helmet cam recommendation

[traveller]

Hi all, a friend of mine just stacked it big time on his bike, broken collarbone, three ribs, punctured lung and a shattered pelvis :eyepop:
Currently in hospital waiting for operation. He also suffered concussion which means he can't remember much of the crash (plus he is up to the eyeballs on horse tranquilisers because of the pain :scared:)
This got me thinking about getting a helmet cam for my daily bike commute in case anything similar happens to me. I have been biking for over 4 years and can count the number of near misses on a single hand, but as my wife says, I don't want to get that phone call one day.
Can anyone recommend a helmet mounted camera? Budget is $100, plenty of them on ebay, but not sure of their quality etc. Need something that's waterproof (Melbourne), lightweight, able to record at least 30 mins (time of a single trip) and hopefully crash proof.
Thanks :thumbsup:
Bo

[cventer]

If you can find a 2nd hand Go pro Hero they are brilliant. They have HD recording and very robust. I use one for Kart Racing and they are foten used by Motocross and Big Wave Surfers. New they are more then your budget though.

[MrB]

I have one of these:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__13987__Turnigy_30FPS_Ultra_Mini_D igiCam_without_memory_card_.html

It is out of stock there, but I'm sure similar could be found on ebay.
Scroll down on that page for customer feedback/reviews and links to video's on youtube.

I've only used it once but it worked great, and for only $12, can't go wrong.

BTW, the weight listed on that site is the shipping weight, not the camera. The cam is about the same size as my thumb and weighs 20grams. They are listed on that hobby site as people put them in their radio controlled planes. ;)

[niko]

not a recommendation but how about this one?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ACT10-Waterproof-Helmet-Camera-Outdoor-Action-Video-Cam-/270684408068?pt=AU_Video_Cameras&hash=item3f060c4904

I'd be interested to know what you settle on because I've wanted to do the same thing though mine would be to record how perilous a ride to work can be - seems I have many more near misses than you do.

Hope your friend recovers okay

cheers

niko

[traveller]

Thanks everyone,
I'd love to get a Go Pro, but it's overkill for my requirements.
I will most likely grab one from ebay, once I study their specs a bit more.
Update on my mate, he is in surgery, will most likely be in a wheelchair for 4 weeks as the acetebulum (the socket joint in the hip where the ball of the thigh bone goes into) is in 3 pieces.
Will update once I finalise the purchase.
Bo

[rogerg]

I bought one of these for my brother when skiing:

http://www.launchhelmetcams.com.au/Drift-Innovation-HD170-Stealth

Works reasonably well, no massive complaints. Not perfect image quality but not bad. Nice wide field.

They're more compact than the go pro's. Can mount them on bike handle, side of helmet, goggle strap, etc.

These are a bit nicer in many ways, a little more compact and less noticeable:
http://www.launchhelmetcams.com.au/contour-roam

Roger.

[sheeny]

I use an Oregon Scientific ATC9K. Full HD and waterproof to 20m. I attach it to my helmet(s) with 3M dual lock:thumbsup:.

Still outside your budget, but... you never know...

Al.

[Alchemy]

Pity you can't afford a gopro, great cameras, cheap for replacement bits etc.

Just make sure you get a wide angle version of something, you never know where trouble comes from..

Just quietly I wouldn't bike commute here in Melbourne,

[traveller]

After some research, I ended up with this http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110860285229#ht_8784wt_759
I liked it because its 120 degree view, rechargeable battery, HD recording and low light performance.
Might even upload a clip once I get it.
Bo