26 replies to this topic

[LarryKing]

I'm in the market for a new camcorder. I'm looking for options other than GoPro, which despite having cool TV commercials, appears to have some major issues with the Hero3. I'd love to hear the experiences of those who are using something besides GoPro.

 

A major criteria is a camera with enough memory and battery life to record a 90 minute enduro.

 

Thanks in advance.

[svvs]

Contour is always an option.  Lots of guys like them.

 

I've seen some cool Panasonic cameras out there (there were a few guys filming with them at the 12 hour....they stuck one on my car during qually).  I haven't actually seen the exact model in the market though.

[Alberto]

Contour here.  GoPro is a better supported product IMO.

 

The AIPTEK cameras are decent options to for a low budget 'camcorder' type device.

[MPR22]

I have tried the AiptekHD, (horrible sound quality) some issues with image stabilization, GPro Hero2  (good video, decent sound) and the Sony HDR-CX130.  My favorite camera has been the Sony, my only complaint with it was the wide angle lens I purchased didn't give me the optimal field of view for racing.  The sound quality was the best.  

 

Chris Haldeman has a nifty little lipstick cam that he sits on his rear deck lid that gives some of the most exciting footage I have seen to date.  Great angle and feel to the video,  you feel like you are glued to his bumper and the wide angle is perfect for that mounting point.  Not sure of its name but it is definitely the next camera I add to my arsenal. 

[pat slattery]

Aim has a new HD Smarty cam.

 

pat

[Johnny D]

Here's my Aiptek sound and video quality.

J~

[George Munson]

Traqmate is selling the new "Replay HD Camera". I've only used it a tiny bit but I like it so far.

[Kevin B]

I tried a woot.com offer for the Swann Freestyle HD (it's a Go Pro knock off) ~3 months ago.  I've been really happy with it.  I shoot in the 720P mode to get the widest angle possible.  I think support is non-existent but @ $100, including the screen and mounting case, that doesn't bother me.  Since woot is owned by Amazon, I'm sure you can find it for a relatively comparable price.  I did drill a few small holes in the plastic mounting case to improve the mic and it didn't introduce much wind noise.  It's no longer waterproof but I'd have bigger problems if the water level is reaching that spot in the car...

 

It will last 2 hours with the battery as delivered and uses micro-SD cards for memory.

 

Good luck with it.

 

-Kevin

[steveracer]

Johnny D,

Which Aiptek do you have? Do you have a wide angle lens on it?

I have the AHD H12 and can't get the field of view I'd like.

 

The audio is crap. A couple of band aids over the mic and a rubber band to keep the display from flopping around have helped.

[Johnny D]

Johnny D,

Which Aiptek do you have? Do you have a wide angle lens on it?

I have the AHD H12 and can't get the field of view I'd like.

 

The audio is crap. A couple of band aids over the mic and a rubber band to keep the display from flopping around have helped.

Aiptek A-HD+ 1080P High Definition Camcorder

Sunpak CAM-2110 MagMount 0.5x Wide-Angle Conversion Lens (Large)

The lens just came with a magnet to hold it on. I used electrical tape and it worked just fine.

 

http://www.amazon.co...0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Jim Boemler]

Usage question:  Which of these guys (or others) can be turned on and off purely electrically?  That is, power it up and it's recording, power it down and it saves the remainder of the file and stops.  Power it up again and it records a new file.  I'm looking for something that's totally foolproof, permanently installed and wired, and records whenever the ignition is on.

[Johnny D]

Well in my video to the right of the lap times, there's a remote control.

 

Not sure if that's what you meant. It was difficult to see all buckled up with helmet, weather I was recording or not.

J~

[john mueller]

ChaseCam.  It's not HD but it's a set & forget thing - just change memory card every few sessions.

[CruzanTom]

Usage question:  Which of these guys (or others) can be turned on and off purely electrically?  That is, power it up and it's recording, power it down and it saves the remainder of the file and stops.  Power it up again and it records a new file.  I'm looking for something that's totally foolproof, permanently installed and wired, and records whenever the ignition is on.

 

I use the GoPro Hero2 (not the current GP Hero3) and there is a one button option that turns it on and starts recording and stops recording. If you ahvea  GP Hero2, then the TraqMate can start it and synch it with the data.

[Danny Steyn]

Have been using the Sony HXRMC1 for the past 3 years synchronized by Traqmate data system and charged with a simple 12V inverter so the camera stays in the car and all you remove is the memory card, in the same way you take out the Traqmate memory card. They operate flawlessly, synchronize with the data perfectly (well approx 0.5 secs delay but I believe that is true on most cameras synched with Traqmate.

 

The cameras are discontinued, were $2200 when they first appeared, but can be found slightly discounted as they remain very much in demand as they have a remote viewfinder and the ability to zoom the lens (making its functionality very desirable in any other application other than motor racing with a fixed focal length lens). Battery life with extended battery is around 7 hours and 32 Gig card will take around 4 hours of continuous capture.

 

http://pro.sony.com/...product-HXRMC1/

 

I have a  couple of Replay 1080 cameras and their picture quality is awesome, they capture sound really wall and apparently synch with Traqmate. They are inexpensive, light, small and robust. They have the ability to be hardwired to 110V/12v battery source making it  perfect for in car use but its the one place I have not used them (so happy with the Sony's)

 

http://replayxd.com/...-xd1080-camera/

[Jim Boemler]

Well in my video to the right of the lap times, there's a remote control.

 

Not sure if that's what you meant. It was difficult to see all buckled up with helmet, weather I was recording or not.

J~

I also used a remote in my SM, but this is for full-time street use.  I don't want to have to touch ANYTHING, just start the car and it's recording.

[LarryKing]

I forgot to mention that cost is a major consideration. For instance if I purchased a $2,200 camcorder I could make some awesome videos of my car sitting in my garage - because I couldn't afford to race it.

 

PS: Thanks everyone for the advice.

[Jeff Wasilko]

If you're looking for a good way to keep a USB-powered camera alive in the car, check out:

 

http://www.burnsmoto...eatherproof.php

 

I picked up one a few months ago and it charges my gopro without any issues.

[AW33COM]

^ Jeff, which exact GoPro did you run on that USB wire? 

[Jeff Wasilko]

I've got a gopro hero3 silver edition.