helmet cams - advice

[TheLondonCyclist]

Maybe it's more common for a cyclist to wear a camera in London and therefore more people are aware that cyclists do have cameras.

No. I hardly ever see people with cameras in central London. I've only seen one so far. Remember, a lot of people are tourists, so in their city or country, they might not see those things. I also have all the lights flashing on the camera, so that attracts people at night, too.

 

[AboutLee]

I cycle in birmingham and I must say wearing a helmet cam (GoPro Hero 3+). And I must say Ive not come across many of the stuff I saw when I didn't have a camera. I don't have the camera to go and "Find" bad drivers. But I have it to record my rides and any "Incidents" I come across. Half of youtube videos of helmet camera videos are cyclists go looking for trouble.

 

[Hip Priest]

A camera would be handy to prove fault in the event of an accident, but...I see the prices and can always think of something better to buy with the money.

 

[gaz]

No. I hardly ever see people with cameras in central London. I've only seen one so far. Remember, a lot of people are tourists, so in their city or country, they might not see those things. I also have all the lights flashing on the camera, so that attracts people at night, too.

Obviously riding at the wrong time. I've seen at least 10 this week already, and two motorcyclists with them.

 

[gaz]

cameras are crap, don't bother getting one.

 

[green1]

Secondly, and most common on my route home, parked traffic both lanes, so effectivey enough space for one car and one bike to pass, so the primary position would mean going over the bonnet of the oncoming car! Lastly, so riding on the correct or most suitable road position has never led to dangerous driving then?

I take it from this you are quite happy to ride down the street in the door zone? Personally in that situation I'd wait until the car went past or ride in primary until I met them and the slow right down as i pulled into secondary going past them then immediately go back to primary.

 

[thecube]

I take it from this you are quite happy to ride down the street in the door zone? Personally in that situation I'd wait until the car went past or ride in primary until I met them and the slow right down as i pulled into secondary going past them then immediately go back to primary.

It's a student area with loads of parked cars and a cross roads junction at half way. So given that I have no way of guessing what is coming since the cars often turn into this road from the cross roads I have no choice but to go down it. It is generally a road where cars go slowly due to the non stop lines of parked cars either side. There is also plenty of room for oncoming cars to go past me. So I have no issues, but you cannot account for some bell-end coming from behind and flying past you without giving you much attention. Once committed that is it, no space to pull in, even the speed bumps often have parked cars on them. Moving into the primary position is not always possible, or safe, when something comes from behind at speed. To be honest I normally cycle in a position that is a compromise between both primary and 2ndary. It's an over crowded student maze, not really ideal to demonstrate perfect theoretical riding! You do what is best given the conditions.

 

[TheLondonCyclist]

Obviously riding at the wrong time. I've seen at least 10 this week already, and two motorcyclists with them.

You commute more than me and get on those long roads where there's a lot of cycling traffic (I'm jealous) so that would explain it. I did once end up on one of those super highways and there was a ton of cyclists. It was amazing.

 

[Mugshot]

I don't agree with the Smarties tube approach. Not noticeable enough. A Pringles tube might work though.

As promised with 10p for scale.

 

[johnmcn]

Hi all

Been looking at the threads on this forum regarding helmet cameras. I'm looking at using one for work, I'm in the Fire Service and want to trial one at fire related incidents. I thought this one be a good forum to have advice by people who use them. I have been looking at the Contour +2 easy to switch record on with one hand although having researched it sounds pretty good except for low light. The other is HD Drift Ghost S but the sound quality isn't up to much? and an added external mic is out the question both have wifi which would be very useful, one of the reason not looking at the GoPro because it'll stick out too much and can be damaged using it in the type of environment we encounter. Has anyone who used them and consider there are the practicable or another camera would be more suited for the required role.

Cheers

 

[jarlrmai]

Gonna guess you don't want to use them when there's full on fire, because they'd probably melt a bit and the heat/light might screw up the sensor.

There's probably tougher cameras designed for harder environments but they are likely to be more expensive and have less features.

 

[johnmcn]

Thanks it won't be used for going into deep into fires but more afterwards or on the outside. Checked what temperature they have been tested to so should be ok

 

[jarlrmai]

Have a look at the Sony AS100v as well.

 

[compo]

I wore one for a while but nothing interesting ever happened so I slung in a drawer where it still resides a year later.

 

[glenn forger]

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/oct/07/bullied-student-video-sunglasses-private-court-case

A student who gathered video evidence of himself being harassed and abused on a pair of specially adapted sunglasses has been allowed to carry out a private prosecution of his tormentor.

The highly unusual case, in which the Crown Prosecution Service declined to take over or halt the proceedings, may point the way – in the era of technology such as Google Glasses – to a future of do-it-yourself justice.

Haresh Mehta, 20, who lives in Southampton, complained repeatedly to the police about insults and intimidation he was enduring. Officers were called out several times but on each occasion, he maintains, the incident resulted in counter-allegations from his tormentor and no formal action being taken.

Determined that his persecutor should answer before the courts for the campaign of vilification, Mehta, who is studying IT security at university, purchased a pair of surveillance sunglasses which contain a video recorder hidden in the frame.

“It was like having a camera between your eyes,” he explained.

“There had been between five and 10 incidents. Whenever we called the police … counter-allegations [were made]. I thought I should have independent evidence. The first time I went out with the sunglasses on, [he] swore at me.”