Thread: Action Cameras for Bikers

To Go or not to Go-Pro
Background
Personally interested I�m photography like biking ,touring�..
I normally carry my DSLR kits during my rides.
[Nikkon D5100,18-105,50mm1.8]
I also use a Sony P&S, and my latest gear is Nokia Pureview 808.

I wanted some small rugged gear to capture some moments with my bike.
I normally have to remove my gloves take the DSLR out of the bag when I�m on my bike.
So I came across Go-Pro. The camera most of the Xbhpins uses.
It really delivered a lot of moments in many travelogues.
Is this the only solutions?

The Rugged Cameras
Now there are some good rugged cameras out there under INR 17K!!
Rugged means, Waterproof+ Shock Proof+ 4-6 Feet fall proof.
These all comes with Built in GPS, Full HD video Recording.
Yes, they take good pictures with HDR too
So I short listed some of them,

• Panasonic Lumix TS20
• Nikon Coolpix AW100
• Olympus Tough TG-810

All the above are great cameras they deliver a good battery life also. But you can use the other camera as regular camera in everyday life. It a normal point and shoot camera after all. This is one flexibility makes Go Pro looks like an Alien in the crowd.
But when we consider a battery life, The Go pro is a winner. It is much more power optimized and lack of Big LCD screen bumps up the battery Life.

How do I fix them to my bike or Helmet?
This big question makes GoPro a winner again. It has all the fancy mounts which can practically strict to anywhere.
Can I get these mounts?
Yes, there are some DIY�s about the camera and mobile mounts in Xbhp.
Or there are many off the shelf solution too.
Outdoor Aluminum Alloy Mount Holder for Camera

Attachment 85570Outdoor Aluminum Alloy Mount Holder for Camera - Golden + Black - Worldwide Free Shipping - DX
Flexible Joint Camera Stand with Suction Grip Base


Flexible Joint Camera Stand with Suction Grip Base - Worldwide Free Shipping - DX

So if you want to get something similar to Go Pro this is your answer. We Indians consider VFM before buying anything and this is a VFM solution.
Now I�m thinking I should put my Nokia 808 in waterproof rugged cover with a tripod mount. So, I can use it for my Motograpy. It has excellent video performances .
Drive Safe!! Because you�ll never know how you end up if you use a lot creativity in taking Picture while driving!!

Thread Approved

Just so you know, There was an offer on the Nikon AW100 on Sulekha.com during the T20 world cup where it was being sold for around 11k. Look around for deals, you might just buy both .

There're 100's of reason to buy GoPro...but here're some points to keep in mind before considering them...
1. The battery life is quite a disaster; I would ride for over 15 hours a day, but, even if I didn't expect a 24 hours life, I'd expect something like a decent 10 hours
2. Atleast the additional batteries should be affordable & not like $20 a piece that lasts for another 2 hours
3. Otherwise, there's no point to have a backup capacity of 9 hours on a 32G card for which I should be using 3-4 batteries atleast
4. One way to overcome is to use USB cable & charge the camera while on the move, but again, that will require a slight alteration to motorcycle's electricals
5. The buttons on the camera are not so convenient; they require to press hard; yes it's good in a way than feather light touch, but then, that also involves in slight disorientation of the camera's position

Having said that, I'm not against GoPro, but, feel they need to work on improvising things a little more towards practicality

I doubt if that suction based mount can keep the camera attached stable on a moving motorcycle..
Btw, they do free shipping to India.?

I have a GoPro HD Hero. A few months after buying mine the Hero2 was released, Now they are upto #3.
It is a very robust camera. The buttons are hard to press due to the case having to be shock proof and water proof. You are effectively pressing against a spring that seals against water and pressure.

I've taken mine scuba diving, 30m, through tunnels, bike rides attached to my helmet, fuel tank, front forks, above rear brake light (All on my FZS)
You get a fantastic picture, different picture adjustments (taller, wider, FPS choice etc)
You will see GoPro's on documentaries in the wild, car drivers use these, I've even taken it paintballing, attaching it under the barrel for some fantastic views.

Check out my signature below for my GoPro videos.

Originally Posted by rachitkohli

Btw, they do free shipping to India.?

