View Full Version : Bike camera buying advice?
Some advice please...
It's my brothers 40th in a couple of months and I want to get him a video cam for his bike/helmet. He spends most of his biking time on a motocross doing endurance events and I know he would like to film some of the fun he has.
The question is... Can anyone recommend a good video cam for a bike that can take some knocks, mud and general all weather conditions?
Thanks
KobayashiMaru
15-04-13, 08:14 PM
Standard answer is probably a GoPro. I have the Hero2 and the GoPro 3 came out a few months ago. If aanyone is selling Hero2's I'm guessing they'll be reduced. Trying to work out where to mount mine on the bike. Use it on my road bike and in the car for track days with no problems. Even taken it up Snowdon
Rogue_Shadow
15-04-13, 09:42 PM
Alternative to the GoPro range is a Drift 720/HD/Ghost
http://driftinnovation.com/
Fallout
16-04-13, 10:04 AM
Drift lens break quite easily. Just to bear in mind. It won't take a stone hit and survive, so the go pro with a shock proof case may be better, or some sort of bullet cam.
Go pro here too, ive owned several cameras, and have taken part in enduros, etc.++
Hero 2 is what I have picture quality is exeptional. Worth buying him a spare battery (the ebay non oem are fine)
MJC-DEV
16-04-13, 12:00 PM
Latest Drift cameras have replaceable lenses are are easier to mount on a helmet than a GoPro. They're also cheaper than a GoPro so you pays your money etc. depending on what you want.
metalmonkey
16-04-13, 12:01 PM
GOPRO Here are the best cameras.
The next question is how much do you want to spend?
If you have about £400 then I'd buy the GOPRO Hero 3 Black, its best the GOPRO camera out right now, don't buy any of the other GOPRO 3 cameras, they are simply the GORPO 2 repackage.
In your situation, I would suggest buying a second hand GOPRO2, with case, mounts, spare battery, several class 10 HD SD cards, it must be class 10 nothing else will cut it. The chest mount is a good extra to have.
I wouldn't bother buying the Black unless you are going exceed the need and techinal ability of the GOPRO2.
I've been considering a camera for a bit. I'm happy to start another thread but this seems to have some good advice already. My requirements, however, are rather different:
I want a camera to capture, with the minimum of fuss the forward view from the motorbike in case I get knocked off the bike. I ride in London, there are a LOT of side turnings for people to pull out of on my commute. I've had to argue a couple of 50/50's in the past and I hate paperwork.
1. It must be waterproof.
2. It must be very easy to start recording and wipe a card (If I get to the destination, the recording's probably useless to me)
3. It should be easy to mount discretely so if I get pulled over it's unlikely to be used against me.
4. HD not of any major importance.
I've seen good write ups of the Polaroid XS 100 (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?p=2850466)
Go Pro Hero's seem a bit chunky to go un-noticed...
I've seen various other brands such as Chilli (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chilli-Technology-Action-720P-Head/dp/B005PK5J74/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1366116308&sr=8-15&keywords=bike+video+camera) but have no concept of how good they are.
Any experience that would help guide me?
Jambo
I've been considering a camera for a bit. I'm happy to start another thread but this seems to have some good advice already. My requirements, however, are rather different:
I want a camera to capture, with the minimum of fuss the forward view from the motorbike in case I get knocked off the bike. I ride in London, there are a LOT of side turnings for people to pull out of on my commute. I've had to argue a couple of 50/50's in the past and I hate paperwork.
1. It must be waterproof.
2. It must be very easy to start recording and wipe a card (If I get to the destination, the recording's probably useless to me)
3. It should be easy to mount discretely so if I get pulled over it's unlikely to be used against me.
4. HD not of any major importance.
I've seen good write ups of the Polaroid XS 100 (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?p=2850466)
Go Pro Hero's seem a bit chunky to go un-noticed...
I've seen various other brands such as Chilli (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chilli-Technology-Action-720P-Head/dp/B005PK5J74/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1366116308&sr=8-15&keywords=bike+video+camera) but have no concept of how good they are.
Any experience that would help guide me?
Jambo
(This thread will decend into a "my camera is best" match) Jambo, to answer your question, the new Drift HD does all that.
It has a much smaller profile than the GoPro (i.e. in most mounting positions its less obvious to tell its there).
It is water proof out of the box and the lens is replaceable. I've dropped mine a couple of times and its has a sort of rubber plastic skin so it doesn't get scratched easily - its not bullet proof though, it requires a reasonable amount of care.
Now to your specifics. This camera has a screen so you can line up shots on the go or more importantly, review footage then and there. It won't be cinema screen clear because its only small but it shows the footage you have caputured.
Also, you can delete that footage on the spot to free up space. Its a one botton click from viewing the video playback.
Mounting positions are only limited by your creativity. If you were so inclined you could make a hole in the fairing, as some have done (not me though) but my bike is black and I forgot to take it off once and no one even noticed it (the unit is matte black).
Hope this helps.
