GoPro Mounts - Helmet vs Frame

Biomech

I had a search through the forum and there wasn't much - so helmet or frame?

I currently mount mine on the bars, it's solid and works perfectly - BUT, I miss a lot of what I see with my eyes because it only points forward and it's a pain in the ass taking it on and off if I just whip to town or the shops.

I've just ordered a strap helmet vent mount thingy to try that, which is ideal for the problems mentioned, but I get the feeling that it's going to stick out a LONG way and make me look like a complete tool.

I live in a small city (town sized), so it's very uncommon and I'd likely be the only person using one heh. Apart from recording any problems, I want to compile some footage of the dangers of cycling here, and that tends to occur more when I go to town/shops than go for a "ride".

The two trips are frequently interchangeable, so whichever option would need to be more or less permanant.

Any thoughts, preferences etc?

dabber

It always strikes me that wearing a camera on your helmet somewhat negates any safety value of wearing a helmet.

MountainMonster

Dabber wrote:

It always strikes me that wearing a camera on your helmet somewhat negates any safety value of wearing a helmet.

How? It's not like helmets are the safest things in the world anyways.

I wouldn't worry about the helmet mount looking silly, that's normal for helmet lights or a camera. Anybody who does say something probably isn't of the sporty type anyways.

Also, be careful of becoming one of those YouTube warriors out with a vengeance if that's why you've gotten the camera. A lot of people simply go out and instigate things to get something happening on film.

dabber

MountainMonster wrote:

Dabber wrote:

It always strikes me that wearing a camera on your helmet somewhat negates any safety value of wearing a helmet.

How? It's not like helmets are the safest things in the world anyways.

I wouldn't worry about the helmet mount looking silly, that's normal for helmet lights or a camera. Anybody who does say something probably isn't of the sporty type anyways.

Also, be careful of becoming one of those YouTube warriors out with a vengeance if that's why you've gotten the camera. A lot of people simply go out and instigate things to get something happening on film.

I've no intention of getting into the age old helmet debate. My only point is that if you wear a helmet because you feel that is has the potential/ability to provide you with some protection in some circumstances, that ability is unlikely to be improved by putting a reasonably solid lump like a GoPro on top of it.

meanredspider

The Schumacher case has been tied up with suggestions that his camera (allegedly) influenced the injuries he sustained.

Personally a camera on the lid feels like it would be far too heavy. With the absurdly wide angles current GoPros have, I'd have thought bar mounting was more than adequate. The GoPro form factor (again, something I'm not a fan of, even though I own one) doesn't lend itself to helmet mounting.

bendertherobot

Pembrey CX, headcam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvDC28adGgc

Frame (mine)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CgUC0d ... freload=10

Biomech

Also, be careful of becoming one of those YouTube warriors out with a vengeance if that's why you've gotten the camera. A lot of people simply go out and instigate things to get something happening on film.

I'm not planning to :P I have it for a few reasons, to catch anything "cool", as evidence in case something happens to me or I witness a crash and the compilation video is really just a one off project, we have a lot of council types telling everyone we should cycle, but the traffic in the town and the driving habits are just horrendous, so I wanted to document it as a counter

diy

I have both helmet and bar mount. You get better footage with the bar mount, but if you want a security/evidence cam then I think there are better solutions than a go-pro - which cost about the same. Spycams are tiny and can go on the helmet with a bit of velcro. personally the go-pro is not that bad on the lid. Its not that heavy.

Jrf85

I would think about using the gopro chest mount, it gives a better view compared to the frame mount and you don't have to worry about having the camera attached to your helmet.

bendertherobot

Jrf85 wrote:

I would think about using the gopro chest mount, it gives a better view compared to the frame mount and you don't have to worry about having the camera attached to your helmet.

http://youtu.be/0AEG97foEHo

:shock: it's awful!

dabber

bendertherobot wrote:

Jrf85 wrote:

I would think about using the gopro chest mount, it gives a better view compared to the frame mount and you don't have to worry about having the camera attached to your helmet.

http://youtu.be/0AEG97foEHo

:shock: it's awful!

I think the example you've linked to has the camera angled down too low.

I've been playing with mine using the Chesty harness which is the only option I have until my Garmin/GoPro combo mount arrive. It's angled more upwards. See below. Don't take any notice of the subject matter or the quality of the editing, it's just me playing with some video shot on a murky day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1blFUeuCDc

Having said that I'm expecting the combo mount to be a better solution.

bendertherobot

That's definitely better but, I mean, I don't want to see people's arms! Also, I don't really want to wear more stuff.

dabber

bendertherobot wrote:

That's definitely better but, I mean, I don't want to see people's arms! Also, I don't really want to wear more stuff.

I don't disagree with that.

Jrf85

You have picked a pretty bad example there robot, dabbler has a good angle on his video.
http://youtu.be/vynmip4CmW4

bendertherobot

Why do you want to see arms?

tramuntanacycling

For me, its the frame every time. Going downhill with the camera on my helmet just feels dangerous once the speed picks up.

Have ordered one of the combo Garmin/GoPro mounts.

navrig2

meanredspider wrote:

The Schumacher case has been tied up with suggestions that his camera (allegedly) influenced the injuries he sustained.

I was going to post this but held back however now it has been said....

I have seen a suggestion from someone who works the development and design of high end safety helmets (not necessarily sports related) suggesting that Schuie may have sustained worse injuries as a result of falling on the camera and having a point load push through the shell of his ski helmet. It is obviously a speculative comment made in private but given his knowledge and can see it has merit. He wont mount a camera on his motorbike helmet.

With that in mind I would suggest frame but don't forget when it is switched on. I have footage of a mate who left his camera running when he stopped for a pee. Whilst not explicit, you can definately make out the end of pee shake!!

asprilla

Most importantly, I'd mount it on the frame so that were my Mrs to watch the footage she wouldn't see that I was checking out female pedestrians.

Biomech

I had a helmet strap arrive this morning, it makes the gopro stand out a lot more than I'd like.

I don't suppose anyone knows anything like this:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/k-edge-go-big-g ... o-version/

But that has a quick release? I like the camera on the frame, but taking it on/off all the time between rides and the shops is just way too much hassle