Best In Car Camera?
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking through eBay etc there seems to be loads of options for in-car cameras these days!! Looking at getting on for the racer this year (TVR Griffith, open top). What would you guys recommend? It will be cage mounted so needs to be good at absorbing vibrations. Also weather proof... Want a decent quality one but equally don't want to spend a fortune!!
Over to you guys!
Ta
Looking through eBay etc there seems to be loads of options for in-car cameras these days!! Looking at getting on for the racer this year (TVR Griffith, open top). What would you guys recommend? It will be cage mounted so needs to be good at absorbing vibrations. Also weather proof... Want a decent quality one but equally don't want to spend a fortune!!
Over to you guys!
Ta
Just picked up a GoPro Hero 3+ Silver. So far I'm very impressed with it, but not used it in anger yet.
They seem to be the benchmark and if you just want a camera, rather than something to later link to car data, are used by absolutely everyone - from Chris Harris to Guy Martin!
The standard case is fully waterproof and actually lets good sound through, good wind protection too. You can get about four hours of 720p 60fps footage out of a charge, which I presume will be plenty!
No need to pay full price, either..
They seem to be the benchmark and if you just want a camera, rather than something to later link to car data, are used by absolutely everyone - from Chris Harris to Guy Martin!
The standard case is fully waterproof and actually lets good sound through, good wind protection too. You can get about four hours of 720p 60fps footage out of a charge, which I presume will be plenty!
No need to pay full price, either..
Before you decide have a look at www.vision-tek.co.uk they offer some good alternatives to go pro and once you factor in the cost of the mounts they are much cheaper.
They also offer next day delivery and 14 day money back if not happy.
I run one on my 997 in GT Cup
Worth a look.
Also they give 12 months warranty
They also offer next day delivery and 14 day money back if not happy.
I run one on my 997 in GT Cup
Worth a look.
Also they give 12 months warranty
Edited by chrisb0 on Sunday 19th January 22:58
Edited by chrisb0 on Sunday 19th January 23:04
I have an open top car and run two cameras, one is a cheapish in car system from China, the sort they use for the 'Russian car crashes' on you tube, and a Go Pro 2, there is lttle diffrence in quality, to be honest, and the go pro was 5 times the price, but the go pro is waterproof, which is a big factor in an open car. This year I plan to use the Go Pro 3 black my daughter had for Christmas, as it has aremote control, all my vidios start with a picture of my mate turning it on on the start lin, looking in the lens and saying "Ok the red light is flashing"
To be fair about the GoPro mounts, they are wildly overpriced but there's no reason at all to use them. Plenty of good aftermarket solutions around, I now have a windscreen sucker for road use, a chest rig and a helmet strap for skiing, and I haven't spent £20 yet roll cage mounts can be had easily too.
The only one I'd never skimp on is a suction cup intended to be used outside the car, for that the official ones are apparently very good, but you're never gonna use that on track anyway.
The latest models (the Hero 3+) have WiFi, so you can view it on your phone or laptop live. This is awesome for setting up and framing the shot properly without faffing around, and you can change all the settings, start/stop and all remotely too. I'm pretty impressed.
roll cage mounts can be had easily too.The only one I'd never skimp on is a suction cup intended to be used outside the car, for that the official ones are apparently very good, but you're never gonna use that on track anyway.
The latest models (the Hero 3+) have WiFi, so you can view it on your phone or laptop live. This is awesome for setting up and framing the shot properly without faffing around, and you can change all the settings, start/stop and all remotely too. I'm pretty impressed.
McSam said:
The latest models (the Hero 3+) have WiFi, so you can view it on your phone or laptop live. This is awesome for setting up and framing the shot properly without faffing around, and you can change all the settings, start/stop and all remotely too. I'm pretty impressed.
At the risk of being shouted at for advertising the vision-tek cameras have this as well, and at lower prices. I'm definitely not wanting a war on this, just interested but I had a more detailed look at the £200 action-tek HD, and to my eyes, it's a bit lower spec than the equivalent GoPro - half the frame rate, which in particular might rule out 1080p for in-car stuff, and half the still resolution which suggests the sensor is a little bit pushed trying to achieve 1080p. Slightly shorter battery life, but not a dealbreaker when you can hardwire it in-car.
