Those who use headcams/vest cams.......

[Clare85]

We are in the process of preparing Esme for backing and I'm looking into getting cameras for hacking, in case anything awful happens on the roads. There seem to be more and more incidents being reported and I want evidence in case we meet any idiot drivers who cause us a problem.

Could I please have recommendations for easy to use, lightweight, waterproof cameras with decent battery life? TIA

 

[Paint Me Proud]

There is the GoPro range of course, worth looking at those,

Also look at the Drift Stealth 2, compact, lightweight with good battery life, would probably fit your bill nicely depeding on what you want to spend (they currently retail around £99)

There is also a host of cheaper alternatives online so worth googling to see what comes up perhaps.

 

[puli]

I have a polaroid cube HD action camera, it is really good. It is very small so easy to take around it is also waterproof and comes with a waterproof cover. It has a magnet at the bottom of the cube which makes it easy to mount on to a hat or someone else. It has a battery life of around 1 hour. It connect to your phone using wifi meaning you can see what the camera is recording on your phone which is also good for watching your horse in the stable when you are not there and it means you can the check the camera is at the right angle when you are riding. You can also turn the camera on or off using your phone and you can take screenshots of the video.

 

[Clare85]

There is the GoPro range of course, worth looking at those,

Also look at the Drift Stealth 2, compact, lightweight with good battery life, would probably fit your bill nicely depeding on what you want to spend (they currently retail around £99)

There is also a host of cheaper alternatives online so worth googling to see what comes up perhaps.

Thanks Paint Me Proud I've had a look at the GoPro but I think they're a bit out of budget atm unfortunately. I haven't heard of Drift Stealth 2 so will look into it.

I've done a bit of Googling but so many come up and I've no idea what's worth the investment or not so I thought recommendations would be the way to go

I have a polaroid cube HD action camera, it is really good. It is very small so easy to take around it is also waterproof and comes with a waterproof cover. It has a magnet at the bottom of the cube which makes it easy to mount on to a hat or someone else. It has a battery life of around 1 hour. It connect to your phone using wifi meaning you can see what the camera is recording on your phone which is also good for watching your horse in the stable when you are not there and it means you can the check the camera is at the right angle when you are riding. You can also turn the camera on or off using your phone and you can take screenshots of the video.

Thanks puli, will have a look at that one

 

[twiggy2]

watching this thread with interrest

 

[Red-1]

Hi,

I have the budget one, it is this one, at £30.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chilli-Tech...chilli+technology+action+3+hd+720p+head+c am

You need to buy a card for it. The camera will record over 1 1/2 hrs. Easy to use. Not good enough for a number plate though. I use it because I had a drink driver insert his car up my horse's bottom and skiddadle us down the road. I found no one believed us as to what had happened (the driver lied), and it is good enough to prevent me being branded a liar.

[video=youtube;t3mFT7s6wIY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3mFT7s6wIY[/video]

TBF, I had put it on crooked, so straightened and cut it down a bit and it also lost some quality on Youtube, but you get the idea.

I think if you want number plates then you have to spend a lot more.

 

[twiggy2]

Hi,

I have the budget one, it is this one, at £30.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chilli-Tech...chilli+technology+action+3+hd+720p+head+c am

You need to buy a card for it. The camera will record over 1 1/2 hrs. Easy to use. Not good enough for a number plate though. I use it because I had a drink driver insert his car up my horse's bottom and skiddadle us down the road. I found no one believed us as to what had happened (the driver lied), and it is good enough to prevent me being branded a liar.

[video=youtube;t3mFT7s6wIY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3mFT7s6wIY[/video]

TBF, I had put it on crooked, so straightened and cut it down a bit and it also lost some quality on Youtube, but you get the idea.

I think if you want number plates then you have to spend a lot more.

I wonder if the police could clean that up to get a number plate from that video, might be worth posting it on a police facebook page and asking them. Some of what they can do with footage is amazing.

