Temper + ebike != safe
- Thread starter tostino
- Start date
OP tells of a confrontation in Florida, where "feeling threatened" is justification for shooting someone (as one comedian said - "the no black teens in white neighbourhoods law").
Another is a victim of a "driven-by" - like a drive-by but with the roles reversed.
I'm glad I live in a civilized country where you don't get shot for being outside.
Another is a victim of a "driven-by" - like a drive-by but with the roles reversed.
I'm glad I live in a civilized country where you don't get shot for being outside.
swade said:
I like the design, but I'd like a resolution that's at least 1000 pixels wide so at least a license plate number could be read. I believe mikefish (Maybe not him) mentioned having some kind of "Flip HD" recorder from Walmart for $150.
Zoot Katz
100 kW
philf recommenced this one for price, features and high definition. He's a camera aficionado.
For a weather proof action camera the Oregon Scientific ATC5Kis better adapted to cycling use because it has a built in LCD screen for preview.
Other helmet cams record a lot of pavement and sky before you get them aimed properly.
Edit: fxt url
For a weather proof action camera the Oregon Scientific ATC5Kis better adapted to cycling use because it has a built in LCD screen for preview.
Other helmet cams record a lot of pavement and sky before you get them aimed properly.
Edit: fxt url
Zoot Katz said:
I couldn't see the top one since it seems the link got truncated. Looking at the website, though, I found one for $199 that had...
1440 x 1080 H.264 Video @30fps
32 gb SD expansion possible
That seems fairly awesome! Extraordinarily high resolution and enough possible capacity to last for hours.
Zoot Katz
100 kW
Lock
100 MW
Impressive but I wonder how long one of those would last bouncing around on a bike? Manual says stuff like "...do not leave in direct sunlight" and "...avoid all contact with water". Yah, a 4GB SD card can hold 2hrs of HD but the limiting factor is the battery. 90mins capacity shooting HD vid or about 200 stills before plug-in or battery swap. Nice that it can recharge either from wall wart OR USB, but the manual says "When using a PC to charge the battery, do not power on the camcorder, or the charge will stop." (I was wondering whether this little camcorder could be powered directly from the vehicle pack while underway, but it seems not)
tks
lok
tks
lok
tostino
10 kW
The reason it can't be powered on with a PC while charging, is because a PC's USB port is only able to give VERY low power. As in, it takes more power to run the camera than the USB can put out, so there is no extra for charging the battery.Lock said:
I like the idea of a camera though! Would gave been great to use as evidence in a situation like mine. However, I wonder if i'd get in trouble for a bike that was obviously going faster than 20mph if I were to use it as evidence though lol.
Lock said:
I'm pretty sure it could. It might not be simple to figure out, but almost all consumer electronics can be powered with your own special battery with a little DIY initiative. I believe they probably have an DC power adapter port somewhere and with the voltage rating and amp rating it'd provide, just get the proper DC-DC converter to run it or make it yourself. I'm sure with the batteries we carry, it could run for hours.
Also, I think it'd be cool to control the FPS rate directly so you can reduce memory and power consumption. 10 FPS may seem choppy, but it's good enough for evidence.
liveforphysics said:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,577691,00.html
Something smells rotten in the city/neighborhood of Lakewood.
mikefish
100 W
yup, i have this:
http://www.amazon.com/Flip-MinoHD-Camcorder-Minutes-Black/dp/B001HSOFI2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259603837&sr=8-3
I got a screaming deal on it from a friend, but it is not for those that are looking for something water proof!
The 2 most important things here for a camera, are resolution, and frame rate. 30 frames a second is very nice. much less, and things tend to get a bit blurry, and unreadable.
A large enough resolution is obvious I think. My camera can pick up plates from a medium distance very well.
YouTube crushes files down so they can save on space, so any examples I have on there are not as high quality as the original.
I have not been riding lately due to a bad knee, and a broken bike, but when i was riding, the camera had the "squeaky wheel effect" squeaks all the time, except when you take it to the mechanic. Before i got the camera, I had several run ins with hoodlums, and other stupid cagers.
After getting the camera, I rarely recorded a infraction of any sort. I figure the day I take the camera off the bike, is when i will wish i had not.
One more nice thing about a camera on my bike, it keeps me honest too. If something happens, I dont want the camera to be used against me!!! :lol:
http://www.amazon.com/Flip-MinoHD-Camcorder-Minutes-Black/dp/B001HSOFI2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259603837&sr=8-3
I got a screaming deal on it from a friend, but it is not for those that are looking for something water proof!
The 2 most important things here for a camera, are resolution, and frame rate. 30 frames a second is very nice. much less, and things tend to get a bit blurry, and unreadable.
A large enough resolution is obvious I think. My camera can pick up plates from a medium distance very well.
YouTube crushes files down so they can save on space, so any examples I have on there are not as high quality as the original.
I have not been riding lately due to a bad knee, and a broken bike, but when i was riding, the camera had the "squeaky wheel effect" squeaks all the time, except when you take it to the mechanic. Before i got the camera, I had several run ins with hoodlums, and other stupid cagers.
