Bret SD
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San Diego, Ca.
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« on: October 12, 2020, 07:57:44 AM » |
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I'm interested in picking up a used GoPro camera along with some mounting accessories for under a hundred bucks. Ideally it would be one that I could mount on the helmet, or with a headband that would fit over the helmet. I'm sure I could modify something that would work as far as mounting if I had a few different accessories to play with.
It looks like the GoPro 5 is the first model with stabilization? Those seem to be out of my price range when looking on eBay. I'm wondering if a GoPro 4 or under will work.
I found a GoPro 4 on eBay along with accessories that fits my criteria, however I don't have much experience and moving camera action. If the camera doesn't mount on the handlebars which might pick up some vibration I would think the stabilization wouldn't be required, especially if it's worn on the helmet as I don't feel my head vibrating or shaking around when I'm riding.
According to Wikipedia the GoPro 4 came out in late 2014, which makes the battery right around 5 years old.
Anybody have experience with these?
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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hubcapsc
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Posts: 16781
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #1 on: October 12, 2020, 09:28:07 AM » |
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My most recent gopro is a "Hero Session": Here's a ridiculously long url to a used one on newegg: https://www.newegg.com/gopro-hero-session/p/2M1-001W-00269?item=9SIAJUC8WR3939&source=region&nm_mc=knc-googlemkp-pc&cm_mmc=knc-googlemkp-pc-_-pla-electronicsurplusdeals-_-action+cameras-_-9SIAJUC8WR3939&gclid=CjwKCAjw_Y_8BRBiEiwA5MCBJmZgsGXvCNE0noGqv722cpcWiMim3HdCsukEpxRf5b341wOzqXq82RoCAJgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.dsHere's some video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn1hy2t2BpcI didn't think much of the pictures it took, a frame from a video seemed much better than a picture. Picture:  Frame from a video:  I had several gopros before that, but after fooling with my Session for a while, I got a Sony fdr-x3000 with a Zeiss lens and optical (not digital) image stabilization... it shoots at 4K, so I can crop pictures to get them like I like... My favoritest place I ever mounted a camera is on my air-wing... don't have a vibration problem, and if I make a video, the awesome sound of the Valkyrie's engine is the main noise. -Mike |
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« Last Edit: October 12, 2020, 09:31:31 AM by hubcapsc »
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2020, 12:10:06 PM » |
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I think mounting to the windscreen is giving the vibration problem. Sometimes I mount mine on the mirror stem. It captures a corner of the screen in the pic. The amount of vibration on the screen is amazing. I never notice it when just riding, but the video doesn't lie.
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #4 on: October 12, 2020, 12:41:28 PM » |
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Yes, the vibration is attributed to the mounting location on the windscreen. There is a however. That is, when mounted there I have complete control over when its on and when its off. I can turn it on for one minute or for five minutes or just let it run. The other mounting location is under the nose of the bike.  Same camera, using the mount location shown above, video on Bear Tooth. I like the under the nose mount but can't easily turn it on and off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OzpGXuXOqI&t=49s |
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Wizzard
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Bald River Falls
Valparaiso IN
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« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2020, 12:57:32 PM » |
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I have a hero 4 mounted on my helmet for about 5 years now. Works well.
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16781
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2020, 02:38:17 PM » |
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I have had my eye on the Sony for some time, just was not sure if it would take care of the vibration. Yep, that's the Sony I have. I don't think the Sony will take care of vibration 100% if you mount it on the windshield, but it does OK... at InZane this year I had mine mounted on the windshield and I think I had to cherry-pick through the pictures to get ones with the least blur in them...  I think mounting the camera off the windshield and isolated from the suspension is best. Air wings are bolted to the frame right where the motor is, since we have Valkyries there's basically no vibration there  ... -Mike
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Bret SD
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San Diego, Ca.
