Video camera suggestions

[dazzlesa]

What do you guys use or suggest?

[Knestis]

I got a GoPro for a gift and quickly discovered it really needs the "backpack" video screen for aiming. It sounds silly but it's annoying to have to monkey with it, then not get what you want. The bonus of this option is that you can get them - and parts - at Circuit City, Target, etc.

K

[gran racing]

I've tried a few including the good ole fashoned type, Contour and GoPro Hereo2. My suggestion is the GoPro with either an I/O Port cage mount or RAM mount (on window or where ever).

Forget the backpack. There will be a new addition coming soon. Aiming if not that difficult without the screen. It's a wide screen so you'll be fine.

[mossaidis]

^ +1

[RacerBill]

Race-Keeper! Why settle for just video when you can scare the crap out of your self by knowing how fast you were really going when you hit the gravel trap!

[raffaelli]

Hero2. Easy. Looking forward to the live streaming soon to come. Waiting for a way to sync two Hero's.

[gran racing]

OG Racing has it here (http://www.ogracing.com/gopro-hd-hero2-camera-motorsports-edition) . $300 for the camera system is worth it.

[SMac92]

I use a Replay XD. It shoots at 480p, but they do have a Replay 1080XD. There's one button for On and one button for Off, it vibrates after it turns on just in case you can't see the recording light. This makes it really easy for a one man band to do it yourself. Otherwise, a crew member won't need any special instructions, just to know what button to press before you leave grid, and what to press when you come back. It costs $180 and is awesome. Comes with an SD card and the computer adapter, you can also use a USB adapter if you want to transfer files using that. It is also charged by the USB port.
My dad and I used a GoPro camera in our Formula cars and it was a bit annoying (my dad could never master the button sequence in order to start the recording). I can't be too against a GoPro though, it still works after hitting a burm at 85mph.

http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenFV19/videos has video from both cameras. The ITA car has a Replay XD, the FV has the GoPro wide angle.

Hope this helps,
Steven

[RacerBill]

Can't tell you the number of times we forgot to start the video camera at the start of a session! Automatic is the way to go! Needs to be so easy, the car can do it. This past weekend, I put a SD card in before the first session, and never touched it until after the last race. Can't get much more driver proof than that.

[CRallo]

many better options than GoPro... pros and cons for all options though.

[vicktorvolpe]

many better options than GoPro... pros and cons for all options though.

I tend to agree with Chris, but with a few caveats:

The go pro is nice for a few reasons:

1. Indestructible
2. Waterproof (we use them surfing, snorkling, and snowboarding)
3. Lightweight
4. Different recording options....up to SUPER high quality....like we were on the speed channel or something
5. Now has rechargable batteries

The main con.....it's not user friendly. I know it's push the front button, then push the top button....but it messes up sometimes. Also, if you ever want to change something.....it's a pain.

Speaking of change something....can you make it record files over 4 gb yet?

I think if I didn't need it for getting wet, I'd go with a contour hd. seems easier.

-Vick

[Bob Roth]

I am very happy with my Sony CX110 in conjunction with a Traqmate HD. Buy from amazon a separate wide angle lens for it, a 32 gig sd (8 hours of recording) and an extended capacity battery

The CX110 is $469 http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HDR-CX110-High-Definition-Handycam-Camcorder/dp/B0031RGKZI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1339541707&sr=1-1&keywords=cx110


It would seem the newer CX210 would also work fine for $328 but ask Traqmate if it works with their system.
http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=HDRCX210/R#accessories

[gran racing]

I had the Contour HD, worked with their tech guys, returned it. Was not at all happy.

[Clifford]

Hero2 all the way

[G-Man]

I have a Contour and a GoProHero2, both ~$300. Pros and cons to each.

RaceKeeper and its ilk are many steps up and ~$2K. Of course, you get TONS more data, info, images, etc.

The $300 cameras are really cool toys. I put them on my mountain bike and other stuff. The $2K stuff is a real data/video system.

Dave, I'm very curious - can you share what your issues were with the Contour? Thanks...