After getting the camera, I rarely recorded a infraction of any sort. I figure the day I take the camera off the bike, is when i will wish i had not.
One more nice thing about a camera on my bike, it keeps me honest too. If something happens, I dont want the camera to be used against me!!! :lol:
mwkeefer
1 MW
Mike,
5th ammendment protects you against self incrimination, that would include vidoe shot from your non- motor vehicle, so it's there to help if you need. Truly it should use an encrypted stream protocol for recording, that would hold up in any court under the "expectation of privacy" rule.
I've designed a system for cars very similar, coined "Stop Proof" amongst other things... in essence front and rear black box video recording (plus ability to integrate with automotive/cycle signals to record proper turns, stops, etc and GPS data)... all written out (in encrypted stream) to sdcards ... The video is time/date stamped and recorded as 2 streams (for individual or syncronized playback) - the time/date is required for admission in most courts (under security and surveilance footage rulings) but more importantly... if your followed by police, the car is in the rear frame - providing validation of both the front and rear views... if you have police where you are located who would write a bullshit ticket, this is a solution for you... let them write the illegal or total false ticket.. say nothing. Go to court with videos / records for the judge... All you have to do in most cases is show the officer is not telling the truth and the charges go bye bye...
In either case... I read your opening post then skipped to the last page because I've been through this with motorcycles and eBikes (finally, someone did some dumb shit to me... I had coffee with me thankfully, read on for more info)
Having been riding on 2 wheels since I was about 5 (powered since I was 8) it's been 30 years of 2 wheel experience... While riding motorcyles (specifically sport bikes) I learned quickly there are some people out there who just should be driving... like th guy who was trying to push you out of the way while you were exceeding the speed limit by 5mph.
You know the issue wasn't your speed, he was all about control. People who get angry at eBikes (especially if they go the speed limit) and pull shit like that are total control nuts... every single time.
I've had people do the pull past, horn and profanity and then lock the brakes up *(like every person merging in a volvo, now those cocky bastards piss me off... like, haha you can't hurt me. - nvrmnd). One time I actually crashed into and over the
car ( I can't post what happened that day but dude wasn't using a pencil for about 3 months after) so trust me you could have really been hurt.
I think shooting the finger (alone) shows a great deal of reserve however it doesn't improve your situation, it actually makes the problem worse... what happens the next time (maybe) the asshole is behind you, someone who will act that way is freaking unstable to begin with and a danger to themselves and society and no im not talkin about the ones who pass and beep oce or twice... or call out "asshole", that happens... normal frustration and venting?
In my situation... I copied what I would have done on my sport bike... I always keep a bottle of something (glass on the motorcycle) in my rear webbing for just this purpose. I will (and have) smash the bottle into the window of a jackass like that... while he is behind me and before he becomes a danger... This has the remarkable effect of SCARING THE SHIT out of even the most unstable people and it makes driving difficult but not impossible. Combine with the ability to escape (catch me if you can on the GSXR) quickly.. the bottle is the best thing for motorcycles (don't try convincing me... Ive only had to do this twice in my life... once I should have and was crashed because I didn't have a bottle to do it with)
On an eBike... it's not like you can do 100mph (ok methods) so glass and permanent damage is out - you don't want to enrage them further. When this happened the other day as I said I had a coffee with me (fresh from wawa - two lids so it wouldn't splash)... well I deployed the coffee on their sheild. It worked, they stopped dead in their tracks and pulled off the road... I did report this to the local PD and got the license plate off a security camera from my office (which observes the street) and they were charged with reckless driving.
Point of the story... sometimes the best defense is a good offense and careful planning. You have proof catching ability now with the camera but... I would carry a plastic cappacino bottle in the rear trunk webbing or bottle holder (find a spot) for this purpose (it is my plan to just fill a water bottle up with this crap... water bottle is made weaker by putting in oven a while at lower temps) so that it bursts on impact.).
This will cause no damage but will buy you some time of distraction - remember your on a bike, you can go offroad in narrow places they can't I would suggest the most narrow path directly to the police station!
-Mike
5th ammendment protects you against self incrimination, that would include vidoe shot from your non- motor vehicle, so it's there to help if you need. Truly it should use an encrypted stream protocol for recording, that would hold up in any court under the "expectation of privacy" rule.
I've designed a system for cars very similar, coined "Stop Proof" amongst other things... in essence front and rear black box video recording (plus ability to integrate with automotive/cycle signals to record proper turns, stops, etc and GPS data)... all written out (in encrypted stream) to sdcards ... The video is time/date stamped and recorded as 2 streams (for individual or syncronized playback) - the time/date is required for admission in most courts (under security and surveilance footage rulings) but more importantly... if your followed by police, the car is in the rear frame - providing validation of both the front and rear views... if you have police where you are located who would write a bullshit ticket, this is a solution for you... let them write the illegal or total false ticket.. say nothing. Go to court with videos / records for the judge... All you have to do in most cases is show the officer is not telling the truth and the charges go bye bye...
