For those who mount cameras to their bikes, what brand/model have you found successful or not successful (my plan would be to go with digital)? Also, besides the classic tank mount, have any tried different mounting locations with success? Thanks, Adam O.
Any digi camera with movie mode can be used, I've used mine on numerous occasions (Cannon SD10) but crashed 2 yeas ago and destroyed it. (out $340). That sucked. If you're looking to get a perminant cam set up on your bike, I would go with one of those remote bullet cameras and keep the main unit protected (somewhat) in the tailsection. I bet the SVP guys here have a wealth of info on what cam setups work and which ones don't.
I have a Sony digital camera that takes video too (limited by storage capacity!) so I made a mount for it to go on the bike. I have an 07 R6, it has an allen bolt at the front of the tank. Thats where I attach my camera to the bike. I can post some pics later if anyone is interested but in a nutshell here's what I did: bought one piece of cold rolled steel (about 1/2" dia), tapped one side for the metric allen bolt and the other with a 3/16" hold for the camera mount. I use a lockwasher on each side and a stud at each end. When you tighten it up with a clockwise twist everything tightens at once in the clockwise direction. The camera mount is what really makes this setup work great. It screws into the 3/16: threaded rod at the bottom, has a ball and socket for positioning the camera and a rubber pad at the base where the camera screws in for vibration damping. I've used it over the entire rpm range, over bumps etc. without any video clipping and the audio has very little wind noise even without anything covering the mike (it does sit behind the windscreen). The Sony dig cam will take hours of video too. At super high res you only get about 50 mins with a 4 gig card though.
Capt home slice, saw your video on you tube with icantslowdown at grattan, nice. What is your typical lap time? Any more of those vids to post?
That Grattan vid is so old :lol: I think I was in the low to mid 30's when that was taken. Last year my best was in the high 20's. Still some way to go, lots more to learn!! I don't have any more vids of Grattan. But I've got a few of Gingerman from the fall of that '05. (old too ) The links to them are at home, Youtube get's blocked here at work so I'll post em up later. (pm ya or something) Also, for those interested, this link is to a gallery where I've got pics posted of my crashed 996 including camera and home made camera mount. (from fall of '05) http://ducsunlimited.com/gallery/Jesses-Big-Ooopsies?page=1
Here are the vids from the above camera set up FWIW. They're a little shakey on accl. as a result of the front of the mount not secured properly and the mount isn't stiff enough. *edit* adv. group. STT at Gingerman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KKJMlbxHQ4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RHcU3KgrUI *edit* This one looks allright for @ $100 http://www.academicsuperstore.com/market/marketdisp.html?PartNo=762979
I think it's hard to beat the ATC2000 . At $99 it's small , rugged , waterproof and easy to operate . I used one of the snap in mounts facing forward through the bodywork and another attached to the side of the rear tail . With a $20 2gig SD card it holds almost 4 full sessions set in the medium resolution like these two vids were filmed in .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OhwsB7IFxI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmy2uMq-szc http://www.fantasiesonwheels.com/picture_library/Temp web pictures/pict3235.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OhwsB7IFxI Certainly not I group passing rules.... So tell me more about this $99 dollar camera setup that records whole sessions. Who makes these parts, and where do I get them?
:shock: This is the cheapist I've found it on the net. http://www.beachaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=84922 ...review http://www.helmetcamreview.com/ATC2K.htm
You will need to find a creative way to mount it as it doesn't come with the standard screw boss that all digi cameras have. The kit that comes with it has some mounting options but I can't tell if any will work good. Also you'll need 2 "AA" batteries. One thing about this camera, and I can't really tell from the pics, is that there is no viewfinder or screen which allows you to line up your shot. So some trial and error testing will be required.
2 AA batteries ( lasted me all day plus the two times I downloaded to the laptop via its USB cable ) The cam comes with two snap in mounts , one being a bicycle handlebar mount that I snipped the loop off of and mounted into the front fairing with the included bolt . With the loop cut off it becomes a standard pedestal mount . The other is designed to use with the velcro straps for a helment but I placed dbl sided tape onto the backside to stick to the tailsection . A couple small scews for security and it's great . The main mount permanantly attached to the cam allows for it to be turned/swivled around to any orentation then a lock ring keeps it secure . I thought it was extremly easy and the first two positions I mounted it in were perfect . It is pretty easy to tell where it is pointed . Even in Med resolution 30fps I can display on my 62" projection TV and it still looks decent . I haven't even tried it in the full screen setting since I'd rather have several sessions on the card before I have to download . Hope this helps .... I agree . Pretty close passes all day by a lot of people and the one time I tried it , Wham . My bad though , definitly should not have tried that pass in "I" group . From the rest of the video and others from that day , many were sneaking in through close spots and passin 2 or 3 at a time . You never know when one of those bikes is going to jump out of line but we ended up with a good day . I think only 3 went down in all classes with nobody banged up too bad .