Helmet cam... the budget solution.

[Mile195]

So there's loads of Helmet cams out there these days. Some better than others. I've tried a couple of cheap (<£30) ones and the problem for me is battery life.

I have an 80 minute commute each way, but the cheap cameras just don't run for even half that, even on a good set of rechargeables...

So I got a bit handy with the soldering iron, and thought I'd share my solution to this conundrum...

Cost:
2 x in-line jack (male and female): £2.38
2 x AA battery holder: £2.18
2 x 9v battery connector: £2.58
Bit of old speaker wire: Free
HDV video cassette box: Free
cable ties, bit of heatshrink and solder: All Free

Total cost: £7.14, Camera was about £27.

Now my camera runs for 4.5 hours on these low capacity rechargeables (the holders are wired in parallel so they still put out 3 volts). Should get about 6 hours on my decent batteries. HDV box will slip nicely into my back pocket.

Who says a little protection on your commute has to cost the earth!..

 

[Mile195]

Oh - The pictures didn't come up... I shall try again...

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Which camera do you use? My commute is really short

 

[Mile195]

 

[Mile195]

The first one I tried is very similar to the "Muvi" cameras you can buy from Maplin, Evans etc etc. It would do about an hour if the weather was warm, but half that in the cold. That had a built in battery though, so you couldn't even change the battery en-route.

This one is about £27 off the internet. A fresh set of AA battery's got 20 mins-half hour which was pretty useless.

Having the batteries seperate also reduces the weight of the camera on the side of the helment which is a bonus.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I know this is off topic, and I apologise, but what is the video quality like? Have you got any uploaded?

 

[Mile195]

I know this is off topic, and I apologise, but what is the video quality like? Have you got any uploaded?

None uploaded, although I'll stick one on this thread when I go back to riding in next week. (on the motorbike for a series of 4am starts this week).

It's ok during the day. Not that great in darker streetlit-only conditions, but none of them are that great in those circumstances I don't think.