In either case... I read your opening post then skipped to the last page because I've been through this with motorcycles and eBikes (finally, someone did some dumb shit to me... I had coffee with me thankfully, read on for more info)
Having been riding on 2 wheels since I was about 5 (powered since I was 8) it's been 30 years of 2 wheel experience... While riding motorcyles (specifically sport bikes) I learned quickly there are some people out there who just should be driving... like th guy who was trying to push you out of the way while you were exceeding the speed limit by 5mph.
You know the issue wasn't your speed, he was all about control. People who get angry at eBikes (especially if they go the speed limit) and pull shit like that are total control nuts... every single time.
I've had people do the pull past, horn and profanity and then lock the brakes up *(like every person merging in a volvo, now those cocky bastards piss me off... like, haha you can't hurt me. - nvrmnd). One time I actually crashed into and over the
car ( I can't post what happened that day but dude wasn't using a pencil for about 3 months after) so trust me you could have really been hurt.
I think shooting the finger (alone) shows a great deal of reserve however it doesn't improve your situation, it actually makes the problem worse... what happens the next time (maybe) the asshole is behind you, someone who will act that way is freaking unstable to begin with and a danger to themselves and society and no im not talkin about the ones who pass and beep oce or twice... or call out "asshole", that happens... normal frustration and venting?
In my situation... I copied what I would have done on my sport bike... I always keep a bottle of something (glass on the motorcycle) in my rear webbing for just this purpose. I will (and have) smash the bottle into the window of a jackass like that... while he is behind me and before he becomes a danger... This has the remarkable effect of SCARING THE SHIT out of even the most unstable people and it makes driving difficult but not impossible. Combine with the ability to escape (catch me if you can on the GSXR) quickly.. the bottle is the best thing for motorcycles (don't try convincing me... Ive only had to do this twice in my life... once I should have and was crashed because I didn't have a bottle to do it with)
On an eBike... it's not like you can do 100mph (ok methods) so glass and permanent damage is out - you don't want to enrage them further. When this happened the other day as I said I had a coffee with me (fresh from wawa - two lids so it wouldn't splash)... well I deployed the coffee on their sheild. It worked, they stopped dead in their tracks and pulled off the road... I did report this to the local PD and got the license plate off a security camera from my office (which observes the street) and they were charged with reckless driving.
Point of the story... sometimes the best defense is a good offense and careful planning. You have proof catching ability now with the camera but... I would carry a plastic cappacino bottle in the rear trunk webbing or bottle holder (find a spot) for this purpose (it is my plan to just fill a water bottle up with this crap... water bottle is made weaker by putting in oven a while at lower temps) so that it bursts on impact.).
This will cause no damage but will buy you some time of distraction - remember your on a bike, you can go offroad in narrow places they can't I would suggest the most narrow path directly to the police station!
-Mike
mikefish
100 W
Mike,
thanks for the info on self incrimination. I also like your idea of a car that has the full time video system. then i could find out if my wife really was "just a victim" :lol:
as for the broken window, or even half-caf double decaf windshield trick... damn dude, i would rather pick the quiet video option that solves it in court later instead of the "I KILL YOU FO WHAT CHU DON TO MA CA!!!" option!!!
shit...one dude on here got shot at, and a hole in the windscreen, just for looking over his should, in his own car, minding his own business!
Making the best decisions I can, try to keep a calm temper, and basic heads up riding are the dorky way I'm going to go for. I have kids to feed after all! I tried to stop feeding them, but then they just get all crying like...go figure! :wink:
-Mike
thanks for the info on self incrimination. I also like your idea of a car that has the full time video system. then i could find out if my wife really was "just a victim" :lol:
as for the broken window, or even half-caf double decaf windshield trick... damn dude, i would rather pick the quiet video option that solves it in court later instead of the "I KILL YOU FO WHAT CHU DON TO MA CA!!!" option!!!
shit...one dude on here got shot at, and a hole in the windscreen, just for looking over his should, in his own car, minding his own business!
Making the best decisions I can, try to keep a calm temper, and basic heads up riding are the dorky way I'm going to go for. I have kids to feed after all! I tried to stop feeding them, but then they just get all crying like...go figure! :wink:
-Mike
Hyena
10 GW
Sounds like we need to equip our bikes to deploy oil slicks and smoke screens :lol:
I bought one of these camera last week. Quality is suprisingly good for a unit that cost $20 delivered. I have it mounted on my helmet now and record my daily commute. It's more for fun / interest but on the off chance things go south I'll have some record of it.
Thankfully getting shot at is something that'd never happen here - the worst I've had is people beeping their horns at me and swerving in front as they speed off.
I bought one of these camera last week. Quality is suprisingly good for a unit that cost $20 delivered. I have it mounted on my helmet now and record my daily commute. It's more for fun / interest but on the off chance things go south I'll have some record of it.
Thankfully getting shot at is something that'd never happen here - the worst I've had is people beeping their horns at me and swerving in front as they speed off.
mwkeefer
1 MW
Hyena said:
Actually being in AU, might be better off with a snow machine mounted in rear since most Aussies haven't seen snow before - equally distracting and slippery.
Hyena said:
Aww man, you mean it's not like Mad Max?
Lucky me, I learned to ride a bicycle in Philadelphia (Filthadelphia) which means I've been hit about 10 times and near hit about 200, never shot at (on a bike).
-Mike
