$30.00 Bike Cam

[RangerG]

I wanted to video some of my riding but the Go Pro stuff is too expensive for me.  I bought a key chain video camera off E-bay for $10.00.  A 4 GB video card cost $15.00.
 


I cut a piece of steel I had laying around and drilled a hole so I could mount it with my mirror.  I JB Welded a rare earth magnet - $5.00 @ Princess Auto, to the steel.  



I used double sided accessory tape to attach a magnet to the back of the camera and then just stick the two magnets together.



I have about 1 hour of video time with this set up.  It doesn't work good at highway speeds but for around town and on twisty highways it should be good.  Link to a You Tube video I shot the other night.  Towards the end I bumped the camera when I reset the odometer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCXGw2V4DZU

Rob

 

[dentedvw]

Wow, it works a lot better than I thought it would.
 
Why didn't it work well on the freeway? Too much vibration?
Maybe it should be put on the helmet instead.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

Not bad quality when driving like a Grandma.  Would have like to have seen some twisties and a little speed to better judge the quality.

[CLAY]

Wow- that is awesome.  Great find!  

[MGoBlue]

I have to say I was surprised. Video quality was acceptable but the audio was crap. Awesome find for 10 bucks!

[RangerG]

I'll have to try it with the chain and caribeaner off it.  I didn't expect much as far as audio because there is usually a fair bit of rattle from the fairing.  I don't think it will fall off.  The magnets are pretty strong.

Not bad quality when driving like a Grandma.  Would have like to have seen some twisties and a little speed to better judge the quality.

I could be a Grandpa.  Were you referring to my age or the fact I was within the speed limit?
  I'd like to try it in the twisties too.................too bad I have to ride 6 hours to get to any!

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

I'll have to try it with the chain and caribeaner off it.  I didn't expect much as far as audio because there is usually a fair bit of rattle from the fairing.  I don't think it will fall off.  The magnets are pretty strong.
 I could be a Grandpa.  Were you referring to my age or the fact I was within the speed limit?
  I'd like to try it in the twisties too.................too bad I have to ride 6 hours to get to any!

Definitely the speed.  We're pretty close in age so I won't go there.

[jeepinbanditrider]

If Vibration was a problem try some velcro and sticking it to the top of your helmet.  Your body is an excellent shock absorber and does wonders getting rid of that annoying vibration.

Looking at buying one now what the hell is a TF memory card?

[chornbe]

at 1:15, I thought the white SUV in the driveway on the right was a "Look for bikes" PSA about to  happen.  

That video, vibes aside, is at least as good in quality as my Archos setup for way more $$$.

A digital video camera the size of a key fob. Explain to me how we're not living in amazing times! Technology is cool.

[Scratch33]

A digital video camera the size of a key fob. Explain to me how we're not living in amazing times! Technology is cool.

Great.  Now all the nude beaches will have to change their signage.  "No Keys Allowed"

Seriously though - that'd velcro to the side or top of a helmet pretty easily as well.

[stinky93071]

that would work great for what i want, just to get the past 30 mins or so.. if something happens have video of it.. do you have a link to the cam?

[chornbe]

that would work great for what i want, just to get the past 30 mins or so.. if something happens have video of it.. do you have a link to the cam?

Look on eBay for "digital keychain camera". I just bought two for $.99 each. You'll need to plan on buying micro-SD cards, too.  

[theWolfTamer]

Look on eBay for "digital keychain camera". I just bought two for $.99 each. You'll need to plan on buying micro-SD cards, too.  

Make sure the MicroSDs are Class 4 or higher or you videos will have stutters and other problems.

[chornbe]

Make sure the MicroSDs are Class 4 or higher or you videos will have stutters and other problems.

Good catch. I got my digicams in the mail yesterday. I have to stop at Walmart or The Shack or somewhere to grab a card or two.

