Smallest helmet camera suggestions

[Wanderlust]

Hello all,

How is everyone?

First time poster and relatively new to the bike world so forgive me if this is a redundant question.

Can anyone recommend a decent all round helmet camera?

I am looking to buy a helmet camera but ideally I want it as small and inoffensive as possible because I'm not a huge fan of the antenna on a helmet look! I keep getting drawn to the drift xl and the hero7 but they both seem quite large. Ideally I want to mount on the top or chin piece? Is this sensible?

My main use would be for recording my journey whilst touring so a long battery life would be preferred or replacement batteries so I can carry spares. It would just be for my own personal enjoyment (not YouTube or anything) so it doesn't have to be a hardcore filming camera.

Thanks in advance

[stinkwheel]

I always thought you could probably mount a mobius camera body inside the helmet with a remote lens on the chin bar (or peeping out through a vent hole).

But they are pretty small anyway.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Wanderlust]

Thanks. I've just had a look at that. Looks nice and small but doesn't seem to have image stabilisation so I guess I need to decide what I compromise on...

[doggone]

Long battery life and very small are rather incompatible.
The Drift XL isn't tiny but at least the shape is designed for helmets and the battery life is more or less best out there.
You can theoretically charge on the go from powerbank or USB or just carry spare batteries.
I'd go with the drift TBH

Stabilising isn't that important on a helmet cam with wide angle.
Your head and neck do a reasonable job.
Unless you really want a gopro the DJI Action is a better buy in that style, I saw £220 from their site the other day.
An argument for going with gopro/DJI or similar is they are more usable as general video cam off the helmet.
GoPro shaped cameras are pretty bad on a helmet the only almost acceptable mount point is chin piece and a lot helmets don't make that easy. From a technical viewpoint you get minimal unintended movement by having it on the side about at your eye line.
Drift again

[Wanderlust]

Yeah, the drift does keep drawing me back. I know I'm trying to have my cake and eat it and I just need to compromise somewhere.
They do a stealth which seems to be a bit smaller so I've been having a look at that. Maybe I can stick it on the top and go for the telly tubby look! 👍🏻

[notbike]

Smallest camera with best quality is going to be the GoPro Session.

[EazyDuz]

Go pro. Drift are shite with the worst customer service of all time.
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[Wanderlust]

The drift stealth 2 and the go pro session seem to be discontinued so guess they're out.

[mattyfattyboo...]

I've been looking at similar. The Drift looked great but after reading about the reliability issues and customer service they have been ruled out. I decided to dig out my old GoPro 3 to try, bought a cheap strap mount for the chin of my lid and seems to offer decent quality, easy to remove and doesn't feel heavy on the road either. Might upgrade to the 8 at some point.

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Go pro session 5
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'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[notbike]

You can get a perfectly working second hand GoPro Session for around £80 - just cause they're discontinued doesn't mean they ain't still awesome.

[Lone-Wolf]

[doggone]

The mini-USB on my original Ghost HD broke off inside and they replaced the whole thing even though I'd opened it to see if it was possible to somehow clip it back in a slot.
Mind GoPro replaced a Hero4 with wifi problems and also gave me another free battery, it was a struggle though they said I hadn't bought it from a authorised dealer so not their problem until I ramped up the complaint.

[Wanderlust]

Thanks for the replies everyone! It's great to hear varied opinions.

The go pro seems the safe bet but looks more awkward to mount (although more possibilities to mount).

The drift seems to be hit and miss with their customer service but cheaper.

I shall ponder.

[mattyfattyboo...]

[mattyfattyboo...]

[EazyDuz]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

Anyone got a camera mounted directly on the bike itself? Thinking just under the headlight seems a good spot out of the way....
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DILLIGAF

[Wanderlust]

Thanks guys!

You've all been very helpful and made me feel welcome