Anyone Handlebar Mount a Camcorder?

[rockbottom]

I've wanted to shoot riding video for my blog but rather than buy a helmet camera which is, in Alton Brown's phrase, a "unitasker," I wanted to try using a RAM mount for a regular camcorder. Anyone had any success with this, or have any tips?

(I plan to get a clear filter to protect the lens and use a wind screen on a shoe mounted external mike).

Thanks.

 

[visian]

yes, i've done this with a couple of different video cameras.

Aerostich sells several really good mounts. I've also had pretty good success with the RAM suction cup mount.

The mounts that attach firmly to a crash bar or handlebar seem to be a bit better than the suction cup... it basically depends on how smooth the road is.

Here is another interesting approach:

The flexible attachement helps damp out bike and road vibes.... and provides a lot of flexibility in positioning the camera.

Interestingly, I found that DV cameras with a CMOS image sensor to be very sensitive to the vibration from the engine and bumps in the road. An older Sony DV cam doesn't use that sensor and it works fine.

Have you considered a GoProHD?

Of course, you could always do it like they did in the movie On Any Sunday.

ian

 

[rockbottom]

I considered the GoPro but it would be a "unitasker." I've just bought a new Canon camcorder to video my daughter's upcoming wedding and was considering trying it on the bike rather than buying a separate motorcycle specific camera. Seems that a RAM handlebar mount would be safe and cheap.

 

[visian]

I considered the GoPro but it would be a "unitasker." I've just bought a new Canon camcorder to video my daughter's upcoming wedding and was considering trying it on the bike rather than buying a separate motorcycle specific camera. Seems that a RAM handlebar mount would be safe and cheap.

Check which image sensor you have on that Canon. Mine has a CMOS sensor and I got unusable results from it, no matter how it was mounted.

ian

 

[rockbottom]

It is a CMOS. I may just try it and if doesn't work, I'll buy a GoPro once my friend the Nigerian prince sends me the $42 million.

 

[jstrube]

Vs. the GoPro, check out the Contour:

http://contour.com/

Right now, COSTCO has the GPS version in a "kit" for $299. From the video I've seen, this is the best out there.

John.

 

[JIMSHAW]

Good consistent results

I've tried a RAM mount on my clutch master cylinder with a fairly conventional camcorder. The results were unusable. 2 reasons:

1. The camcorder is relatively heavy for the length of the RAM mounting components, making it its own shake system. Add that to the moment arm of the bars, and you get sickening results.

2. Most conventional camcorders don't have a wide enough lens to properly capture motion without tons of vibration.

The only consistently great results I've seen while hard mounted on a motorcycle come from the Hero GoPro HD. It's what a lot of pros use to make HD videos. The lens is very wide angle, the camera is weather resistant, and there are accessories to make it useful on your bike or helmet. They even sell a tiny monitor you can mount on your bars, to see what the camera is seeing.

Shop Amazon. They regularly put the GoPro on sale for <$240.

Me? I quit making motorcycle videos (or trying) when I realized (aha!) that no one wanted to see them. Just like grandchildren, only you think they a beautiful and cute.

 

[rockbottom]

Good points. With a wedding coming up, having just spent $850 on a new camcorder in addition to the other wedding expenses, having just bought a Roadcrafter, and having daughter #2 in private college, I doubt I'll be springing for a GoPro for some time. So I guess I'll just pass. The major reason I wanted to video some twisties is to scare my mother anyway.

 

[marchyman]

Me? I quit making motorcycle videos (or trying) when I realized (aha!) that no one wanted to see them. Just like grandchildren, only you think they a beautiful and cute.

The two buddies who are in the video might look at it... once... for maybe 30 seconds... and even I can't find the videos I've made beautiful and cute.

Most of the videos I see (including ALL of the videos I've made) are boring. The ones that aren't are those 20 second clips of the guy in front of you crashing. Or even better, the 20 seconds of video where you crash (assuming the camera survives).

I still video once in a while. But unless something really, really interesting happens while the camera is running I don't bother taking the time to edit it any more. The raw video sits on my computer in hopes that it might someday yield 10-20 seconds worth of non-boring content.

 

[rockbottom]

My plan is to insert short clips in my riding blog, not to do full length video.

The Canon Vixia HF M40 camcorder I ordered just arrived and it's tiny, so I think I'll try a helmet mount.