Coming with the wrist strap remote is pretty cool, that would be good on mountain bikes or skiing, I like that - though perhaps for the OP, it has little use for in-car applications.
Can you do time lapse on those? That really appeals for road trips and so on.
To be honest, from what I've seen I wouldn't want to take the hit in specifications (especially the frame rate) to save £15 from the Hero 3+ Silver. Also worth bearing in mind the GoPro is such a popular product, aftermarket mounts and so on are incredibly varied and cheap. If it was more like £50-75 price gap I reckon it'd make a nice alternative, though!
but I had a more detailed look at the £200 action-tek HD, and to my eyes, it's a bit lower spec than the equivalent GoPro - half the frame rate, which in particular might rule out 1080p for in-car stuff, and half the still resolution which suggests the sensor is a little bit pushed trying to achieve 1080p. Slightly shorter battery life, but not a dealbreaker when you can hardwire it in-car.Coming with the wrist strap remote is pretty cool, that would be good on mountain bikes or skiing, I like that - though perhaps for the OP, it has little use for in-car applications.
Can you do time lapse on those? That really appeals for road trips and so on.
To be honest, from what I've seen I wouldn't want to take the hit in specifications (especially the frame rate) to save £15 from the Hero 3+ Silver. Also worth bearing in mind the GoPro is such a popular product, aftermarket mounts and so on are incredibly varied and cheap. If it was more like £50-75 price gap I reckon it'd make a nice alternative, though!
I think its only fair to declare an interest as Vision-tek is my sons company.
So with that out of the way
You have to be careful comparing go pro as they have different models with very similar names.
The hero 3 silver can only manage 1080p at 30fps and 5Mp stills
The hero 3+ silver can manage 1080p at 60fps with 10mp stills
The 3 is around £199
The 3+ is around £279
These are published prices
Yep the action tek has time-lapse function
Oops forgot to mention the action tek camera has a go pro compatible mount option so it can use all go pro mounts standard and aftermarket
For in car use they are really quite good, i use one in my 997, to be honest i used it at 720p @ 60fps to get nice flowing video at high car speeds, the difference on a computer screen between 1080p and 720p is almost imposable to noticeable, its only on 42" tv sets or bigger you start to notice.
Oh and you don't get the remote control, or mains charger with either go pro, they are extra.
Right thats enough selling now, they are going to kick me off here if i don't stop
So with that out of the way
You have to be careful comparing go pro as they have different models with very similar names.
The hero 3 silver can only manage 1080p at 30fps and 5Mp stills
The hero 3+ silver can manage 1080p at 60fps with 10mp stills
The 3 is around £199
The 3+ is around £279
These are published prices
Yep the action tek has time-lapse function
Oops forgot to mention the action tek camera has a go pro compatible mount option so it can use all go pro mounts standard and aftermarket
For in car use they are really quite good, i use one in my 997, to be honest i used it at 720p @ 60fps to get nice flowing video at high car speeds, the difference on a computer screen between 1080p and 720p is almost imposable to noticeable, its only on 42" tv sets or bigger you start to notice.
Oh and you don't get the remote control, or mains charger with either go pro, they are extra.
Right thats enough selling now, they are going to kick me off here if i don't stop
Edited by chrisb0 on Tuesday 21st January 22:09
As NorwichPhoto says, we don't use GoPros anymore. Superb marketing company, but the product isn't that much better than the opposition AND has some serious downsides.
Currently using ReplayXD 1080s hard-wired into the car (so they start/stop recording with ignition). We've not had many problem, but it's not been problem free either. Vibrations can cause the contacts to lift off the memory card, which stops the camera and corrupts the video - one of the downsides of H.264 codecs.
So I am in the market for a better camera. Considering the DogCam HQ2 and also the 4Kam Stealth HD, but have a feeling I'll stick with the Replays until something head and shoulders better comes along. The GoPro 3+ Black is very nice if it wasn't for the silly case and the brick aero, and being unable to power from the car.
