Helmet Camera Mount
If you want to do some filming or documenting while riding, a helmet camera mount should provide you with the best vantage point. Greetings and welcome once again to Helmet Hunter‘s article series. In this installment, we shall provide you with ways on how to successfully attach cameras to helmets, find currently available products in the market, find small cameras that can do the job, and other information to get you started as a motorcycle cameraman.
If you want to document a ride, make a short film about your trip, or explore places where only motorcycles can go, a helmet camera can give you the best view. This is because it is the one closest to your real vantage point. In such scenarios, cameras are normally installed on helmets and on the bike itself. Sometimes, and if you can afford it, having both will give you the best options when it comes to editing.
Having a bike-mounted camera will give you a solid, consistent view of the road and path. It can be useful for filming routes and roadways. It also works well in dark filming during the night—if set up properly—as it should share the light provided by the main headlight.
A helmet-mounted camera, on the other hand, gives the exact rider perspective. It will record everything that you see and look at—for example, scenes that are slowly passing you on the side.
The disadvantages posed by one method should be handled by the other method. A helmet-mounted camera should give you a good perspective, but can sometimes lack focus because as a rider, you need to look where you need to go. As with a bike-mounted camera, it can only focus forward and can easily skip exciting scenery from the side.
Makeshift methods
If you only need to film once and feel that a camera mount investment might be a little of the budget, you can make do with some household items and a little improvisation. The first thing that comes to mind is duct tape. If you have a small and light enough camera, industrial strength tape should do the trick. The only downside to this is it might leave sticky goo on your precious helmet.
Other methods involve simple drilling of holes on your helmet—for example, a motocross style helmet’s sun visor. If you have one that have paid its dues, you might want to sacrifice it as a helmet camera.
Click here to see a video of the exact same method done and demonstrated by a rider.
Products
Of course if you plan to do this on a regular basis, you would need a dependable product. Helmet camera mounts have different styles of actual mounting. The most common ones use straps while others use strong suction cups. Below are some links to popular products used and abused by many helmet wearers.
Suction style helmet mount by Race Optics
Race Optics suction cup should hold up to 3 pounds weight. There is a rubber washer that absorbs shocks and vibrations, giving you a clearer picture. It also has a 1/4 thread stud that is a standard mounting point used by camcorders and cameras. This helmet mount also works well with their camera systems.
Click here to visit Race Optics’ site.
Other notable resources and links
- A collection of helmet camera gear from Helmet Camera Central.
- Helmet camera mounts sold by Amazon.com (third party).
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