Nearly hit a kid about an hour ago... need camera recommendations!

[sabian92]

Having a camera might make no difference to the incident or an actual collision, but it could make a huge difference in the aftermath. Other road users can lie pathologically to avoid taking any blame. I've direct experience of this myself, and the camera sorted out the truth rather nicely.

Worth having it just for that I suppose. I am now slightly concerned about being blamed for something I didn't do - I've been sat here all day wondering about what if I had hit him.

As I remember it also helped out Bollo a couple of years ago. The oncoming volvo that turned straight across his path, infront of witnesses?
If I remember correctly, he tried to blame it all on Bollo, denied what the witnesses said, till the coppers said "Have you seen whats attached to the side of his helmet?"

What a moron. I assume he was prosecuted for it?

 

[Banjo]

A 10 year old ran out from behind parked cars directly in front of a transit van about 400 yards from my house about 2 years ago. Sadly the child died from his injuries. Driver was completely cleared of all blame by the inquiry.

When driving or cycling when children are about I just presume one will do something stupid and drive/cycle accordingly.

 

[summerdays]

[QUOTE 1775157, member: 45"]We teach our boys to look for traffic regardless of what we say and to not trust that we've seen everything.[/quote]
I agree - the number of people who cross the road like sheep - just because the other person has chosen to cross. I've always told my children I can make mistakes so that they need to check too.

 

[bjellys]

Here's one if your looking for a cheaper one I have used the company and they are ok.
all goods are post free and I have yet to pay any duty to customs.They also sell cycling gear and bike parts

http://s.dealextreme.com/search/SKU 65249

 

[Glow worm]

I bought the Contour HD thing months ago, but soon gave up on it as I can't get it to play without being 'juddery'. I tried for hours to get smooth replays of vids without success. Instead of throwing the bloody thing in the bin, I've put it in a drawer so next time I feel like swearing for a few hours I'll have another go at failing to get it to work!

 

[BentMikey]

Are you using NTSC or PAL settings? I've just gone with the US standard of NTSC on both the camera and all my editing, and that made things waaaay smoother with my previous cameras (not had a contour though).

 

[Crankarm]

No one has mentioned getting an Airzound. A lot cheaper than a helmet cam and would actually do something to prevent a scrote being squished under your wheels by giving them a loud warning. Just a thought.

 

[BentMikey]

I thought this wasn't about avoiding the incident in the first place, but CYA afterwards since nowadays some people lie so pathologically about collisions. It's almost always possible to avoid problems with pedestrians via anticipation, rather than by using airzound or cameras. I'm usually against airzounding pedestrians, as it's rarely necessary.

 

[Crankarm]

I thought this wasn't about avoiding the incident in the first place, but CYA afterwards since nowadays some people lie so pathologically about collisions. It's almost always possible to avoid problems with pedestrians via anticipation, rather than by using airzound or cameras. I'm usually against airzounding pedestrians, as it's rarely necessary.

But if some one ran out in front of you, would it not be appropriate to use it, if it meant you didn't collide with them? Like a car horn is used to warn of collision. Just a thought. I am not talking about using it where it would not be appropriate. Are you able to recognise it might be useful ...........

 

[Glow worm]

Are you using NTSC or PAL settings? I've just gone with the US standard of NTSC on both the camera and all my editing, and that made things waaaay smoother with my previous cameras (not had a contour though).

I'll have a check- can't recall off hand as I gave up in a major flouce and shoved the thing in a drawer! Thanks for the tip

 

[BentMikey]

Crankarm, that's the common thinking on the use of horns, but from daily life experience I think we all know that most drivers use them in a *BEEP* get the 'k out of my way I'm not slowing down for you. Quite often the same goes for cyclists and their bells.

My feeling is that more brake and less horn is needed. I do accept that very occasionally a horn can save the day.

 

[guitarpete247]

When driving or cycling when children are about I just presume one will do something stupid and drive/cycle accordingly.

When I was learning to drive a mate who'd been driving for years said to me "Always assume everyone else on the road is an idiot and everyone else thinks you are too." Meaning let them know your intentions clearly. I always signal when turning and have even been known to signal left on a left bend.

Going back to the comments of youths pushing mates out into the path of oncoming for a laugh. One school I worked at, I was in the car park at the end of the day when, an irate taxi driver came in to complain about just that. Group of kids walking down the road when 1 pushed another out in front of taxi at the last second. Taxi swerved as she said she didn't have a prayer braking in time. Luckily road was clear or there could have been several injuries or deaths for a laugh. We never found out who the youths were but it was the subject of assemblies for the rest of the week.

 

[SquareDaff]

I bought the Contour HD thing months ago, but soon gave up on it as I can't get it to play without being 'juddery'. I tried for hours to get smooth replays of vids without success. Instead of throwing the bloody thing in the bin, I've put it in a drawer so next time I feel like swearing for a few hours I'll have another go at failing to get it to work!

Get a Class 10 card if you haven't already got one and then use Realplayer instead of Quicktime. Worked for me. Super smooth images now.

 

[BentMikey]

Realplayer? Dude, that thing is the *evils*. I'm not saying quicktime is good, but realplayer is like the evil undead of video players.

 

[SquareDaff]

Realplayer? Dude, that thing is the *evils*. I'm not saying quicktime is good, but realplayer is like the evil undead of video players.

But bizarely it works!