Sharp as a Marble - Do you see what I see?

<< IDPA partners with Gun Nuts Media | Home | If you try to ban guns >>

Do you see what I see?

Competitive shooting , You need this

Sadly, no you don’t, because I don’t have a hat mounted camera to let me film my shooting stages. The more I think about it, the more I think it would be a good investment to look into. However, I’m picky and a spendthrift, so I’m hoping my dear readers can assist.

Needs to be high-def, at least 1024x768 at 30fps
Video taken must be able to clearly see a target at 25 yards.
Sound is required, but not an important part of the video.
Must be able to be placed in different positions. I’m horribly left eye dominant, so a camera that could only be mounted on the right side will pulling a Marty Feldman and staring off into space. Preferably something that can clip to the brim of a hat in various positions that doesn’t weigh 8 pounds.

Any idea? Anyone have any good experiences with specific cameras? What seems reasonable as far as cost?

posted @ 11/7/2011 11:35:27 AM

Comments

Bubblehead Les says:

on 11/7/2011 11:38:19 AM

I know that some of the Police Depts up here are making their Cops wear Mini-Cams as part of their gear, so you might want to see what they have, and if it's applicable to your need.

danno says:

on 11/7/2011 11:40:15 AM

look up "808 camera". It's an inexpensive camera the size of a key fob. Mine ran about $20. Video isn't quite to your requirements, but take a look here for an example of what it can do: http://sandcastlescrolls.blogspot.com/2011/07/hi-point-carbinevideo-test.html

ZCORR says:

on 11/7/2011 12:00:33 PM

http://www.hucknroll.com/contour-contourhd-1080p-wearable-camcorder

JP says:

on 11/7/2011 12:35:08 PM

Might want to look at these: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Brands/regularCat%3Apcmcat238900050009/pcmcat238900050009.c?id=pcmcat238900050009

I've seen a few in action and the results and was blown away by the quality that came from such a little camera. Probably not mountable on the brim of a hat but they appear to have quite a few mounting options that may prove to get you some very interesting perspectives too.

JP says:

on 11/7/2011 12:36:30 PM

To add to my above comment, there is a headstrap mount available for them.

LC Scotty says:

on 11/7/2011 12:57:27 PM

Joe Huffman was experimenting with some glasses mounted camera while shooting some stages.

Anonymous says:

on 11/7/2011 1:10:52 PM

I've been contemplating buying one to record bike rides (and aggressive drivers). I'm leaning towards the ContourHD.

Monte says:

on 11/7/2011 2:58:18 PM

I honestly haven't done enough research into it to say whether it fits all of your requirements, but I have seen plenty of shooters using the Contour. And, if you have Amazon Prime, you can get them for a few bucks less than Huck 'n' Roll and also get free shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/Contour-1300-ContourHD-Helmet-Camera/dp/B002QGSYZ4/

I believe this original ContourHD has been discontinued (at least they didn't have it listed on their site anymore, last I checked), so they may not be available at the price for long.

Monte says:

on 11/7/2011 3:01:11 PM

And I completely missed the post above mine, which already linked to the ContourHD on Amazon.

Paul says:

on 11/7/2011 3:05:36 PM

X2 on the GoPro.

Robb Allen says:

on 11/7/2011 3:07:01 PM

Yeah, $113 for the ContourHD isn't terrible. I don't need the GPS / streaming / iPad integration with the other models or the newer ones. I just want good video.

I know Caleb uses the Contour for Gun Nuts. He mounts his to his earpro, I would almost want a bracket that would move it off my ear and over my left eye, but I guess I could just try it from the left and see how it runs.

Jeffersonian says:

on 11/7/2011 7:23:46 PM

I impulse-bought an $80 RCA model a few years ago and bolted it to a plastic construction hardhat found for $3 at a second-hand store. This camera doesn't meet your requirements, but newer models are available in that price range, or even less.

I get email alerts from a few electronic-sales websites, such as:

Geeks.com

1SaleaDay.com

DailySteals.com

Woot

Also, you might look at pawn shops or electronic junk shops for a used camera.

I hope those links come through, the Preview doesn't seem quite right.

Jeffersonian says:

on 11/7/2011 7:25:35 PM

Camera:

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-EZ207-Wonder-Digital-Camcorder/dp/B001QRWIAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320711531&sr=8-1

My YouTube channel:

http://youtube.com/Jeffersonian1

Sales links:

http://1saleaday.com/

http://www.dailysteals.com/

http://www.geeks.com/one-day-deal/default.asp

http://sellout.woot.com/

Joe says:

on 11/7/2011 9:10:23 PM

For what it's worth, LensRentals.com (located here in TN) rents the GoPro HD (1st and 2nd gen.) models with all sorts of mounts. Good way to try before you buy. Helluva camera, though.

dg13 says:

on 11/7/2011 9:34:54 PM

here's what I did for about $40
It's only standard def, but works fairly well for the price. you could mount it to a hat.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/02/09/fps-view-of-miami-vice-subgun-match/

Laughingdog says:

on 11/8/2011 12:13:08 AM

I have both a GoPro and a ContourHD. I got the former for recording rides on my motorcycle. I got the latter because the GoPro wasn't working as a head cam.

My advice would be to get neither. Head perspective shots are great fun for others to watch, but you really don't learn as much from that. If you really want that view, the Lidcam (http://rhinoutdoors.com/product-details.php?prodid=13). Someone was using that at the last IDPA match I shot, and it is FAR less obtrusive than either that I have.

Honestly, the best video I have of me shooting, and the most useful for improving as a shooter, is the stuff shot on a Kodak Playsport video camera. The quality is better, and the third-person perspective lets me actually see where I need to improve.

Homer says:

on 11/8/2011 6:19:18 AM

I'll side with Laughingdog on this one; I learned a lot about smoothing and speeding my draw and push out with a tripod-mounted camera, and smoothing my revolver reloads. I would not have learned that with the perspective of a helmet-cam. Keep your eyes on Amazon's pre-Black Friday deals - I got my Flip for a giveaway price a couple of years ago.

One thing that would be helpful, and I'm sure someone, someplace probably makes the app, is a grid superimposed on the video so there's a "movement reference" mechanism, and a timer display in the frame. And, hang onto your vids - you'll want to compare today's with next month's, and the month after.

Joey Burke says:

on 11/8/2011 5:19:02 PM

http://gopro.com/hd-hero2-cameras/
Pricey, but good enough for Mythbusters...

Comments have been closed on this topic.