 

[Red-1]

I wonder if the police could clean that up to get a number plate from that video, might be worth posting it on a police facebook page and asking them. Some of what they can do with footage is amazing.

Not sure why I would want to? I don't know how much better the lorry driver could have been? He seemed pretty perfect to me anyway.

To my mind, if I want a number plate read, then I would be better to buy a camera that shows it. Unless there is some horrendous accident, and it was in the public interest to find out, then the Police may wish to explore that.

As I said, it was after being called a liar that I bought the camera. The camera is good enough to show what happens in the future. I have a dash cam in my car too. It was not about the accident, accidents happen. It was all about being called a liar. That made me feel less safe day to day.

 

[twiggy2]

Not sure why I would want to? I don't know how much better the lorry driver could have been? He seemed pretty perfect to me anyway.

To my mind, if I want a number plate read, then I would be better to buy a camera that shows it. Unless there is some horrendous accident, and it was in the public interest to find out, then the Police may wish to explore that.

As I said, it was after being called a liar that I bought the camera. The camera is good enough to show what happens in the future. I have a dash cam in my car too. It was not about the accident, accidents happen. It was all about being called a liar. That made me feel less safe day to day.

I meant for future peace of mind if you do have a bad experience on the road, that driver was great, I worded it badly.

 

[Clare85]

Hi,

I have the budget one, it is this one, at £30.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chilli-Tech...chilli+technology+action+3+hd+720p+head+c am

You need to buy a card for it. The camera will record over 1 1/2 hrs. Easy to use. Not good enough for a number plate though. I use it because I had a drink driver insert his car up my horse's bottom and skiddadle us down the road. I found no one believed us as to what had happened (the driver lied), and it is good enough to prevent me being branded a liar.

[video=youtube;t3mFT7s6wIY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3mFT7s6wIY[/video]

TBF, I had put it on crooked, so straightened and cut it down a bit and it also lost some quality on Youtube, but you get the idea.

I think if you want number plates then you have to spend a lot more.

Goodness, how scary for you re. the drunk driver! I hope you and your horse were OK.

Thank you for the video, that's food for thought re. the number plates being visible enough to read. I think I would like one that will show that sort of detail so will bear that in mind during my research.

I've found a GoPro one which isn't too expensive. Has anyone used the Hero4 Session?

 

[FfionWinnie]

I have a drift ghost. It's ok. It has some good features. I don't want it on my hat tho which lessens its usefulness for me.

About to attach it to my daughter's 11.3 and go xc schooling!

 

[Clare85]

I have a drift ghost. It's ok. It has some good features. I don't want it on my hat tho which lessens its usefulness for me.

About to attach it to my daughter's 11.3 and go xc schooling!

Thanks FW. Could I ask why you don't want it on your hat? Is it too heavy/cumbersome or do you just not want it for that purpose?

Have fun XC schooling

 

[MrsNorris]

I was very keen on helmet cams until I spoke to a doctor friend of mine who told me that the reason Michael Schumacher was so badly injured in that skiing accident was because his helmet cam punched through his helmet and caused appalling damage to his head.

Anyone else heard anything about this? Apparently the company involved has gone to some lengths to keep it quiet. I've no idea how much truth there is to it, but I can easily see how that could happen with any head cam.

I am now looking for an alternative instead, my head is too precious to risk..

 

[FfionWinnie]

Thanks FW. Could I ask why you don't want it on your hat? Is it too heavy/cumbersome or do you just not want it for that purpose?

Have fun XC schooling

Well I'm concerned if you hit your head while wearing it it could compromise your hat. I am mostly sure that's what happened to Schumacher.

 

[MrsNorris]

Well I'm concerned if you hit your head while wearing it it could compromise your hat. I am mostly sure that's what happened to Schumacher.

So it probably is true then, where do you attach the drift ghost FW?

 

[FfionWinnie]

So it probably is true then, where do you attach the drift ghost FW?

I've had it on my shoulder. I'm going to attempt on the head piece and on the girth (my 15.2) today!

