I'm after some helmet camera suggestions. Ive got a Gopro set up at the moment but I'm thru with the bulk , low battery life , reliability and general fiddly-ness.
I want something that is more streamline with the helmet , must have good quality images and must have perm 12v power capability . Don't mind something expensive if it ticks all my boxes.
What are you guys using ?
Would the Drift or Drift Ghost be of any use. I see more and more people using the Drift cameras over Go Pros these days for the simple fact that they are more discreet and the support you get for them is better than Go Pro's support department.
I've just installed 1 of these;
http://www.nortek.co.uk/bike-bro-dual-camera-motorcycle-dvr/
Quality looks good from their footage.
I have also become a distributor and will off er members a 10% discount off their normal retail price and postage at £7,50, saving 25%.
I went for the Drift Stealth.....works for me, tho that Biker Bro looks good.
Quote from: The Wolf on June 11, 2017, 10:44:35 PM
Would the Drift or Drift Ghost be of any use. I see more and more people using the Drift cameras over Go Pros these days for the simple fact that they are more discreet and the support you get for them is better than Go Pro's support department.
cant do a weather proof perm 12v supply with those , battery life is 3 hours at best , we were out for 5 hours yesterday , it has to be hardwired for power
Quote from: Biker Bugs on June 12, 2017, 04:39:27 AM
I've just installed 1 of these;
http://www.nortek.co.uk/bike-bro-dual-camera-motorcycle-dvr/
Quality looks good from their footage.
I have also become a distributor and will off er members a 10% discount off their normal retail price and postage at £7,50, saving 25%.
Image quality is poor with that system
I also am almost at the point of giving up on the go pro, even connected to my USB port the damm battery won't charge up continually and GTR a few hours it goes flat meaning I have to carry spare batteries.
I have looked at the next base 312 GW dash cam for the car which gets good write ups but no idea of its waterproof or if they do a "outside" version.
Interested in others recommendations.
Nextbase do do a motorcycle version. Have a look at Halfords web site.
The Garmin Virb and Virb Elite are both waterproof, and fine on a motorbike. (You'd need to get a dive case if you want to take it completely underwater for any length of time.)
I can only assume the Virb XE and Virb Ultra 30 are also waterproof, being the newer models: I have no experience of these.
I'm not going to BS and make false claims about superior video quality or longer battery life, but for me, they have one major advantage: I can stop/start recording, or even take a photo, from my Garmin Zumo sat-nav screen. The Virb Elite also lets you "remote screen" onto your mobile phone which is also useful when mounting it somewhere awkward, and you can't see the inbuilt screen. Like on your crash helmet, for example :smiley:
Cheers
Paul B.
Quote from: The Wolf on June 12, 2017, 01:37:47 PM
Nextbase do do a motorcycle version. Have a look at Halfords web site.
This seems like a decent system but a bit on the large size, I shall have to go into Halfords and take a look.
Alan
we have the next base car kits front and rear in both our cars , excellent bit of kit . If the bike version is small enough and hcan be hardwired I may go that route
Quote from: BigAlan on June 12, 2017, 12:23:09 PM
I also am almost at the point of giving up on the go pro, even connected to my USB port the damm battery won't charge up continually and GTR a few hours it goes flat meaning I have to carry spare batteries.
I have looked at the next base 312 GW dash cam for the car which gets good write ups but no idea of its waterproof or if they do a "outside" version.
Interested in others recommendations.
Completely lost patience with my go pro . went out yesterday and even with an extra battery pack didn't get an hour . whey too bulky for helmet mounting as well
Its all going on ebay , I'm done
Quote from: PaulB on June 12, 2017, 02:06:34 PM
The Garmin Virb and Virb Elite are both waterproof, and fine on a motorbike. (You'd need to get a dive case if you want to take it completely underwater for any length of time.)
I can only assume the Virb XE and Virb Ultra 30 are also waterproof, being the newer models: I have no experience of these.
I'm not going to BS and make false claims about superior video quality or longer battery life, but for me, they have one major advantage: I can stop/start recording, or even take a photo, from my Garmin Zumo sat-nav screen. The Virb Elite also lets you "remote screen" onto your mobile phone which is also useful when mounting it somewhere awkward, and you can't see the inbuilt screen. Like on your crash helmet, for example :smiley:
Cheers
Paul B.
Thanks paul but yet again this camera does not have weather proof ability to hard wire , like the stealth you have to open a weather flap to access the usb point
Quote from: viper on June 12, 2017, 09:10:41 PM
Thanks paul but yet again this camera does not have weather proof ability to hard wire , like the stealth you have to open a weather flap to access the usb point
How about the Innovv C3? As recommended by someone on here, I have it bookmarked. And they're available on eBay.
