A good helmet camera?

[daSmirnov]

My ContourHD turned up Monday evening. Don't expect I'll be uploading much as it's only about 5-6 miles everyday, but I do usually get the odd crappy overtake and abuse shouted out at me.

In fact the first day I had it out when leaving work another cyclist already commented on it and asked if I posted online.... Not yet my friend, not yet.

Yesterday got it pointed in the right direction, just enough to be able to see the car, and my Gaz-style-hand-gestures. Today just experimenting with exposure settings - going to be a pain in the winter since I can work whacky shifts where I'll be going in at mid day and leaving after dark since I don't have a computer there to change the settings.

Other than that nice bit of kit. Have a vid up of a couple of minutes of today's uneventful commute a bit later tonight. Tad over-exposed but pretty good.

 

[BSRU]

My ContourHD turned up Monday evening. Don't expect I'll be uploading much as it's only about 5-6 miles everyday, but I do usually get the odd crappy overtake and abuse shouted out at me.

In fact the first day I had it out when leaving work another cyclist already commented on it and asked if I posted online.... Not yet my friend, not yet.

Yesterday got it pointed in the right direction, just enough to be able to see the car, and my Gaz-style-hand-gestures. Today just experimenting with exposure settings - going to be a pain in the winter since I can work whacky shifts where I'll be going in at mid day and leaving after dark since I don't have a computer there to change the settings.

Other than that nice bit of kit. Have a vid up of a couple of minutes of today's uneventful commute a bit later tonight. Tad over-exposed but pretty good.

A way around the exposure settings problem during the winter is to use filters in daylight and take them off during hours of darkness. Not a perfect solution but helps when no computer available.

 

[mummra]

I have the Contour GPS side mounted with the vented helmet mount.
Never had any issues and the helmet isn't caught in the footage.
You do have to make sure that the mount is always tight as it can slip around in the vents so can bounce around a bit.
Sorry for the poo photos.

 

[Jezston]

I notice they sell a waterproof case for the Contours - how do they fair in rain? Is the case only necessary for the worst of showers, or should I not be taking it out without one even in a slight drizzle?

 

[mummra]

I've had mine out in heavy rain though they don't recommend it but what can you do when you've on for a record commute
I had to put it in a bowl of rice (recommendation from their forums) to dry out the water that had got behind the lens.
I've used it twice a day since March apart from 1 afternoon when it was the worst rain I've been in.
Other than that it's been perfect.
A light shower doesn't even bother it.

 

[gaz]

I notice they sell a waterproof case for the Contours - how do they fair in rain? Is the case only necessary for the worst of showers, or should I not be taking it out without one even in a slight drizzle?

Only for the worst of showers. In a very heavy and prolonged fall of rain it will enter at the point where the lens cover and main part rotate.

 

[Jezston]

Good stuff!

Mine should arrive tomorrow

 

[Jezston]

*facepalm*

Bit annoyed.

It doesn't actually come with the helmet mount does it.

Full description on Amazon seems to imply it comes with all the mounts you need.

TWENTY QUID for about 10p worth of velcro strap and plastic if I buy one from Amazon themselves and get it tomorrow. £16 elsewhere but I have to wait up to a week.

Buggerit.

 

[Mad at urage]

I've had mine out in heavy rain though they don't recommend it but what can you do when you've on for a record commute
I had to put it in a bowl of rice (recommendation from their forums) to dry out the water that had got behind the lens.
I've used it twice a day since March apart from 1 afternoon when it was the worst rain I've been in.
Other than that it's been perfect.
A light shower doesn't even bother it.

Plain boiled or Pilau?

Only for the worst of showers. In a very heavy and prolonged fall of rain it will enter at the point where the lens cover and main part rotate.

Does taping that part help?

 

[gaz]

*facepalm*

Bit annoyed.

It doesn't actually come with the helmet mount does it.

Full description on Amazon seems to imply it comes with all the mounts you need.

TWENTY QUID for about 10p worth of velcro strap and plastic if I buy one from Amazon themselves and get it tomorrow. £16 elsewhere but I have to wait up to a week.

Buggerit.

I did say you need to get a vented helmet mount
It's worth getting the offical mount, it's designed not to affect the performace of the helmet whilst in a crash as the mount and camera seperate under high forces.

 

[Jezston]

I have begrudgingly spent £20 on one!

Interesting the 'inbetween' mount bit has a bit of very strong velcro inside it. Stuck a fluffy ... anti-velcro (?) pad on the side of my helmet, and it seems pretty secure.

Whether I want to try risking £150 of brand new camera with it on the road is another question!

 

[BSRU]

I have begrudgingly spent £20 on one!

Interesting the 'inbetween' mount bit has a bit of very strong velcro inside it. Stuck a fluffy ... anti-velcro (?) pad on the side of my helmet, and it seems pretty secure.

Whether I want to try risking £150 of brand new camera with it on the road is another question!

I would suggest you tether the camera to your helmet, a pain trying to thread it through the hole on the camera but precision flat head screwdriver does the job.

 

[BentMikey]

Always have a lanyard!!

 

[mummra]

Agree. I've used the small lanyard supplied and wrapped it round one of the helmet straps

 

[Jezston]

*facepalm* *facepalm* *facepalm*

Rush ordered my helmet mount. Didn't pay attention to address. It's arriving tomorrow morning. At my mother's house. In London. And she's on holiday.

*facepalm* *facepalm* *facepalm*

Fortunately I'm down there tomorrow night. Hopefully it'll be dropped off at a neighbours and if not the depot is open on Saturday's and not in Watford!