[chornbe]

I'll have to try it with the chain and caribeaner off it.  I didn't expect much as far as audio because there is usually a fair bit of rattle from the fairing.  I don't think it will fall off.  The magnets are pretty strong.
 I could be a Grandpa.  Were you referring to my age or the fact I was within the speed limit?
  I'd like to try it in the twisties too.................too bad I have to ride 6 hours to get to any!

You could use a rubber band or piece of string with lasso knots at each end to secure it. They wouldn't transfer any more noise, but would still be good safety lines if the magnet(s) lets go.  

[theWolfTamer]

Good catch. I got my digicams in the mail yesterday. I have to stop at Walmart or The Shack or somewhere to grab a card or two.

Only the pny cards at my walmarts are class 4.  None of the others are higher than class 2 so look closely if you buy from there.

[chornbe]

So, I ordered two of these things. They're the "Camera #7" as described on http://www.chucklohr.com/808/

One works, the other doesn't (DOA). For $.99 I'm not returning it.  

The one that works, the video quality is "meh..." and the audio quality is crap. It's always clipping and distorting, so plan on dropping the audio channel and mixing your own.

With indoor lighting the quality is so, so. Tomorrow I'm gonna slap it on my helmet with velcro and see how it looks.

So far... it's $.99 plus the money for the memory card which I needed for my daughter's camera anyway.  

[theWolfTamer]

I like the md80 or md91 knockoffs better.  That is what I'm using right now and a d011 flashlight style cam.

Md91/d005/rd52 camera


Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N-pHt_uEfo

D011 camera


Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BCXZUUmSm8

The price for these can still be under $30 + MicroSD card.

[GTS_Rider]

Thanks for posting this. I think the video quality is about par with my $500 Archos setup with external wired camera I was running about 3 or so years ago. I ordered 4 of the #3 versions on the slow boat from China for 10 bucks a pop. Should have them in about 2-3 weeks.

Though the date/timestamp feature is oft reported as annoying, I see it as an opportunity. I'm thinking if the time is synced through multiple cameras (ie, set each camera as close as possible to atomic clock reference), you could chop together pretty cool vids with multiple real-time switching views. It might be four different views off one bike, or two different views off two bikes, or four different views off four bikes. And the views could be switched in realtime easily from the collection of all seperate vids, in post video editing.

Going off this notion, you could come out with a cool multi-view video of a single road. And, with a bit of Algebra, you could come out with a cool multi-road video from a single time.    

 

[theWolfTamer]

Link to program to auto set time:
software-schlosser

I haven't tried it, but if you have the one with the yellow timestamp in the bottom right corner, it should work. (The #3 camera is supposedly the best and is basically the same as the ones I have RD52/D005, D011, and D001)

Been doing some searching to see how folk have mounted these cameras and came across this for the 808:
RSVzone - View Single Post - Onboard camera

RSVzone - View Single Post - Onboard camera

this one might be vibe prone:
RSVzone - View Single Post - Onboard camera

RSVzone - View Single Post - Onboard camera

It's an alloy plate encapsulated in epoxy filler then secured by the light mount screw.

I was going to velcro the cam under the light but when I looked into it there wasn't enough room to fit it properly IMHO.

This way it sits in a nest at the correct angle and it also has a cable tie looped thru' the front of the housing & secured to the subframe by a quick release hook under the seat cowl for total security.

CHEAP HELMET CAMERA -MD 80

md80/d001
R6-Forum.Com - View Single Post - $16 Helmet cam

So far the best places I've found is on the stock turn signal stem--right side gives a bit of the bike--and the left rad cover.  I haven't tried the right one yet.

More Camera Mount Tests

Also, the 808's can be hacked to add an external mic.
Go Back Home* Helemt Cam Mod Pro

[Castaway]

Impressive image quality, as others have said. I wonder how much of he audio noise is due to your carabiner security set-up? It's interesting that the magnet holding it on doesn't affected the electronics/memory card.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Is the card's class listed on the packaging on the back?

