This was just in the NYT the other day: A Bike Camera to Record What's Sneaking Up - NYTimes.com

And the related link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/21/technology/bicyclists-using-cameras-to-capture-accidents.html

The rear-view one does capture last few minutes of the ride, so it's constantly looping. The go-pro on the helmet, while unwieldy, does come along with you and did help that guy out during the confrontation, where the rear-facing one won't.

What they need is one similar to the one in the first link, that records as "split" front and rear view in the same pane. Perhaps with the forward camera helmet mounted, streaming via bluetooth.

I wonder how much the GPS feature of the Contour adds to the "video witness/black box" aspect, if you have video already.

OK, I ordered the HobbyKing camera, figured for $38 why not.

Now I need to figure out a weatherproof enclosure that will fit on my helmet and house camera (at least a front-firing one, maybe a rear-firing one too), front-facing head light, rear red blinky, and maybe a rear-facing light (so that the rear-facing camera can see something).

I currently ride w/ helmet-mounted headlamp and two red blinkys, so I'm okay with having stuff up there.

And the bonus use will be to record WNBR Portland 2013 . . .

Are you thinking both front and rear firing cameras?

I wonder if you could use a mirror to get both with one camera.

I've got a Contour+ that is usually mounted to a roll bar in the track car.

I forgot the roll bar mount for the Daytona Chump Car event and got permission to mount the camera directly to my helmet. The camera was mounted with the factory Contour mounts and held up really nice in hot, then hot and wet conditions:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/d9BUQP3aKho" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Jonescam is another brand.

I wonder how much audio matters. The bicycle helmet cam videos I've seen all have crappy, distracting sound = wind noise + mechanical noise + panting. No audio would be better.

For documenting driver behavior, does it matter what is said or rather yelled? Police aren't going to do anything about verbal abuse alone, and if they then run you over, hardly need the verbal stuff to make a crime. Maybe I'd rather not record my own verbalizations.

The Wing HD cam has no audio, I assume. The Tachyon Micro has crappy audio. Is that a rule-it-out failing?

I'm now thinking the rear camera should be seatpost mounted with a low mounted light, so that it catches cars coming up behind you and can film the license plate, but without shining in drivers' faces.

If anyone HAS a Contour GPS and isn't using it or is upgrading to something else....I would like to barter for it.

Spoons or graphics or tools....;)

don't forget the missile launch tubes

Expecting a video soon!

My cam arrived but I haven't had time to try it out yet.

I'm getting differing opinions on SDHC cards.

I'm OK with a card going into over write mode if it fills up......
But some message boards claim the card will over write the earliest file and others claim the card will simply just stop recording.

This would mean that the standard 2GB card is inadequate for long rides OR can be used and will overwrite......that will be my first test. A 2GB will be about 1/2 hour of recording time.

A 32 GB, minimum class 6 would do 8 hours. Battery life is 2-2.5 hours......

There is also a debate as to whether the USB cable plugged into a USB ciggy adapter will allow recording while charging.....

Film at 11....

I could do some tests for ya. ;)

Yes, it does....:p

how good is it at low light levels - I don't see a lux spec. on their site...

Not a bad price figuring a buck a gig, but what they say is the regular price of 80 bucks is way out of whack. I see them around 35 most of the time. 25 is even better!

Got the GPS working and all the other bells and whistles. Required significant searching for software updates. The fit of the battery is very tight and the waterproof door is not the best fit.

Waiting on delivery of the 32GB SD card. The 2GB card supplied is a waste of time. :rolleyes:

23 minutes just doesn't cut it. 32/2=16

23x16/60=6.1 hours

Contour claims 8 hours with a 32 GB card....that remains to be seen.

A 20 minute video takes 5 minutes to download to the manipulation and editing software or to the desktop via USB. I need a micro card adapter to see how long it takes to download. You CAN play the raw video off the camera as soon as the player opens up.

Took the unit around in the dark last night....glows and low light barely picked up. Perceived differential between what I saw and what was on the monitor shows low light recording as marginal at best. Glare looks like it may need a filter in monochrome backgrounds.

Got it out on the freeway today. Had some waypoints and compared speeds on the GPS and the recorded speeds. Within 1-2mph.

I had it mounted under my V1 radar detector. Took 5 minutes to find the satellites. Not the best unit I've ever had on GPS hookup. Scale of 1-10, a 3.

Vibration was minimal, the mount was to a light weight double suction cup that wasn't designed for the extra weight....but I wasn't doing heavy Gs at Willow Springs.

I did exceed the speed limit and will not be posting the video. Suffice to say a clean windshield is a good idea if shooting from inside the car.

I'm researching mounts for outside or to shoot from the roll bar with my top down.....but a suction cup mount OUTSIDE is a stupid idea to me. A clamp on the roll bar is about as far as I'm gonna do with the camera exposed to the elements.

The bike is a different matter.

I'm not happy with the lens and the inability to protect it with a replaceable sacrificial cover....

Backcountry.com: Outdoor Gear & Apparel by The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Arcteryx & Other Top Brands has an after market fix. Looking at that purchase.

The 32gb card doesn't show up until Monday. I plan on testing my USB cable and supplying power via the car's system and still charging and recording. The internal battery has a claimed 2-2.5 hour life. The 32GB card can record 6+ hours.....so on a long trip, a charge will be needed.....a full charge takes 4+ hours.....do the math. Hopefully the USB cable will keep up with drain versus charge. :eek:

The accessory plug resembles this below. I don't have to buy the Contour 35 dollar car charger. I've been running my Tom Tom off of this as well as my cell phone if it needs juice.

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/5...ger-Output.jpg

AC USB charger....I can plug into the wall. Don't have to buy their overpriced wall charger. I find this handy as I don't have to keep my laptop powered up to charge in the home.

http://images.geeksimages.com/images...-609A-unit.jpg

Review of the video shows clear reading for street signs. License plates will need a screen shot, a cut and a blow up to read.

Will explore that over the weekend.

My overall impression? It does what it says it does but not well. I'm happy but not blown away.

The lack of a monitor and the fix is a real time bluetooth addition that it only works with a IPhone or Android AND you need to buy another accessory card to do so....sucks.

The base price is a few pennies under $300 but the extras can easily double the investment.

Mounts....I have quite a few tripods and camera mounts that use a standard -20 male-female bolt.....this model doesn't have one...you guessed it, another accessory that has the mount. The standard mount is one that resembles the rails on laser pointers on pistols, rifles, shotguns, etc.

Excellent information. Keep the real world experience coming. Post a video from the girl's locker room or something.

32GB card, Freakin' thing won't format. The tech support doesn't answer the phone....they call ya back. No chat and email is 24 hours later.

They are sending a replacement unit.

Still haven't been 'wowed' with this yet.

Did a cruise on my bike, set the lower rez capture and got the advertised 30 minutes on the 2GB card.

What a waste of time....30 minutes? For an extra few bucks they could supplied at least 16GB for around 4 hours time....