Choosing the perfect bike camera...

kitchenman

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 9, 2010
1,309
7
Aberaeron, West Wales
Thank you for that advice Allan.
I will have alook for the CARDVR, but I can't see me getting through UK customs with a suitcase full:eek:
I'm liking the sound of the ATC3K if I can find it at the right price?
I seem to recall Aldi selling them at one time?
Even if you could get a ATC3K for a better price.. Say £40.00... I would still think I'd prefer 2 or 3 CARDVRs for the same price. Its tried and tested. On the other hand it would be good to extend our range of devices (can't remember when I last updated my members_cams spreadsheet) and nobody has a ATC3K yet ;)
 

karl101

Pedelecer
Aug 2, 2011
87
7
I use a Contour GPS. Contour | Products | Contour GPS The camera is small and discrete, and the video is of excellent quality. But the handlebar mount for the bike is a bit poor, the designer assumed that handlebars are tubes that don't vary in diameter, and many bikes have handlebars with box sections and tapering.

Karl.
 

eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
6
I have had a try with cheap mini videos and because ny eye sight poor I find the controls difficult. have nearly been knocked of twice this week so want camera for security/evidence and for touring on holiday...

I have seen helmet mounted ones that look like a bit like front light? can anyone point me in the direction of these types please?

EDIT: had a google and quite a few out there...what do yo think of this? many are waterproof as well .....

http://sport-cam.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=minihd2wide

or cheaper ones on ebay?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120-ACT20-Waterproof-Helmet-Camera-Motorcycle-Bike-Cam-/220911900785?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_Video_Camcorders&hash=item336f601871
 
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kitchenman

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 9, 2010
1,309
7
Aberaeron, West Wales
I use a Contour GPS. Contour | Products | Contour GPS The camera is small and discrete, and the video is of excellent quality. But the handlebar mount for the bike is a bit poor, the designer assumed that handlebars are tubes that don't vary in diameter, and many bikes have handlebars with box sections and tapering.

Karl.
That is a quality cam Karl. I see it has an internal battery. How long does a charge last? Are you using a 2gb SD card?
 

kitchenman

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 9, 2010
1,309
7
Aberaeron, West Wales
I have had a try with cheap mini videos and because ny eye sight poor I find the controls difficult. have nearly been knocked of twice this week so want camera for security/evidence and for touring on holiday...
Hi eddieo, £47 is a good price (no SD card included) ... if 2 to 3 hours battery life is enough for you then this looks like it could be a good performer. But it would be nice to here from someone who has one ... again .. even though this one looks like it will perform in the wet better than the CARDVR I personally would rather get 2 or 3 CARDVRs for the same price.
 

eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
6
I got the Contour Roam, and its a very neat and easy bit of kit to use, even with winter gloves on....

Haven't got the hang of software yet as its not very intuitive ..well thats my excuse for being thick. The picture quality is very good. But If I use the headband mount without helmet, because lens wide angle it captures my glasses and bushy eyebrows so will have to experiment a bit with it, I have the handlebar mount as well.

will stick some video on when I get the nack...Can anyone recommend a software editing package that is easy to use please?
 

smudger1956

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2012
519
3
West London
Are you running a Windows PC & Win7 ? Windows Live Movie maker is good for a freebie, loads of tips and tuition on YT for WLMM users.

Brought s-ware, Corel Video Studio is popular.

(GoPro user...;))
 

karl101

Pedelecer
Aug 2, 2011
87
7
That is a quality cam Karl. I see it has an internal battery. How long does a charge last? Are you using a 2gb SD card?
I missed this post. The cameras battery varies depending on the video quality. I use 1080p in medium quality with the GPS off, this gives about four hours. The battery needs to be recharged a few times before you get the maximum performance. I have a 32Gb microSD card, a 10 minute recording makes a 630MB file.

Karl.
 
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eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
6

karl101

Pedelecer
Aug 2, 2011
87
7
Out with the Contour GPS, cycling up round the back of Rivlen Dam near Sheffield a couple of days ago. Listen to the groan of the motor as I pedal uphill :)

The camera is mounted under the handlebars. This is not the most spectacular ride, but does show what its like when recording while cycling on a knobbly bridleway and how the camera copes with going from brightness into shade. If you have a fast internet connection change the video quality up to 1080p for the best video.

Rivelin Dam - Wyming Brook Rd - Redmires Rd - YouTube

Karl.
 

chain

Pedelecer
Jul 14, 2011
56
4
I use an older Kodak ZX1. After trying several bicycle mounts from Ebay that didn't do anything to combat shake, and some of which broke from the bumps, and some desperate schemes to tie the camera on with rubber straps on a rubber bed...

---one day on impulse at Lidl I bought a GorillaPod. This is tripod with flexible legs and rubber balls along each of the legs. You're supposed to wrap the legs around whatever is handy, on a bike the tubes or the rack or whatever. (I use it on the rack, because it's purpose is to look backward and record drivers harassing me in the narrow lanes, in support of a self-defence plea when their SUVs suffer expensive accidents with my Abus Grnit 54X U-lock, which makes a good alternative 3-pound hammer.) The GorillaPod works for cutting out the shake. But it is neither small, nor tidy, though it is pretty light (by my standards anyway). In fact, it is a great big ugly thing. But it works by stabilising the picture so that number plates are readable and that is all that matters.

Andre Jute