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« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2020, 03:26:35 PM » |
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Whoo boy, lots of information here.. Thanks much! Glad to hear the Gpro 4 is a 'good enough' camera! I found this one on eBay with tons of mounting hardware, it's a little over budget but I think it's a good candidate for consideration. https://www.ebay.com/itm/GoPro-HERO-4-Black-Edition-12MP-Camera-40-Pcs-Extreme-Accessories-Kit-Bundle/372138511473?hash=item56a52f0c71%3Ag%3AgpUAAOSwjyhaDeOM&LH_BIN=1What size micro SD card works, as far as capacity vs recording time? It looks like the battery is replaceable in the pic? That would be good if the one in there is marginal. |
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« Last Edit: October 12, 2020, 03:32:37 PM by bretshim »
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2020, 03:27:31 PM » |
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Yes, the vibration is attributed to the mounting location on the windscreen. There is a however. That is, when mounted there I have complete control over when its on and when its off. I can turn it on for one minute or for five minutes or just let it run. The other mounting location is under the nose of the bike. Same camera, using the mount location shown above, video on Bear Tooth. I like the under the nose mount but can't easily turn it on and off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OzpGXuXOqI&t=49sI've never used it. But as I remember the GoPro has an app where you can control it thru your phone. That might be useful. |
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Bret SD
Member
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San Diego, Ca.
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« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2020, 04:00:57 PM » |
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Yes, the vibration is attributed to the mounting location on the windscreen. There is a however. That is, when mounted there I have complete control over when its on and when its off. I can turn it on for one minute or for five minutes or just let it run. The other mounting location is under the nose of the bike. Same camera, using the mount location shown above, video on Bear Tooth. I like the under the nose mount but can't easily turn it on and off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OzpGXuXOqI&t=49scarolinarider, is the video you linked done with the GoPro? Meaning the same one you had mounted on the windshield? |
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #10 on: October 12, 2020, 04:45:04 PM » |
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Nope, It was done with a Contour HD. Which is no longer in business.
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Bret SD
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San Diego, Ca.
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« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2020, 06:10:55 PM » |
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Nope, It was done with a Contour HD. Which is no longer in business.
Ah yes,that one is outstanding quality, I'm biting the bullet and offered on a hero 5 along with a ton of accessories and a 64 gig MSD card.. it has image stabilization and 4k |
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #12 on: October 12, 2020, 06:22:57 PM » |
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I don't know much about the Hero's. What I liked about the Contour is the low profile. The first one I had, you had to push a button to turn it on and then you could slide the switch forward to start recording. On the newest one I have, you just have to slide the switch forward. The reason I would replace it is to get image stabilization so I could use the windscreen mount. And the reason I'd pick the Sony was that its sort of low profile (well the long part faces forward). Not as streamlined as the Contour but..... I did try some image stabilization software from a company called Prodad. https://www.prodad.com/Video-Stabilization-for-Professionals/Mercalli-V5-Suite-for-Magix-77214,l-us.htmlBut their Mac version of the software did not do a real good job and the final file was twice the size of the original. I only tired the trial version. |
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2020, 06:38:06 PM » |
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bretshim;
My apologies for sort to taking this off the topic of the GoPro camera. I hope the information has been useful even if not directly related to the GoPro.
As I siad, the Contour mounted under the nose of the bike (in one case and ST1300 and then a Goldwing) provides the most stable and best images. The reason is, in my opinion, the camera is mounted in free space and it seems like you are sort of flying alone the road.
Nothing else, from the mounting vehicle, is in the frame. Nothing to get in the way.
Drawbacks. You had to stop to turn it on and off.
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16781
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2020, 06:56:01 PM » |
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Nothing else, from the mounting vehicle, is in the frame. Nothing to get in the way.
That's why I like 4K and the ability to crop and still have a bunch of
"picture real-estate" left. In my gopro pictures above (way less than 4K)
you can see my bike. In my "going into the tunnel" Sony 4K picture above,
I'm sure I cropped out some stuff, centered the tunnel, and it is still
a picture with some details...
-Mike
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #15 on: October 12, 2020, 07:02:17 PM » |
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I always thought the helmet mount gave the best shot of motorcycling. You see some of the bike and handlebar/clutch/brake control, look through the turns, look at neat things on the side of the road (like deer or bikinis), and you can read the tach and speedo. Like the viewer is riding himself. But I guess that would not be so stable.
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #16 on: October 12, 2020, 07:02:34 PM » |
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Mile Long Tunnel in Zion National Park The Contour has always impressed me in its ability to handle changes in light. Under the nose mount, not edited (at least I don't remember editing it). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63SYOENLfC0&t=2sNote: Ok,, it was edited at the beginning and the end so it showed just the trip through the tunnel. |
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« Last Edit: October 13, 2020, 07:03:43 AM by carolinarider09 »
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #17 on: October 12, 2020, 07:04:36 PM » |
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Jess,
I have not considered the helmet mount for my camera because I use a Shark Evoline helmet and its generally in the 3/4 mode. No place to put the camera that would not be in the way of closing it up..
