Helmet cams

[gasman]

My earlier post got me thinking about helmet cams. What do people use/ reccomend ?
Go-pro ? Other cheaper cams ?

[Rob1519]

I use a Contour Roam. One day after the allowable return date, the Roam 2 came out with updated features and a few better features. I was irritated.

Fortunately, someone far more intelligent than me determined how to install the Roam 2 firmware on the original Roam allowing an increased frame rate at 720p.

So, you should still be able to buy a Roam for about $100.00 and within 10 min, essentially make it a $200.00 Roam 2.

[Jaq]

Depends what you want. If you want to get away relatively cheaply, check out Techmoan (http://www.techmoan.com/), where the fellow does reviews of various inexpensive (sometimes as little as 25 bucks or so) cameras that turn out to be fairly capable - given their price.

If you want quality, then you'll have to eye movies taken with each, like the Roam, the Sony AS-15, and the new Go-Pro Black. Personally, I think the AS-15 has the best low-light capability, but its mounting options are limited by its shape, a funky choice by the Sony designers.

What surprises me about the Go-Pro is the number of people who buy them in-store. A local dive shop I know sells 'em like hotcakes, at full retail price. Same with the bike store down the street.

Lastly, nothing in this world looks dorkier than a Go-Pro atop a helmet.

[gasman]

Thanks for the replies and link

[kevinvc]

I have a Contour Roam 2. I'm happy with the camera but really frustrated with the mounting options. I'm currently using their vented helmet strap and it works kind of ok for paved surface riding as long as I re-tighten the straps every few days. However, no matter how much I cinch it down it still jiggles more than I feel it should when riding trails.

[Louis]

What's the purpose of using a helmet-cam for "regular" riding?

[gasman]

What's the purpose of using a helmet-cam for "regular" riding?

Thinking of documenting drivers acting malisciously

[Louis]

Thinking of documenting drivers acting malisciously

Sorry that you ride in an area where that is a significant enough problem that you have to consider doing this.

[gasman]

Actually it's very few drivers and mostly when riding out in the country. But I figure one good documentation with a camera and it would pay for itself.

[Rob1519]

I have a Contour Roam 2. I'm happy with the camera but really frustrated with the mounting options. I'm currently using their vented helmet strap and it works kind of ok for paved surface riding as long as I re-tighten the straps every few days. However, no matter how much I cinch it down it still jiggles more than I feel it should when riding trails.

I agree on the mount options. I have tried the strap mount with ok results. I think the rail tolerances create the lack of image stability.

I am experimenting with a RAM Mount that connects to the camera tri-pod receptacle. This mount has provided the best images so far.

Rob

[carpediemracing]

I use a now-discontinued ContourHD 1080p (that was its name). I review it here:
http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.com/2010/08/review-contourhd-1080-camera.html

For helmet cams I'd recommend one with:
- a removable battery (although I've adapted a few batteries for "non-user-serviceable" things that maybe that's less an issue)
- rotating lens (so you can tilt the camera to mount it)
- 130 degree lens if possible (vs the 170 that seems to be the trend)
- at least 720p resolution.
- water resistant would be good (my ContourHD works in the rain but the lens gets foggy/condensation the next day and then is effectively out of commission).
- durable case (my last fall, in 2010, I had the ContourHD on, and it got pretty scraped up but that particular Contour is still my primary Contour).

Check what the output is for the camera. If it's painless to edit or take stills then you'll be likely to use the camera more.

I use the goggle mount that came with the Contour, with a strap through where the goggle strap is meant to go. I haven't felt the need to change it and I've used it from March 2010 until now.

There are a lot of cameras out there. When I was looking at camcorders last year I saw that even Sony has one (no rotating lens, not sure of the other features).

GPS would be good for forensics, like if you were stopped or going or where or what etc. I don't have GPS on two of my three Contours. I think the Contour+ has it but I don't use it on my helmet, at least not now. I am hoping to make that one my rear cam as it only has a 170 degree lens.

I ride at 720p@60fps or 30fps. 1080p@30fps was too stuttery although it would work in terms of forensic video. My car cameras are at 30 fps, I'm more interested in forensics than smooth video, although I admit I save the interesting drives, like after a huge snow storm or if I take a particular corner well.

Speaking of forensics, below is an example of a shot from the helmet cam, on a ride. The rider, a friend and teammate, ducked his shoulder when he heard the truck so close but we didn't realize how close it was until after we checked the clip. Truck was going about twice as fast as we were, we were going 20 mph.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TbmplkIYLx8/TDuB-GoJ1pI/AAAAAAAAC7U/fIgeoUjCQZk/s800/Cape+Cod+Close+Call.jpg

The license plate was crystal clear in the clip as the truck went past us.

A lower profile camera will work well.

Technically I notice the camera weight on my helmet - it's 200-something grams, half a pound, at the top of the helmet.

hope this helps
cdr

[ColonelJLloyd]

The license plate was crystal clear in the clip as the truck went past us.

What came of this?

