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 Post subject: Cheap camcorder for in-car at the track
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 1:27 pm 
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Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2003 12:33 pm
Posts: 40
I'd like to get a cheap camcorder for the track. I primarily want to review the sessions to determine if I'm improving or if a particular technique is faster. Any suggestions on a cheap camcorder that works well enough on the track. I have a rollbar and will probably attach it there. Ioport racing has a mount but it's $99. Any other suggestions for mounting? I'm not very handy fabricating tools or mounts.

Ron, I've seen your video in class. It looks good. What model are you using?

Thanks,
Mark


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 1:41 pm 
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Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2003 9:58 pm
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Location: Apex
Both Autopower and io racing make generic mounts, but I think they are only about $10 cheaper than the one you found.

I do see them appearing on ebay for about $40 bucks every week or so.


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 Post subject: I got this one for Xmas
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 3:42 pm 
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Not spectacular just decent
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Location: Heading back to base for debriefing and cocktails.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5161&is=REG

It's does the job and seems to be a bit more versatile than some of the others.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 4:04 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2003 1:08 pm
Posts: 418
Mark,

Bogen makes some helpful camera mounting pieces, the "tripod mount" threaded hole on cameras is pretty darn near universal as far as I can tell. I do believe the GCR requires a redundant mechanical connection for safety so make sure you also have a strap in addition to the hard mount.
That said, I went with the I/O port mount.
I also went with a low end Canon DV camera as opposed to a less expensive non-digital camcorder because I needed something small to fit in the Miata. Probably not an issue for you, just remember that lighter weight also means less vibration if you can't get the mount very stable.
Another option is to go with a "lipstick camera" and a VCR. The "lipstick cameras" are very light, fairly cheap and can be easily mounted anywhere. You will also need a separate VCR to do the recording but I would guess you could easily bolt one to the floor in your car. Remember that you'll also need to power the camera and VCR in this scenario so find one that accepts 12VDC.
Frank


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 6:38 pm 
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JACKASS!!!
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http://www.chasecam.com/

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 3:56 pm 
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Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 7:41 am
Posts: 90
Location: Youngsville
Just saw this set up on another forum:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthre ... did=148544

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Jason Panciera
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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 4:23 pm 
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Location: Durham, NC
The very inexpensive 12V VCR sounds intersting. I have been using a non-digital 8mm on a tripod in the back seat, but would like to be able to use a lipstick cam so I can do some creative mounting such as...

* Wheel well mounts so I can examine suspension movement.
* Side mounts so I can see how close I REALLY am getting to those cones (especially in slaloms)
* Pedal area (Am I really running that section flat and not lifting or am I just fooling myself)

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Richard Casto
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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:34 pm 
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I hate working the course at autox and I must tell you about it, often.

Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am
Posts: 1718
Another option that has multiple uses.

http://helmetcamera.com/index.htm

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:36 am 
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Location: Raleigh, NC
Wes Eargle wrote:
http://www.chasecam.com/


Use "evo-black" or "evo-silver" in the coupon field and receive $10 off your order.

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Jim Pastorius
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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2004 8:00 pm 
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Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:05 pm
Posts: 48
Location: Raleigh
Jason,

I'm amused. You found my Pelican Parts thread. "Lothar" is me. It's kind of like Darth Vader being Luke's father :D

If anyone is interested in the lipstick cam option, contact me, I would be happy to share the details.

Lothar

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Dave Phillips
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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 6:46 pm 
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Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2003 12:33 pm
Posts: 40
I ended up going with a Sony Hi-8 with image stabilization and the IO Port camera mount. It worked well. There was some shake at very high speeds. I think it my be the wind but I'm not sure. I looked into the VCR route but wasn't sure where to mount it.

Mark


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 1:44 pm 
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Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 7:07 pm
Posts: 501
Location: Raleigh
Mark didn't get back earlier because I didn't see your note until now. Wish I would have because I could have saved you some money.

I have an IO port mount which I no longer use. I was OK but difficult to stabilize the camera. I made my own mount out of less than $10 worth of scrap aluminum. One thick plate bolts to the roll bar with two muffler clamps. I put a section of old mouse pad between the flats of the muffler clamps and the bottom of the mount (the thick flat plate).

A standard 1/4 bolt goes through a hole in the plate and threads into the mount for the camera. On each side of the camera I bolt 2 pieces of AL channel (angle pieces will work too). These go into slotted holes in the plate. The camera is put into place and these two pieces are slid up next to the sides and fastened down with winged nuts. This keeps the camera from vibrating left and right and makes for a very stable picture.

The camera is an inexpensive Hi8.

Ron


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 4:43 pm 
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Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2003 9:58 pm
Posts: 2204
Location: Apex
Ron,
I may be interested in your I/O.

Shoot me a PM


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 Post subject: Video Solutions..
PostPosted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 10:20 pm 
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Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 1:57 pm
Posts: 427
I tried one of the small lipstick cams back about 99. I know that they vary in quality, color, resolution etc. but I was not happy with the one I tried. The color was washed out, the vibration was terrible. Being small in size, they will tend to pick up whatever vibrations are transmitted to them, no matter how slight. (or at least this one did). Has anybody seen one of those with image stablization? The ones recommended here may work great. I admit I tried a pretty cheap one.

My solution for the last four years or so has been a Canon Hi-8 camcorder mounted on an improvised tripod arrangement. The image stabilization does a tremendous job of smoothing things out. The slightly larger mass of a camcorder actually seems to dampen out most of the higher frequency vibrations (like that which you'd get over a rough surface). I also had a Hitachi camcorder for awhile which used an electronic image stabilzation, and it worked great too.

A few points...
A camcorder with a flip out screen is useful for aiming. One with a remote is very helpful so you can just flip it on with the remote instead of having to reach behing you manually (especially challenging with harnesses, helmet, racing seat, etc.)

I did get a wide angle lense for my Canon for use on some autocross courses. If it's an airport course, I don't bother with it. For parking lot courses, it is an advantage.

The whole setup was pretty cheap. The camera was about $150 used off ebay years ago, and then I chopped up a nice tripod at about $30.

I would like to get a small LCD TV to watch the videos on at the track though.

Miles


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