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #18 on: October 12, 2020, 07:15:58 PM » |
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Well, I wasn't trying to be critical of other mounts.
And how you actually attach a camera to the top of a helmet is beyond me; a licked suction cup seems risky for an expensive camera. And a lot of guys have big money in their helmet and drilling holes in it may not be to their liking.
Programming a (camera) drone to chase you down the road and through the mountains would make good video too, but that's a lot of money for home movies.
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #20 on: October 13, 2020, 07:02:36 AM » |
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Had to look it up.
I will have to put that on my list of things to do when I visit West Virginia again. On my recent ride up Highway 16 through VA and then onto Beckley WV I was only about 35 miles away from the tunnel.
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Bret SD
Member
Posts: 4306
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San Diego, Ca.
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« Reply #21 on: October 13, 2020, 07:18:41 AM » |
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I don't know much about the Hero's. What I liked about the Contour is the low profile. The first one I had, you had to push a button to turn it on and then you could slide the switch forward to start recording. On the newest one I have, you just have to slide the switch forward. The reason I would replace it is to get image stabilization so I could use the windscreen mount. And the reason I'd pick the Sony was that its sort of low profile (well the long part faces forward). Not as streamlined as the Contour but..... I did try some image stabilization software from a company called Prodad. https://www.prodad.com/Video-Stabilization-for-Professionals/Mercalli-V5-Suite-for-Magix-77214,l-us.htmlBut their Mac version of the software did not do a real good job and the final file was twice the size of the original. I only tired the trial version. carolinarider, I've done a good bit of research on the options with different GoPro models, I think bang for the buck the Hero 5 is going to be the one. The one I put an offer in on as a remote as well so I can mount it anywhere and shut it off or turn it on without having to pull over to the side of the road. Like anything else this Rabbit Hole goes very deep, but from the quick overview I was able to narrow it down to what features are wanted and approximate price range I wanted to pay. The package that I have bid on looks very good and seems to check all the right boxes. YouTube University has a lot of good information and it looks like even the earlier versions GoPro were still very good depending on how you set them up. I'm not looking for professional quality, but I do want to get some good clear footage and have a camera that I can also use elsewhere. The Contour looks very good but the Hero 5 has a lot more features and honestly the price difference is minimal. I'll find out soon enough if my offer was accepted, if so I think I'm in business. :-) |
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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Bret SD
Member
Posts: 4306
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San Diego, Ca.
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« Reply #22 on: October 13, 2020, 07:24:02 AM » |
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Mike, I really like that air wing mount location, the kit that I have a bid on has so many accessories I think I'm going to be able to mount the camera either on the helmet or pretty much anywhere else on the bike. It'll be a nice toy to play around with for a while, I'm sure dialing it and it's going to take a little bit of time but that's okay. The hero session looks like a very nice Compact and tough camera. |
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #23 on: October 13, 2020, 09:16:25 AM » |
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bretshim,
If you don't mind, keep this thread sort of uodated so we can use it as a reference point.
If the Contour HD had a "remote" controller, I would just keep on going.
Oh, regarding the Contour cameras, the first version I got had a removal battery. So, you could run it as long as you had charged batteries and micro SD cards.
The newer one I purchase some years ago (better video definition) does not. The battery is "internal".
Edited to correct typo.
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« Last Edit: October 13, 2020, 01:31:04 PM by carolinarider09 »
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Bret SD
Member
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San Diego, Ca.
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« Reply #24 on: October 13, 2020, 09:58:19 AM » |
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bretshim,
If you don't mind, keep this thread sort of dated so we can use it as a reference point.
If the Contour HD had a "remote" controller, I would just keep on going.
Oh, regarding the Contour cameras, the first version I got had a removal battery. So, you could run it as long as you had charged batteries and micro SD cards.
The newer one I purchase some years ago (better video definition) does not. The battery is "internal".
For sure, I'll keep this thread updated as I go along, had a counter offer on my eBay offer, then offered a counter myself, soon as I hear back from the seller I'll pull the trigger.. I know it's a really good deal and I likely won't need to buy anything else. |
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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WoodyFL
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« Reply #25 on: October 14, 2020, 10:05:06 AM » |
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2000 Blue/Silver I/S
Ocoee, FL
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Bret SD
Member
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San Diego, Ca.