Polaroid and Chilli look good. Smaller than the DHD but not so much. Polaroid would be my choice for the money.
Thank you, I shall go and have a read up of them. I hadn't really thought I'd have one with a screen, but now you mention it it's not all that mad provided the size isn't a big deal.
Anyone else with tales of wonder or horror, feel free to jump in :)
Jambo
Thanks to all for your advice! I now know roughly what I'm looking for so it'll just come down to what I can find at the right price.
I have the drift ghost hd and try and have it on as much as possible just Incase. It's very easy to use and the controller is mounted on my handlebars so I can tell if it is recording or not. Mounted on my helmet ATM, but am fabricating a bracket to sit above my clocks on my street.
mcdonaa
18-04-13, 01:20 PM
I've been considering a camera for a bit. I'm happy to start another thread but this seems to have some good advice already. My requirements, however, are rather different:
I want a camera to capture, with the minimum of fuss the forward view from the motorbike in case I get knocked off the bike. I ride in London, there are a LOT of side turnings for people to pull out of on my commute. I've had to argue a couple of 50/50's in the past and I hate paperwork.
1. It must be waterproof.
2. It must be very easy to start recording and wipe a card (If I get to the destination, the recording's probably useless to me)
3. It should be easy to mount discretely so if I get pulled over it's unlikely to be used against me.
4. HD not of any major importance.
I've seen good write ups of the Polaroid XS 100 (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?p=2850466)
Go Pro Hero's seem a bit chunky to go un-noticed...
I've seen various other brands such as Chilli (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chilli-Technology-Action-720P-Head/dp/B005PK5J74/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1366116308&sr=8-15&keywords=bike+video+camera) but have no concept of how good they are.
Any experience that would help guide me?
Jambo
Hi Jambo,
I have a GoPro for this...but there is a much better solution.
The Roadhawk camera (about £150) is an 'install and forget' jobbie. It does 720p, and quality isn't as good as the GoPro, but its still good. The selling point though is that the camera can be wired into the bikes ignition circuit - i.e. start recording when you start the bike, and stop when the engine is cut. The other great feature though is that the film will 'loop/roll'. E.g, the camera records in 5 minute chunks, and when the memory card is full, the oldest recording will be deleted. Basically then, you can leave the install (maybe under the front cowl) and forget until you need it (e.g. accident, retrieving a ride on great piece of road etc).
Hope this helps.
Thank you all,
I've just ordered a Drift 170 Stealth, which is a now discontinued model so they're clearing old stock and selling them for about £70.
Seems to be good enough for my needs and the remote control is a useful feature. The Roadhawk is a perfect fit for my requirements, but would have been about twice the money. I'll almost certainly regret being a cheapskate in a couple of month's time, but that's future Jambo's problem.
In the mean time, looking forward to having a play. I may end up helmet mounting it after all as it looks like the clocks wouldn't be terribly visible from the footage I've seen, but the remote gives options for mounting it other places too.
Jambo
dirtyred619
10-05-13, 07:07 PM
Thank you all,
I've just ordered a Drift 170 Stealth, which is a now discontinued model so they're clearing old stock and selling them for about £70.
Seems to be good enough for my needs and the remote control is a useful feature. The Roadhawk is a perfect fit for my requirements, but would have been about twice the money. I'll almost certainly regret being a cheapskate in a couple of month's time, but that's future Jambo's problem.
In the mean time, looking forward to having a play. I may end up helmet mounting it after all as it looks like the clocks wouldn't be terribly visible from the footage I've seen, but the remote gives options for mounting it other places too.
Jambo
How are you finding this camera? I can't decide which one to go for. At the moment it's between the Polaroid XS100, Drift 720 or Drift 1080.
Quality on the Polaroid looks good but not sure if I'd like a screen and not sure on battery not being able to be swapped. Also no external mic to reduce wind noise. Nice price though.
Drift 720 again looks good quality, it has a screen and batteries can be changed and I like that its got a remote. Again price is good but no socket for external mic (without tampering with it) is the one downside I can see.
Drift 1080 has al the benefits of the 720 but can attach an external mic. Downside is its about £70 dearer plus price of an external mic.
Was looking at the Polaroid as its in the right price range but could stretch to the £190ish for the 1080 at a push. Are the any other cameras in this price range I've not considered though?
dirtyred619
13-05-13, 03:42 PM
Well I've just gone and ordered the Drift HD170, it seems a decent compromise from all the cameras I was looking at. As Jambo really it should be good enough for my needs at least for the time being.
Apologies, I didn't see your query.
