Cheap helmet cam

[R-Soul]

This may be a repost, but I managed to source a helmet cam for less than $20 from Australia eBay (1$ plus $16 shipping).

check this link:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Red-Mini-DV-DVR-Sports-Video-Camera-Spy-Cam-MD80-DC-M80-/390281050232?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ade903878

Or do a search for "M80 mini DV" There are even YouTube videos showing you how to set them up in your helmet, and videos taken by them. More expensive ($60) are also avaialable called AAE or AEE I think - but its the same thing.

And they are actually pretty good quality video at 720x480 pixels (2 Mp) and 30 frames per second.

[cbfb]

Hey, do you need a card to go in it? How long will it record for? Have you got any videos so I can see the quality?

Been thinking abpout getting a bike cam, good price.

[Corse1]

Hey, do you need a card to go in it? How long will it record for? Have you got any videos so I can see the quality?

Been thinking abpout getting a bike cam, good price.

From the link :niceone:
Support 8GB T-flash card.(maximum) (the TF card is not included)
Build-in lithium battery which can make a video more than two hours, the standby time is up to 250 hours

[scumdog]

Having a black-belt status in technophobia can somebody tell me how easy to operate are they.

[Crisis management]

Having a black-belt status in technophobia can somebody tell me how easy to operate are they.

You sound like me.......I am reliably informed (as reliably as you can trust someone that thinks stepping out of a plane is a good idea) that you press a button to turn it on and again to turn it off, I somehow suspect there is slightly more to it than that, mostly in editing? Where's BD when you need him?

[Big Dave]

Here.

They are easy and hard. There is only a few buttons, easy, but if you hit them in the wrong sequence you either wipe everything or record nothing. Get it right they are OK/good for YT. They need practice before you rely on them and you don't know what you've got till you get back to base/laptop.

Helmet mounting is the least desirable option for riding video. Just make sure it has hard mounting on the bike options too (unless it's muddy). Gives much better feeling of speed/lean and more likelihood of viable audio.

[NZsarge]

Helmet mounting is the least desirable option for riding video. Just make sure it has hard mounting on the bike options too (unless it's muddy). Gives much better feeling of speed/lean and more likelihood of viable audio.

What do you use BD?

[Big Dave]

Recently upgraded to a go pro HD Hero.
About $650 with card and extras - not in this price category though.

I also have one of Mr Retro Asian's units here:
http://www.activecomponents.com/Product-Mini-DV-Sports-Cam-Black-%28includes-2GB-micro-SD-card%29_1321378.aspx
Now with the protective case is very good for 2nd or cut away shots.

I also have a Canon HD handycam for walk arounds and reportage.

[Corse1]

Says 8GB gives you 80 minutes. All the test videos showed the camera can't handle rapid motion such as bumps. Starts giving a horizontal fishbowl effect.

I would rather pay more for decent quality. Having said that....for $20...............

[R-Soul]

You sound like me.......I am reliably informed (as reliably as you can trust someone that thinks stepping out of a plane is a good idea) that you press a button to turn it on and again to turn it off, I somehow suspect there is slightly more to it than that, mostly in editing? Where's BD when you need him?

Ther is a powwer button for off/on.
There is a record button for record/dont record.
There is a mode button - push it once to go into a mode in which it switches on for 45 second everty time a sound is made, and push it again for normal mode (where you hit record button to record).
Nothing else. Quite simple.

[Bowlch]

I can highly recommend the GoPro HD cams. Good quality, sound can be a little bit rough though.

Here is some footage from mine, going over the Rimutakas this morning...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DG48tRXdWA&feature=youtu.be&hd=1

[The Baron]

Thanks Bowlch that was great. I even found myself leaning in my chair as I watched it.:facepalm:

[DrunkenMistake]

Those MD80s are great, but here is the difference,
MD80 mounted inside helmet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRuy6pr38eY
MD80 mounted inside helmet,
GoPro Mounted on Tank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoEb2qrhUNU

[Rhys]

That picture quality is fantastic :scooter:

[redhat]

Those MD80s are great, but here is the difference,
MD80 mounted inside helmet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRuy6pr38eY
MD80 mounted inside helmet,
GoPro Mounted on Tank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoEb2qrhUNU
:drinkup: MC19! Great quality with the GoPro.

[R-Soul]

AAAARGH! I took my cheap cam to ART day, and after the first session (in which it was mostly pointed at my ass from the back of the bike), it got rained on, and didn't work anymore (well, until it dried out the next day).

And I so badly wanted a vid of that to check lap times...