It must be water-resistant (in monsoon conditions at 130mph).
It must be powereable by the cars power, and turn on/off automatically (the amount of times manual cameras aren't turned on by accident, or are turned on and then turned off by the next mechanic thinking he's turning it on). Therefore it can't have a silly waterproof case because GoPro forgot to make their product water proof.
I wouldn't mind having none-removable memory, so there are no contacts to vibrate.
Don't mind not having removeable batteries to make them more vibration resistant too.
Must be bullet style so that it can be mounted at any angle without 14 mount adaptors yet still have a small frontal area.
However, same camera internals in a different layout could make a 'flat' camera for chest mounts or where bullet cams are just too long.
Not that fussed by Wifi and Bluetooth for cars, as it doesn't take long to check.
Remotes are useful, but must be small for use in cramped cockpits.
60fps is the minimum required with rolling shutter CMOS. If Global shutter than 30fps probably fine even for fast single seaters (but 60 is nice at 1080p, and 120fps is amazing at 720p, but global shutters seem to need a lower frame rate at the moment in this price region).
I reckon ANY of the camera manufacturers could easily make a product that pisses all over the current competition for less than the cost of a GoPro. They'd sell by the bucket load. I'd be happy to be involved in that process for no pay because every camera out there is excessively flawed.
Currently using ReplayXD 1080s hard-wired into the car (so they start/stop recording with ignition). We've not had many problem, but it's not been problem free either. Vibrations can cause the contacts to lift off the memory card, which stops the camera and corrupts the video - one of the downsides of H.264 codecs.
So I am in the market for a better camera. Considering the DogCam HQ2 and also the 4Kam Stealth HD, but have a feeling I'll stick with the Replays until something head and shoulders better comes along. The GoPro 3+ Black is very nice if it wasn't for the silly case and the brick aero, and being unable to power from the car.
It must be water-resistant (in monsoon conditions at 130mph).
It must be powereable by the cars power, and turn on/off automatically (the amount of times manual cameras aren't turned on by accident, or are turned on and then turned off by the next mechanic thinking he's turning it on). Therefore it can't have a silly waterproof case because GoPro forgot to make their product water proof.
I wouldn't mind having none-removable memory, so there are no contacts to vibrate.
Don't mind not having removeable batteries to make them more vibration resistant too.
Must be bullet style so that it can be mounted at any angle without 14 mount adaptors yet still have a small frontal area.
However, same camera internals in a different layout could make a 'flat' camera for chest mounts or where bullet cams are just too long.
Not that fussed by Wifi and Bluetooth for cars, as it doesn't take long to check.
Remotes are useful, but must be small for use in cramped cockpits.
60fps is the minimum required with rolling shutter CMOS. If Global shutter than 30fps probably fine even for fast single seaters (but 60 is nice at 1080p, and 120fps is amazing at 720p, but global shutters seem to need a lower frame rate at the moment in this price region).
I reckon ANY of the camera manufacturers could easily make a product that pisses all over the current competition for less than the cost of a GoPro. They'd sell by the bucket load. I'd be happy to be involved in that process for no pay because every camera out there is excessively flawed.
tristancliffe said:
I reckon ANY of the camera manufacturers could easily make a product that pisses all over the current competition for less than the cost of a GoPro. They'd sell by the bucket load. I'd be happy to be involved in that process for no pay because every camera out there is excessively flawed.
Thats not quite as easy as you make it sound.Every design has its compromises, if you build something with the best specification the cost goes up, if you save on the cost the performance suffers, its a difficult balancing act.
Its a bit like saying if car manufactures could easily make a car that pisses on the competition and they would sell loads.
So what market are you going to take on, family runaround, sports car, supper car, luxury car ?
Sorry to sound a little sharp, but i have been closely involved in the design of CCTV equipment for many years and its just nor fair to make a statement like that.
Dont want a war of words so apologies in advance
Dave, I've just had this emailed to me via Sport Pursuit
http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/gopro-jan/gopro-...
