VIPER DAYS... WHAT KIND OF VIDEO CAMERA FOR IN CAR USE??

[HOGDEALER]

I had a machinist make me a custom mount for my 2002 GTS. What kind of video cameras are you using??

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

something small. I use a Mini DV camcorder. It also is equipped with an optical image stabilizer.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I use a JVC mini digital. It's ok, but my brother has a Sony mini digital that takes better vids.

I also wish I would have gotten one that had a jack for a mic. That way I might have been able to route the mic down near the exhaust somehow.

 

[chickenwarrior]

I this is old school - Super VHS-C, but I made a custom mount for my old Dodge Stealth by bending straight piece of metal into a "U" shape. Drilled a hole for a standard Tripod mount thumb screw and attached to the rear view mirror via a small hose clamp painted flat black. I know it sounds tacky, but it actually looked very professional when mounted. See photos at: http://www.chickenwarrior.com/stealth.htm

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view the video setup.

 

[Sonny 00 GTS ACR]

I use a remote head and mount it on my roll cage up near the rear view mirror. The head weighs next to nothing and is completely stable. The cables are tie wraped to the cage and run down to a foam lined bag straped to the floor where I keep my camcorder. I use a Sony Mini-Dv digital and the quality is astounding. Not the cheapest set up but you asked me what I used.

The Race Cam head including high resolution S video cable, remote stereo microphones, and remote on-off control for the camera while it's in the bag, is marketed by http://www.stableenergies.com and costs $1250.

I should be at every Viperdays event except Thunderhill so come by and I'll be happy to show it to you. I think it's great.

 

[HOGDEALER]

Sonny - Great info!! This looks really cool!! I am trying to get it together for Thunderhill. I had one of my Harley Machinist custom fab a camera bracket and it was mounted under the bolster in the car. I have a Bogen mount, this looks like it would mount on the Bogen. Where or what do you secure the Mini-DV to?

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Hog, get your avatar fixed so we can click on it and see the full sized pic.

Tony Vipermad!!!!

 

[HOGDEALER]

They are working on that, I'm told.

 

[Sonny 00 GTS ACR]

The Race Cam comes with a mono-ball swivel mounted on a short bar with an indent and holes so you can tie-wrap it to your roll cage or whatever.

I want to see more of the track than the cockpit so I have the remote head mounted as close to the front windshield as possible and I get a great view looking over the hood out on the track.

Most times I use the passenger seat belt to secure the foam lined bag holding the camera. (I have a 5-point system but you can adapt something to the bag to work with a lap belt only)

To make use of the high resolution system, your camcorder must have an S-video input, audio/video stereo input, as well as a Lanc input to remotely switch the power and record features of the camera. I've used a Sony DCR - TRV900, which is now an older digital model, and I recently have been using a DCR - TRV18 which is smaller but still has all the features and connections.

Race Cam's standard resolution product is a little cheaper - $950, but I would call them and ask advice concerning compatability and picture quality - I haven't used that setup.

 

[HOGDEALER]

Thanks Sonny!!!

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

I can attest Sonny's setup is fantastic. You are not seeing half of the dash and looking around the rear view mirror like mine. Plus there is no vibration on the small camera lens sending unit unlike trying to hold a camcorder still on my mount.

 

[HOGDEALER]

Well, it takes about 3-4 weeks lead time to get the Race Cam built. Each one is a custom deal. No off the self ones available. So I will just mount the Sony MiniDV to the Bogen Mount for Thunderhill. Thanks for the input!!!