Can someone suggest a good helmet camera????

[Kevin1956]

I want to buy a camera that can be stuck to my helmet. I don't want a Go-Pro, just a reasonably priced "lipstick" style camera that takes decent quality video and is rechargeable. Any suggestions???

[csmith12]

[allanoue]

mobius
Here is a big thread on the subject
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=135939

[DEFY]

Contour, Go Pro, 808, Drift, Sony and now Sena. Probably more options but what are you looking specifically for, just video quality or compactness also?

[Kevin1956]

I just something adequate to "prove the accident wasn't my fault". I also belong to a Neighborhood Watch group that patrols the neighborhood, keeping an eye on the zillion meth addicts that roam around stealing everything that's not bolted down. They often get irate if they know they're being filmed or photographed, so compactness/size is a factor. Thanks everyone!

[DEFY]

Yea 808 if you not looking to be posting high quality video. Very compact and a cheaper option.

[adouglas]

Contour Roam2 - $99 all day long and the lens rotates so you can mount it any which way. Easy to operate with gloves on. Shoots up to 1080p... this video is 720 but I had so much space left on the card at the end of the day I'll shoot 1080 next time.

Besides, this is another excuse to post my video of Palmer...

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Kevin1956]

I saw video from the 808, wasn't impressed. Maybe something a little better out there?

[Qomomoko]

used sony asv15, even the wifi version, will run appx $100 used and possibly with extra stuff... I got asv30, which is the after version, for $125 or so with extra stuff.. and the video quality more than I need.....

I have used it on helmet.. underwater.. etc.. lol here are some samples..

Link to original page on YouTube.

Link to original page on YouTube.

Link to original page on YouTube.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Qomomoko]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Contour Roam2 - $99 all day long and the lens rotates so you can mount it any which way. Easy to operate with gloves on. Shoots up to 1080p... this video is 720 but I had so much space left on the card at the end of the day I'll shoot 1080 next time.

Besides, this is another excuse to post my video of Palmer...

Link to original page on YouTube.

cool music... you on a 250??? sweet riding

[cadd]

Adouglas, I use a roam2 as well. The problem with 1080p is that it's only 15fps and you do not get the 170 degree wide view.

I use 720p @ 30fps with the 170 degree wide lens.

I think the roam3 allows 1080p @ 30fps. But that's another $100bux more at $199.

Has anyone tried the roam 3?

Im thinking about a gopro. But can't get over the fact that it's so bulky compared to the lipstick types.

[Kevin1956]

THANK YOU EVERYONE! I ordered the Contour Roam2. It's perfect for my needs, even beyond my expectations. 113 bucks with shipping, directly from Contour.

[FrugalNinja250]

A bit late to the party, here's some observations I've made:

Features you will want using the camera this way, essentially as a "black box" video recorder, include halfway decent night vision, ease of use with gloved hands, and most importantly, loop recording. That last one is critical. I've been running Contours, the Sony, and Mobius cameras. I've also run standard handi-cams suction-cupped to the gas tank. Unfortunately there isn't at this time a camera that does everything well. The Mobius does loop recording. Neither the Sony nor the Contours can do that. The Mobius also can do power-on recording, so it can record while charging, again the other cameras can't do that. The big downfall with the Mobious is that it's not inherently waterproof like the Contours, and has difficult to operate controls so no gloves. You can get a waterproof case for it like you can for the Sony. I haven't got it for my mobiuses (mobiuii?) yet so can't comment on that part of it.

Oh, loop recording means it records over the oldest file once the MicroSD card is full. The Contour has no display to show remaining recording time, though it can approximate it with either beeps or turning an LED red when you're almost out (depending on the model). The Sony shows remaining time in hours and minutes, but in any case you need to carry around extra cards to keep the camera fed.

Display on the three is similar in quality with good light. The Contours suck (I've run both the Roam and the 720HD) at night, the Sony is a little better, but the Mobious has a WDR mode that you can configure to get much better night video. However, it cannot automatically switch between modes, you have to configure it as one of the available modes when doing initial setup then select that mode manually by pushing the mode button when you want to enable it.

I'm ultimately wanting to run multiple Mobiouses on my bike, hard mounted for and aft with left and right, configured to loop record and to automatically start recording when the bike is powered up. That way it functions most like a dash cam. I'll still have to manually configure night mode at the beginning of any night rides.

FWIW...

[Kevin1956]

@FrugalNinja250 : I think this will be fine, as I do little night time riding, except around town which has lots of ambient light. I watched a few YouTube videos of it's recording abilities in day and night situations, and for my use I think the Roam2 will fit my needs. The price was right too! Thanks!

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by cadd

Adouglas, I use a roam2 as well. The problem with 1080p is that it's only 15fps and you do not get the 170 degree wide view.

I use 720p @ 30fps with the 170 degree wide lens.

I think the roam3 allows 1080p @ 30fps. But that's another $100bux more at $199.

Has anyone tried the roam 3?

Im thinking about a gopro. But can't get over the fact that it's so bulky compared to the lipstick types.

Nope... check the "video formats" tab on the Contour site at http://contour.com/cameras/roam2

Roam 2 does 1080 at 30 fps. At 720 you can get 30 or 60 fps.

But you're right about the FOV. 170 degrees at 720, 125 at 1080.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Qomomoko

cool music... you on a 250??? sweet riding

Nope... GSX-R750.

[Panda]

I recommend making your own camera obscura.

[cadd]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Nope... check the "video formats" tab on the Contour site at http://contour.com/cameras/roam2

Roam 2 does 1080 at 30 fps. At 720 you can get 30 or 60 fps.

But you're right about the FOV. 170 degrees at 720, 125 at 1080.

My fault my fault. 720p is at 60fps. 1080p at 30fps.

Have you tried both 720@60fps vs 1080@30fps? Which do you prefer? I never gave 1080p a shot just because more narrow FOV.

[adouglas]

Haven't tried 1080 yet.

I really bought these just for the track... I find street riding videos super-boring (I mean seriously... how can anyone sit through a motovlog of some joker blabbing over 10 minutes of just riding along the street?). So I'll probably keep using the wider FOV. 720 is enough for what I'm looking to accomplish, which is self-assessment.

[Ralgha]

Originally Posted by FrugalNinja250

I'm ultimately wanting to run multiple Mobiouses on my bike, hard mounted for and aft with left and right, configured to loop record and to automatically start recording when the bike is powered up. That way it functions most like a dash cam. I'll still have to manually configure night mode at the beginning of any night rides.

FWIW...

I mounted a Möbius under the headlight and wired it to the bike, the only time I need to touch it is if I need to hit the single button to enter night mode, or if I want to get the video off of it. The provided USB cable seems to be too lose though, as it suddenly seems to not be getting power anymore, and it is very loose. Haven't had time to investigate the source of the problem though.