera to the front of my clocks.

[Mej]

you have a threaded bit on the bottom of your camera and there is a bolt on the mount. I can't see how the mounts attached to the bike though lol. That clamp doesn't look sturdy enough.

It'd be easy enough to make one though if you've got a bit of rod and a tap and die kit. Altohugh I'm on a naked so might just strap my digi camera to the front of my clocks.

yeah, thats what i was wondering now, is that little silver clamp suppose to go round the handlebars?

[Dave20046]

yeah, thats what i was wondering now, is that little silver clamp suppose to go round the handlebars?
I imagine the uclamp (probably worth lining with a bit of rubber) will clamp on the handlebars. Didn't look stable though did it.

[Mej]

I imagine the uclamp (probably worth lining with a bit of rubber) will clamp on the handlebars. Didn't look stable though did it.

yeah exactly, must be a way round it.

[gazman]

I saw this recommended on another forum link (http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/ATC3K_Action_Camera_By_Oregon_Scientific.html) (review (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VQFzgrFBro&feature=related)) if you're like me & enjoy buying gadgets but only using them couple of times it may be a good little starter.

[Bluepete]

The Ram-Mount system is as solid as a rock. The U clamp simply CANNOT move, the balls at each end of the clamp have a rubber coating that prevents slippage (now behave, I know what you're thinking!) The camera has never moved in use, despite inept prodding in winter gloves by me. The beauty of the system is, once you have a mount and arm, you can get other plates etc for other items. I have one bolted onto the back of the bike for rear-facing video, another for the Tom-Tom. Mates have radio's fitted on Ram-Mounts. Thay are the Dogs. No rust after two years permanently fitted to the bike, and I ride in all weathers, all year.

[Mej]

The Ram-Mount system is as solid as a rock. The U clamp simply CANNOT move, the balls at each end of the clamp have a rubber coating that prevents slippage (now behave, I know what you're thinking!) The camera has never moved in use, despite inept prodding in winter gloves by me. The beauty of the system is, once you have a mount and arm, you can get other plates etc for other items. I have one bolted onto the back of the bike for rear-facing video, another for the Tom-Tom. Mates have radio's fitted on Ram-Mounts. Thay are the Dogs. No rust after two years permanently fitted to the bike, and I ride in all weathers, all year.

Good stuff, i am genuinely interested in this, as i was looking at the Dog Cams before but they are a bit pricey.

So if i buy this mount on the linke you posted i will be able to fit my digital cam to the bike, or do i need anything else??

Really want to know what i need so i can order it and get it sorted.

Cheers

http://www.ram-mount-uk.com/ram-b-149az.htm

[Bluepete]

I would get the medium arm, or even the long one. Bigger is better after all!

That's all you need. Ram-Mount, camera, and a healthy disregard for your personal well being. My camera is a Fuji F31fd. It's now long outdated, maybe available cheap on ebay?

[sinbad]

I saw this recommended on another forum link (http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/ATC3K_Action_Camera_By_Oregon_Scientific.html) (review (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VQFzgrFBro&feature=related)) if you're like me & enjoy buying gadgets but only using them couple of times it may be a good little starter.

That seems half-decent. I like the idea of something that I can mount easily and wirelessly on my helmet, because I find helmet cam videos are much more representative of the action. I'd prefer something with a wider angle lens though.

[Mej]

I would get the medium arm, or even the long one. Bigger is better after all!

That's all you need. Ram-Mount, camera, and a healthy disregard for your personal well being. My camera is a Fuji F31fd. It's now long outdated, maybe available cheap on ebay?

Cheers mate, got my fair share of cameras i can nick and a very healthy disregard for my personal well being (all in the name of video making). :D

[Mej]

Does that come with the camera mount,

if not i have seen this one?

http://www.gpsw.co.uk/details/prod1999.html

[Bluepete]

That's exacly what I have.

[Mej]

just to be clear mate, what this one?

https://www.gpsw.co.uk/ProdImg/prod1999c.jpg

[Bluepete]

just to be clear mate, what this one?

https://www.gpsw.co.uk/ProdImg/prod1999c.jpg


http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Poster_19184.jpg

Yeah.

[Mej]

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/Poster_19184.jpg

Yeah.

:D Nice one, time to order

[Brettus]

Has anyone tried one of these?
http://i15.ebayimg.com/02/i/08/29/8c/07_1.JPG

I've just got a cheapy camcorder off ebay so hoping to make use of it with something like this, might be a little too much inertia for a ram mount and a bit chunky but tank mount might be best.

Anyone?

[Mej]

just to be clear mate, what this one?

https://www.gpsw.co.uk/ProdImg/prod1999c.jpg

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp169/J2UK/CopyofDSCF2173.jpg


I dont know if it will be able to fit anywhere on the bars, any ideas????

[yorkie_chris]

Around the clipon

[Mej]

Around the clipon

Bought it now so i just hope i can get it on!!!

[FG1]

Brettus, I had one of those Evotech camera mounts and it was great....on my 'S'....
When I put it on the naked it was too low and the clocks took up too much of the view.

