Video cameras for commuting

[jabberwocky]

Just curious if anyone out there uses helmet cams (GoPro, Contour, etc) as a safety tool while commuting to capture dangerous drivers and record incidents. I’ve had incidents in the past that made me consider one, but they were always spread out enough that the desire went away before I actually bought one. I’ve not had good luck lately though and have been seriously considering one just as insurance against some of the idiots I encounter.

Topic

[GuyContinental]

@JorgeGortex 65045 wrote:

Nice catch on this one. Like the looks of this one and great for this sort of purpose: durable, long lasting, and easy to use. Sweet.

Good Kickstarter video set too- I love that he’s wearing a Pebble watch… Form factor isn’t there yet but a proper injection-molding tool (mold) would cost $20K on it’s own.

[KS1G]

I have a Contour (HD I think, it’s about 2yrs old now). Didn’t know they recently closed up shop. I liked the form factor and removable media, battery life was acceptable but not stupendous. Mount was decent and the slide on/off worked well, as did the laser pointer alignment mode. Software was acceptable (never could get internal clock to sync propeerly). Performance in low light sucked, and the one time I really wanted to review a video (buzzed by a car trying to beat a light), I was unable to resolve the license plate, at least with the software & displays I was using. As a bicycle flight data recorder/black box, they need better resolution & frame rate, ability to link to or reliably sync with other devices for time/location/speed/direction data (phone, Garmin, etc.), and a user-controlled “save!” button (or shock sensor?). Their waterproof housing works well – my kids had a blast with it when we went snorkling during a cruise. I used mine on the bike rather than helmet (dislike cluttering the helmet and I use that space for a light anyway).

I agree with GC opinion of GoPro’s size/shape for bike use and ideal bike camera spec. That Rideye looks very interesting, wish they budgeted some money for a shape that isn’t a basic box.

[APKhaos]

We see a LOT of video from people using our TrackVision software, mostly in-car race applications, but also karts, planes, boats etc. We also wind up using and testing lots of video cameras.
The GoPro is ubiquitous, but their packaging, reliabilty, and user interface doesn’t cut it for me [/opinion]
Contour is a great camera, but the form factor might be a little large for bike use, and its definitely not weather resistant.

Take a look at the Replay XD720 which is around $150 retail.
Perfect form factor, really nice sealed & weather resistant machined aluminum case, buttons with haptic feedback [vibrate when activated], and terrific video quality. I’ve had the XD1080 version in several race cars and they are rock solid.
The guys in CA who design the Replay series are uber obsessive with the little details that really make a difference. Its a nice piece.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3733[/ATTACH]

[vvill]

@KS1G 65143 wrote:

I have a Contour (HD I think, it’s about 2yrs old now). … [/quote]
I think I have the same model, and roughly the same opinions on the device.

[JorgeGortex]

@GuyContinental 65086 wrote:

Good Kickstarter video set too- I love that he’s wearing a Pebble watch… Form factor isn’t there yet but a proper injection-molding tool (mold) would cost $20K on it’s own.

True, but that’s why the price is lower. I personally don’t mind. I don’t need everything I own to be “Apple round.” To me, the reason I’m willing to back this (and, yes, I decided to) is because of the quality of thought going into it. If it works and performs like he’s advertising, it will be a rock solid unit. You have to applaud him getting this project from idea/concept to almost production. That is some seriously smarts.

Yeah, I saw the Pebble watch to. Love mine. (OK, I swear I am not a Kickstarter junkie! …hello, my name is George, and I am addicted to Kickstarter…)

[Author]

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