School me on helmetcams.

[Z]

I want one, but I don't want to have to carry a videocamera with me to use it. This exists right? Does that mean I can just dump it to my computer and edit it? What are my options?

Help me out. I'll bring the stoke. promise.

[nick > jesus]

the body of the POV1 is fairly small and seems bomber but = $$$$

[RaccoonFace]

Steer away from the ATC2K, it is a good idea, but crap. Video has a warp effect, it turns off without warning, the mounting system is flimsy. On top of that support to fix problems or ask questions is nearly nonexistent.

I've used helmetcamera.com's cam and it is super tough. If you get their entire system with digital recorder it's good, but it'll cost you.

okbye

[bossass]

POV1 with new wide head is pretty tits.

The Twenty20 Vholdr cam is stupid easy to use, and quality is nearly as good, for less $$$.

I've used both and I think both are solid.

[Deep Days]

Z, trust me. You want a POV1 w/ wide angle. Seriously. Send me a PM if you want details as to why.

[the_teo]

I have a samsung sports thingy, works kinda good, but bad batteries.

[iscariot]

http://www.helmetcamreview.com/
best independent site. Side by side testing.

I understand you don't want to carry a video camera; however, the camera/lipstick cam combo is the best quality. Xtreme Recall custom wires a small backpack with a water proof system and stereo sound.


Reviews:
ATC2K

KT&C cams

Twenty20 cams

Viosport cams (now called V.I.O.)

Xtreme Recall

So far the Xtreme Recall system is the best reviewed. I've got one. The video is unbelievable. Top notch. The guys who run the business are really helpful and have a variety of set ups for different budgets.

http://www.xtremerecall.com/

Sample videos on the site that are actually representative of the results you will get with your system.


disclaimer: I don't have any affiliation with helmetcamreview or xtreme recall other than being really happy with their information and product. They are both small companies, I'm always on the lookout for great quality small companies run by people who are passionate about their work. Both of these sites are exactly that.





Review below from helmetcamreview: (side by side) Extreme Recall vs. V.I.O

[Viosport (Now called V.I.O.) has changed their name and the direction of their company by the looks of their website.]

CONCLUSION: Xtreme Recall's Sony chipped CCD system

Special Review:

Xtreme Recall waterproof system


**NOTE: on 7/18/07 I finally had a chance to do a side by side re-test of Xtreme Recalls latest cam with the corrected firmware - below are the results!

The first thing I want to mention about this company is that they relish the feedback and are constantly trying to raise the bar in the world of micro-cams. A lot of companies get a product going and say "good enough". Not Xtreme Recall, they are continually seeking to produce the best system.

This unit has the generation 3 wire harness on it. This is Xtreme Recall's solution that will allow the use of either the common 3.5mm plug or Sony's proprietary 10 pin camcorder input plug. This is a great feature because if you are like me, you have your old favorite camcorders, but someday you know you'll buy a newer version. They also have a Gen 4 wire harness available that has a single cable from the camcorder area, then splits into the Cam, mic and LANC lines for a cleaner setup. I used the Gen 4 on their waterproof system, more on that later.

Their wire harnesses are very well thought out: On the Gen 3 the camera has a pigtail with connector (all the connectors are waterproof) that then goes to the "splitter" part of the harness. This is nice because you can add an extension cord on the CAM if you wish, like I did on my "rudder cam" for my kayak.

The splitter has the microphone attached, which is also waterproof. Then there is the 3.5mm and 10 pin Sony a/v plugs for your camcorder and lastly the power input for the cam. Having the mic on it's own line is nice so you can position it wherever you wish. HERE is the configuration.

Xtreme Recall sent me a prototype of an option they have developed. If you happen to use a Sony camcorder that uses the NP series batteries (like the HC32 - a great little cam) you can get a battery with a power output pigtail to plug into the power input plug of the CAM thereby eliminating the need for a second battery.

OK, now the CAM. This review is on their Sony chipped 3rd generation 580 line camera.

Here are the published specs of the 580 unit:

*

Perplex shatter resistant front lens (not glass)
*

Optical anti-scratch coating on front of lens
*

Vacuum sealed for anti-fogging
*

Polycarbonate "quick-disconnect" (submergible)
*

6v - 15v, the widest power band in the world
*

Reinforced Internal components (improved shock limit)
*

1/3" Sony ExView imager
*

Superb low light performance (.5 Lux)
*

Built in UV filtering
*

Waterproof (submergible)
*

Reverse polarity protection
*

Low reflection Black color body (not silver)
*

Highest resolution in the smallest size/weight available: 21mm Diameter, 78mm (3 inch) long.


The good:

*

Compact cam for a 580 line camera.
*

Excellent wire harness build and layout - excellent options for various layouts.
*


Very good color and contrast.
*

Quick connectors in the right locations.
*

Waterproof design - connectors and cam.
*

Overall excellent quality and excellent design.
*

Microphone is on it's own line. (you can mount it separate from the cam).
*

Cam is sealed and won't fog.

So-so:

*

In certain conditions color saturation is a little much.
*

Power plug is opposite most other cams. (battery pack is female).

The Bad:

*

Maybe cost? If you are tight on the budget this cam might be out of reach.



NEW CONCLUSION:

**Update 7/18/07: This is a re-test of this cam. It has the corrected/latest firmware and the white balance issues appear to be solved.

