just got smartycam - now problem is that car does not yet have a rollbar, so i wonder how/where to mount a camera so it could records my hands on a steering wheels and front image as well.

has anyone done something like this?

 

Try this place....!
NOT cheap,but really really neat mounts!

http://www.filmtools.com/carmounts.html


Stacy

 

I am not sure any suction cap will do... that will make it mounted on a front glass and steering wheel will not be on a picture.

ideal mount would be on a rollcage behind my right shoulder - to see hands on steering wheels and front but I will not be installing rollbar this season most likely, that will wait for winter. so as I see it only logical place to attach camera would be on a driver or passenger seat somehow.
not sure how.

 

Is that the AIM Smartycam? How does it work? I have an old AIM DaVid system for in-car video and data. Here'a a link to me at Road Atlanta in the track appliance, AKA 944:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkIyqLEauBQ

Unfortunately, I didn't have audio working at that time (works now). I have 2 bullet cams that feed into the AIM system. So - when you say camera mount, are you talking about bullet cams or a camcorder? For the bullet cams, I use zip ties around the roll cage. For my old set-up with a camcorder, I used an I/O Port mount to my roll bar. I know you said you don't have a roll bar, but do you have a harness bar? If so, they make mounts to those (smaller diameter).

I've seen plenty of set-ups but would need more info to better advise you. For just camera (no data integration), I think the GoPro Motorsports Hero HD is what I'd do at this point.

 

i have a mount for the windshield from filmtools.com (i second that opinion) and i have a harness bar mount. for a long time, i really thought i'd want the view if the steering wheel and dash but after comparing videos from both, i'm going back to the windshield mount.

depending on your timeline for the roll bar, i'd get a windshield mount. i made sure i got one with a vacuum that would make sure the suction cup stayed on really well.

 

I mount mine to my helmet. Makes for some interesting video compared to a fixed mounting. Its called a VHoldr.

 

GoPro Hero HD has a suction mount accessory that is pretty strong. Haven't able to shake it loose yet. They also have stick on type mounts with industrial strength adhesive.

 

Use a suction cup mount and attach it outside the car to the rear side window on the driver's side. You'll be able to see the track ahead and an over the shoulder view of your hands on the steering wheel. Also try putting some coloured tape on your steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position.

 

I found out that zip ties work good with the DV tape camcorders..

 

go pro is a very good solution. a guy at that track with us last month had one on a purpose built race car. very nice.

 

A buddy just gave me a GoPro camera and it's really cool! Interface is tricky but video quality is excellent.

 

I have this sucker. It's pretty bulky and heavy, but it WILL NOT come loose.

http://www.filmtools.com/gripper-302...era-mount.html

GoPro looks like a great cam, but I dunno how useful it is as just a regular camcorder. This way, I can just slap on an HD cam to the mount and take it off for other uses.

 

camera i get is smartycam with odb2 interface cord so it receives and records 9 data channels from ecu plus gps data with lap start/end autorecognition plus data from 2 internal gyroscopes. it also can be connected to datahub with other sensors if such will be installed. newest generation of this camera has external gps sensor as well. it looks to be a heck of a deal for a price they ask for it. will see, so far it has pretty good reviews from folks who use it.

suction cap is a simplest solution and it looks like it is the most logical one until it will go on a permanent mount on a rollcage.

http://www.smartycam.com/on-board-camera/movie-013.htm
http://www.smartycam.com/on-board-ca...ce-mar2010.htm

 

The difference between a Go Pro and a regular camcorder is the wide angel lens, and it's anti-vibration compensation routine. I agree it's not a good everyday camera, as the almost fisheye lens distorts the horizon. But as a car/sports camera it is awesome. It's able to capture a lot more into the frame, and you get a fairly steady video compared to a regular camera.

Oh and it's water/dust proof. You can literally mount it in your front air intake area without issues.

And yes the image quality is top notch. Just make sure you get the Go Pro HD version, not the standard wide version.

 

thanks guys, i decided to order this one:
http://www.filmtools.com/filmtools-i...era-mount.html

smartycam is just 200g and quite small so it should work fine i hope.

PS. it is kinda amazing - that smartycam is an essence a linux powered super compact computer. amazing thing. you can load any track into it, setup start/stop points, records several data channels on same video stream, 3G gyroscopes, etc. If it would cost 2 times less than it is - it would be just perfect. but evn at its curent price it is a heck of a deal - with traditional systems data hub alone costs $1.5K or so plus video box costs about $1K plus you need video camera sensors... wih smartycam you have it all in a single unit. nice thing!