Good news, I like it! Battery life seems to be the limiting factor, but it takes the same battery as a number of compact cameras, so no-brand additional batteries are cheap. SD cards are cheap enough even from decent companies at useful capacities. At 720p, you get the full 170 degree field of view, even mounting it to the left side of my lid everything including the view to the right, and bike are in view. Kind of trippy but useful. At 1080p the feels of view is smaller, but still sensible and useful :-)
I'm a fan of it :-)
Jambo
Sent from my thingie
nice info in this thread, i am interested in getting a cam for my commutes and also so i can remember some of the good roads i come across. Liking the roadhawk ride cam as a fit and forget option! hopefully i can convince my family to invest for me hehe
also, for all of you that have cams already, a good site for memory is memorybits.co.uk they are pretty good prices anyway but every so often that have STUPID sales! i picked up a 32gb usb stick for £6 once!
ukgooner
13-05-13, 05:05 PM
Thank you all,
I've just ordered a Drift 170 Stealth, which is a now discontinued model so they're clearing old stock and selling them for about £70.
Seems to be good enough for my needs and the remote control is a useful feature. The Roadhawk is a perfect fit for my requirements, but would have been about twice the money. I'll almost certainly regret being a cheapskate in a couple of month's time, but that's future Jambo's problem.
In the mean time, looking forward to having a play. I may end up helmet mounting it after all as it looks like the clocks wouldn't be terribly visible from the footage I've seen, but the remote gives options for mounting it other places too.
Jambo
I am thinking of getting a camera for my commute and also to use when I go to Germany for the GP, any chance you can point me in the direction of where you ordered yours?
Cheers
dirtyred619
13-05-13, 05:18 PM
Apologies, I didn't see your query.
Good news, I like it! Battery life seems to be the limiting factor, but it takes the same battery as a number of compact cameras, so no-brand additional batteries are cheap. SD cards are cheap enough even from decent companies at useful capacities. At 720p, you get the full 170 degree field of view, even mounting it to the left side of my lid everything including the view to the right, and bike are in view. Kind of trippy but useful. At 1080p the feels of view is smaller, but still sensible and useful :-)
I'm a fan of it :-)
Jambo
Sent from my thingie
No probs mate but good to know its decent enough. I think the thing that swung it from the XS100 was the remote and that the batteries can be swapped, as most of the cameras battery life's seemed to be similar but on the XS100 you can't do that having to find a way to charge it.
I am thinking of getting a camera for my commute and also to use when I go to Germany for the GP, any chance you can point me in the direction of where you ordered yours?
Cheers
Look on Amazon for "drift 170" or "drift stealth" same on eBay. I found a company called Extreme Cameras or similar selling refurbished units cheaply. There was no box, it all arrived in a jiffy bag, but it worked perfectly.
Jambo
Sent from my thingie
dirtyred619
13-05-13, 05:19 PM
I am thinking of getting a camera for my commute and also to use when I go to Germany for the GP, any chance you can point me in the direction of where you ordered yours?
Cheers
I got mine from Amazon but its gone up in price looking at the reviews from £70 odd to £99 but still a good price.
ukgooner
13-05-13, 05:22 PM
excellent, thanks guys will take a look, did they come with any fitting kits as standard?
dirtyred619
13-05-13, 05:23 PM
I'm hoping so! Yeah it comes with all mounts and remote etc so just need to buy an SD card.
dirtyred619
13-05-13, 05:44 PM
Look on Amazon for "drift 170" or "drift stealth" same on eBay. I found a company called Extreme Cameras or similar selling refurbished units cheaply. There was no box, it all arrived in a jiffy bag, but it worked perfectly.
Jambo
Sent from my thingie
Yep that's who I ordered mine from butas said its back upto £99 now but still a good price. Take it you got instructions though?
I don't remember instructions coming with, but the fitting kit did, and drift's website has the manuals anyway.
The 170 HD and the stealth are the same, order whichever its cheaper unless you have strong feelings about the colour orange. The 170X doesn't do HD.
Jambo
Sent from my thingie
dirtyred619
13-05-13, 05:59 PM
I went for the black one as I wasn't sure it was the same as the orange but I wanted a black camera anyway. And just realised that you can get the external mic for this model if needed which you can't do on the 720.
TheRuffellator
15-05-13, 09:07 PM
Alternative to the GoPro range is a Drift 720/HD/Ghost
http://driftinnovation.com/
+1
dirtyred619
15-05-13, 10:39 PM
I don't remember instructions coming with, but the fitting kit did, and drift's website has the manuals anyway.
The 170 HD and the stealth are the same, order whichever its cheaper unless you have strong feelings about the colour orange. The 170X doesn't do HD.
Jambo
Sent from my thingie
Did you just get helmet mounts with yours? That's fine for me for now but think ill be looking at something to mount to the mirror stems or possibly even the forks if possible.
I was thinking the little holes under the head lights would be a good place to mount a cam. As far as I can tell they don't do anything and seem deep enough to hide a cam so won't matter cutting a bit of the plastic for wiring.
Did you just get helmet mounts with yours? That's fine for me for now but think ill be looking at something to mount to the mirror stems or possibly even the forks if possible.
I got an elastic head band which is not exactly useful for a bike lid, a handlebar mount and some stick on pads tip use with a helmet mounted plate, which gives you options.
Jambo
Sent from my thingie
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.