[carpediemracing]

What came of this?

Technically the driver broke no laws. The rider in the picture is a lawyer (legislative) so understands the laws etc. We went to the local PD and reported it. The officer that they called out to talk to us wasn't very helpful until I showed them the clip. In real speed it's pretty frightening and in fact the rider's wife couldn't look at it after she saw it once. The officer noted the plate, the description of the truck (you could see the various things in the bed of the truck) and said he'd pay the driver a visit. He also pointed out that there was nothing to charge the driver (no 3 foot law, etc). The driver didn't swerve at us, just never moved over to give us more room. It's really clear there was no oncoming traffic at that time, before, during, or after the buzz, so that wasn't an excuse.

We wanted the plate to be on file, the driver's name, in case something like this happened again.

Locally in CT there was a driver who took pleasure buzzing cyclists (near the Barkhamsted Resevoir - one shop's forums had an ongoing thread about him). The police said over and over again that without pictures or video they couldn't do anything. This was before people really used helmet cams. I don't think the guy ever got charged with anything.

In SoCal (Carlsbad, just north of the power plant on the PCH, very wide bike lane) I had a black Dodge Ram pick up carefully drive by me such that his extended side view mirror went over my head, and yes, I was in the bike lane. I thought it was an accident but he did it to the next rider ahead of me, about 50 meters away from me. I chased him (he was driving slowly) into Oceanside where he had to stop at a very busy intersection. When he saw me coming (I wanted to get a plate, and I already talked to the other guy he buzzed) he went into the left turn lane to get around stopped traffic and went through the red light to get away from me. At that time I didn't have a helmet cam. (Coincidentally, a couple years later a guy in a black Dodge Ram killed a cyclist in Encinitas, just a short ride the other direction on the PCH and part of my regular training route when I'm out there).

I have a few shots of people pulling into intersections directly in front of me. Since I didn't get hit I didn't report them. This is one I posted on FB so it's easy for me to find. I waited for a white truck, another white truck ran the stop, then I went. The Honda waited a bit then accelerated right at me. When I yelled the driver slammed on the brakes. I don't know what the driver was thinking.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307429_10150393407448824_111773467_n.jpg

[carpediemracing]

Remember that a 130 degree lens makes things look further away than they really are. A 170 is worse.

[carpediemracing]

This is a shot from the same intersection, dashcam (DroidX running the free app DailyRoads), so my car, not my bike. Same kind of shot though.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/529415_10151619338733824_1163012678_n.jpg

[kevinvc]

I agree on the mount options. I have tried the strap mount with ok results. I think the rail tolerances create the lack of image stability.

I am experimenting with a RAM Mount that connects to the camera tri-pod receptacle. This mount has provided the best images so far.

Rob

Please let me know how that works out. If you have good results I'll likely pester you for details to try to replicate it.

Unfortunately, the helmet strap works poorly with my Giro helmet, which is the most comfortable one I've found. It works quite a bit better on my friend's Bell helmet because of the shape and spacing of the vents. It would probably be really stable with the "sticky" mount if I had a Nutcase type helmet.

And I agree with the other rider below who mentioned that a half pound of weight on the top of your head is definitely noticeable. At the end of a century ride my neck feels more tired than usual.

Overall, I enjoy it when I'm riding in really scenic areas or doing some particularly exciting riding (crazy trails or fast tight pacelines). I'm thinking of trying it during a cross race this year to see how long it lasts before the lens gets too mud spattered.

I also think it's helpful for my daily commuting. If something happened that required police or insurance company intervention it would be useful to me (or my next of kin). I've also heard stories from other riders where pointing it out to road raging drivers has diffused an escalating situation.

[Rob1519]

Please let me know how that works out. If you have good results I'll likely pester you for details to try to replicate it.

Unfortunately, the helmet strap works poorly with my Giro helmet, which is the most comfortable one I've found. It works quite a bit better on my friend's Bell helmet because of the shape and spacing of the vents. It would probably be really stable with the "sticky" mount if I had a Nutcase type helmet.

And I agree with the other rider below who mentioned that a half pound of weight on the top of your head is definitely noticeable. At the end of a century ride my neck feels more tired than usual.

Overall, I enjoy it when I'm riding in really scenic areas or doing some particularly exciting riding (crazy trails or fast tight pacelines). I'm thinking of trying it during a cross race this year to see how long it lasts before the lens gets too mud spattered.

I also think it's helpful for my daily commuting. If something happened that required police or insurance company intervention it would be useful to me (or my next of kin). I've also heard stories from other riders where pointing it out to road raging drivers has diffused an escalating situation.

Kevinvc,

Here is my rear mount solution and sample video. For front shots I just use the Contour Flex Strap.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/9462192468_fcfeef0965_z.jpg

https://vimeo.com/70699211
https://vimeo.com/70699210
https://vimeo.com/70699209

[kevinvc]

Interesting set-up. I don't plan on getting a rear-mount anytime soon, but that's a neat way to get some cool video.

