Should we now consider using Helmet cams for our commutes?

walkingbootweather
walkingbootweather Posts: 2,443
edited January 2011 in Commuting general
Interesting to read that video may be used in prosecutions http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12751334.

Not wishing to hijack that thread, I also note that you can buy what appears to be a 'good enough' camera for just £14 http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=110355&source=webgains&siteid=20363,
or for £20 with an 8GB micro SD http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=110352
Is it worth getting something like this and if dangerous driving starts to get punished as a result of video evidence might the world not be a better place?

Discuss...

PS Has anyone discovered a suitable helmet mount for one of these? I'm guessing a torch mount would work just fine?
Nobody told me we had a communication problem

Comments

  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    The camera records in 5 min clips and restarts, not continuously like some others. Ideally you need a class 6 card for the camera.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • jeremyrundle
    jeremyrundle Posts: 1,014
    Have you searched all the past links on this as it has been covered massively on the forum.

    Here is just one post

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... highlight=
    Peds with ipods, natures little speed humps

    Banish unwanted fur - immac a squirrel
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... heads.html
  • walkingbootweather
    walkingbootweather Posts: 2,443
    edited January 2011
    Duplicate post - sorry.
    Nobody told me we had a communication problem
  • walkingbootweather
    walkingbootweather Posts: 2,443
    Apologies if it has been covered before and thanks for the pointer. I haven't mastered searching just yet but I did make an attempt to find out before boring everyone with a re-run of an old topic.

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12738852

    Seems I'm not alone in struggling with search facilities but I'll learn....

    Appears that this is a fairly rapidly changing area and the only references I had been able to find were a year or more old.

    Having read the post Jeremy has indicated I'm even more confused. You talk about a different model which is twice the price and Jeremy seems to agree with other posters that they are "ridiculously overpriced bits of junk" and yet you have bought ten of these?!?

    Why buy more than one if they are no good? Am I missing something?

    I'd hope that the supplied card would be fit for purpose? I do take redvee's point that 5 min clips with short breaks might not be ideal but is it a deal breaker?
    Nobody told me we had a communication problem
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Read the thread again, it tells you buying the £80 is overpriced when you can get the same for less.

    Videos have always been allowed to be used in evidence, nothing has changed.

    Simon
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • jeremyrundle
    jeremyrundle Posts: 1,014
    walkingbootweather wrote:
    Apologies if it has been covered before and thanks for the pointer. I haven't mastered searching just yet but I did make an attempt to find out before boring everyone with a re-run of an old topic.

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12738852

    Seems I'm not alone in struggling with search facilities but I'll learn....

    Appears that this is a fairly rapidly changing area and the only references I had been able to find were a year or more old.

    Having read the post Jeremy has indicated I'm even more confused. You talk about a different model which is twice the price and Jeremy seems to agree with other posters that they are "ridiculously overpriced bits of junk" and yet you have bought ten of these?!?

    Why buy more than one if they are no good? Am I missing something?

    I'd hope that the supplied card would be fit for purpose? I do take redvee's point that 5 min clips with short breaks might not be ideal but is it a deal breaker?

    First of all the MUVE Atom is not the one I have or am talking about. First of all I agreed that a DIFFERENT camera was overpriced the MUVE, as thne thread states is overpriced, the camereas I have are £30 ihn Maplin, £7 on Ebay and I have ten because, well, I want ten :!: I use them for other things as well :?
    Peds with ipods, natures little speed humps

    Banish unwanted fur - immac a squirrel
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... heads.html
  • walkingbootweather
    walkingbootweather Posts: 2,443
    Sorry guys maybe I mis-understood your comments. So what you were saying is that the MUVE Atom is over-priced junk and the ebay/Maplin versions were cheaper and better? I had read it as just a better value version of the Atom i.e. cheap junk.

    Forgive my ignorance. If I understood what I was talking about I wouldn't have needed to post a question and impose upon you good people for your valued know-how.

    I'll now go away and search the forum for the past links to find out what I need to know.
    Nobody told me we had a communication problem
  • the_hundredth_idiot
    the_hundredth_idiot Posts: 813
    FWIW, I have had both an eBay cheapo MD80 (approx £12 delivered) and a Muvi (approx £50 from Evans) and the MD80 wasn't so bad.

    The MD80 footage was actually better quality than the Muvi and you could set a time/date stamp which I can't seem to do on the Muvi. Downside of the MD80 was poor battery life (approx 40 mins) and it used a lot of memory (about 3GB per half hour of footage).

    The MD80 gave up the ghost after I got caught in a torrential thunderstorm - I guess it just got water inside it. I still have the Muvi - it feels much more solidly built even if the video quality isn't quite as good.
    Never be tempted to race against a Barclays Cycle Hire bike. If you do, there are only two outcomes. Of these, by far the better is that you now have the scalp of a Boris Bike.
  • Philcho
    Philcho Posts: 57
    I doubt i'd invest in one because my commute is always pretty quiet and short not to mention i don't wear a helmet 8)
    MTB
    Project
  • shouldbeinbed
    shouldbeinbed Posts: 2,660
    Philcho wrote:
    I doubt i'd invest in one because my commute is always pretty quiet and short not to mention i don't wear a helmet 8)

    just invested in one on the back of THI linked thread. 364 days a year nothing happens on my commute either but I had a v similar incident recently that would have made my £14 investment worth it in one fell swoop. TBH though I hope that I'll only ever record sweet smooth journeys on it. I don't need the aggro of fkwits whether filmed or not.

    also it looks good and small to mount on clothing or handlebars
  • Berk Bonebonce
    Berk Bonebonce Posts: 1,245
    What size Micro SD card is best for these little cameras?

    I got one and I think the instructions say a max size of 8GB. However, no point in getting an 8GB one if the battery runs flat at the 2GB point, if you see what I mean.
  • walkingbootweather
    walkingbootweather Posts: 2,443
    Berk Bonebonce wrote:
    What size Micro SD card is best for these little cameras?

    I got one and I think the instructions say a max size of 8GB. However, no point in getting an 8GB one if the battery runs flat at the 2GB point, if you see what I mean.

    I have seen battery life claimed up to 3 hours, but more likely to expect 90-100mins. An 8GB card would give close to 2hrs video. If your communte was about an hour each way you could recharge the battery at work then copy the return journey on to your computer when you get home?

    The model I mentioned claims to accept up to 16GB cards giving close to 4 hrs record time (provided you recharged on route). Potentially one of these might extend battery life?
    Nobody told me we had a communication problem

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