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What is THE best motorcycle camcorder(NOT helmet cam)

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21K views 67 replies 28 participants last post by  xtremewlr  
#1 ·
In terms of stabilization (no shaky video) and quality(color/resolution). HD would be nice. I bought a Cannon which shoots EXCELLENT close up shots of the bikes parked and beutiful video of bikes going by while you stand, BUT and it's a BIG BUT...turn on the engine or pan the camera too fast and show's over. You would not recognize yourself in the video..seriously. EVEN at IDLE its bad! I've seen a wave pattern where the footage seems to move like water and all kinds of garbage not sutable for ANY medium. Cellphone video from 2 years ago looks WAY better overall.

Helmet cam is the best I know of, but the point is what to do for the higher end shots? What to use for higher quality than typical helmet cam? For zooming in and things like that. Not to mention the single unit convenience of a camcorder.

Forgot to mention...dealing with HD files is a HASSLE too! Most software won't touch it and I heard editing is SUPER slow. HD does not sound like it's ready for consumer level production yet, which is fine as I'm used to rendering effects overnight, but I've gotten lazy and spoiled so I'm taping into the cosumer convenience market. ;)
 
#3 ·
how good is it?

I wish they had higher quality samples(assuming the video does not represent the full quality). The video makes it look like video I would get with my helmet cam from helmetcam.com. Can you clisfy the quality? Is it like Hi8mm? Cheap MiniDV, mid level MiniDV, better?
 
#9 ·
vrooomr6 said:
Any of the handheld cameras that write to a hard drive with moving parts or to any type of disc are not suitable for any type of vibration.
Look for a camera or recorder with solid state recording such as SD, and that will not give you vibration problems.
Click to expand...
:iamwithst I use a SONY Handicam w/miniDV tape. Does a good job.
 
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#23 ·
#24 ·
Good thing you ladies are in Maryland, cause...I'd probably get in trouble if I saw you ladies on the road. HOT!! ;) Wonder if my insurance would cover me if I crash because I was looking at your group?

Anyway...ahhh..oh yeah, the video. Ok, that was good stuff. I'll definatetly PM. How far is MD anyway? For my video I will be visiting nearby states like PA,NJ,CT...maybe DC? Hmmm.... ;):thumbup
 
#31 ·
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#34 ·
camcorders

I bought a cheap Aiptek 5.0 camcorder from Sears on sale for around $100 and it has worked pretty good for moto-x videos. It's small enough to velcro to the side of my helmet, quality isn't bad, and it survived a crash during a race so I've been happy with it. If you just want to record random bike videos and occassionally load a few good ones to youtube then I wouldn't spend a fortune on a camcorder because the videos get reformatted (compressed or something ??) so they suck once you load them to youtube.
 
#35 ·
DVD output

You got that right. My SUPERB looking HD videos look just like my MiniDV/$300 cam videos and thats with a proffesional eye. I want DVD to be an option as well though.

d_alexand said:
I wouldn't spend a fortune on a camcorder because the videos get reformatted (compressed or something ??) so they suck once you load them to youtube.
Click to expand...
 
#39 ·

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#47 ·
POst up some links to your vids bro.

I also have this camera and second this opinion. SUpport a site sponsor and (vrooor6, cedigital.com) and try this out. It isn't the as small as the gopro, but with the use of 2GB SD Cards (DIRT cheap) you can swap out cards and continue to film even on the longest days of riding without the fear of recording space constraints.
 
#41 ·
I bought a Canon Vixia HF100 HD camcorder at first for my tank mount. It has optical stabilization. The camera was great, but unfortunately, you need the older style of stabilization (electronic) if it's mounted on the bike due to vibrations. From what I've seen I've only found it on SD camcorders. I returned the HD one and got a Canon FS100 camcorder. Both cameras are flash-based (which is probably ideal...vibrations and HDDs are not good). My FS100 was about $300, and works very well.
 
#42 ·
thesoapster said:
Both cameras are flash-based (which is probably ideal...vibrations and HDDs are not good). My FS100 was about $300, and works very well.
Click to expand...
Flash drives will produce decent video quality but not as good as mini dv. I also have a bullet cam along with my mini dv setup. I like the idea of being able to put the bullet cam anywhere but the quality is not the best.
 
#45 ·
i used go PRo camera. stuck on my bike at dragstrip and 120 mph on upper fairing. used it on ktm 690 SMC ripping wheelie after wheelie. camera is way cool and takes good vids and not any wind noise, but u can adjust sound on it as well. not bad for $200
 
#52 ·
They look good if you mount them on your helmet, but if you mount them to your bike it vibrates to much. I have a video of mine. I will post it tonight.
 
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#55 ·
E
#56 ·
I think any chip based camcorder will do. I heard Panasonic SD series is the best when it comes to Image stabilization not to mention their single barrel construction make them very very small. But I really dont know as I'm using HDD base Sony SR12E, I would recommend Sony CX7 or CX9 as it got one of the easiest UI on a camcorder but the IS is not as good I would like it to be.
 
#57 · (Edited)
EliminatorR1 said:
I think any chip based camcorder will do. I heard Panasonic SD series is the best when it comes to Image stabilization.
Click to expand...
Not so sure about your police work there Norm.... (Fargo quote):drunk:

Some Panasonic devices are fitted with optical image stabilization.....No good for bikes:secret: Check it. You want digital image stabilization.:thumbup I went through a big fiasco and had to return a Panasonic camcorder about a month ago :rant
Here is a vid comparing two cams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGaftpyxFys Site down for a bit, check back

Here is a thread explaining

http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243677
 
#58 ·
Does anybody have any more goPro videos? 1LongR1? Do you have any of the road racing footage?

I don't want to spend a fortune, but would like to try and mess around with some of this stuff mainly at track days/deals gap etc. The GoPro seems to fit all of my needs pretty well.

1LongR1, Do you have the standard angle, or the wide angle one?
 
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#59 ·
I also carry the Gopro systems, and have a couple sample vids on the site. I would recommend the wide angle over the regular, as it fits the type of footage we take better.
I have packaged a couple sets of rechargeable batteries with the charger and a 2GB memory card with the kit, along with free shipping. Most places only sell the unit itself.

Here is a link: http://www.cedigital.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16172&cat=258&page=1
 
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