[Cobrar05]

i've been using a chasecam til recently. it was replaced by an hd smarty cam that cam with my aim mxl pista data system.

they are both great.

if you want to try the chasecam let me know. its not in the car right now.

[gran racing]

Dave, I'm very curious - can you share what your issues were with the Contour? Thanks...

Having the camera mount inside of the car, for the life of me I could not get the image quality to be respective. I attemted many different settings, received assistance and suggestions from Contour (they were helpful on the forum), but in the end it just wasn't acceptable. I spoke with them wondering if I had received a defective unit explaining that I was also going to do a review of the camera on my website. They said they'd look into it and get back to me after inspecting the camera. I followed up with them more than once and never heard back from them. I have sample coverage and the various settings that I attempted. One of the very few products that I've ever sent back.

The GoPro just works, although I did quickly replace the suction cup camera mount it comes with. I'm also super curious to see what the actual streaming capablity of the upcoming application will be. Don't have high expectations but could be super cool for family / friends, as well as an "in-car coach".

[924Guy]

I've had the best luck with the ContourHD, of all. Just got my wife one, so she doesn't have to wait for me not to use mine. Still can have occasional glitches, but it's been by far the most robust thing I've tried.

Not interested in the GoPro - garbage aero, ironic since the owner races a formula car.

I also really like the cheap spycams - you can have lots of fun putting them in WRONG places. :D

Here's a recent vid; bottom left window is a Contour:
https://vimeo.com/43870573

Never had a problem with quality on the Contour; I agree, you MUST'VE gotten a bad unit...

[StephenB]

I use the contour HD. Original 720 version. My only complaint is that I like mounting it on the bottom spoiler of the car and the lens has become pitted making a somewhat foggy video. I need to stop being lazy and just get a new lens! :) I honestly love them, super easy to use and because of the rotating lens you can mount them anywhere anyhow you want. those lazer beams make it easy to make sure it is aimed correctly as well. In the wreck I just had it was knocked off the car and did stop recording BUT it still works perfectly :)

Stephen

[gran racing]

Now I fully admit this is the most boring video ever, but that wasn't the point. What I was attempting to do originally is test the quality of the video using various settings on the Contour camera, then review the results at home. My hope was to use this camera in racing and for my car testing articles. I only posted it to YouTube (not public yet) so that they could help troubleshoot. Even when I viewed it from the Contour directly to my HD T.V., it was the same basic quality. The sound issues are also strange and VERY annoying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6qR5qHkPEU&feature=g-upl

Vaughan, you're video isn't looking outside of a window which impacts things.

[rthiele]

I just bought a Swann FreeStyle 1080p action cam via Woot sellout for half price (regular $279). Very similar compared to a GoPro Hero, but it comes with plenty accessories, a waterproof housing, a detachable LCD screen, removable battery, a laser pointer, and, most importantly for me, a REMOTE. Reviews seemed ok, apart from some complaints about the audio. I'll check it out at the Glen July 21/22.

http://sellout.woot.com/offers/swann-freestyle-1080p-action-cam-5?utm_campaign=Amazon+Daily+-+20120703+-+Sellout.Woot+-+swann-freestyle-1080p-action-cam-5&utm_source=Amazon&utm_medium=email

[ribbie78]

I've had gopro's, bullet cams, miniDV cams, HDultra....but my favorite overall by FAR is amazingly the cheapest one I've had. A used Flip Ultra HD. Picked it up on amazon a year or two ago for about $60.

pros- charges from USB (built in; flips out, hence the name lol)

- 2hr run / record without needing memory cards, enough for whole race weekend

- very light, mounts on standard mounts (I use ioport mount)

- good field of view (wasn't a fan of ultra wide angles that take away the "real feel"

- great audio
- it's cheap, cheap, cheap.

cons- haven't found any yet...

sample: Click the quality button and take up to 720

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xlpBOYfOtU&list=UUe3BJNFOvHYXcEdlJ3Pz10A&index=6&feature=plcp

[rthiele]

Agree, I have used the Flip also for a couple of years. Great auto white balance and stabilizer, great picture, cheap.

Cons: only 30fps (not 60), no remote, plus I already broke 2 most likely from the vibrations.