Having been informed by GoPro that it was my responsibility to foresee their design flaws, and tether a case that they didn't design to be tethered, to prevent damage when their mount breaks, I am now looking for a GOOD camera. In hopes of not spending another wad of cash on a poorly designed / poorly supported camera, I thought I'd start this thread.
If you have experience with Race Optics, VIO, Smartycam, or other cameras, either good or bad, please post them here. A sample of video, a note about ease of use [do you know when it is on? Do you know if it is filming or just taking still shots?] editing softare, good features / weaknesses would be helpful.
I have just seen the RaceOptics TACK camera, which looks affordable and functional, but I don't know of anyone using it. Does anyone know about this camera? Is it reliable? Do the mounts work / hold up? If you have problems, do they referr you to their legal dept?
My guess is, I'm not the only one who would appreciate more info before I buy, so thanks in advance, from me and others, for those who post their experiences.
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Jim
Swift DB-1
"Racing is like snow skiing. Once your pants aren't wet all the time, the rest is all fun."
I would like to see any information also. Not to continue your thread with a bash but my GoPro has failed every try. Works great until I put it on the car. So I can use some opinions and information about other cameras.
that was put together using footage using a few different cams. we had 2 POV cams, 2 raceoptics cams, a TACK, and some with my digital SLR (not onboard).
all 3 onboard cams worked well.
I've had a few others and killed them quickly. ContourHD being one. The Contour is a cool camera and works well for other adventure sports, but the vibration killed in the race car. The company was cool about it when I called and sent me a replacement right away with no hassle.
The POV has held up for an entire season.
the tack and the raceoptics worked well when I used them but they were just on loan for the weekend so I can't speak to their long term survivability. GAR (Jonathan scarallo) loaned them to me and heled me out with mounting and making sure the 3 cams on my car were running the day we shot alot of that footage. He also sells the TACK and raceoptics.
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Awww, come on guys, it's so simple. Maybe you need a refresher course. Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays.
A group of us have started using the VHoldr Contour 1080P. So far, so good. No problems after one year of use. We all had GoPros and lost patience with the frustrating experiences.
For this upcoming race we each paid $19 for extra mounts. That let's us share cameras and run more than one per session (if your partner is in a different race group).
Contour 1080P is selling for pretty cheap now. I paid $235 but you can find them for much less now on the interwebs.
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Racer Russ
(former) FF/FC/FM/FS/FB/FA
Marietta, GA
VIO POV or Race Optics. Both are very good and you will never have to deal with these problems again. I have used a VIO since they came on the scene and never had an issue, great customer service as well. Race Optics seems to be virtually the exact same unit but priced a little lower. I do not have the HD version and even in standard, looks fantastic. Do not try these cheaper, smaller options, you will just spend more in the long run when you eventually do end up buying one of these.
We too have been using a Contour without issue. It took a weekend it get it sorted on the Reynard, but since adding a bit of insulation under the mount it has worked flawlessly. The camera gets tethered directly to the mount, I've seen one fall a DSR, and it survived returning attached to the car.
Nick, I remember hearing some chatter about problems with cables some time back. VIO and Race Optics sell units that have a camera head attached to a base unit by a hard-wired cable and also by a plug in cable. I can't recall if the problem was that 1] the plug ins vibrated loose or 2] the hard wires required the whole camera to be replced when they failed. Do you know anything about this?
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Jim
Swift DB-1
"Racing is like snow skiing. Once your pants aren't wet all the time, the rest is all fun."
Nick, I remember hearing some chatter about problems with cables some time back. VIO and Race Optics sell units that have a camera head attached to a base unit by a hard-wired cable and also by a plug in cable. I can't recall if the problem was that 1] the plug ins vibrated loose or 2] the hard wires required the whole camera to be replced when they failed. Do you know anything about this?
Yes, mine did do that until I wrapped some electrical tape around the connector that screws into the recorder. It will vibrate loose and start getting a choppy signal if you do not do that. The newer units have it hard wired at the camera head though so there are no problems on that end. With the hardwire on the Race Optics, I would imagine that if the camera head fails that you would need to replace the entire thing. I never thought of that but I have never had a problem with my VIO camera head.