This is an excellent system. It is currently my favorite system and one I would definitely recommend it if you are in the market for a good quality system.

VIDEO: The Xtreme Recall CAM gives excellent resolution, white balance and very good color. Clarity (image sharpness) is very good. The only time I felt the Xtreme Recall might improve upon things is that cam tends to swing further through the saturation scale, most times the color being more saturated than the Viosport (which I prefer) but occasionally in rapid dark to light changes the color saturation was slightly much and the sky (clouds) seemed just a bit washed out.

An interesting thing you can see in the videos is that in conditions with a large amount of contrast, the Xtreme Recall cam seems to pick up much more detail in the shadows than the Viosport. In the cloudy/overcast conditions, the Xtreme Recall system gives better all around color and detail. I can pick out some of the yellow flowers in the star thistle in the XR, but hardly noticeable in the VS.

AUDIO: The Xtreme Recall's mic works great, no worries there, I would only recommend a "wind mitt" to cut down on wind noise - as is with all mic's. Just for comparison, the Viosport's mic is hardly worth the manufacturing cost in it's "stream lined" wire harness. I did a quick audio test to shown you the difference between the Xtreme Recall and Viosport systems.

IN THE SHORTS:

Great system - highly recommended.

WHAT I WOULD CHANGE:

Maybe work on stabilizing the color saturation a bit, that's about it!

[Shredder53]

Z, go for the VholdR! Most of the time I have no clue what Im doing when I mess around with video on the slopes. This cam hooks onto your helmet or googles and pretty much shoots what you see. I don't really have any recording experience, but was able to get some sick footage with the VholdR. The one issue is the sound of the wind in the footage, but that is to be expected for the most part. Hope this helps!

[PowTron]

hands down worth the $$$$...POV1....my buddy just got one and it is so creamtastic.

I think we may even get some insane Gnar-Groomer action with it next week to test it out

[couloirman]

I just got the POV and could not be more stoked on it. Well, the software that it came with crashes my computer whenever I try to use it, but I just upload the footage from the memory card and am trying to use a different editing program which will work just fine once Im not so retarded and figure out how to use Sony Vegas 7. The lipstick unit is burly, I slapped the front of the cam with a riser on a BASE parachute opening that was so hard that it broke the LCD screen on my canon point and shoot that was in my other pocket, and the lens doesn't show anything from it. The quality is very good even when moving fast and shaking your head around a bunch. Overall Im stoked on it and cant wait to get competent at editing so I an share some footage. Get it from BC.com with the discount code and your all set.

[Shredder53]

Here's some footage from Alta using my VholdR... I was able to get some pretty good footage, minus some of the sloppy landings by me haha



<embed width="400" height="320" flashvars="file=http://www.vholdr.com/xspf/node/187&shuffle=false&repeat=list&transition=fade&fron tcolor=0xcccccc&lightcolor=0x7ab9dc&backcolor=0x33 3333" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" name="swf_Player_1" src="http://www.vholdr.com/sites/default/files/flv/Player.swf"/>

http://www.vholdr.com/video/snowboard-jumps-targhee

[kidwoo]

Jesus christ

[Z]

quit bumping this, fuckers!!! Im too poor for a helmetcam!


Especially with that video, shredder. wow.

[ARpowhound]

has anyone tried the Oregon Scientfic camera?, REI is selling one for $119, target has another model # they are selling for $90. -- never mind just saw that this is the same as the ATC2k, already said it sucks

[Alkasquawlik]

Just picked up the POV.1. Look out world, here comes some sick pov edits!

[XtrPickels]

Just picked up the POV.1. Look out world, here comes some sick pov edits!

Don't you have someone to do that for you?

[alpineskiman]

the body of the POV1 is fairly small and seems bomber but = $$$$

Bonerrifick.

[Alkasquawlik]

Don't you have someone to do that for you?

If my name was Simon Dumont and cash flowed like the salmon of capistrano, then yes. Me, not so much.

[schuss]

Dude, no one wants to see your "POV" of your "Experiences" with Gaffney and Cliff.

[Alkasquawlik]

Dude, no one wants to see your "POV" of your "Experiences" with Gaffney and Cliff.

That's not what Big Balls said.

[schuss]

That's not what Big Balls said.

There's a reason he got banned.


obligatory "not that there's anything wrong with that"

[Blurred]

Here's some footage from Alta using my VholdR... I was able to get some pretty good footage, minus some of the sloppy landings by me haha



<embed width="400" height="320" flashvars="file=http://www.vholdr.com/xspf/node/187&shuffle=false&repeat=list&transition=fade&fron tcolor=0xcccccc&lightcolor=0x7ab9dc&backcolor=0x33 3333" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" name="swf_Player_1" src="http://www.vholdr.com/sites/default/files/flv/Player.swf"/>

http://www.vholdr.com/video/snowboard-jumps-targhee

Insane vid!

[PowTron]

Here's some footage from Alta using my VholdR... I was able to get some pretty good footage, minus some of the sloppy landings by me haha


http://www.vholdr.com/video/snowboard-jumps-targhee

[_Aaron_]

POV.1 with a wide angle lens = tits

Beside the video quality they just got an upgrade that allows you to use a 8GB SD card for video storage. MY guess is on an 8GB card you can hold somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 to 8 hours of footage.