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« Reply #26 on: October 14, 2020, 02:37:06 PM » |
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Whoa.. that's crazy.. I'll wait for the price to come down to well below half of what they go for now, paying for cutting edge tech is against my rules haha, by the time tech goes to market it's already outdated, learned that many moons ago when I paid 2000.00 for a Pentium 200 computer, never again.. :/ |
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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Bret SD
Member
Posts: 4306
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San Diego, Ca.
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« Reply #27 on: October 14, 2020, 05:10:59 PM » |
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Ok, order is in.. happy about this!
Can't wait to play around with this camera, time to go back to YTU while I wait haha
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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Bret SD
Member
Posts: 4306
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San Diego, Ca.
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« Reply #29 on: October 23, 2020, 09:39:54 AM » |
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Ok... first iteration, mounted on the crash bar, can't hear the exhaust note but the trans is front & center Haha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt8kQS_F9bY&ab_channel=BretShimkus |
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #30 on: October 23, 2020, 10:36:24 AM » |
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Not bad. Little to no vibration from the bike or mount in the video.
What is video resolution?
Is this the mount location you are planning on using or just trying this mount location out?
Can you start and stop the camera while riding?
Ad for the bike's exhaust note, I use to (back before I even thought of using YouTube) would simply dub over the sound with good music.
However, you can't do that anymore and post on YouTube but you can use DropBox.
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Bret SD
Member
Posts: 4306
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San Diego, Ca.
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« Reply #31 on: October 23, 2020, 11:34:47 AM » |
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Not bad. Little to no vibration from the bike or mount in the video.
What is video resolution?
Is this the mount location you are planning on using or just trying this mount location out?
Can you start and stop the camera while riding?
Ad for the bike's exhaust note, I use to (back before I even thought of using YouTube) would simply dub over the sound with good music.
However, you can't do that anymore and post on YouTube but you can use DropBox.
Video resolution 1080, 30fps, fov is wide, white balance 4000K, ISO 400, sharpness medium, audio High, protune on.. edit: motion control was on also. I'm just trying that location out for now, I don't have the right stuff to mount it to the helmet but I think that's my next plan. I can start and stop the camera using the remote which I put the wrist strap on to the tank bra. The location I had it on is an easy reach to just hit the camera button manually. I think it'll be a long process getting it down but it should be fun, just ordered two batteries and a charger for it, the battery that came with it doesn't seem to last very long, probably the original. Overall I'm pretty pleased with the way I came out I just need to ride somewhere without traffic in my way, to do that out here I have to go East for many miles. I have a DropBox account and think I will utilize it, baby steps I guess. |
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« Last Edit: October 23, 2020, 11:41:08 AM by bretshim »
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #32 on: October 23, 2020, 01:56:11 PM » |
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Thanks for the update. And I use drop box as well but I find that YouTube provides the "thumbnail" view which makes for a little more alluring image instead of just a link. But.... It takes time to add music. This is a video (in Dropbox) I made maybe 10 years or so ago. Its a bit long and the video quality is not what I can do today but..... https://www.dropbox.com/s/pfajn51qrvs4mzz/West%20Virigina.Music%20Version.mp4?dl=0 |
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Bret SD
Member
Posts: 4306
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San Diego, Ca.
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« Reply #33 on: October 24, 2020, 04:15:05 PM » |
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Thanks for the update. And I use drop box as well but I find that YouTube provides the "thumbnail" view which makes for a little more alluring image instead of just a link. But.... It takes time to add music. This is a video (in Dropbox) I made maybe 10 years or so ago. Its a bit long and the video quality is not what I can do today but..... https://www.dropbox.com/s/pfajn51qrvs4mzz/West%20Virigina.Music%20Version.mp4?dl=0Nice video for 10 yrs ago, can't wait to really get good with this camera, it's not top of the line but definitely does good, especially for the price. I've done YT videos with music, you can do it but can't monetize them.. doesn't matter to me, I don't think I'll get rich making YT vids. It's cool to just play around with this stuff when I have the time. |
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Bret
02 Standard -- Blue & White
82 Aspencade -- Red
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Socrates
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