Track video camera suggestions

[Jet Mech]

I would like to take some videos while doing some HPDE next year and would like to know what i can get for around 500.00. If anyone has any tips or suggestions that would be great. Is it possible to get the engine/exhaust sounds while recording for 500.00 or do i need to spend more? Do you need a seperate mic set up? I am a total noob with the in car camera thing so any help is appreciated. Where is the best place to mount the camera in the car? So many questions...

[robertm]

Check out GoPro. They are very easy to setup and take great movies in the price range you want.

[Oaktree]

I always have user (me) errors when I try to use my GoPro. I would look at Contour instead for this reason alone.
http://contour.com/

Location - I would try to mount as close to your head as possible so people can hear and see what you see. Second location would be on the roof, center line - no sound here though.

Honestly, the best video I have is from using my iPhone. Harry's laptimer and this mount ($40 in all ) - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

For reference a 1M at RA last fall and was hitting a 155mph going into turn 1. About 30 mph faster than my e36 m3!

[blotto649]

No doubt that the GoPro is the most robust and easiest to mount almost anywhere. The user interface is a total pain, but the new Hero2 is supposed to be better. The suction cup mount is super strong, the pipe clamps are great if you have a cage, and the clear enclosure protects the camera very well.

The sound from the GoPro is pathetic so if you're looking for good audio, then you'd need a separate mic if you go the GoPro route. Something like a Zoom H1 or Olympus LS-10 would help with that, but they can be tricky to mount. Plus that'll put you over budget.

[Jet Mech]

WOW!!!! This is great info. I am really impressed with the Iphone video and sound quality. So far i think the Contour camera sounds better than the GoPro since it sounds like it might have some issues. The Contour Plus seems like it has it all for 500.00 bucks:

http://contour.com/products/contour-plus

Im assuming that the Contour plus will display the speed since it has the GPS built in. Does anyone have any experience with the external mic that comes with the camera? Where would you place it for the best sound?


Thanks for the great ideas...keep them comming...and the vids are great too!!!

[JimD]

The only times I have done this, I used my little Nikon on a suction cup mount on the windshield. It will only take 640x480 video and it moved a little over hard bumps. Sound was OK, couldn't hear the car much. The mount was less than $50. And I had the camera. The camera was upside down but I found free software that flipped it. It worked.

Is there a good reason you can't just use a regular camera for this? I have a larger Nikon that will do HD (1080p) and slow motion movies (a P500). It seems too heavy/big for my little windshield mount but it wouldn't be hard to rig up a head rest mount.

Can somebody who knows these specialty cameras comment on what is enough better that it makes sense to get them - versus using a camera you already have?

Jim

[1SerieStud]

GoPro Hero 2 - what a fun little toy! My friend and I spent the entire day filming/driving and alternating between mounting the camera on my car and his e92 M3! Definition is phenomenal!

[Jet Mech]

TTT.

[Juiced1M]

Go Pro Ftw !

[M3Sweet]

http://store.uniquephoto.com/e/index.php/video/gopro/

GOPro all the way