CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!

"really need to re-invest in a headcam"

(19 posts)

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    Says anth

    Was thinking, only the other day, 'we' talked about cams a lot a year or so ago.

    Did people use them and then stop??

    Posted 12 years ago #
  2. wingpig
    Member

    I tried a wee one but it was too rubbish, unable to capture details of number plates. Something crops up about once a week which I feel might have been usefully recorded so I expect I'll try a better one in a couple of months' time.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  3. I think I might try a 'Flip' next time. As the pig with wings says there's generally something happens once a week worth recording.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  4. Roibeard
    Member

    Once a quarter for me, so much less frequent, but then I'm averaging only about 5 miles a day.

    Still doesn't mean that I've not bookmarked Dog Cams and mentally spec'd up the desired camera!

    Robert

    Posted 12 years ago #
  5. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Dog Cam Bullet wide-angle was on my list of things to get, but I've other spending priorities higher up the list at the moment. I always seem to have other spending priorities higher up the list.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  6. wingpig
    Member

    I generally find that leaving something for ages after the initial "hmmm..." and seeing if I still think I need one at regular intervals thereafter is the best way of testing that an impulse deserves further consideration, hence yesterday's new rear brake. As I don't need a new camera this year I ought to be able to start investigating options towards the end of next month.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  7. spitters
    Member

    I got a set of the video glasses
    fiddly to setup the date each time and remember to clear it out and keep it charged but they did work, didn't mean attaching anything obvious onto helmet and also meant you could discreetly film a taxi driver having a rant at you before calmly pointing to the lens and saying "smile, candid camera" before legging it down any route they can't follow
    will start using them again now I'm cycling in lighter times

    Posted 12 years ago #
  8. Dave
    Member

    I stopped really when I started riding the lowracer, because that killed off any "interesting" traffic moments. I think literally there were one or two in all the time I was on it.

    Now back on an upright bike for the rush hour grind, I have pondered filming again. After all, it's not like it's any hassle. My old camera is past it now though.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  9. custard
    Member

    @ spitters
    do you think those glasses could be broken up into a visor mount affair?
    often wondered why someone didnt make a bike cam with lens and main body split
    so say lens on the helmet and the main body in a rear pocket,helmet rear etc

    Posted 12 years ago #
  10. Roibeard
    Member

    @custard - manufacturers are actually going the other way, as many folk appear to want a single unit, and miniaturisation/solid state recording has made compact, one piece camera/recorders possible!

    Robert

    Posted 12 years ago #
  11. custard
    Member

    I know
    I can see the practicality of the Gopro and the like
    however for cycle specific applications
    I would have thought a small lens,cable and then remote unit makes sense
    if it works for helmet lights,why not cams?

    Posted 12 years ago #
  12. Ed1
    Member

    I do not have a bicycle cam I see they are now quite reasonably priced £40 on amazon what sort of features should I look for

    Posted 5 years ago #
  13. wingpig
    Member

    Waterproofness.
    A swappable battery, either so you can carry a spare or extend the unit's life.
    The ability to modify settings/change mode without a computer is useful.

    Check how expensive any additional mounts or attachments would be. Minoura used to do a variable-size handlebar-clamp tripod mount.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  14. EdinburghCycleCam
    Member

    +1 for swappable battery. My camera (Shimano CM-1000) has a rechargeable internal (non-swappable) battery, but it only lasts about 60-90 minutes when recording 60 FPS HD video (Which I've heard is fairly average battery life). I've got a USB charger which I carry with me, but it takes about 2-3 hours to fully recharge the camera. I've yet to see if I can charge and record at the same time, and what that does to battery life.

    I'm also interested in this thread; I need to get a rear / second camera.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  15. Snowy
    Member

    If there's a camera which can usb-charge and record at the same time, that would probably be enough to tip me into getting a dynamo for the commuter.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  16. chdot
    Admin

    This may or may not be useful (and apply to other makes/models).

    Don’t know if this is due to type of charging source or if ‘connected to computer’ means camera is put into replay mode.

    You can simultaneously charge and record with the HD HERO Original, HD HERO2, HERO3, or HERO3+ cameras. To do this, you can use the supplied USB cable. Use that to connect your camera to a USB wall charger or auto charger that outputs 5V and 1A. You cannot record while the camera is connected to a computer.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  17. jsh
    Member

    I think you can charge and record with a Cycliq fly12 - review here: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/05/cycliq-fly12-bike-lightcamera-in-depth-review.html.

    I've got the big chunky silver one, the previous model, which has been superseded, and while it doesn't get the advertised 10 hours recording time, even with the light off, it does get about 6 hours which isn't bad. I will check whether it charges and records when I remember and report back.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  18. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Don’t know if this is due to type of charging source or if ‘connected to computer’ means camera is put into replay mode.

    It's probably related to the technicalities of the micro USB standard that allows for (as in 'detects' or 'expects') data and/or power depending on pin layout.

    Posted 5 years ago #
  19. acsimpson
    Member

    I have a Hero 3 and can confirm that setup. It uses a mini rather than a micro cable but that's an aside.

    I have done some extended timelapses (Plaster drying so I'll spare you a link) with it plugged into the mains.

    If you plug it into a computer it still charges but is in data transfer mode so won't operate as a camera. This means that it can't be used as a webcam.

    If I understand it correctly higher power charging (presumably including 1A) uses both the power and data pins in the USB specification. The computer is obviously using the data pins to transmit data and so can only provide enough power to charge rather than sustain full camera mode.

    Edit: I should add that on the Hero 3 you can't charge while the camera is in the waterproof case. I think the latest camera's are waterproof without the case so this might now have been fixed.

    Posted 5 years ago #

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