And here's a story (http://bikeportland.org/2013/08/07/man-assaulted-with-blow-dart-while-cycling-on-sauvie-island-91835) where a helmet cam might have helped identify the person who shot a bicyclist in the back with a blow-dart!

[mvrider]

Oops:
http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/08/07/contour-closes-doors-turns-out-employees/

Maybe a good chance to pick up some cameras on the cheap?

[redir]

I did a cyclocross race with a go-pro on my helmet for a friend of mine who is a reporter and wanted to do a news story. It drove me absolutely crazy. The weight of it kept pushing the helmet over my face and I had it mounted way back for balance too. IDK maybe all the bumps for cross make it a bad idea but I cannot imagine wearing one of those all the time. Especially on a long 100 miler or something I'd imagine after a while the weight would add up and give me a neck ache.

I love the idea of having one though but I think I will wait till some super light cameras are developed.

[William]

Interesting set-up. I don't plan on getting a rear-mount anytime soon, but that's a neat way to get some cool video.

And here's a story (http://bikeportland.org/2013/08/07/man-assaulted-with-blow-dart-while-cycling-on-sauvie-island-91835) where a helmet cam might have helped identify the person who shot a bicyclist in the back with a blow-dart!

Wow, I've ridden the Sauvie Island loop many times and never had any issues. That's just insane!





William

[fiamme red]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57604383-1/do-you-need-a-black-box-camera-for-your-bike/

http://rideye.com/

[ptourkin]

Thinking of documenting drivers acting malisciously

The new Garmin Virb cam will be controllable from the Edge -- you can trigger it from an onscreen button. This might be handy for documenting incidents.

http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/09/24/ib13-garmin-edge-updates-to-remote-control-virb-camera-hands-on-vector-power-pedals/

[champ]

How is the driver in the grey pickup NOT guilty of violating the 3ft passing law in CT? He is clearly within 3 ft of the rider.

[alessandro]

Well, you can always go with the handlebar mount. For example, there's Horsegate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5fv91yB4Gw

Then there's just pulling out your phone and recording video. You must have heard of this incident in Colorado a year ago: Joe Friel's son Dirk harassed by a honking driver. The video got *a lot* of play in media:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFM5QiAd3QA

[carpediemracing]

How is the driver in the grey pickup NOT guilty of violating the 3ft passing law in CT? He is clearly within 3 ft of the rider.

I'm pretty sure the 3 foot law was passed after that ride. Ride was 2010 I think.

Also, more significantly, the ride was in Massachusetts which did (does?) not have a 3 foot law.

[champ]

Ah, ok you guys were in Mass.. hopefully they will pass 3ft legislation there as well.

I cant vouch for the accuracy of the information on this site but here is a list of states and cities that currently have (and others that are considering) safe passing laws

http://www.3footrule.com/category_s/84.htm

[carpediemracing]

Ah, ok you guys were in Mass.. hopefully they will pass 3ft legislation there as well.

I cant vouch for the accuracy of the information on this site but here is a list of states and cities that currently have (and others that are considering) safe passing laws

http://www.3footrule.com/category_s/84.htm

That's a handy site for reference. 2008 for CT, so it was in effect at the time. We were just in the wrong state.

[enr1co]

The new Garmin Virb cam will be controllable from the Edge -- you can trigger it from an onscreen button. This might be handy for documenting incidents.

http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/09/24/ib13-garmin-edge-updates-to-remote-control-virb-camera-hands-on-vector-power-pedals/

Just received email promo from Competitive Cyclist of the VIRB unit. Never liked the square-ish point-and-shoot-camera- in-a-plastic-case appearance of the Go Pro but this Garmin VIRB package design and interface with my existing Edge 500 is tempting. Overall looks more rugged and its lower profile will look better mounted on handle bars or helmet. Also, like the big button/control features. http://www.competitivecyclist.com/garmin-virb?cmp_id=EM_CC_1031357_M1&mv_pc=r105

[tiretrax]

I'm thinking of getting two cameras - one on the seatpost facing backwards, and one for the bars. Yesterday, I was riding at 20 mph on a small street that has a parallel path. I chose the street because 1. it's shaded, 2. there was no traffic on it, 3. there were kids playing on the path, and 4. it's easier to cross the intersecting streets from the street I was on than the path. The area is a very low income neighborhood. A car full of dudes zoomed around me, pulled into my path and came to a screaching halt. The passenger opened his door, jumped out at me and started screaming and cursing at me to get out of the street and on the path.

[Tony]

I really like the Oregon scientific ATC9K. It is very light, compact and cheap. It is completely water proof. I made a mounting system that brought the camera closer to my helmet.

All these video were shot with the ATC9K
http://www.youtube.com/user/NeptunesRangers/videos

Tony

[konstua]

I don't care about chip-sets. If it does what I want it for, at a reasonable price, and I'm happy how it looks, that's what I want. Good pictures. Good construction. Easy to program. Good features. What else is there? www.szswill.com (http://www.szswill.com) - worth a try?