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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

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.

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.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

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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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

Just saw this set up on another forum:

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

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Jason Panciera
1999 Porsche 996
1974 Porsche 914 SM2 0 Gone but not forgotten

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
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Another option that has multiple uses.

http://helmetcamera.com/index.htm

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http://www.greywinds.com

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

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

Jason,

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

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
78 Porsche 911 SC

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

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

Ron,
I may be interested in your I/O.

Shoot me a PM

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