Video system
Just wondering what people are running on there FE cars. The New AIM Smarty Cam looks like a nice unit but i think it has the shape of a brick. I am going to run
the AIM EVO4 for Data this year. I also want to add a video system. Please
help
Thanks
Joe
NY
There is an aero cover in devolopment for the SmartyCam. Not sure of it's timetable but I saw a prototype in December. I run the SmartyCam on my SRF with the same system you have. The total frontal area is 1.2ish inches by 1.2ish inches IIRC. Not as small as a bullet cam but still not too big.Originally Posted by stradale425
I am using the Contour HD on the roll hoop. Not quite as small as a bullet cam, but very easy to use and very nice video for the price.
The EVO4 has been very good to me. Be sure you get the ECU update for the AIM system before you try to install.
Are you looking for data overlays on your video or just a reliable video system?
POV systems. Ask around. They are the best and easiest
POV 1.5
Go to Helmetcameracentral.com POV 1.5 for $500-$600. Use velcro mount on top of the roll bar cover (I tried the magnets, they're not strong enough). I bent up a box to hold the main unit and mounted it with velcro on the firewall just above the seat. (The back of the unit is not flat enough to velcro directly to the firewall). Velcro the remote start/stop button to the dash so you can control it. Use a fresh set of batteries for each weekend. You may need to put a layer of open cell foam over the mike, which is on the lead from the camera to the main unit to avoid wind noise.
I tried the GoPro and as much as I like Nick Woodman and admire his driving, I just could not get the results I wanted. That camera mount mercifully failed and that camera is now somewhere around the Sears Point circuit, rip.
Does this POV 1.5 system allow Data overlay?
That is the one thing that I liked about the AIM smaty Cam system.
Just not sure how I sould mount the AIm(Brick) on the FE car
Joe
Just checked the POV 1.5 out looks cool and it is a great deal
I am wondering if anybody mounts that unit in one of the cool
Comprent camera mounts i am just wondering if this would fit.
Joe
Camera systems can be built much more versatile and also much cheaper than the POV cameras.
The POV is a nice system but has limitations. Simply, one of the biggest is running it with data overlay.
Then again, doing video with an AIM system and hoping for overlay appears to have been completely overlooked. At least that is my guess as far as the systems limited video characteristics.
My current system uses a Sony Lipstick cam (520 lines, best currently availabe is 580), an external 2 channel mic, and records on an RCA mp3 player. Total system cost is around $400. It is compatible with any data overlay system that uses composite type connections (CDS informer for example).
The best thing of course is that it wires into the cars 12v system. No battery issues... ever.
As a dealer for the POV, Contour and others, I hope you don't think I'm out of line by jumping in here. We must adhere to the Minimum Advertised Price policy agreement we sign as a dealer, but if you contact me directly I can give you and other Apexspeed members better pricing. Video from these cameras can be intergrated with TrackVision data. A real nice feature with the POV is the little remote control (RF) which is real handy for use in a Formula car, where it may not always be easy to get at the recorder to turn it off and on.
Thanks,
Jim Gustafson
Visual Communications
www.vis-comm.com
262-246-8944
Last edited by Jim Gustafson; 08.13.10 at 8:15 AM.
I purchased a POV1.5 from Jim. Jim was great to deal with, he is a racer too, so he understands our needs. I have used the POV1.5 on an FF and an FC, in rain and shine, and not had any problems with it. I have also used a GoPro, and much prefer the POV. If you look at my videos posted here http://www.vimeo.com/8680160 . The videos from Homestead and Gingerman were recorded with the POV. The video from Mid Ohio was with a GoPro. The pic quality speaks for itself. Ignore the messed up aspect ratio of the Mid Ohio video, that was my error with editing on the computer, not a problem with the POV.
I also use the POV although I believe its the 1.0. Purchased from Jim Gustafson as well. Works well although not so great sometimes with Vees as it gets all oiled up by the end of a raceAlthough the back of the unit is not flat, I used heavy duty velcro to hold the recorder onto the sides of my cockpit without any problems.
Jim A.
I purchased the Chase Cam after unsuccessful attempts with cheaper systems. My brother uses the POV. There are pluses and minuses to both. POV is great as a complete system and easily transportable from one vehicle to the next. The Chase Cam is a great system for permanent installation. Side by side video comparison I would have to go with the Chase Cam. Seems to have better contrast adjustment for changing light conditions. I do not currently perform data overlay. That would be next.
scott
Chase cams are great. I have a fair amount of experience with them, however, the price tag is a bit hefty.
The reason I built my own system was to mimic the Chase cam video and capabilities but not the price.
how about some part numbers on your system components? I've never seen a sony lipstick cam approaching your total system price, and the RCA devices that record video also seem to price at around $400.
This recorder works pretty well.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5244545
I used one for a while and does a decent job with video.
Cameras on ebay for not too much.
I have switched to the ContourHD and like the simplicity. No mistakes. It is on and you know it.
JL
I went through two cheap recorders at $150 a piece before I bought the chase cam. The cheap recorders take good video, but after a couple of races, the internal connections come apart from the vibrations. I never could keep them working reliably. That was $300 down the drain which should have been spent on a more expensive system.
scott
No doubt that the Chase Cam is good. I just have bitterness that I had never bought one at the original $349 price!
my chasecam has been great.
other systems that i have used I could not say the same of.
chasecams' customer service is 2nd to none as well
If I gave away the part numbers I'd give away my secret. HAHA
No that isn't true. If you haven't found a Sony lipstick cam for under my total system price you aren't looking very hard. Same goes for the RCA recorder.
IIRC, the lens for my Sony 999 costs more than your entire system. My lens is somewhere off in the Buttonwillow potato flour.
Bummer on your lost lens. I attempt to walk the line between performance and cost. I lost a $700 Canon Camera to a racing kart once. That was a real bummer. The camera literally fell apart while taking video on track. Suspended vehicles are little challenge compared to karts.
I have used the Aiptek with the Chase Cam with good resuts. You can find the Aipteks for about $80. I have also have used just the Aiptek alone and it works well to. Decent video for $80.
WOW thanks for all of the great info. Not to be a pest but all of this info really did not answer my original question regarding the AIM Smarty cam. This is the system that I was really interested in getting. I like how it works with my AIM data system.
I am really wondering if anybody has used this system. I would love some feedback on this. Also What is the best way to mount this AIM Smarty Cam to a FE car. I have seen F200 cars mounting on the hoop. We in FE cant do that.
Thanks again for the help
Joe
NY
As for use of the SmartyCam with the AIM Evo4. It's set it and forget it. One button to press to get the dash and camera to talk to eachother in RaceStudio and it's done.
The quality of video I've gotten out of it has been a slight bit better than what I've gotten out of the ChaseCam.
As for the FE, I haven't spent enough time with them so I don't know how any camera is ever mounted to them. The SmartyCam has the threaded insert that all cameras seem to have to mount to tripods and mounts like IO Port. It is located on the bottom of the camera.
For my knowledge how are people mounting bullet cameras on the FE car.
If you have any other questions about the camera feel free to ask here or send a PM.
Mounted our POV on top of the airbox using the supplied bracket which has the "tripod" mount on the bottom.
Dave
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