Cheers
Paul B.
I swear by Drift cameras. So much so, I have 6 on the bike, one on my lid and a Stealth 2 shoulder mounted.
6 of the cameras have separate remote controls.
You can never have enough cameras 👍
(No, I don't work for Drift :no:)
Quote from: Kylinski on June 13, 2017, 07:55:31 PM
I swear by Drift cameras. So much so, I have 6 on the bike, one on my lid and a Stealth 2 shoulder mounted.
6 of the cameras have separate remote controls.
You can never have enough cameras 👍
(No, I don't work for Drift :no:)
You expecting trouble?
Are they bike powered and permanent?
Drift HD Ghost .... around £250 from Amazon. I don't use one but have seen the very latest footage and it is quite simply amazing. Not saying any better than the Go Pro lot but smaller and newer. if I ever get one it would be a Ghost. :yes:
Quote from: BigAlan on June 13, 2017, 09:09:27 PM
You expecting trouble?
Are they bike powered and permanent?
Four have separate power packs. 2 are into a separate 12v aux (not the standard one)
Not all of them are filming at once. It's usually 2 forward facing, 1 rear facing, ( Left & Right bank) I also carry spare batteries. My helmet cam gets a battery switch after 3 hours.
I delete after 3 hours and when I return home . . . Unless I manage to film aliens!! :wink:
Quote from: PaulB on June 13, 2017, 04:12:08 PM
How about the Innovv C3? As recommended by someone on here, I have it bookmarked. And they're available on eBay.
Cheers
Paul B.
that my friend could be the answer , similar to the police set up , a helmet mounted lens hooked up to a remote and protectable recorder . Thankyou
Quote from: PaulB on June 12, 2017, 02:06:34 PM
The Garmin Virb and Virb Elite are both waterproof, and fine on a motorbike. (You'd need to get a dive case if you want to take it completely underwater for any length of time.)
I can only assume the Virb XE and Virb Ultra 30 are also waterproof, being the newer models: I have no experience of these.
I'm not going to BS and make false claims about superior video quality or longer battery life, but for me, they have one major advantage: I can stop/start recording, or even take a photo, from my Garmin Zumo sat-nav screen. The Virb Elite also lets you "remote screen" onto your mobile phone which is also useful when mounting it somewhere awkward, and you can't see the inbuilt screen. Like on your crash helmet, for example :smiley:
Cheers
Paul B.
The Virb 30 comes in a plastic waterproof case, however, I wasnt overly impressed with the battery life, and couldnt see a way to remote power it.
I'm still using my Garmin Virb Elite, its got 3hrs battery life at 1080p/30fps, it does Gmetrics if that floats your boat. Nice ergonomical design suitable for a lid mount I didnt like the Virb X/XE or the Go Pro style, they just seem wrong to me for a lid.
If you use a Garmin Sat nav such as the LM 590 etc you can also remote control the cameras or cameras! No need to fire up the mobile.
The Drift GhostS I've used previously and that had great battery life too.
I am looking at something a little more permanent but not seen anything that delivers great unattended performance.
I've tried Sony cameras, often the quality is superb but battery life sucks, Contours from a few years back were good but battery life again was poor and so was the support.
I've looked at the Innovv's but the quality of the output really doesnt look that great to me, although I like the idea, it just needs a refresh, and the fact the controller has a screen on it is good but also bad, its not water proof!!
Currently about to flog a Dogcam Bullet R+ on Ebay with 1.5hrs battery life, in the more normal bullet format with a remote control for it, but I still prefer the GPS and Gmetrics stuff or I may have been tempted to keep this and get an external battery pack or hardwire kit which it supports.
Quote from: Kylinski on June 13, 2017, 07:55:31 PM
I swear by Drift cameras. So much so, I have 6 on the bike, one on my lid and a Stealth 2 shoulder mounted.
6 of the cameras have separate remote controls.
You can never have enough cameras 👍
(No, I don't work for Drift :no:)
Maybe you should :)
Pic shows some of my Drift camera positions and helmet cam.
Quote from: Kylinski on June 14, 2017, 07:33:13 PM
Pic shows some of my Drift camera positions and helmet cam.
I'm sure you could probably get a couple more on there, I dont think your trying hard enough :)
Quote from: Tay on June 14, 2017, 10:04:34 PM
I'm sure you could probably get a couple more on there, I dont think your trying hard enough :)
Did I mention I have Contour Roam 2 on the other side of my lid and a Muvi body cam? :smiley:
You can never have enough cameras. . . . And let's not get started with my car :mfr_lol:
One of these on your lid and you're sorted..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0dKfplTYZg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0dKfplTYZg)
Quote from: Tay on June 16, 2017, 03:06:08 PM
One of these on your lid and you're sorted..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0dKfplTYZg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0dKfplTYZg)
you guys are really missing the point that it needs to be capable of hard wiring 12v and still remain weather proof
Yeah sorry, we got sidetracked..
