To camera, or not to camera

[LLCool_K]

Last few rides almost been knocked off due to poor driving. Considering bike cams, but do I want to become one of those guys?

Looking closely at Cycliq Fly12 and Fly6 at almost £400 for both not making the decision any easier. Can someone please give me a 'steer' (pun intended)?

[Piginapoke]

How would a cam stop you being knocked off?

[LLCool_K]

It won't, but it might assist me and my insurance claim should I suffer life affecting/changing injuries and suffer amnesia as a result of a head injury.

My concern is that hooking up a bike camera will soon descend into the usual caper on posting moaning videos on YouTube of drivers making very minor mistakes, which doesn't help the plight of cyclist not driver, in my opinion. Or worse, it won't decend into that but other road users will see me as 'one of those guys' by dint of having the cameras.

[IroningMan]

There's nothing about having a camera that means you have to post the resulting videos!

[vikingaero]

IroningMan said:

There's nothing about having a camera that means you have to post the resulting videos!

This. When you start you'll think about saving/transferring every incident. Then you become lazy and realise that close encounters aren't even worth the hassle. I now only download seriously close stuff, actual incidents or to be honest now mainly WTF comedy incidents.

[Magic919]

Don't stick it on your head.

[CharlieCrocodile]

I've had a fly6 for 18 months now, it's defused a number of potential situations where drivers have intimidated me until I've pointed out the camera and then they instantly stop. Other than the camera, it's a pretty good rear light too.
Image quality could be better though.

[LLCool_K]

vikingaero said:

This. When you start you'll think about saving/transferring every incident. Then you become lazy and realise that close encounters aren't even worth the hassle. I now only download seriously close stuff, actual incidents or to be honest now mainly WTF comedy incidents.

I do a lot of cycling in the West Midlands (as well as Worcestershire, Stratford etc) and I understand West Midlands Police are very keen to prosicute/educate drivers who close pass with thrid party video, what with Operation Close Pass. While I don't want to become a Lyrca clad warrior, I also cannot stick seeing a minority of drivers drive like utter morons and get away with it. Hence my concern 'becoming one of those guys', not fully enjoying my ride.

CharlieCrocodile said:

I've had a fly6 for 18 months now, it's defused a number of potential situations where drivers have intimidated me until I've pointed out the camera and then they instantly stop. Other than the camera, it's a pretty good rear light too.
Image quality could be better though.

Thanks for the feedback, very helpful. Do you run anything forward facing?

[Black can man]

I've had my fly 12 for over a year now, don't think i'd commute without it tbh.