Nick, I remember hearing some chatter about problems with cables some time back. VIO and Race Optics sell units that have a camera head attached to a base unit by a hard-wired cable and also by a plug in cable. I can't recall if the problem was that 1] the plug ins vibrated loose or 2] the hard wires required the whole camera to be replced when they failed. Do you know anything about this?
I have never had a problem with it coming loose, the only issues were my fault such as wrecking the plug, VIO fixed everything at no-charge, VIO has been a first rate company in my interactions and would highly recommend them. Plus they actually respond to emails and calls which I cant say the same for some of their competitors that I tried.
I did the standard version, not the 1080 and was really surprised how good the video quality was, certainly equal to some of the pricier systems. Easy to set up and use, I was very impressed especially when you consider cost vs performance. Have 3 weekends in a "V" on it with no issues. And yes it comes with a tether.
After watching the first couple sessions I just couldn't believe I had waited so long to add a camera.
The audio in those all-in-one systems is always the biggest issue, that and vibration. With the inline mic on the VIO and Race Optics, you are able to tuck it away in the cockpit to eliminate the wind noise. I also stick a piece of tape over the mic hole in addition which makes it even better. For vibration, there are several mounts available for these units which eliminates that issue as well, in addition to the mounts provided. I use Pizzo's mount for my VIO but I do not believe it will not allow for the HD version to fit.
the POV1 would not work on my DB-1. the vibration shut the camera off; i think i have 1 lap of footage from an entire day.
I returned it, since it was not able to work in my situation.
i know people will say it was "user error" that theirs works great.
mine sucked.
I replaced it with a chasecam, and its been flawless.
I have seen the quality of the gopro shown on the internet; if i am going to try to capture videos of what i am doing i want them to be something i would proudly show to people. the gopro looks like you have to say " the video quality sucks, but hey i only spent $200 for the system"...............not what i want to remember about my weekend of racing.
"the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"
gopro would be cool to mount on the bumper of my spec miata, since i would not expect it to survive the race.
I too have been very happy with my ContourHD - mine is the DSR on which the tether held for pretty much an entire 15min race. The camera definitely doesn't like a lot of vibration, but for the price, it's worth working around IMO.
I'm not even bothering to record in HD, to make more manageable file sizes... but it looks pretty spectacular in that, and/or on 60fps...
Note: FWIW, my DSR is SE1-based, only with a much buzzier GSXR powerplant.
Also - when the mount "failed" - it was due to getting knocked half-off on the grid due to a crewmember bumping it. Popped back on afterwards, no damage.
The only problem we see (hear) is the wind noise because of the in-camera microphone.
I believe the new HD version has a input for an external mic. However the plug looks a bit exposed and would be curious if it would stay in with all the vibration.
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'Stay Hungry'
JK 1964-1996 #25
For this upcoming race we each paid $19 for extra mounts. That let's us share cameras and run more than one per session (if your partner is in a different race group).
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Russ and others, [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]I just received my contour HD today. What types of mounts are you guys using?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Thanks[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Bill[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Russ and others, [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]I just received my contour HD today. What types of mounts are you guys using?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Thanks[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Bill[/FONT][/FONT]
I got the ram mount (from Jim @ Vis-comm, where I ordered the Contour)... works great. Mounts to a standard rollbar ram-mount ball.
regards,
Mike
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Mike Green
Piper DF2 FF
I had the same issues with noise on my XD. Since I happened to be near their facility, I dropped in to discuss the noise issue. I was welcomed in and met the staff. John Spar is a great guy with an extensive background in both motor sports and video production.
John and Jason had been working the noise issue on the XD while doing the development on the HD model. It turns out that a simple felt disc, or two, placed inside the back of the camera made a significant improvement in my wind noise problem.
The Billet mount is excellent. Simple, tight, and strong. Using the billet mount for the camera on either our teams Crossle 32 or Ralt/Beasley/Mazda CSR the video is excellent. No vibration. No washing or swimming effects.
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Russ and others, [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]I just received my contour HD today. What types of mounts are you guys using?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Thanks[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Bill[/FONT][/FONT]
I've been using the flat mount that comes with the camera and 3m double sided tape. Works like a charm
Be cautious with the tape mount. I killed my first Contour when that tape mount failed the first weekend I used it. The base stayed attached to the car, but the adjustable part that mounts to the camera came out of the base. I ended up firmly screwing the innerportion of that mount to the base of the mount and then using good tape again.
