Alan B
100 GW
Probably need something:
1) small
2) wide angle view
3) long recording time (battery and card)
4) weatherproof
GoPro fits
1) small
2) wide angle view
3) long recording time (battery and card)
4) weatherproof
GoPro fits
Best video camera for bike
- Thread starter veloman
- Start date
ambroseliao
100 kW
Another factor is the variety of mounts and the resale value. You can be pretty certain to sell your old GP for a good price compared to others.
The variety of mounts and their flexibility is another huge point for GoPro cameras.
The variety of mounts and their flexibility is another huge point for GoPro cameras.
Sacman
10 kW
I too am definitely a GoPro fan myself ... so much that I even bought their latest GoPro HERO2! 
I've watched the progression of the GoPro cameras over the years and I'm very pleased with the developments they've made.
But I've also been watching the lower-end keychain/spy cameras and their developments over the years and I've noticed
their video quality has drastically improved within the past 2 years. What used to be just grainy but viewable from these
small cameras has now become very rich, clear serious HD video. And for the purposes of "capturing license plates
at 50 feet" like the the Original Poster (Veloman) asked for... I think these cameras are definitely worth looking into.
One of the most recent keychain/spy cameras that stands out and is really worth looking into is this one...
called the "Jumbo 808 #11".
For about $50 I might just get one of these Jumbo 808's for myself and duct tape it to the top of my bike helmet.
BTW - People who fly RC planes and helicopters love using these cameras and captureing videos of their flights.
There's a massive thread on the RCGroups forum dedicated to discussion of this camera (and it's variants).
You can read up all about it here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1362692
Here's a YouTube review on this type of camera (that's about a couple of months old). But it shows some sample
video footage (720p@30fps) from the camera so you can decide if it's worth paying about $50 for these cameras.
[youtube]cBnbuzCINV0[/youtube]
I've watched the progression of the GoPro cameras over the years and I'm very pleased with the developments they've made.
But I've also been watching the lower-end keychain/spy cameras and their developments over the years and I've noticed
their video quality has drastically improved within the past 2 years. What used to be just grainy but viewable from these
small cameras has now become very rich, clear serious HD video. And for the purposes of "capturing license plates
at 50 feet" like the the Original Poster (Veloman) asked for... I think these cameras are definitely worth looking into.
One of the most recent keychain/spy cameras that stands out and is really worth looking into is this one...
called the "Jumbo 808 #11".
For about $50 I might just get one of these Jumbo 808's for myself and duct tape it to the top of my bike helmet.
BTW - People who fly RC planes and helicopters love using these cameras and captureing videos of their flights.
There's a massive thread on the RCGroups forum dedicated to discussion of this camera (and it's variants).
You can read up all about it here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1362692
Here's a YouTube review on this type of camera (that's about a couple of months old). But it shows some sample
video footage (720p@30fps) from the camera so you can decide if it's worth paying about $50 for these cameras.
[youtube]cBnbuzCINV0[/youtube]
veloman said:
ambroseliao
100 kW
That camera's main fault is that the FOV is very narrow compared to a GoPro. And because of the narrow FOV, camera shake is a problem. I have one of the non-HD 808 cameras and found it too shaky to be usable.
Sacman
10 kW
This camera is ... Too shakey to be usable ???... Really??? 
Hope you're not saying that just based on your experience with your NON-808 camera.
Take a closer look at that same sample video clip around 6:50 where the guy is driving around in his car. Footage looks pretty darn stable and very useable to me (granted he isn't driving fast). But I'm able to read license plates and street name signs well beyond 50 feet (addressing the needs of the Veloman...the OP of the this thread).
Field of View is definitely not as wide as the GoPro. But a wider FOV is not necessarily better because it also makes things appear smaller and harder to read.
[youtube]cBnbuzCINV0[/youtube]
Hope you're not saying that just based on your experience with your NON-808 camera.
Take a closer look at that same sample video clip around 6:50 where the guy is driving around in his car. Footage looks pretty darn stable and very useable to me (granted he isn't driving fast). But I'm able to read license plates and street name signs well beyond 50 feet (addressing the needs of the Veloman...the OP of the this thread).
Field of View is definitely not as wide as the GoPro. But a wider FOV is not necessarily better because it also makes things appear smaller and harder to read.
[youtube]cBnbuzCINV0[/youtube]
ambroseliao said:
ambroseliao
100 kW
Techmaon mounted his on his car which is different than a bike. You can see the non-HD 808 video in Icecube 57's videos. It's shaky. The same FOV in HD will also be shaky. Ice mounted his cam on the handlebars I believe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgmWvo_TOgI
I would love to see the 808 HD video side by side with the Hero1, and Hero2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgmWvo_TOgI
I would love to see the 808 HD video side by side with the Hero1, and Hero2.
Alan B
100 GW
Biggest problem with narrow FOV is aiming the camera and getting the view of what actually happened.
These tiny cameras are amazing but it might take quite a few to get the useful view. Could be front, rear or either side. Need a 360 cam.
These tiny cameras are amazing but it might take quite a few to get the useful view. Could be front, rear or either side. Need a 360 cam.
RallySTX
10 kW
But then I wouldn't know if I was coming or going! :lol: Saving for a Hero, cause it has many mounts and a solid rep!
Brian L.
Brian L.
ambroseliao
100 kW
I just saw that the GoPro HD 960 camera is now available for $130! It includes all the mounting hardware, polycarbonate housing, and cables. You won't be able to use an LCD BacPac or any of the other data port accessories, but you can record 170 degree 720P video and 960P tall video.
http://www.adorama.com/UWGPHDH960.html
Ambrose
http://www.adorama.com/UWGPHDH960.html
Ambrose
ambroseliao
100 kW
I also see that the lovely Olivia has noted that the original HD helmet hero is on sale for today only for $169 with free shipping. This is a tremendous deal. About a month ago, this exact camera was selling for $300!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VA56I8/
Ambrose
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VA56I8/
Ambrose
ambroseliao
100 kW
Now it's getting ridiculous. Today only, here's an eBay deal for the GoPro HD Hero 1 for $149.99 with free shipping! Again, this is half of what they cost just about a month ago!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GoPro-HD-Motorsports-HERO-1080-Camera/280778802038?_trksid=p1468660.m2000036#ht_1174wt_1346
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GoPro-HD-Motorsports-HERO-1080-Camera/280778802038?_trksid=p1468660.m2000036#ht_1174wt_1346
ambroseliao
100 kW
If you buy the camera above, don't forget to add the LCD BacPac to your order (for a total less than the cost of the list price of the GoPro alone ($226!)
ambroseliao
100 kW
The LCD BacPac is the add-on to the GoPro HD Hero and Hero 2 that is the small LCD screen so that you can see what you're shooting and what you've already shot. It's useful for framing the shot.
ambroseliao
100 kW
It looks like the $150 price is now $190 for the camera. You gotta jump on these deals when they're on!
oatnet
1 MW
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