Head Cameras

[Iceman]

I've seen a new Head mounted Camera called the "ATC2000" and checked out the video footage on Youtube.The quality on motion seems to be choppy with severe shakes. As Argos and ToysRus are selling it it must be popular at £80-100. So,anyone using this?If not is there other better units available or maybe tank mounted Camcorders? I've already made a cam holder for the tank for £3 using DIY coat hangers! ;D I just need a camera now!

[Dabz]

I've been looking into these cameras for a while now -the ATC2000 looks like the cheapest and easiest one - I want to mount on the front of the bike. Footage looks ok on youtube, nothing amazing but not bad for £80!

[Iceman]

Hi Dabz, So you been checking out the same camera there! I've checked the specs of the ATC2000 and it uses a CMOS sensor, normally used for security cameras and not CCD, used in Camcorders and good cameras in general.This concerned me on its' ability to capture quick motion,especialy on a bike. I was hoping someone on here may have a system and share their experience of its' pro and cons! Ofcourse,I'm open to debate on anything"Captury" like. :)

[RE03]

Guys,

I have one of those and to be honest they're not great.

The batteries overheat if you mount the camera on yer R&Gs and the sound (noise) is awful.

I am tryin to make the best of it from some hints from these guys here------->

http://www.utahtrikes.com/ARTICLE-31.html

But I'd save some more cash and get sommat decent if I had the choice again (it was bought for me you see ;) )

Rob

[sburv]

Well in real blue peter style heres on I made earlier - :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkuO81Q9Oeo

The camera is really basic and not expensive at all, Cost around £80. Its a stand alone unit, Waterproof to 3 about meters, compact, takes 2 AA batteries and uses SD cards (2Gig Max) Out of a 2 gig card you will get around 1 - 1/2 hours footage.

I like it because it good enough quality for what I want, easy to use, and not too expensive to worry about to much.

My bike hasn't really got any good mounting positions and the best I could come up with was the handle bar end which isn't ideal and at high speeds as the footage does become a bit wobbly.

I think for the money you can't really go wrong. If you do want somthing of better quallity you would have be looking at bullet cams and mass storage mp4 recorders/digital cam with relivent input. But the your talking more around the £300 - £400 and can be a little bulky.

Depends what you want at the end of the day and how much your going to really be using it and what your willing to spend

[Dabz]

I spent ages recently looking at bullet cameras and mp4/dvr recorders to mount under the seat - much better results but a lot more expensive! £300+ like CBN said above.

The atc isn't the best quality in the world but that audio modification looks handy - have bookmarked that! For the price I don't think you can go wrong...even if it fell off the bike it's only £80 (I know..£80 is a lot...but compared to £300-£400 it's not!).

I've searched for aaages trying to find an alternative - I did find one that seemed similar but it wasn't as easy to mount and a bit bulky. I don't think there are any real alternatives at this price level are there?

[Dabz]

this is the other one I'd found, seems very similar spec wise:

http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/Digital_Hero_3.html

[Dabz]

ths is another one I had found...would be more difficult to mount due to it's shape but they can be found for £60 online, cheaper on ebay and seem to be ok - dunno about the image stability though - can't find many reviews

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5607628/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CPhotography%7C9555976/c_2/2%7Ccat_9555976%7CDigital+cameras%7C9555991.htm

[Iceman]

[quote author=Dabz link=1214321702/0#7 date=1214340325]ths is another one I had found...would be more difficult to mount due to it's shape but they can be found for £60 online, cheaper on ebay and seem to be ok - dunno about the image stability though - can't find many reviews

Had a Vivitar before and it suffered from image shake whenever I panned round so think would be a problem on a bike! I think the way forward really is a camcorder mounted on the tank,but I really liked the idea of the ATC2000 headcam where you could look around.Brilliant idea but as said the picture suffers from shake as well.I do believe this is the cheap CMOS sensors fitted to low budget cameras. I checked out the expensive cams available and they indeed had the superior CCD sensors fitted with impressive stability playback. I may look at the "Solo" cameras with the separate recorder and independent mic inputs for anything serious worth using in video editing software!

[hotdog]

I had a bullet cam mounted to a previous bike that plugged into the camcorder in a tankbag. The quality of the footage was ok, but I learnt something important - especially with video being a hobby of mine. That is that video shot from a statically positioned camera at the front of the bike is seriously boring. It has it's place for training sessions but that's about it.

If I were ever to do it again, I'd want 4 cameras (front, back and both sides) connected through a switch box. That way you can at least create something interesting. If you can't stretch to that then you'll get much more interesting footage from a pillion holding a camcorder.

IMO.

Regards,

[Iceman]

D and M, I can't agree more with you on the multi point camera setup. Recently while watching the TT on tv There was a bike fitted with such a system and watching the angles changing was indeed much more interesting.There was the forward camera,a rear facing one,one looking at the rider form the cockpit and one set near the front wheel axle.Exciting to watch but expensive to implement I suppose.Thats why I thought a head mounted camera would give the riders perspective and spatial awareness. Anyway,thanks for that info,something else to think about!

[Dabz]

the atc still looks like the cheapest option for something that potentially could only be used now and then :D

[Hunar]

OR..............

Pop a wheelie in front of a police car, and rip off down the road, they have some high quality video capture equipment on board, and also they can get your speeds recorded onto the tape as well!!!

[Dabz]

was at Thruxton today watching the GT and Formula 3 racing and a lot of the cars were using the atc 2000 cameras!

[ONFIRE]

this is the other one I'd found, seems very similar spec wise:

http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/Digital_Hero_3.html

I have a fairly professional set up my self separate quality Bullet camera & underseat video sound recorder box. Bit of a hassle to setup! just h8 cables.

But having taking a look at the Go Pro it looks like a more flexiable option. Not sure about the quality, http://www.vsocial.com/video/?d=110587


but Superbike mag is promoting as well at only £144-99 Incl p&p
http://www.superbike.co.uk/shop/products/info.php?cPath=64&products_id=423
8-)

[Dabz]

hmm the quality of that looks good..they were the ones I was looking at in competition to the atc. decisions decisions.....

[Dabz]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4jI3Ab_-3Dk&feature=related

that has 5 mins from each camera - gopro one and the atc. the quality difference is huge! (cameras change after 5 mins)

[sburv]

To be fair they are much the same in terms of video. Though the sound is far far better using the gopro

[pip1965]

I use a Flycam for my bike and it does the job
http://robotbirds.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1776
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=search_videos&search_query=fly camone2&search_sort=video_avg_rating&search_catego ry=0&search=Search&v=&uploaded=&filter=1
with a 2gb SD Card in it and set on continuous it records a rolling 2hrs
with 1.3meg camera.
Velcro it anywhere.


Spec is here
http://www.flycamone2.com/index.php?id=39&L=3

[Dabz]

have you got any footage taken from on the bike mate?