Reliable, cheap, good quality on-board cameras

[Chris Yates]

Before anyone asks - no I'm not on commission! I just know how hit and miss it can be to get a good quality but cheap on-board camera that doesn't shake, fall apart, record in poor quality or require some weird software!

So here's the one I've been using in Herbee at Oulton and in Adam Bollons' car at Croft:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271284990331

Some points worth mentioning:

1) records in .MOV format - well supported.
2) Full HD 1080p - HDMI output.
3) can 'cyclic record' - so it'll fill up the memory card, then remove the oldest bits of the footage as it goes, etc.
4) Reasonably decent set of mounts - a bit 'go-pro' style.
5) Waterproof case!
6) Has a little screen on the back so you can see what you're pointing at.
7) Rock steady footage - no shakes or distortions, and no weird auto-focus issues
8) White balance suitable for in-car work (some go too dark)
9) Removable battery so you can keep a spare
10) You can power it from cigarette lighter socket and it will record and charge at the same time
11) Micro SD cards - up to 32gb.
12) 8gb card records for a little over 1 hour at max resolution. New file every 4gb or so.

And the best bit - ONLY £54 ! (actually less because there are other sellers on eBay selling the same types for less than £40)

Example HD footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38jEAmuFLJw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCVeidSAzbM

SD footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdZhd9WdwMs

[Sean]

Impressive! I thought you used some pro gear  not a £50 cheapo - so ive gone and bought one  and will blame you when it all goes wrong!  ;D

( up till now we have used a semi trained primate and video camera  it has its down side you have to take the child away with you and look after it and the things that catch the attention of a 9 yr old girl are not what i want to record on the road trips , and there is rules about putting them in the back of racecars)


UPDATE - impresed! to add to above GO-PRO mounting kits are better and can be had of 'Tintrenet cheap. The only down side is the buttons in the side of the camera "buzz" but a bit of black insulating tape sorted that. Brilliant bit of kit for £40 Check Amazon for "SJ1000"

[Chris Yates]

Yes, you can hear some of that buzzing in the videos I've posted. Of course you don't have to use the waterproof case.

Where did you put the insulating tape, Sean? On the outside of the buttons?

Also post a link the Go Pro mounting kits please :)

[Derek Coghill]

Can you use it with a remote eyeball thingy?

[Sean]

Yes just cut a strip of black insulating tape about 3mm wide from the usual width black tape , stick it over the buttons and run your nail, ball point pen or whatever to define the buttons - i used black and so its pointless even trying to put up a pic as its invisible  ;D

stick Go Pro mount into ebay or amazon and take your pick

D dont know what you mean by remote eyeball - it has 2 axis mounts  the Go Pro has a ball mount - there is a remote hack you can do to swich it on and off via a remote keyfob but cant find any usefull details      Yes it'll strap on the the roll cage...its why i got it ;)

[Chris Yates]

This week I have learned - DON'T use cheap MicroSD cards in these cameras. I bought a few 16gb cards from eBay - unbranded. Unfortunately while they looked like they were recording ok, they recorded the first 30 minutes, then basically recorded a 4gb file full of nothing.

I've tried a few 'recovery' programs so far, but the file wasn't recorded correctly in the first place, so recovery seems unlikely to work. Unfortunately I've lost both Herbee's sprint races and all but the first 1/2 hour of the enduros. :(

[Lien93]

I use the Cisco Flip camera. Never had any problem with it, great image quality and stability.