You can get an elastic band thingy for a head cam (probably not the ghost as it's quite heavy) so it pings off but having spent 300 on mine I don't really want it pinging off anywhere.

 

[Clare85]

I was very keen on helmet cams until I spoke to a doctor friend of mine who told me that the reason Michael Schumacher was so badly injured in that skiing accident was because his helmet cam punched through his helmet and caused appalling damage to his head.

Anyone else heard anything about this? Apparently the company involved has gone to some lengths to keep it quiet. I've no idea how much truth there is to it, but I can easily see how that could happen with any head cam.

I am now looking for an alternative instead, my head is too precious to risk..

Well I'm concerned if you hit your head while wearing it it could compromise your hat. I am mostly sure that's what happened to Schumacher.

Thanks both, that's interesting re. Schumacher. I wouldn't necessarily need it attached to my hat I suppose, I want it to act (hopefully) as a deterrent for inconsiderate drivers and also as evidence in case an accident occurred, so I could attach it to my arm or something.

 

[MrsNorris]

I've had it on my shoulder. I'm going to attempt on the head piece and on the girth (my 15.2) today!

You can get an elastic band thingy for a head cam (probably not the ghost as it's quite heavy) so it pings off but having spent 300 on mine I don't really want it pinging off anywhere.

Thanks, I'm off to do some research then, £300 is a lot of money tho, I couldn't afford that one. I'll have to look for something cheaper and just find other ways to attach it to myself/the horse.

 

[twiggy2]

by that reckoning though any hard object your head hits would punch through your helmet and I am not sure if they would be able to keep it quiet after Schumachers accident due to the known safety issue.
If it is mounted on the top of your helmet the risk should be reduced further though as it is not often the top of the helmet comes into contact with the ground?

 

[Clare85]

Thanks, I'm off to do some research then, £300 is a lot of money tho, I couldn't afford that one. I'll have to look for something cheaper and just find other ways to attach it to myself/the horse.

I've been having a really good look about this morning and found a GoPro one for £159.99 - the Hero4 Session. I think I might go for that one, it's very small and light but looks to have extremely good picture quality

 

[popsdosh]

by that reckoning though any hard object your head hits would punch through your helmet and I am not sure if they would be able to keep it quiet after Schumachers accident due to the known safety issue.
If it is mounted on the top of your helmet the risk should be reduced further though as it is not often the top of the helmet comes into contact with the ground?

There has been no cover up since MS accident it was given as the likely cause very early on. it is the reason they have been banned by BE and BS . Its been a known risk with skiers in particular for some time. For some reason the advocates of hat cams seem happy to ignore this . They wear a safety hat and then totally compromise its effectiveness by attaching a camera to it. Some even come up with the argument it will just fall off well maybe it will but the damage will already have been done.
BE have commissioned research into the dangers however their reluctance to lift the ban after nearly 2 yrs suggested there is more to it.

 

[MrsNorris]

There has been no cover up since MS accident it was given as the likely cause very early on. it is the reason they have been banned by BE and BS . Its been a known risk with skiers in particular for some time. For some reason the advocates of hat cams seem happy to ignore this . They wear a safety hat and then totally compromise its effectiveness by attaching a camera to it. Some even come up with the argument it will just fall off well maybe it will but the damage will already have been done.
BE have commissioned research into the dangers however their reluctance to lift the ban after nearly 2 yrs suggested there is more to it.

That's very interesting, had no idea they were banned by anyone, but makes perfect sense. Is there really anywhere totally safe to wear them then, bar attached to the horse? Having just had very painful shoulder surgery caused by simple fall, not sure I would like to have one anywhere on my body where I could land on it if I come off..

 

[Carefreegirl]

Michael Schumacher had allegedly screwed or glued (can't remember which) his camera to his helmet which is why it didn't detach on impact.

I have a Drift that attached to my hat with Velcro. I didn't find the elastic hat band strong enough. The one time I'm came off wearing it it just pinged off.

