Helmet / handlebar camera's
DBoycey
Posts: 7
Considering the state of drivers these days I am considering get a camera for my daily London commute.
Any advice would be welcome. I am a safe rider, do not pass through red lights, do not undercut cars, lorries etc but there will always be some idiot on the road that despite how safe we ride will do something to almost make you crash.
Had it not long ago, Cycling on a very wide road with plenty of space. This 1 car (BMW) overtakes me with plenty of space then bang, takes a sharp left turn down a side road without indicating. I only just managed to stop in time from doing close to 25mph (slight decline). It was a eye opener that despite my hazard awareness which is pretty good the actions of (luckily) the few can still almost put a cyclist in hospital.
thankfully I was able to ride slowly through Hyde Park afterwards to calm down a little, Had she stopped the red mist would have decended....
Any advice would be welcome. I am a safe rider, do not pass through red lights, do not undercut cars, lorries etc but there will always be some idiot on the road that despite how safe we ride will do something to almost make you crash.
Had it not long ago, Cycling on a very wide road with plenty of space. This 1 car (BMW) overtakes me with plenty of space then bang, takes a sharp left turn down a side road without indicating. I only just managed to stop in time from doing close to 25mph (slight decline). It was a eye opener that despite my hazard awareness which is pretty good the actions of (luckily) the few can still almost put a cyclist in hospital.
thankfully I was able to ride slowly through Hyde Park afterwards to calm down a little, Had she stopped the red mist would have decended....
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I've been doing my own research into this and have come to the conclusion that the cheap Chinese stuff I've seen knocking around isn't any good for this purpose. I think something that would work in low light levels would be best for winter/night riding. I'm currently thinking of getting the dogcam bullet, or saving up a bit more to get a contour.
Why is it usually BMWs, Mercs or Audis that cut you up like that? Nearly every time it's happened to me it's been one of those cars.0 -
deadfall wrote:Why is it usually BMWs, Mercs or Audis that cut you up like that?
It isn't. To suggest that bad driving is done "usually" by such owners is as fatuous as saying that "usually" cyclists jump red lights rather than stopping.
One persons experience does not make a trend, in the same way as we could suggest that "usually" you don't pay attention when cycling and "usually" don't notice folks indicating from your assertion.
I've never been cut up by drivers of said cars, but have been cut up by van drivers so your conclusion is as I said, fatuous at best.0 -
I have had good results with the cheap chinese stuff. Google 808 #18 or go for the jumbo I have the #11. Or google techmoan for good reviews. There are lots of similar spycams out there so make sure you read the spec carefully. The manufacturer sell direct on eBay.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/eletech0860 -
i have a contour and if its for evidential purposes its amazing the pictures quality is fantastic. The go pro is great to and has better mounting options but having used both the contour is better in my opinion.
I took this using mine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmb_w23Uf_80 -
Hi
I went a reasonably cheap way http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005PK5J0G/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
was on offer for £28.
Here is some film from a ride in the dark twilight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwyU37DOIj4
and if you look my last 3 uploads are from this camera.
I like the perspective of this camera as it shows the speed you are going better than my old eBay one.
I am going to put a little one together so people and see what it’s like in the dark.
No memory card comes with it, and it says it's weather proof which according to an email from the supplier means we can use it in the rain and it will be ok. That said last Tuesday in heavy rain and strong winds the front lens steamed up when I got in the house.
I don’t know how long it will record for yet but it is over 2 hours on one charge.
There is also a hd version one as well if you want to pay the exta.
HTH
Jon0 -
jthef thats cracking quality for the money, got a good camera there.0
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diy wrote:I have had good results with the cheap chinese stuff. Google 808 #18 or go for the jumbo I have the #11. Or google techmoan for good reviews. There are lots of similar spycams out there so make sure you read the spec carefully. The manufacturer sell direct on eBay.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/eletech086
Thanks for the link; looks good. Is there a particular model you recommend? I'm afraid I'm not very technical!0 -
If its just to record traffic go with the Jumbo V3 and possibly a battery extender
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/eletech086/Jum ... 34.c0.m322
Its 720P and will last about 1.5hrs - 2 hrs between charges. You'll need a 4/8gb card, but the camera can be set to recycle in 20 min intervals, so it will overwrite the oldest 20 mins each time. 4gb will hold 80 mins (since its 30fps)
If you want something that can be used for a little more fun, then the 1080p version (720p 60fps)
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/eletech086/108 ... 34.c0.m322
This was taken with my old 808#11 (720p 30fps) (make sure you view in 720HD) to see what it really looks like. The contrast has been improved in the newer models.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UCcsF1H9340
