Helmet camera advice for Mountain bike or road cycling?

[velohound]

Well, here are my conclusions on the helmet camera and bicycle based camera:
the Adrenaline Systems Bike Cam and the Oregon Scientific sd Camera.

(Check out my original post towards the bottom)

1. The adrenaline systems bike head kit comes with a 580 tvl Sony HAD ccd exview camera; it contains an image stabilization chip which moderates some of the jolts you will experience during riding. Also included is their extreme sound stereo microphone. All the mounts you will need are included: There is a helmet mount which can be mounted on a vented helmet.It also comes with a neat handlebar mounts which allows for mounting on my handlebar as well as my seat tube.
Connections are simple and easy. I was able to connect to my camcorder in no time. I first mounted the camera on my helmet with the microphone next to my backpack.
The next mounting places where my handlebar and downtube. With the resulting footage I was able to compose a very cool video which got plenty of kudos.
The image quality is great with stereo sound which few of the other sellers actually offer. Image stabilization was noticeable. This is a big plus!

Overall this helmet camera kit is a definite keeper. I have used it on my downhill rig as well as plain mountain biking. It works great and can take the hits and jolts very well.

The model I purchased you can find at:


http://adrenalinecamera.com/product_...roducts_id=239

They also have another model which I think would be great for competition such as downhill racing:


http://adrenalinecamera.com/product_...roducts_id=235


2. The Oregon Scientific atc2k camera comes with mounts ans is pretty self contained. It is easy to handle but a bit on the bulky side. I mounted it first on my helmet.
I felt a bit on the heavy side. Next I mounted it on my handlebar. The mounts are on the clunky side but passable. The unit has a self contained recorder. It dumps footage to an SD card.
After a few test runs, I reviewed the footage. I must say it is a far cry from the adrenaline systems set up. The quality is more suited for YouTube but nothing to use if you want to caputure good quality imagery. Also, the images where a bit jittery and unstable at times.

I did like that you did not have to hook it up to a recording device.

This unit you can check out at:

http://www2.oregonscientific.com/sho...cid=77&pid=709

All in all, if you want a solid, decent bike / helmet camera go with the adrenaline systems Bike Head or even graduate to their Dirt Bike sport cam.

The oregon scientific is at best a YouTube took and at worst a toy.

Hope this helps you all in making better bike video!


Drop me a note if you need any further help...

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I am currently testing a couple of helmet cameras (action camera) for picking up footage on my rides. One of them is an Adrenaline Systems which I have
heard plenty of positive stuff on. Any advice i should follow to make sure the specs are good and it is worth keeping?

One of the cams has is CCD and the other a SD card unit. Any suggestions?

I will post what I find out after this week when I have had a chance to test them out. Any feedback will be appreciated.

[Solo]

MTB Bill has a really good page on this stuff - how tos, set up, etc.. not to mention some really sweet videos. Check it out...

http://www.mountainbikebill.com/VideoHowToGuide.htm#Top

[Red Hot Sloth]

Ths last one is my favorite

[lardbutt]

+1 what Solo said...

[Red Hot Sloth]

Originally Posted by Red Hot Sloth

Ths last one is my favorite

In fact...this second one looks like like Ratchet, from Ratchet and Clank...hmmm

[Seat Sniffer]

I like this one better than that gopro square thing. We'd mount these on our gas tanks for track days.


http://www2.oregonscientific.com/sho...cid=14&pid=709

http://www.atc2k.com/

[stinkyrider]

I'm using the Archos AV 500.
It's not the highest of quality but it still records in 640x480 Avi format and it's light and easy to use.

Weighs slightly less than a pound for the complete unit. The recorder unit is 3"x5"x.5" and fits easily in your pocket or Camelbak. 30 GB Hard disk capacity and battery life of about 4 hours of recording on a single charge.

[Shu]

Originally Posted by Seat Sniffer

I like this one better than that gopro square thing. We'd mount these on our gas tanks for track days.
http://www2.oregonscientific.com/sho...cid=14&pid=709

http://www.atc2k.com/

I use this on and for the price($99) I like it...I don't use the supplied mounts though...