The problem is there isnt any great cameras that offer both, quality and external power. They have them for cars (I use the Roadhawk HD) but simply not weather proof.
The Innovv (there are lots of other brand names but they are all the same, Koonlung, Amberalla) comes somewhat close, its Chinese and not been updated for sometime, none of the connections are waterproof, and neither is the Screen/DVR itself. There are questions about the bit rate with the two cameras attached.
Stationary and slow footage looks fine, but the bitrate seems to fall off after that, it could be youtube and shit compression, but certainly doesnt come across as 1080p 30fps as its claimed.
If I thought it would have done the job I'd have one already. If you happen to find one, please let us now.
Surely the Drift cameras are sort of hard wired through USB ( 2 of mine are). And waterproof.
Simples!
Quote from: Kylinski on June 17, 2017, 07:00:36 PM
Surely the Drift cameras are sort of hard wired through USB ( 2 of mine are). And waterproof.
Simples!
to hard wire through the usb you need to open a weather proof flap thus making it not weather proof
Quote from: The Wolf on June 12, 2017, 01:37:47 PM
Nextbase do do a motorcycle version. Have a look at Halfords web site.
that's pretty much all ive found that ticks all the boxes , the hard wire is through a waterproof gland .
Quote from: viper on June 17, 2017, 08:26:01 PM
to hard wire through the usb you need to open a weather proof flap thus making it not weather proof
I've been through some pretty hefty weather conditions and none of my cameras have let me down.
Just read quite a few reports on Amazon UK with regards to the Nextbase Ride, many say it's not very good, basically wobbles and does not give the alleged quality of image they say, for example number plates are not really clear.
Not what I wanted to hear, so still looking for something I can clip,onto my bike and go, and powered by the bike not a pocket full of spare batteries I have to carry.
Alan
ive gone off the next base due to it really being a handlebar mount . might go with the drift . will charge up via a power bank in the top box when we are parked up . I will install a 5a usb charger in my helmet so the camera can keep charging whilst in use powered via a cable on my intercom lead . if we hit heavy rain my pillion can unplug the usb and refit the weather flap .
I also have a external power supply namely a Ravpower with 3xUSB sockets which charge my phone and sena Bluetooth accesories very well. I may well find a way to fit it into my top box to change a spare battery of some sort, I am leaning to the new GoPro hero 5 but can still be persuaded otherwise.
It all depends of how much it takes out of the power supply to change my stuff, currently it will last way over a week with what I have to charge so I do to want to have to keep charging this as we go.
Alan
Quote from: BigAlan on June 18, 2017, 07:48:02 PM
I also have a external power supply namely a Ravpower with 3xUSB sockets which charge my phone and sena Bluetooth accesories very well. I may well find a way to fit it into my top box to change a spare battery of some sort, I am leaning to the new GoPro hero 5 but can still be persuaded otherwise.
It all depends of how much it takes out of the power supply to change my stuff, currently it will last way over a week with what I have to charge so I do to want to have to keep charging this as we go.
Alan
you could have a power bank under your seat on charge when engine running and then you have a bank of power to charge items when you are parked up. I already have a 2 way 5v usb charger under there . don't worry about how much these things use , its just 2 or 3 amps v a 45 amp alternator , nothing to worry about
Id personally not go the gopro route Ive had a hero 3 on my helmet and really regret it . Its a great cam for the action stuff but as a dedicated helmet cam it has too many issues
Quote from: viper on June 18, 2017, 08:57:37 PM
you could have a power bank under your seat on charge when engine running and then you have a bank of power to charge items when you are parked up. I already have a 2 way 5v usb charger under there . don't worry about how much these things use , its just 2 or 3 amps v a 45 amp alternator , nothing to worry about
Id personally not go the gopro route Ive had a hero 3 on my helmet and really regret it . Its a great cam for the action stuff but as a dedicated helmet cam it has too many issues
I would rather have the camera fixed to the bike rather than on my helmet, yes I know I have to remove it but I guess that's not to much to have to do.
Decisions decisions, what to do.
Quote from: BigAlan on June 18, 2017, 09:07:43 PM
I would rather have the camera fixed to the bike rather than on my helmet, yes I know I have to remove it but I guess that's not to much to have to do.
Decisions decisions, what to do.
I'm with you Alan, personally I think helmet mounted cameras could be dangerous in an accident situation.