[RangerG]

It's interesting that the magnet holding it on doesn't affected the electronics/memory card.

I found some info that says that only magnetic memories, such as hard drives are affected by magnets.  SD cards are silicone based......so it said.  I checked and saw that my SD card is class 6.  Leaving on a tour on Thursday so hopefully will have some video when I get home, 8 days later.  

Thanks for some of the suggestions re: mounting.  I think I'll throw in a bunch of rubber bands for a security tether.  I really don't think the camera would ever fall off.  The magnets are quite strong, especially when stuck to each other.

[theWolfTamer]

Is the card's class listed on the packaging on the back?

On the packaging and is most cases on the card itself.

[jeepinbanditrider]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abIDN3hwuPA

Suggest switching it to HD mode.  Just a series from a 20 minute ride home.  I need to move the camera back just a hair more.  One of the things that is a con about this camera is no immediate feedback.  You don't know for sure where it's pointing till you watch the video on a laptop.

[theWolfTamer]

Too many transitions to actually see anything.    Also, don't forget to use deliberate head movements when wearing the cam, the quick (normal) ones are dizzying on playback.  

That's the advice I got and the reason I no longer mount my cam to the helmet.  

[GTS_Rider]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abIDN3hwuPA

Suggest switching it to HD mode.  Just a series from a 20 minute ride home.  I need to move the camera back just a hair more.  One of the things that is a con about this camera is no immediate feedback.  You don't know for sure where it's pointing till you watch the video on a laptop.

Nice!, the footage is sharp. But, yeah you're right about the no feedback problem, it's gonna take a few tries to get it aimed just right. I kept tilting my head back while watching your vid to see a little further down the road...it didn't help  

[jeepinbanditrider]

Sorry about all the transitions I cut out what I wanted from a 30 min video then set movie maker to "auto" and that's what I got.  

[cmilaprz]

That was quite an innovative thinking to set up the camera in that manner to get your video recording. I do think that this is indeed one of the best ones that would be of a very good use while on a tour or on a vacation. The quality is also quite acceptable. I would love to give it a try and see if it works well for me.  

[RangerG]

You-tube link to a video I shot on my recent trip.  Quality isn't great but what do you expect for $30?  I did find that the little indicator light on the camera was very hard to see so I had a real problem seeing if the camera was on or not.  I had to stop in the shade to see the light.  I taped up a section of drinking straw to see if I can hold that over the light to see if it's on.  Will let you know how that works out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x0x0pCUsEg

[jeepinbanditrider]

You-tube link to a video I shot on my recent trip.  Quality isn't great but what do you expect for $30?  I did find that the little indicator light on the camera was very hard to see so I had a real problem seeing if the camera was on or not.  I had to stop in the shade to see the light.  I taped up a section of drinking straw to see if I can hold that over the light to see if it's on.  Will let you know how that works out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x0x0pCUsEg

The light shuts off when you are in recording mode.  The only time it is on is when you turn it from standby to "on".  Once you hold the button for 3 seconds the light flashes 3 times and shuts off.

[RangerG]

The light shuts off when you are in recording mode.  The only time it is on is when you turn it from standby to "on".  Once you hold the button for 3 seconds the light flashes 3 times and shuts off.

The problem I found was that in the sunlight, I could not see the light at all.  I couldn't tell if it was on, off or blinking three times.  at one point I thought I had footage of a doe and fawn crossing the road, but I obviously didn't have the camera on.

[theWolfTamer]

After my last ride vid, I was compelled to get the more expensive wide angle lens.  I ordered two, the 0.68x like the jelly lens and the .28x 180 degree lens.  I had the cheap jelly lens before but it flew off of the camera and I really couldn't tell much difference between the vids.  The 0.68x came today.