I have ordered stuff from DX.com in the past. It takes its own sweet time to reach you (took them 16 days to deliver my package) but the stuff was good. Shipping to India is either free or costs like $0.01 so almost free . They ship using Registered Post (NOT SPEED POST) but the package can be tracked online.

Be sure to check product reviews before buying anything though.

Originally Posted by antz.bin

I have ordered stuff from DX.com in the past. It takes its own sweet time to reach you (took them 16 days to deliver my package) but the stuff was good. Shipping to India is either free or costs like $0.01 so almost free . They ship using Registered Post (NOT SPEED POST) but the package can be tracked online.

Be sure to check product reviews before buying anything though.

Thats ok, can live with it.. When you get free shipping.. Better then ebay's international free shipping which took almost a month to reach me..
Thanks..!

Originally Posted by rachitkohli

Thats ok, can live with it.. When you get free shipping.. Better then ebay's international free shipping which took almost a month to reach me..
Thanks..!

That reminded me to check my shipment from that site. Well its taking over a month for this website to deliver too, but yes hopes are still. I have attached a pic which states the current order status, please check the highlighted section for dates.

Its actually over a month now.

Originally Posted by antz.bin

Thread Approved

Just so you know, There was an offer on the Nikon AW100 on Sulekha.com during the T20 world cup where it was being sold for around 11k. Look around for deals, you might just buy both .

Thanks for approval.
Ya some time sulekha has best deals compared to other sites

Originally Posted by aargee

There're 100's of reason to buy GoPro...but here're some points to keep in mind before considering them...
1. The battery life is quite a disaster; I would ride for over 15 hours a day, but, even if I didn't expect a 24 hours life, I'd expect something like a decent 10 hours
2. Atleast the additional batteries should be affordable & not like $20 a piece that lasts for another 2 hours
3. Otherwise, there's no point to have a backup capacity of 9 hours on a 32G card for which I should be using 3-4 batteries atleast
4. One way to overcome is to use USB cable & charge the camera while on the move, but again, that will require a slight alteration to motorcycle's electricals
5. The buttons on the camera are not so convenient; they require to press hard; yes it's good in a way than feather light touch, but then, that also involves in slight disorientation of the camera's position

Having said that, I'm not against GoPro, but, feel they need to work on improvising things a little more towards practicality

Ya its a great camera, And me too dont have nothing aginst GoPro

BTW GoPro Hero 3 has answered some of your question

And USB power from bike is pretty staright forward DIY

Originally Posted by Mad Mik

I have a GoPro HD Hero. A few months after buying mine the Hero2 was released, Now they are upto #3.
It is a very robust camera. The buttons are hard to press due to the case having to be shock proof and water proof. You are effectively pressing against a spring that seals against water and pressure.

I've taken mine scuba diving, 30m, through tunnels, bike rides attached to my helmet, fuel tank, front forks, above rear brake light (All on my FZS)
You get a fantastic picture, different picture adjustments (taller, wider, FPS choice etc)
You will see GoPro's on documentaries in the wild, car drivers use these, I've even taken it paintballing, attaching it under the barrel for some fantastic views.

Check out my signature below for my GoPro videos.

Yes its a great camera but only problem is it cost 1/4 or 1/5 of a average Indian Bike

Originally Posted by antz.bin

I have ordered stuff from DX.com in the past. It takes its own sweet time to reach you (took them 16 days to deliver my package) but the stuff was good. Shipping to India is either free or costs like $0.01 so almost free . They ship using Registered Post (NOT SPEED POST) but the package can be tracked online.

Be sure to check product reviews before buying anything though.

Lucky You mine took around 45 days.
But there is lot of interesting stuff in DX at reasonable price.

Originally Posted by Eshan-P180

That reminded me to check my shipment from that site. Well its taking over a month for this website to deliver too, but yes hopes are still. I have attached a pic which states the current order status, please check the highlighted section for dates.

Its actually over a month now.

Ya delivery time of Deal extreme is the the worst.
This is the only site that make the Dell India to 2nd Position in Worst Product Delivary time.
The delivary has to come through custom clearance and the shippment travel at very low priority all around the world.


As I mention my Aim of this post is to share some VFM alternative to GoPro.
And there may be still cheaper solution.
And ya there is costlier solution too.
Drive SaFe

There are alternatives.
Replay or Tachyon cameras. these are more of a tube shape, similar to a scope on a gun.