Bike Mountd Camera's (Not cam-corder)

cunni · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Anyone know where to get small bike mounted camears, like the sort used on BSB, WSB or MotoGP bikes?

I'm trying to analyse my laps, but it get hard sometimes. I'd like to have footage to review, but my partner would probably video other folks and the sky by mistake instead of me! only kidding! Cam-corders seem to be banned at track days, etc, especially in the pits!

So, i'm after a small, lightweight system with several camera's that doesn't cost the earth but provides footage you can actually make out! Any one know where I can get this from?

Also, do they all beam footage to something else i'll have to buy or do they hold a recoder on the bike? I hope it's not on the bike, as it'll weigh me down and get mashed if I crash, therefore showing nothing!

cheers.
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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Most folk are using something like this - https://www.sports-camera.com/helmet_camera.htm - where the recorder is tucked away under the seat.

I had a look at some multi-camera stuff (one of the trackday video bike folk offer it) but I wasn't too impressed as it montaged the four cameras into one screen rather than recording all four seperately at full quality.

As for transmitting back to the pits, that's gonna cost a lot of cash, I daresay a whole lot more than trashing a few cameras.

As far as crashing goes, my rig's been crashed a couple of times and held up alright, if you're working with tape the recorders seem pretty resiliant. Not convinced by hard disk systems as yet and haven't quite found the right solid state recorder for what I need.

Ninja · Caption Abuser Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Karma :

Bullet Cameras can be had from ebay at under £50 each ... (I got two, Colour, CCD, 420line, 3.6mm lens'd items at £35 each delivered)

A wireless link to a laptop back at base/ pits would also be around the £50 - £75 mark ...

The capture software/ hardware and the laptop would be up to you?
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4 wheels transport the Body ... 2 wheels transport the SOUL

cunni · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

These wireless links - how far will they be capable of sending from?
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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

The wireless kit I've looked at (that would be competitively priced) has come out at a few hundred feet (line of sight) at best. Which is why I'm using a recorder under the seat. Smile

cunni · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Dam, so 2 miles is a bit too far then! lol

Ok, so I now need a lightweight, small recording device, not neccesarily a cam-corder, to go under the rear fairing, some thing solid state would be good on the bumps!

Bullet camera front and back, so it needs to be able to record both at once. Preferably in digital format for use on laptop in the pits!

These bullet cameras are good then for quality?
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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

I quite fancy trying one of these - https://www.mustek.com/html/prod_pmc/PVR-A1.html - as an alternative to tape.

Would steer clear of anything hard disk based, I've heard they don't get on with the vibrations.

Here are a few examples of bullet cam quality, obviously these have been compressed somewhat for the web...

https://www.sanctuarynewmedia.com/streamtest/lydden.mpg
https://www.sanctuarynewmedia.com/streamtest/BrandsDoh1.mpg
https://www.sanctuarynewmedia.com/streamtest/BrandsDoh2.mpg

Quality comes down to which bullet cam you buy, but it's pretty decent on the whole.

cunni · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

I think you are right with harddiscs, bound to shatter them or get writing errors!

This thingy looks neat, but does it have enough in sockets for two cameras? or buy two devices?

I like your videos, unlucky mate! lol I see the recorder worked, what was it?
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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Would have to be two devices. I'm not quite convinced by them, keep meaning to try and find a shop where I can actually have a go and see what the quality is like.

The recorder on those vids was my dv camcorder. It still records quite happily but the last knock buggered something so it's now stuck on max zoom all the time. But as I mainly used it for onboard stuff, I'm not too bothered... if I was worried about my camera I'd never have stuck it under the seat of G's bike. Laughing

The main thing you've got to watch is that you tape up every single connection, it all takes such a battering that a dodgy plug can ruin your whole day.

Hopefully when G gets his new bike we're going to try and set up something a bit more permanent - the R6 was a pain in the neck cos you have to screw the seat on and off to get to the recorder and it's all very cramped under there. Reckon we might try and sort some kind of quick access flap on the new bike, line the 'camera bay' with foam for protection, that kinda thing. Then just move the bullet camera around to wherever we fancy it. Bit more professional should keep the scroots happy too. A remote record button on the bars would be a bonus too, so you could start recording on the grid rather than when you leave the pits. Oh yeah - pipe insulation foam round the bullet cam is a winner, protects it from impact and gives you something for cable ties to get a grip on. Thumbs Up

Ninja · Caption Abuser Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Karma :

@Bendy - which cameras have you got? ... and what angle/ focal length is the lens?

I've recently been playing around with these:-
EBAY CLICKY MALICKY

On my car, the quality ended up not too bad (highly compressed for hosting):-
Right click Save As ... 5mb wmv file

(Oh yeah - this was captured direct to laptop and no sound, hadn't plugged the mics in ...)
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James
4 wheels transport the Body ... 2 wheels transport the SOUL

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

https://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/bullet_camera_colour.htm is what I've got. Had it for a couple of years now. It's a bit prone to fogging when the air's moist but other than that it's done pretty well.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Cunni, I've got the same bullet cam as Bendy:
https://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/helmet_cameras.htm - I got the Complete Package 3 which gives you everything you need.

I've never had any trouble at any of the trackdays. Only thing I did have was Brands Hatch asking me to sign a disclaimer so that I couldn't sell the footage.

I always have the camcorder under the rear seat and cables running to the bullet cam. I started with the bullet cam mounted on the tank (see picture) but now prefer it under the front lights. I even highsided my bike and the picture stayed constant Thumbs Up

cunni · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Cheers folks, i'll take a look into these bullet cameras and possibly some way of securing a recorder under my seat hump!
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biketeacherda... · Nova Slayer Joined: 04 Mar 2004 Karma :

I bought the fully package offerd by rf concepts, the bullet cam and mini hard drive recorder, no it doesnt like vibration so i keep it in a bum bag strapped to my waist.

The problem with the hard drive is it only records at 5 frames per second so you loose qaulity compared to the average cam corder recording at 35 frames per second.

When training i record to a vcr i keep locked in my top box, not much good for the track so if you want good recording then get a mini cam corder with av inputs and carry it in a waist bag with the camera mounted on top of your helmet, job done Very Happy

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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

biketeacherda... · Nova Slayer Joined: 04 Mar 2004 Karma :

Having never crashed its never been a problem, the only other option is the underseat mounted mini cam corder
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Got a similar setup to Bendy. Works quite well. I would second her comments about taping up the connections, especially the connection into the camera itself.

Have had issues with fogging as well. Seems to be made far worse by sitting idling in the pits (the bullet camera is close to the radiator heat if mounted at the front).

Stew has a CD based video camera. That did have issues with jumping, but I think he has now managed to insulate it enough to work fine.

All the best

Keith
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Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

cunni · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Some good suggestions there folks!

I'll take a trip out at the weekend and see what I can source!

Cheers.
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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Ninja · Caption Abuser Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Karma :

Where are you lot powering the Bullet cameras from? I found mine was a bit picky about the voltage it needed to get it running - bog standard 12v or so from the car wasn't enough ... ?
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James
4 wheels transport the Body ... 2 wheels transport the SOUL

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Mine'll take anything from 8v up to about 14.

Usually use a pack of 8 AA batteries (lasts about 8 hours) but I've used a single 9v as well. Keep meaning to sort out wiring it in to the bike battery but haven't been arsed yet.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Same here. The camera does not seem to care too much about the voltage (although the charging system on the bike at full chat might be a bit too high).

Does kill the little 9V batteries in no time at all though.

All the best

Keith
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