Bike Camera Recommendation

[carolinarider09]

I have been using a Contour Roam2 and then a Roam3 to capture by rides via video for some years (since 2009).  

Recently, due to some poor maintenance on a railroad track crossing a road in GA, I had to re-think how I might do that.  

I saw a post on another forum (see link below) regarding a "Bike Camera".  So, after reviewing the device and the related article, I made a purchase.  The image below is the device laid out for testing on my "work bench".   I have verified it works and will capture videos.  The next step is to install it on my Goldwing.  

If that works, I might also install one on the ST1300.  Both bikes offer ways to install that should be fairly easy (ST would be the easiest)  work.

The drive takes a 128 GB memory card and records videos in 1, 2, 3, or 5 minutes lengths and then starts a new video.  When the card gets filled, the oldest videos are overwritten.  

The device records at 1080P HD.  There is a push button control that allows you to take still images as well.  The only real issue is running the wires through the bike.

The Goldwing install will have the control unit located in the trunk were it will be easy to get to.  For the ST if might well be under the seat.  The seat on the ST comes off very easy.  The Goldwing, not so easy.  

Just thought this might be of interest.  




https://www.gl1800riders.com/threads/bike-camera-i-can-recommend.480287/

Link from the post above to Amazon indicating purchase price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QB6Q3C5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[f6john]

Has GoPro gone the way of the dodo bird?

[carolinarider09]

Has GoPro gone the way of the dodo bird?

As far as I know GoPro is still out there.  The only real issue for me is "size".   The Contour are small devices and they do have a 4K device.  Only issue is the cost and Contour appears to be out of business.

There is a website but, it's just pictures right now.  You can still find a Contour 4k on Ebay.

[3fan4life]

Has GoPro gone the way of the dodo bird?

GoPRo is very much still around.

They're pricey but sometimes you get what you pay for.

They do take up some space and have a learning curve but their software that takes the vibration out of the videos is great.

[carolinarider09]

Just finished the installation of the camera (well it's 90% done) on my wing. 

The link below is to the Goldwing Forum where I posted the information on my "Silverlady Maintenance Log".   I think it will work. You will have to scroll down to the bottom of the page though. 

https://www.gl1800riders.com/threads/silver-lady-log-2015.238870/page-3

[carolinarider09]

Ok, today I took the bike cameras out for a test run. I mounted a Contour HD 1080P camera under the nose (I have one) and let if run full time. Then I edited the video from that camera so it could be compared to the SYSTO's front camera.

Here are the comparison videos.  There are two sets.  In each set, the first video link is the SYSTO Camera and the second link is to the Contour HD 1080P.

https://youtu.be/8BX4v7QkPZU

https://youtu.be/WJ_1ITvCysQ

Second set of Comparisons.

https://youtu.be/SKyzVW2Rcuc

https://youtu.be/0HPN6Ifiva8

The SYSTO records in five minute increments and keeps recording, over writing the oldest video when the disk thing is out of space.  I have 128GB Micro SD cards.   

[Jersey mike]

Ok, today I took the bike cameras out for a test run. I mounted a Contour HD 1080P camera under the nose (I have one) and let if run full time. Then I edited the video from that camera so it could be compared to the SYSTO's front camera.

Here are the comparison videos.  There are two sets.  In each set, the first video link is the SYSTO Camera and the second link is to the Contour HD 1080P.

https://youtu.be/8BX4v7QkPZU

https://youtu.be/WJ_1ITvCysQ

Second set of Comparisons.

https://youtu.be/SKyzVW2Rcuc

https://youtu.be/0HPN6Ifiva8

The SYSTO records in five minute increments and keeps recording, over writing the oldest video when the disk thing is out of space.  I have 128GB Micro SD cards.   

IMO the video is pretty identical the audio is different though. The second one sounds louder with more wind sound coming through, it kind of over powers the video.

Nice area you live in.

[carolinarider09]

IMO the video is pretty identical the audio is different though. The second one sounds louder with more wind sound coming through, it kind of over powers the video.

Nice area you live in.

Thanks and yes the audio is different.   The Contour was designed for many actives like skiing and sledding where sounds were sort of important.  I just turn the sound down when I play the videos. 

If I use the video (when used on the bike) in another video I try and remove the sound track and replace it with music .

[Savago]

Pretty cool post!
 

Perhaps you could share some photos of the wiring when you install it in the ST1300?
 

[carolinarider09]

Pretty cool post!
 

Perhaps you could share some photos of the wiring when you install it in the ST1300?
 

Thanks and I will.

[Rocketman]

I installed the Systo a few years back.  It kept resetting its internal clock whenever I shut off the bike.  I verified the wiring multiple times, but it's like I was cutting power to the "always on" lead.  One day I'll see if I can fix that.
My mounting point for the front cam was a little poor, as it looked great in the garage, but when the shocks compressed, the front fender took up a lot of the field of view.
Otherwise I liked it.

[carolinarider09]

I don't know about the always on lead.   I just considered the power supply to the unit to be always on (red and black if I remember correctly) and the yellow wire is the "activate cameras" wire. 

I did put a fuse in the red wire lead.  Mine go directly to the battery.   Turns out my power distribution block has power all the time but I used up all the connections that were there so....

I have about four additional wires to the battery terminals now.  Not room for anymore. 

[hubcapsc]

They have cameras with lots of megapixels now. Jillions of megapixels.

I wonder.

With a good high-megapixel camera, wouldn't you be able to "zoom in"
closer without pixelation?

When my camera gets pictures of someone riding the curves in front
of me, the action all seems "far away", even a crop at 100%. Maybe with
enough pixels I could read when their license plate expires at 100% ?

-Mike