If you want something which will fasten to your rear left peg for forward or reverse filming angles I have one of these for sale.

http://sportbikecam.com/images/misc/rearmount2.jpg

http://sportbikecam.com/home.php

[sinbad]

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp169/J2UK/CopyofDSCF2173.jpg


I dont know if it will be able to fit anywhere on the bars, any ideas????

Hah did you lose the screw that keeps the front brake fluid cap securing thing on too? :)

I lost mine on Tuesday, tiny bloody thing, I was worried it had fallen into the bike, but no amount of shaking and rocking would cause it to drop out of the bottom.

[arcdef]

Hah did you lose the screw that keeps the front brake fluid cap securing thing on too? :)

I lost mine on Tuesday, tiny bloody thing, I was worried it had fallen into the bike, but no amount of shaking and rocking would cause it to drop out of the bottom.

I have also lost it :( along with many other screws that just seem to vanish :(!

[Dave20046]

Brettus, I had one of those Evotech camera mounts and it was great....on my 'S'....
When I put it on the naked it was too low and the clocks took up too much of the view.

If you want something which will fasten to your rear left peg for forward or reverse filming angles I have one of these for sale.

http://sportbikecam.com/images/misc/rearmount2.jpg

http://sportbikecam.com/home.php

are the peg ones easy to remove / fasten (I wouldn't want the bulky thing stuck to the peg all the time when not in use.)
Also does anyone know if camcorders which write to tapes are suitable or do they distort?

[FG1]

How long does it take you to unscrew two bolts ?????

If you leave the bracket on and just take the camera off then there's just one to undo.

[Dave20046]

How long does it take you to unscrew two bolts ?????

If you leave the bracket on and just take the camera off then there's just one to undo.
I didn't know how the pillion peg mounts fitted, if it's two bolts sweet - I may be interested.

[arcdef]

Well my gf just surprised me by buying one of those oregon atc2k cameras so i will be playing around with that on the bike today and post up my results.

[Mej]

Well my gf just surprised me by buying one of those oregon atc2k cameras so i will be playing around with that on the bike today and post up my results.

Nice, look forward to it

[Mej]

Hah did you lose the screw that keeps the front brake fluid cap securing thing on too? :)

I lost mine on Tuesday, tiny bloody thing, I was worried it had fallen into the bike, but no amount of shaking and rocking would cause it to drop out of the bottom.

Must have, didnt even realise, where is it supposedd to be?

[Mej]

Got my Ram Mount today, this is pretty much the only place i could get it to fit at the moment.
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp169/J2UK/DSCF2187.jpg
http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Hakuchou

[Mej]

Made some vids today, quality was pretty good, i will post them up soon

[markryker]

Made some vids today, quality was pretty good, i will post them up soon

How did you find the mount on the clip on? Been toying with this idea for ages, does it get in the way at all?

[Mej]

How did you find the mount on the clip on? Been toying with this idea for ages, does it get in the way at all?

It was fine, didnt vibrate too badly, only gets in the way of the speedo :rolleyes:, but its easy enuf to lean to have a look at it. Overall i think its impressive considering you would have to spend a mint on a camera designed for bike use. £35 for the mount and £100 on a camera is alot cheaper than £800-£1000 for a DogCam.

[Mej]

Video link, still getting used to the editor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2DkgN2Gigohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2DkgN2Gigo

[markryker]

Just viewed the one vid, your right cant moan at the quality at those prices :D, have you got a link to where you bought the mount? did you need any other fittings, cheers.

[Mej]

Just viewed the one vid, your right cant moan at the quality at those prices :D, have you got a link to where you bought the mount? did you need any other fittings, cheers.

Thats what i mean, i'll post a few more up later today or 2morrow :)

[Mej]

This is the one i bought, if you look back in this thread a page or so there is a pic of before i mounted it and after

http://www.gpsw.co.uk/details/prod1999.html

[Dave20046]

Video link, still getting used to the editor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2DkgN2Gigohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2DkgN2Gigohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2DkgN2Gigo
Cool, If I was you (if it has rechargeable batteries and a good sized memory) I'd keep it on as much as possible wenever I ride, would be useful in the case of a crash and great for those 'wish I'd got that on camera' moments. Just don't take any shots of ya numberplate :razz:

[Mej]

Cool, If I was you (if it has rechargeable batteries and a good sized memory) I'd keep it on as much as possible wenever I ride, would be useful in the case of a crash and great for those 'wish I'd got that on camera' moments. Just don't take any shots of ya numberplate :razz:


I would but like you say i need some recharagables or to get one with rechargables, today was a test run, they will get better.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4Ura1BzmmQ&feature=channel_page)

[Mej]

I have got some pics of the qulaity of the vid that i took with a Panosonice Lumix that records in HD.

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp169/J2UK/VidPic.jpg

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp169/J2UK/vidpic1.jpg

[Mej]

Vid link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NYn0Sbet-o&feature=email

[the_lone_wolf]

Vid link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NYn0Sbet-o&feature=email

dude!! your bike has parkinsons:smt103

[Mej]

dude!! your bike has parkinsons:smt103

lol, its annoying because this cam records better quality and has rechargeable batteries yet it vibrates loads, the other cam is bigger and doesnt vibrate as you can see in the other vid.