I've Rigged up a camera mount for my RT - now to see if it works!

[gkamer]

I've been thinking of a way to record both front and behind me when I'm out on a ride, especially in a group. I came up with this solution. Tomorrow if Mother Nature cooperates I'm going to take a little test ride and see how well it works out. I'll be interested to see if I can swing the camera around and get a good coverage from the front. This cheapie action cam came with a remote control that actually works. Will wonders never cease.

And yes, you're right, there is no camera in the case. I'm sure someone would feel compelled to point that out so I'll beat ya to the punch.

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[pegasus1300]

No camera in the case!. That's got to be the slickest remote since sliced bread.

[EdMat]

Hey Greg, where's the missing camera.

That should work pretty good.

[FrogmanDave]

Is that one of those new stealth cameras?

[Woodenfish]

Is that one of those new stealth cameras?

I hear it has X-ray vision.

[UtahPete]

Ingenious. How did it work out?

[gkamer]

Here is a short little clip of a longer video I took today. I'm going about 70 mph down the interstate at the time. Ignore the time stamp, it's not correct. This video was shot with a $40.00 Go Pro knock off from Amazon. I was pretty surprised with how little to no vibration was present. I moved the mount from the right side of my bike to the left to better capture both lanes.

This little camera came with an external microphone as well as the internal one. Today was threatening some serious rain which I did not want to get caught out in, so I didn't linger too long. Come tomorrow or the next day I'm going to run the external mic from the camera and stuff it inside my helmet to see how the road/wind noise comes across. But I have to admit, so far I'm pretty pleased with it's performance. I honestly expected to see the video shaking like it was in an earthquake.

[FrogmanDave]

The video is very good quality. Good job Greg!

[SLICE]

You need ma wind sock over the mic.

You need a ear phone warning for those of us wearing head phones.

[gkamer]

You need ma wind sock over the mic.

You need a ear phone warning for those of us wearing head phones.

The mic is inside the camera. I haven't had a chance to test the external mic yet.

[RULINGCHAOS]

I thought about using a typical cellphone mount and using an old cellphone with an app that records the front and rear cameras at the same time. That way hopefully I wont have to buy a new action cam.

[gkamer]

I thought about using a typical cellphone mount and using an old cellphone with an app that records the front and rear cameras at the same time. That way hopefully I wont have to buy a new action cam.

As well as this setup seems to work, I’m not really too happy with it. My main complaint is I can’t tell when or even if I’m recording. The camera has this little tiny blue LED that blinks where it’s recording. Unfortunately my 70+ year old eyes simply can’t see that little light unless I’m holding the camera right in front of me.

My Go Pro has a Bluetooth remote control that I can strap to my handle bars that has nice big red LED that blinks to show its recording. So I was thinking of swapping them around. Put the Go Pro on the back and mount this camera on my helmet where it will be easier to see.

[Flamewinger]

Rever Tracking/navigation app for motorcycles can also control a GoPro. It will power on and start recording then stop it. This happens when you choose areas you want it to record in.

I know it’s more $$$ but a 360 camera sees all.

[gkamer]

Rever Tracking/navigation app for motorcycles can also control a GoPro. It will power on and start recording then stop it. This happens when you choose areas you want it to record in.

I know it’s more $$$ but a 360 camera sees all.

I'd love to get one of those 360 cameras, but the 300-500 dollar price tag is a little outside my comfort zone.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Here are some things I learned when I used a GoPro for a few trips a few years ago. The camera really needs to be able to be rotated side to side. After all, all the good scenery is to the sides of the highway! It needs to be high enough to see over the jersey barriers along the road, otherwise you see a lot of concrete in the lower portion of the image. I fixed up a mechanical control on mine so I could rotate it, but it didn't work real well.

You have to be judicious in what you record. Most of what we see while riding gets to be monotonous to the viewer of the video after a few minutes. A final video should probably be no longer than about 15 to 20 minutes, and the subject needs to change at least as often as about every minute.

Editing a video to make it enjoyable for the viewer takes a LOT, I repeat, a LOT, of time. It's also computer processor intensive so a powerful computer is a must. IMO, what GoPro has done is return us to the days of the old 8 mm home movies of 70 years ago. Remember them, and how boring it was to watch a squad of kids racing around the back yard, and watching a panning view of all the aunts and uncles who would turn their heads, or stick their tongue out, and what not? Videos can be entertaining, informative, and enjoyable to watch, IF they are edited to become that way.

All of the above is why I haven't mounted a GoPro on my Spyder in several years, although I seriously planned to. I even bought some stepping motors and such to be able to control the movement of my camera while riding. But I've concluded the best way to avoid boring folks with boring videos was just not record them in the first place!

[gkamer]

Here are some things I learned when I used a GoPro for a few trips a few years ago. The camera really needs to be able to be rotated side to side. After all, all the good scenery is to the sides of the highway! It needs to be high enough to see over the jersey barriers along the road, otherwise you see a lot of concrete in the lower portion of the image. I fixed up a mechanical control on mine so I could rotate it, but it didn't work real well.

You have to be judicious in what you record. Most of what we see while riding gets to be monotonous to the viewer of the video after a few minutes. A final video should probably be no longer than about 15 to 20 minutes, and the subject needs to change at least as often as about every minute.

Editing a video to make it enjoyable for the viewer takes a LOT, I repeat, a LOT, of time. It's also computer processor intensive so a powerful computer is a must. IMO, what GoPro has done is return us to the days of the old 8 mm home movies of 70 years ago. Remember them, and how boring it was to watch a squad of kids racing around the back yard, and watching a panning view of all the aunts and uncles who would turn their heads, or stick their tongue out, and what not? Videos can be entertaining, informative, and enjoyable to watch, IF they are edited to become that way.

All of the above is why I haven't mounted a GoPro on my Spyder in several years, although I seriously planned to. I even bought some stepping motors and such to be able to control the movement of my camera while riding. But I've concluded the best way to avoid boring folks with boring videos was just not record them in the first place!

I have to agree with you. There’s nothing more yawn inspiring then watching a video of someone riding down the interstate for 10 or more minutes, or along winding country roads. There’s just nothing happening unless you happen to come upon an emergency scene or have a high speed police pursuit pass you like happened to me once. That was pretty cool. Not to mention with the Go Pro at least, everything looks like its 2 miles away even though its almost right in front of you. I’m sure there’s a camera word for that effect, but I don’t know what it is.

I really enjoy watching videos taken by folks going through towns and cities. There’s usually a lot going on to hold and keep your attention. I live in a rural farming community, mostly wheat. Can you imagine the excitement of watching 5-10 minutes of wheat fields as far as the eye can see?

I’d really like to give one of those 360 cameras a spin around the block but like I said the cost is a little too steep for me right now. So for the time being at least I’ll have to work within the limits of my technological abilities and budget.