Best onboard video camera options

[BBfangs]

Is the GoPro system the best option out there right now or is a palmcorder with a mount just the same? I have a Panasonic palmcorder with OIS (optical image stabilizer) but have looked at the GoPro system and it does give a lot more options past taking video from the car (ie, still images, underwater, etc.) I am looking to just have some fun eiter on the track or just messing around.

[charlandk]

I dont have any experience with the palmcorder but I do have the go pro hero HD. I like it very much. Very easy to use and like you mentioned, lots of options. The only thing that is not great is the sound recording but I had it mounted on the rear of the car so the wind noise was covering the exhaust. If I were to put it up front behind the wind shield, I am sure it would sound much, much better. The suction cup mount is great. It allows it to be mounted just about any where and it sucks down to the car very securely.

[dcdoug]

Does anyone know if the Go Pro Motosports HD will connect to a data module to track speed, route, etc?

[SunDude]

BBfangs, you might want to check out my thread on experimenting with my GoPro camera. I agree with charlandk, the GoPro is easy to use and the image quality is good, but the sound is disappointing and I haven't found any way to improve it. Also you'll need to carry spare batteries, so you can replace the ones that die on the road with fresh ones.

[BBfangs]

SunDude, nice videos, they are cool. I see you have the GoPro Motorsports HERO Wide camera. Is the difference between that and just the GoPro Motorsports HERO camera that it takes more panaramic shots or is there somethnig else? I need to get on the website and really take a look. I was wondering if there was another manufacturer with something like that out there or if the GoPro is it.

[SunDude]

My camera was a gift, so I didn't really compare specs. I think the main difference is that mine is a wide angle lens, but the functionality is the same. You might want to think about going with the HD version; it wasn't available here at the time I got mine.

[BBfangs]

It does look like you can create a lot of fun with it. Thanks for all the information.

[SunDude]

I just posted a new video yesterday, on my "experimenting" thread. Let me know what you think of it, and the different camera angles I've tried.

[Don]

From my posting on another GoPro thread:

" Currently, our developers and engineers are considering incorporating the audio in feature into the HERO cameras. However, no specifics regarding an ETA have been released.

If you find that you are picking up too much wind noise in your recording, there are several things you can do to minimize this.

1) When you don't need the camera to be waterproof and are traveling under 100MPH, you can use the open back housing door. This will allow for more of the engine or exhaust noise to be picked up by the microphone, and override the wind noise.
2) Mount the camera in a location that is exposed to the wind as little as possible. Placing the camera right in the line of the wind stream, such as at the top of the windshield, will cause the most wind noise.
3) Mount the camera closer to the surface of the car. If the camera is mounted using a fully extended extension arm in an area of high wind, the extension arm itself will generate a bit of wind noise that the camera's microphone will pick up.

Hopefully these tips get you some improved results. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Many Thanks,

GoPro Support "


http://www.gopro.com/support
__________________

[SunDude]

Don, I've already tried all those suggestions and am sorry to report that the improvements are minimal, at least with my version of the camera. Still I find the GoPro is still very good for image quality, but the sound -- which is a big part of the Cobra experience -- is still wanting.

[PurpleVenom]

I've been looking at this kind of camera and really like the video, however, I have found my I-Kam Xtreme sunglasses to be just as good and more versatile (think skiing, hunting, etc...) Short drag video, yeah, a little more vibration, but for the price ($160) I didn't think it was bad - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wasw45HkU9s

Get from predator outdoor products.

What advantages, compared to the video I posted, do you see with the gopro that is necessary/useful?

[SpyderMike]

Here is a cool option:

http://www.looxcie.com/

[cobra 53]

Check out this option from:

http./www.ioportracing.com

[coyote cruiser]

I've been researching these things ad nauseam as time has allowed over the past few weeks, and have only succeeded in confusing myself more! The GoPro does seem to have the largest following, albeit with pretty much the same "cons" feedback across the board.

One of the most compelling choices I've seen so far seems to be this one:

http://www.exeros-technologies.com/e...hd-camera.html

...but admittedly I'm not the most tech-savvy with these gadgets. With the external mike, speed indicator and such on its software, it SEEMS like it would answer some of the questions posed in this discussion.

Can anyone who IS pretty savvy with this sort of thing weigh-in as to your thoughts about it? I'll be happy to give a more detailed review if I end up jumping on either it or one of their 'black box cube' versions...

[SpyderMike]

here is a US source for it:

http://www.raceoptics.com/