 

[marchyman]

The Canon Vixia HF M40 camcorder I ordered just arrived and it's tiny, so I think I'll try a helmet mount.

I've found helmet mounts to work better than bike mounts with respect to camera shake. However you mount the camera to your helmet do NOT forget the safety strap that connects the camera (not the mount) to something that is not going to fall off (again, not the mount). I did it this way:

Which proved to be a camera saver when the mount and camera came loose from the helmet one ride. The mount was attached with double sided tape and the tape pulled from the mount, not the helmet, in 100 ??F temps.

 

[tommcgee]

I've found helmet mounts to work better than bike mounts with respect to camera shake.

+1, the body is an excellent shock absorber. I've got a GoPro HD mount on top of my helmet and you can load the camera facing either fore or aft.

You kinda have to be aware of head movement when you're recording, but it's not difficult.

 

[rockbottom]

Helpful points. You guys have convinced me to return the RAM mount when it arrives and go with the helmet mount.

By the way, the new camcorder arrived this afternoon and the quality is stunning. I can't wait to video a few blasts through the twisties.

 

[damons]

GoPro gives away a complete camera everyday.. go to GoPro.com and on the right side is a link to daily contest.

 

[Earache]

The raw video sits on my computer in hopes that it might someday yield 10-20 seconds worth of non-boring content.

Ain't that the truth! I have hundreds of hours of video and it all pretty much looks the same. Have yet to catch anything spectacular with video. Dunno why I keep trying. Stupidity maybe?

Another idea for mounting; use a split ring shaft collar. They're cheap at about $20 for aluminum (2.125" ID size) and can easily be tapped and threaded for a RAM ball.

I usually buy undersized ID ones and then turn the hole to the exact diameter I need on a lathe. Be happy to modify them freeof charge for anyone that wants to try one out.

They work very well and hold cameras very solidly. Might be worth a try before you send the RAM stuff back.

 

[robday]

I use the Contour with good results, and if you don't need the GPS function, a brand-new ContourHD goes for less than $200 on Ebay.

Here is a video I made last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNnLjZK7Qm8

I had the cam mounted under the nose of my K75s for this trip. I also tried the helmet mount, but in the case of the K75, there was too much wind and buffeting. Although I expect that with all of the protection I get from my GT with Aeroflow, the helmet mount might be the better option. It will show whatever you are looking at.

As far as the vibration and the CMOS sensors, the newer generation sensors are much better than they used to be. A high-end CMOS camera will also have its own stabilization technique. I wouldn't send that RAM mount back just yet, it might come in handy for something else. A 4oz. ContourHD will fit on it very nicely!

I have two Contours and plan to have one forward and the other moved around for beauty shots. Like facing aft, or including a wheel in the shot. It's a hobby for me, and it's true that not many people are interested in your videos. But I love watching my own, and it's nice to share them with whoever else is in them. But one very practical use for these videos is if an errant driver causes a mishap. The video evidence is worth its weight in gold. Just remember that you're on camera, and try not to get the speedo in the shot!

 

[rockbottom]

An update on this. The RAM mount arrived. It's very clean installation--easy to remove when I'm away from the bike and when I'm not using the camcorder, I can use it for my Spot. But I just did a quick test run and, as several of you suggested, there was way too much vibration. I've ordered some Sorbothane Vibration Isolation bushings and will try that. The helmet mount should arrive later this week and I'll also test that.

 

[ozonewanderer]

Me? I quit making motorcycle videos (or trying) when I realized (aha!) that no one wanted to see them. Just like grandchildren, only you think they a beautiful and cute.

The two buddies who are in the video might look at it... once... for maybe 30 seconds... and even I can't find the videos I've made beautiful and cute.

Most of the videos I see (including ALL of the videos I've made) are boring. The ones that aren't are those 20 second clips of the guy in front of you crashing. Or even better, the 20 seconds of video where you crash (assuming the camera survives).

I still video once in a while. But unless something really, really interesting happens while the camera is running I don't bother taking the time to edit it any more. The raw video sits on my computer in hopes that it might someday yield 10-20 seconds worth of non-boring content.

I've been thinking about getting a Helmet Cam, but you guys saved me a few hundred bucks. RobDay's video is really quite nice, but I'm sure I don't have the talent or patience to make something of that high quality.