[PassatBoy101]

Originally Posted by Seat Sniffer

I like this one better than that gopro square thing. We'd mount these on our gas tanks for track days.


http://www2.oregonscientific.com/sho...cid=14&pid=709

http://www.atc2k.com/

I got that too, the only problem I found is the volume. It says it has sound and you hear it a little but not clear or worth playing, great for the price.

[protijy]

I just got a Hero



testing today after work

[BFloFoxRider.]

Email the guys that made that riding your bike is faster video and figure out what they used.. it looked ddecent enough

[slapshotz]

Seat, does this one have sound?

Originally Posted by Seat Sniffer

I like this one better than that gopro square thing. We'd mount these on our gas tanks for track days.


http://www2.oregonscientific.com/sho...cid=14&pid=709

http://www.atc2k.com/

[autoduel]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

Email the guys that made that riding your bike is faster video and figure out what they used.. it looked ddecent enough

Yeah, we're trying to contact the guy who filmed the illegal bike ride through the 10 and 405 freeways. Why you askin? You cops? Naw, just wanted to ask him what camera he used to film it.

I'd like to see avi or mpg file examples instead of watered down you-tube quality. I might use my digital camera if I'm only uploading to you-tube. If only it records more than 60 second clips at a time. Now to fabricate a mount for it.

[BFloFoxRider.]

Originally Posted by autoduel

Yeah, we're trying to contact the guy who filmed the illegal bike ride through the 10 and 405 freeways. Why you askin? You cops? Naw, just wanted to ask him what camera he used to film it.

My dad is
actually, i was texting my dad and he's working, and i was asking him all these questions, and he finally called me and yelled at me and said "YES THEY WILL PROBABLY ARREST YOU, AND DONT GET ANY IDEAS, CUZ YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TRY IT BY ANY MEANS, NOW IM AT WORK STOP BUGGING ME I'LL SEE YOU LATER " it was funny

Now, i want to try it.. not like they'd catch me in traffic anyways

[~ Pakiha ~]

I am a gopro advocate. I have 3 they vid quality is great and mounts are cheap or easy to build. If you go Here http://video.jensonusa.com/ it has a few test rides, my commute and the trail close to my house. but even better is this link

http://videos.jensonusa.com/JensonUS...nga_Canyon.wmv

it is a download of the original video before the degradation of youtube.
If you have any questions about the GoPro feel free to ask me, I am the resident expert on setup and usage. All of the video's I have made were edited in Window movie maker. I have only recently gotten a new Video editor and should be done with new videos in a week or so (depending on free time)

[kanga]

I just use my Canon still camera on video mode... check the vids on the Chilao RR or at http://www.viddler.com/kanga/videos/12/

The only problem with that set up is the vulnerability of the camera, and the lack of stabilization, though most bullet type cams and the go pro don't have stabilization either.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by ~ Pakiha ~

I am a gopro advocate. I have 3 they vid quality is great and mounts are cheap or easy to build. If you go Here http://video.jensonusa.com/ it has a few test rides, my commute and the trail close to my house. but even better is this link

http://videos.jensonusa.com/JensonUSA/GoPro_Cucamonga_Canyon.wmv

it is a download of the original video before the degradation of youtube.
If you have any questions about the GoPro feel free to ask me, I am the resident expert on setup and usage. All of the video's I have made were edited in Window movie maker. I have only recently gotten a new Video editor and should be done with new videos in a week or so (depending on free time)

The downhill video (seat tube) looks more stable than the uphill video (helmet). It could be explained by suspension and view relative to the horizon yet I wonder how loose your helmet was.

Did you ever try a bar mount (in both directions)?

[~ Pakiha ~]

Actually yes I have, and video quality is better on the bars. the helmet cam is better if your helmet is secured tighter. Right now I have video I am working with that I actually posted the camera at a 90 degree angle. Instead of wide it is tall, which really helps. if you go to my photos and look at the Marshall canyon folder those pictures were taken with a GoPro angled sideways. the video looks similar. thats the other thing about the GoPro that I like is that I can set it on a mode that takes a picture every 5 seconds.

[Bomber]

Originally Posted by Shu

I use this on and for the price($99) I like it...I don't use the supplied mounts though...

The hero has better quality video. I think I paid $159 + $13 (for 2 gig card) on Amazon.