Just my thoughts/opinions
Quote from: O.C. on June 18, 2017, 09:40:59 PM
I'm with you Alan, personally I think helmet mounted cameras could be dangerous in an accident situation.
Just my thoughts/opinions
I agree with the safety issue a big lump on the side of the helmet.
I recently went on holiday to Skegness on the bike for a short break .
I have the ghost drift camera tried it on the helmet you don't notice it and after a while forgot it's there you have a remote on your wrist to operate . quality was excellent sound was poor all wind noise unless you use the additional microphone I am lead to believe.
The annoying thing on the helmet is the video it's filming you checking your mirrors your speedo looking around at other round users etc :wacko: I am looking at fitting to the bike now .
As Alan says quick and easy to remove. :yes:
Not sure how too post a video the quality was ok but my content was poor as I said a trial use lol
Pics below of where I've mounted NextBase ride on both F700GS and me GTR.
Yes there is vibration shake, unless the camera has image stabilisation it's gonna happen.
The human body is one of the ultimate shock absorbers, but get enough noise off me helmets as it is without sticking an air brake on it! Hence why fixed to bikes.
Weather proofing is excellent, 2 enclosed cables (1 USB and one wire in) with screw up connectors ensure that!
(http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w473/snowr0/cam1_zpsxclistks.jpg) (http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/snowr0/media/cam1_zpsxclistks.jpg.html)
(http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w473/snowr0/nb1_zps2v2fm8lm.jpg) (http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/snowr0/media/nb1_zps2v2fm8lm.jpg.html)
(http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w473/snowr0/nb2_zpsogjzzftu.jpg) (http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/snowr0/media/nb2_zpsogjzzftu.jpg.html)
(http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w473/snowr0/nb3_zpspkdwitgx.jpg) (http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/snowr0/media/nb3_zpspkdwitgx.jpg.html)
(http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w473/snowr0/nb4_zpshks005av.jpg) (http://s1077.photobucket.com/user/snowr0/media/nb4_zpshks005av.jpg.html)
Hand made bracket on the GTR, on near side for use on tour, and on me GS it's using the supplied clamp on the crash bars.
Video quality on you tube attached, acceptable for reason I want it (insurance back-up!), just pause it at any point and reg plates defined enough for what I need.
It's on the bike, ignition fed, auto start and auto re-writes over oldest 3 minute file if file not marked.
I format the card once a month if nothing on there I need, wi-fi back up to phone if required to lift a file off.
https://youtu.be/6C7MX66c9CQ
I'm happy with it, pays yer money and takes yer choice!
Hi,
Just throwing in my 2 pence worth here!
I have a TomTom Bandit, the battery life is good for 2 - 3 hours (with it in airplane mode) lot's of mounting options (if only I could find a wife like that!!!)
The standard inbuilt mic picks up wind noise, so you will require an external mic. But you can get the power lead.
Records 1080p at 30fps, 2.7k at 60fps, does record in 4k, just make sure you have a large capacity and class 10 memory card.
Hope this helps with your choices!
Quote from: PaulB on June 13, 2017, 04:12:08 PM
How about the Innovv C3? As recommended by someone on here, I have it bookmarked. And they're available on eBay.
Cheers
Paul B.
Twoz I who recommended the Innov.
It's a super little camera.
The body is the size of a matchbox which you hardwire and hide inside the fairing.
The camera is on the end of a waterproof cable that you then place in a suitable location using one of a selection of different style of supplied mounts.
The only problem is that it isn't very suitable for frequently playing back your footage due to the fact you've hidden the body inside the fairing. I use mine solely in case of an accident etc.
You can use them as a helmet camera if you wanted to but then hardwiring wouldn't be quite so straightforward.
Quote from: PeteGTR1400 on July 30, 2017, 03:15:46 PM
Hi,
Just throwing in my 2 pence worth here!
I have a TomTom Bandit, the battery life is good for 2 - 3 hours (with it in airplane mode) lot's of mounting options (if only I could find a wife like that!!!)
The standard inbuilt mic picks up wind noise, so you will require an external mic. But you can get the power lead.
Records 1080p at 30fps, 2.7k at 60fps, does record in 4k, just make sure you have a large capacity and class 10 memory card.
Hope this helps with your choices!
I got one of these cheap a fews weeks back, quality seems okay, the 4k is only 15fps though. battery life is good, around 2-2.25 hrs at best though with the GPS running, Although the software for the MAc and presenting the collected data is a very poor second to the Garmin range with g-metrix, it visually looks dire. Also tested a Virb XE, seemed okay, but not as good video as the TomTom.
But quality is nice at 1080p 60fps, also, I'm not sold on the clever ratchet system of rotating the camera, seems a little shakey, I would have prefered a rubber mounting system to keep the video smoother.