I like the replay, but the video screen on the TACK looks appealing. I looked at the TACK manual, and it looks alot like GoPros 'guess what the camera is going to do next,' menue. If I get no good feedback, I am leaning toward the replay. Do you have a shot of the camera mounted on your cars?
__________________
Jim
Swift DB-1
"Racing is like snow skiing. Once your pants aren't wet all the time, the rest is all fun."
I use the contour 1080 gps on a formula vee for over a whole season and the only problem I've had was I forgot to start the camera. No problem with vibration. I'm using a mount that was made for me by Ronnie Chuck. Very simple, and solid.
I had the same issues with noise on my XD. Since I happened to be near their facility, I dropped in to discuss the noise issue. I was welcomed in and met the staff. John Spar is a great guy with an extensive background in both motor sports and video production.
John and Jason had been working the noise issue on the XD while doing the development on the HD model. It turns out that a simple felt disc, or two, placed inside the back of the camera made a significant improvement in my wind noise problem.
The Billet mount is excellent. Simple, tight, and strong. Using the billet mount for the camera on either our teams Crossle 32 or Ralt/Beasley/Mazda CSR the video is excellent. No vibration. No washing or swimming effects.
Since the GoPro cameras clearly work well on the owner's FB (I think) maybe some of the SF Region FF Kent guys should get him to do some tests with your cars so he can see the vibration we deal with.
Here are two Replay XD videos. The microphone on the Replay XD is in the back of the camera. The Replay comes with two end caps. One is competely closed and the other 'open' end cap has a 1/8" hole in the center of the end cap to better capture sound.
This is the first video I ever took. It is with the Replay XD using the 'open' end cap before fitting the felt disc. It is the Ralt/Beasley with a bridgeported Mazda 12A shifting at 9300 rpm
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Russ and others, [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]I just received my contour HD today. What types of mounts are you guys using?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Thanks[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]Bill[/FONT][/FONT]
You can find this one on Amazon.com for $19. It has 1/4-20 female threads on the bottom.
Last edited by RussMcB; October 25th, 2012 at 12:47 AM.
I Spent way to much money on Sometime Video Cams..Finally decided to get rid of them altogether . Nothing is more frustrating is to have no video or poor video after a weekend of racing.
Now having said that, a few years back I found my solution to my problems with video camera's in FF cars.
My Vid system of choice was the more pricey Chase Cam.
My first Chase Cam was purchased used and work decent except the friggen connectors, once I learned to glue them in place that problem was solved, but I still was back to inconsistent recordings.
I then got lucky and here on Apexspeed a Chase Cam came to me with all the right stuff..
Military connector that cannot come loose.
Auto start by motion or kill switch on..
Remote cam mounted in indestructible case .
Camera hard mounted to body work.
In a full season of racing I have had 100% Video in every session .It may take me all winter to edit the 35 gig of video sitting on my Hard drive.
Now I'm sure newer technologies are passing the PDR-100 Chasecam, but if you want consistent and nice clear quality. Find one of these used and enjoy..
As for cost I have $500. dollars invested in this used unit.
I think as the newer Vid cams come on the market, we should see more of the PDR's on the market..JV
We have been though quite a few video systems; now all I deal with are Replay & Chasecam. Chasecam has the edge for people who need auto-record & video/data sync capabilities, Replay has the cost/durability side. I find the Replays superior to the Contours in packaging & ease of use.
RAM makes mounts for a variety of applications, and different types of cameras. If you call or email me directly, I can offer Apexspeed special pricing on these mounts, as well as Contour and VIO-POV systems.
This is the first time I have seen the Replay XD and after some investigation, it sure looks promising. I like the mount selection, particularly the picatinny rail. I could mount some sections of that at various places on the car and move the camera around to several solid mount options. Pretty cool.
Since Indy Cars at testing do NOT have the incar cameras wired for broadcast, it appears (at least some) are using GoPros and at several locations on the car (Look and see JR Hildbrand has at least three and Simona .... etc) ............
General Formula Car Discussion
stiffed by GoPro, looking for camera references