They're good enough to catch number plates and my hubby uses it now when he's out pretending to be Bradley Wiggins.

 

[Red-1]

I've had it on my shoulder. I'm going to attempt on the head piece and on the girth (my 15.2) today!

You can get an elastic band thingy for a head cam (probably not the ghost as it's quite heavy) so it pings off but having spent 300 on mine I don't really want it pinging off anywhere.

My little cheap ChilliTech is one with an elastic band on the hat and Vlecro for the camera. It has never detached unexpectedly, but it is not damaging the integrity of the helmet, so would still be protective in a fall as the connection is firstly elastic then Velcro. It would be the same as falling on a small stone which hats are designed to do.

As well as price, the smallness and detach-ability are also reasons for getting this cheap one.

Personally I would not attach anything to my shoulder, as I do not wear a BP and don't want broken bones. I would prefer it was on the outside of the protective helmet. I would consider putting it to the girth. Having it on your helmet also means your neck acts as a shock absorber, making the picture more stable.

I understand MS had his fixed more robustly to the helmet, which spoiled its integrity.

 

[c2b]

Hi,

Easy to use. Not good enough for a number plate though. I use it because I had a drink driver insert his car up my horse's bottom and skiddadle us down the road. I found no one believed us as to what had happened (the driver lied), and it is good enough to prevent me being branded a liar.

I now have a go pro. My first one was a cheapy, like the above poster not good enough quality for number plates however I was given a piece of advice, shout the number plate out loud for the sound recording to pick up. It works but not always easy when in the middle of a crisis.

 

[popsdosh]

My little cheap ChilliTech is one with an elastic band on the hat and Vlecro for the camera. It has never detached unexpectedly, but it is not damaging the integrity of the helmet, so would still be protective in a fall as the connection is firstly elastic then Velcro. It would be the same as falling on a small stone which hats are designed to do.

As well as price, the smallness and detach-ability are also reasons for getting this cheap one.

Personally I would not attach anything to my shoulder, as I do not wear a BP and don't want broken bones. I would prefer it was on the outside of the protective helmet. I would consider putting it to the girth. Having it on your helmet also means your neck acts as a shock absorber, making the picture more stable.

I understand MS had his fixed more robustly to the helmet, which spoiled its integrity.

So your happy to accept it would damage you if you fell on it yet dont accept it could cause brain damage if attached to your head ,I find that logic odd. AFAIA no hat has been tested with a camera attached .

 

[Red-1]

So your happy to accept it would damage you if you fell on it yet dont accept it could cause brain damage if attached to your head ,I find that logic odd. AFAIA no hat has been tested with a camera attached .

You miss my point, the camera is very loosely attached, and the hat is protective. My brain is therefore protected, as it would be if I landed on a large stone. My head bones have layers of padding and a hard shell. If I wore a BP then I would be equally happy with the small elastic/ Velcro attached camera on my shoulder. In that case my shoulder would be protected against the small camera by layers of Nitrile Foam. As it is, I do not wear a BP, so have the small, elastic and Velcro attached camera on my head.

I would not attach a bulky camera, or any camera, firmly to a hat. You are right, they have not been tested with an attachment that can act as a lever. This is what happened in the MS case.

If the attachment is loose then I can't see the difference between landing on a stone (which they are tested for) and a camera that will detach if it is hit.

 

[PollyP99]

I wear a GoPro on a chest mount over my BP, gives the added bonus of seeing the horse movement from shoulder forward, I like that view!

 

[FfionWinnie]

It was attached to my BP on my shoulder.

I don't want to go XC and be worrying about losing the camera, nor do I want the risk however small of it compromising my hat.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

My Drift Ghost S camera is attached to my hat. I used the sticky bracket, when i'm not using it i just pull the hat cover over and you cant see it. When I am using the camera I just pull the hat silk up a bit and click the camera in.

At some point I really want to try attaching it to the girth so it shoots from betwen his legs, think it would be really interesting.