Normal:


With 0.68x wide:


I got the lens from eBay for 50% off their normal price (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360184066178&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT), about $13 delivered.  It came with a 2.0x Tele:


The 180 degree should improve the field of view even more.  The commercial helmet cams have about 170 degree lens standard.

[lolife]

I bought the same key chain camera from Ebay.  When I received the camera it wouldn't work.  After talking with the seller, he sent me another camera.  I received it yesterday & it doesn't work.

When I plug the camera into the pc to charge the battery, the yellow light on the camera comes on & stays on forever.  I've charged it over night & all day & the light stays on.   The thing has to be fully charged.

When I disconnect it from the pc, it does nothing.  It doesn't matter which button I press it doesn't do anything.  I bought a 4gb class 4 micro sd card & my pc will recognize the card in the camera but the camera doesn't work.

I hate to ask, but can someone with one of these post how to use the camera b/c imho the directions suck major ass.  There are instructions on how to use the camera on youtube but when I disconnect either of these 2 from the pc, it does nothing.  No light comes on.

I'm afraid I have another defective camera & I don't know if its worth sending 2 back to China just to receive a 3rd that doesn't work.

thanks in advance

[GTS_Rider]

I bought the same key chain camera from Ebay.  When I received the camera it wouldn't work.  After talking with the seller, he sent me another camera.  I received it yesterday & it doesn't work.

When I plug the camera into the pc to charge the battery, the yellow light on the camera comes on & stays on forever.  I've charged it over night & all day & the light stays on.   The thing has to be fully charged.

When I disconnect it from the pc, it does nothing.  It doesn't matter which button I press it doesn't do anything.  I bought a 4gb class 4 micro sd card & my pc will recognize the card in the camera but the camera doesn't work.

I hate to ask, but can someone with one of these post how to use the camera b/c imho the directions suck major ass.  There are instructions on how to use the camera on youtube but when I disconnect either of these 2 from the pc, it does nothing.  No light comes on.

I'm afraid I have another defective camera & I don't know if its worth sending 2 back to China just to receive a 3rd that doesn't work.

thanks in advance

This will probably be too long and overly complicated since I've been drinking, but see if you can make any sense of this and report back with questions:

I have just brought on of my cams to life that I previously thought was doa. Not sure exactly what I did, but it goes back to problems I had with one of the other cams that was working out of the box. After recording a few vids, one time when I uplugged from the pc the light went out and wouldn't go back on by pressing the power button. I discovered if I plug back into the usb connected to my computer and pull out prematurely the power light on the cam would stay on. Then in that state, if I held down the power button on the cam (I think for three seconds or so) the power light would go of, and then pressing down the powerbutton for about one second it will come back on.

It may also have to do with what data is on the memory card if any, since I've been swapping cards across multiple cams. You say your computer recognizes it when plugged in. Have you formatted the card? Do you need help with that? If not, try copying some stuff to the card just for grins.

Though, I think the main thing is you want the powerlight to remain on when you disconnect from the computer. If you're doing any of the 'safely remove usb device' stuff, just skip that shit. Try plugging and quickly unplugging to see if you can get to where the powerlight on the cam remains on when unplugged. Then, press and hold the powerbutton (which is the right side button nearest you if you're holding it buttons up with lens facing away) for about three seconds. If you get that far, pressing and holding the powerbutton again for about 1 second or less should bring the power light back on.

If you get that far, 'clicking' the 'front' right-side button will snap a picture. The light will briefly go off, then back on. Holding down the front right button till it starts to flash will put it in video mode. The light will remain off during video mode for stealth value. When you 'click' the front right button again, the video will stop and the light will come back on.

 

[lolife]

The only way I know how to thank you is to add to your reputation.  Unplugging the camera quickly makes the light stay on.  I then can turn off the camera & it works perfectly.  I tried it on the way home today & the video quality was better than expected.  I had it turned wrong & video'd the trees to the side.  

I'm going to give it another go & post a sample vid.

thanks again GTS_Rider