Night-vision video cameras?

[Shut Up Legs]

This is perhaps a bit pie in the sky*, but I was wondering if any video cameras are available (preferably capable of being attached to bike helmets or handlebars), that can record video at night, i.e. when the only light available is scattered street lighting?

What prompted me to think of this today is an incident on my commute to work. I was riding to work at 5am, in darkness because sunrise was a fair bit off still. A ute overtook me so damn close that if I hadn't been riding in a perfectly straight line and maintained total control over my bike, it would have hit me. Naturally, this had me feeling a bit rattled, stressed and upset for a while afterwards, and I found myself wishing that the helmet-mounted GoPro HD camera I use during my afternoon commutes could also be used on my "morning" commutes. Unfortunately it can't; I tried it once to see how much it would show, and I got barely acceptable video only in locations where there was ample street lighting, and the majority of my commute doesn't have that.

Suggestion or comments welcomed.

Regards,

--- Victor.


* Or pigs in the sky if you're a Pink Floyd fan like me!

 

[BSRU]

The best camera's for night time use are CCD camera's, it makes the darkness almost like daylight. They do have a problem with flaring of headlights.

With CMOS camera's, GoPro/Contour, they vary in their ability to cope with low light but to aid them you need to use halogen lights to illuminate the subject.
From what I remember CMOS camera's prefer light that produces a uniform visible spectrum, LED lights tend to give off a blue'ish light, not surprising since they are really blue LED's, but CMOS camera's do not like that blue'ish light.

 

[ianrauk]

Sorry to hear about that Vic, sounded nasty.
A few of the cycle cammers seem to have cameras that film very well in the dark. Gaz545 and BentMikey come to mind. They have quite a few night time vids.

 

[sunnyjim]

This is perhaps a bit pie in the sky*, but I was wondering if any video cameras are available (preferably capable of being attached to bike helmets or handlebars), that can record video at night, i.e. when the only light available is scattered street lighting?

What prompted me to think of this today is an incident on my commute to work. I was riding to work at 5am, in darkness because sunrise was a fair bit off still. A ute overtook me so damn close that if I hadn't been riding in a perfectly straight line and maintained total control over my bike, it would have hit me. Naturally, this had me feeling a bit rattled, stressed and upset for a while afterwards, and I found myself wishing that the helmet-mounted GoPro HD camera I use during my afternoon commutes could also be used on my "morning" commutes. Unfortunately it can't; I tried it once to see how much it would show, and I got barely acceptable video only in locations where there was ample street lighting, and the majority of my commute doesn't have that.

Suggestion or comments welcomed.

Regards,

--- Victor.


* Or pigs in the sky if you're a Pink Floyd fan like me!

Anything that claims to use a Sony 'Ex-view HAD' CCD sensor chip will be very good in the dark. I doubt if any normal helmet camers etc use them, but they're quite common in security cameras and are available as small boards and bullet types.
I got a board from here http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/cameras.htm,. The output is standard composite video connected to a netbook with one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-video-and-audio-grabber-340918.


The sensor response extends into the NIR (near infra red) well beyond the limit of human vision and is really quite impressive in the dark. Eyes aren't much good at wavelengths longer than about 700nm - I've checked the camera and it still has response beyond 1050nm. I've also tried fitting a IR filter to reduce visible light (eg sodium streetlamps & car brakes), which still gives a picture but with less glare.

I've tried this setup on a boat, but not a bike. A bit clunky (and more expensive ) than a ordinary helmet cam, although it wouldn't be hard to make a bike specific camera with appropriate lens & built in storage etc from one of these - Maybe there's a market.

 

[BSRU]

Anything that claims to use a Sony 'Ex-view HAD' CCD sensor chip will be very good in the dark. I doubt if any normal helmet camers etc use them, but they're quite common in security cameras and are available as small boards and bullet types.
I got a board from here http://www.rfconcept....uk/cameras.htm,. The output is standard composite video connected to a netbook with one of these http://www.maplin.co...-grabber-340918.


The sensor response extends into the NIR (near infra red) well beyond the limit of human vision and is really quite impressive in the dark. Eyes aren't much good at wavelengths longer than about 700nm - I've checked the camera and it still has response beyond 1050nm. I've also tried fitting a IR filter to reduce visible light (eg sodium streetlamps & car brakes), which still gives a picture but with less glare.

I've tried this setup on a boat, but not a bike. A bit clunky (and more expensive ) than a ordinary helmet cam, although it wouldn't be hard to make a bike specific camera with appropriate lens & built in storage etc from one of these - Maybe there's a market.

Dogcamsport sell CCD bullet camera systems for cyclists and others.

 

[gaz]

The only downside to CCD based helmet cameras, is that 9/10 they come in two parts and the HD quality ones are +£400

 

[benb]

Gaz, what do you think of this one?

 

[Biscuit]

In my experience, the problem is not so much getting a picture but of getting a readable vid of the number plate, at the instant when in all probability the car's brake lights are on. We worked on just such requirements for a client about a year ago.

 

[sunnyjim]

In my experience, the problem is not so much getting a picture but of getting a readable vid of the number plate, at the instant when in all probability the car's brake lights are on. We worked on just such requirements for a client about a year ago.

LED lamps will be our friend - easier to filter out.

 

[Jezston]

Another downside of CCD sensors - correct me if I'm wrong - is that they are far more susceptible to CMOS wobbl ... hahaha I done goofed I'm going to leave this here for reader's amusement

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Thanks all for the tips and info - much appreciated. . I'll do further investigation using it.

As Summer is approaching, I'll be able to use the GoPro HD in the "morning" commutes, and get suitable video for part of them (but not all). Meanwhile, I'm avoiding that particular road; darkness and no witnesses is a bad combination, as anti-cyclist motorists could literally get away with murder, as the saying goes.

Regards,

--- Victor.