Best video camera for car???

[Drifting Tree]

Searching for a camera to record my track time. I have looked into go-pro and a few others, just wondering if anybody has any experience.

I am not an expert on the computer, know a few things. It is not to difficult to upload a video to say,,,, this forum???

I am most interested in picture quality/difference between mounting in/out car

Thank you very much

[LiM3y]

This is a contourHD (not the 1080)
Here it is stuck on my helmet:

Here it is on my sunroof:

Here it is on the windscreen:

I much prefer it to the contourHD. It is slightly bigger, but the picture is better, there is less of a fish-eye lens and the sound is better quality. I have the older version of the GoPro. It is easier to mount externally as the waterproof case is easier to mount with more convenient mounts.

GoPro on windscreen:

GoPro on sunroof:

[ShadeD1]

I've used both the GoPro and the GoPro HD. I've been quite happy with both of them.
If you have an iPhone you might want to try Harry's Lap Timer. They just added the ability to take video with the iPhone and integrate it with the gps info. It is also only 13 bucks or so.

I've not tried Harry's lap timer with the video yet but I'm going to TWS the weekend and plan on trying it then.

[sandwood]

not saying it's the best but I use a kodak pocket hd camera, the zi8 (like a flipcam) and a cruisecam mount. only about $155 and you can easily use the camera for other purposes. nice plus is it has an external mic jack so the sound quality is better than most other setups I have heard. I need to turn the gain up next time out but you get the idea:

[erics02wrx]

As a disclaimer, I am by no means related to these company's or have any invested interest. I've just been seeking better options for a good quality reasonably priced in-car camera and a headrest mount for the track.

I have owned and used quite a few different cameras. Not a big fan of the Go-Pro, OK video but sound is horrible and it cant keep up with changing light conditions.

The drift hd camera is a little better and has a lot more options + a wireless remote, good camera but did not like the fact that when you set the zoom level for the video it would only keep that setting until you pressed stop and then you would have to reset the zoom level every time.

I just starting using the EVO HD camera system by race optics and can tell you it is very well made. the best part is it has a external mic. so you can place it wherever you want to get the best possible sound also it can be hardwired and has a wireless remote. http://www.raceoptics.com/evohds.php

Also i am using the AMT Engineering (http://www.amt-engineering.com/) headrest camera mount and have nothing but good things to say about it.

[JC919]

I use a GoProHD and mount it on the window behind the drivers door or sometimes on the hood. These positions provide decent reference points to get a lap time when editing the video.

[Drifting Tree]

Thank you very much. Sounds and looks like a great setup! So far the best I have seen.

[ixm3]

+1 for the zi8

advantages are: external mic, removable SDCard, big screen, separate remote is available, built in usb (easy downloading and charging), excellent image quality, cheap.

vid from my first use.
http://www.youtube.com/v/1hTcMfCzPvs

Originally Posted by sandwood

not saying it's the best but I use a kodak pocket hd camera, the zi8 (like a flipcam) and a cruisecam mount. only about $155 and you can easily use the camera for other purposes. nice plus is it has an external mic jack so the sound quality is better than most other setups I have heard. I need to turn the gain up next time out but you get the idea:

[adc]

Originally Posted by ixm3

+1 for the zi8

advantages are: external mic, removable SDCard, big screen, separate remote is available, built in usb (easy downloading and charging), excellent image quality, cheap.

vid from my first use.
http://www.youtube.com/v/1hTcMfCzPvs

The video quality looks ok, but this type of vertical camera has a big disadvantage - with the typical headrest mounts, the lens sits too high. All you're getting are pictures of the rearview mirror or helmet. And the angle of view is not very wide either.

I experienced the same thing with my Aiptek Action GVS.


If I can modify my headrest mount to lower the mounting screw somehow, this camera looks like it might work well.

[sandwood]

Originally Posted by adc

The video quality looks ok, but this type of vertical camera has a big disadvantage - with the typical headrest mounts, the lens sits too high. All you're getting are pictures of the rearview mirror or helmet. And the angle of view is not very wide either.

have to disagree with you there. did you check this out:

angle is pretty good, I think. you can also buy cheap wide angle adapters, although the quality is so-so. I have this one on my camera.

http://usbfever.com/index_eproduct_v...roducts_id=789

[adc]

Originally Posted by sandwood

have to disagree with you there. did you check this out:

angle is pretty good, I think.

Yes, this looks much better - was it with the wide angle adapter?

And what camera mount were you using?

[sandwood]

cruise cam mount
http://www.cruisecam.com/products.html

I was using the adapter, but it did not add much to the frame for this purpose - more noticeable for, e.g., trying to film people indoors. you can also see a slight distortion at the extreme right of the frame which is the result of the adapter.

that video was downmixed from 720p. the camera takes 1080 too, but that's only really useful for watching at home in true hd.

[adc]

Originally Posted by sandwood

cruise cam mount
http://www.cruisecam.com/products.html

Yes, that's what I have too.

that video was downmixed from 720p. the camera takes 1080 too, but that's only really useful for watching at home in true hd.

How is low light performance? I don't mean streetlight, but average indoor performance. "Look honey, we can do home videos with it."

[sandwood]

lol, i know what you mean about the wife factor. indoor performance is ok. camera is a little slow on transition from light to dark, so if you have sun coming in the window or something, it's not the best. but overall pretty good. and for about $110............

[Brosef]

now you guys have me interested in getting a camera for the track. what does it take to get a good audio signal? Would running a microphone into the trunk where the wind noise would be mostly muted work well?

[adc]

Originally Posted by Brosef

now you guys have me interested in getting a camera for the track. what does it take to get a good audio signal? Would running a microphone into the trunk where the wind noise would be mostly muted work well?

+1.

I too would like to know - especially since I went onto Kodak's web site and noticed they have a decent quality external mic for that zi8 camera.

Trunk? Dash? Engine compartment?

[Dntlvet]

Contour HD
ContourHD 1080p Full HD Helmet Camera
$243.76

Contour 2800 Windshield Mount Kit
$34.00 - Quantity: 1 - In Stock - Amazon Prime eligible join now
Condition: New

This set up looks like it might work.
Anyone try it yet?

[sandwood]

Originally Posted by Brosef

now you guys have me interested in getting a camera for the track. what does it take to get a good audio signal? Would running a microphone into the trunk where the wind noise would be mostly muted work well?

I got a $20 external mic with a long cord and one of those foam wind-sock type things (don't know the proper word) and a clip. I've only experimented with it the passenger footwell and by the parking brake lever. in the footwell, the noise was too muted. the video on the track above is with the mic by the parking brake lever. came out pretty well, I just need to turn up the gain. depending on whether you want more engine or exhaust noise, you can move it around. next time I might try it in the trunk, but I suspect it might be a bit muted there too.

[Drifting Tree]

Originally Posted by sandwood

cruise cam mount
http://www.cruisecam.com/products.html

I was using the adapter, but it did not add much to the frame for this purpose - more noticeable for, e.g., trying to film people indoors. you can also see a slight distortion at the extreme right of the frame which is the result of the adapter.

that video was downmixed from 720p. the camera takes 1080 too, but that's only really useful for watching at home in true hd.

This is a cool setup!!

[monsta]

Skierman64 was my instructor this past week and he uses this one
http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsu...ctID.169976100

after he connected it to a TV @ I couldn't believe how clear it looked...I'm definitely picking one of these up & its waterproof so you can use it for other sports