A good price I think at under £200 for the GoPro 3 Silver edition. Some basic mounts included. I'm going for this I think.
http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/gopro-jan/gopro-...
A good price I think at under £200 for the GoPro 3 Silver edition. Some basic mounts included. I'm going for this I think.
Appreciate that Chris - I am an engineer so I jump those hoops as well.
Let's go through my list with those glasses on...
Lots of cameras are sufficiently water resistant (with o-rings, sealed buttons) even at the 'cheap' end of the market. I don't think basic water proofing is difficult, and an extra Go-Pro style case could be sold for people that want to use the camera IN water. Just don't make the silly flimsy case a MUST HAVE for 'dry' conditions.
Having the power port accessible whilst using it isn't that difficult. Yes, the port would need to be sealed/covered to meet the first point, but Replay manage it and Ion manage it with o-ringed caps.
Non-removable memory card. This would push the price up because you'd basically be supplying a memory card. But lots of things have built in memory, so it can't be that difficult, and probably cheaper than having to make a slot and release mechanism and vibration resistant contacts AND supply a memory card.
A none removable battery wouldn't be too hard either. Pretty much the same as a normal battery, but with soldered joints and some screw holes in the housing.
If the internals are connected by ribbon cables (that's a guess) then having two case shapes (i.e. long and thin or short and fat) would simply be a design/tooling exercise. Agree it's probably too much for a small camera company to start with though.
Adding WiFi and bluetooth seems to be fairly standard these days, so perhaps isn't that difficult or expensive. Would be the first thing I cut from the spec to same money though.
Without wifi/bluetooth, a wired remote could be an option. Or InfraRed.
Rolling shutter is rubbish. You can't film motion with it nicely, and there aren't many static applications (although CCTV with a fixed camera position might be best). Any camera company that releases a rolling shutter camera in 2014 deserves to go bust. It has to be global shutter. Even if that means taking a hit on frame rates or resolution. Those that want distorted 1080p or 4K can buy a GoPro.
I'm not saying it's "easy" (otherwise I'd have already made/marketing/sold lots), but for a company like Replay, GoPro, Sony, Ion etc etc I don't think it would cause them more than a days stress
Let's go through my list with those glasses on...
Lots of cameras are sufficiently water resistant (with o-rings, sealed buttons) even at the 'cheap' end of the market. I don't think basic water proofing is difficult, and an extra Go-Pro style case could be sold for people that want to use the camera IN water. Just don't make the silly flimsy case a MUST HAVE for 'dry' conditions.
Having the power port accessible whilst using it isn't that difficult. Yes, the port would need to be sealed/covered to meet the first point, but Replay manage it and Ion manage it with o-ringed caps.
Non-removable memory card. This would push the price up because you'd basically be supplying a memory card. But lots of things have built in memory, so it can't be that difficult, and probably cheaper than having to make a slot and release mechanism and vibration resistant contacts AND supply a memory card.
A none removable battery wouldn't be too hard either. Pretty much the same as a normal battery, but with soldered joints and some screw holes in the housing.
If the internals are connected by ribbon cables (that's a guess) then having two case shapes (i.e. long and thin or short and fat) would simply be a design/tooling exercise. Agree it's probably too much for a small camera company to start with though.
Adding WiFi and bluetooth seems to be fairly standard these days, so perhaps isn't that difficult or expensive. Would be the first thing I cut from the spec to same money though.
Without wifi/bluetooth, a wired remote could be an option. Or InfraRed.
Rolling shutter is rubbish. You can't film motion with it nicely, and there aren't many static applications (although CCTV with a fixed camera position might be best). Any camera company that releases a rolling shutter camera in 2014 deserves to go bust. It has to be global shutter. Even if that means taking a hit on frame rates or resolution. Those that want distorted 1080p or 4K can buy a GoPro.
I'm not saying it's "easy" (otherwise I'd have already made/marketing/sold lots), but for a company like Replay, GoPro, Sony, Ion etc etc I don't think it would cause them more than a days stress
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