In car camera mount hack...

M3 Montreal · 08-03-2009, 08:50 PM

So Im headed to the track this friday (Le circuit Mont Tremblant) with boston chapter BMWCCA and I REALLY wanted an in car camera mount to videotape with my digital camera.

I looked online and found the Cruise Cam (DLSJ5 uses it for his Youtube videos. Great videos btw !) so I called to RUSH order only to find out they are sold out due to the popular demand and wont be getting any for at LEAST one month ! ...

I was so set on having one I decided to rig this up with an old Tripod some drilling and some bolts...

So I tested it out earlier and It's AMAZING ! It ended up costing me about 3 bucks in parts plus an old tripod (not an expensive one) I hadnt used in years.

M3 Montreal · 08-03-2009, 08:52 PM

Hmm my pic didnt get posted above so here it is...

FStop7 · 08-03-2009, 08:59 PM

That's a pretty popular way to mount cameras and it works pretty well. GL with it, it should be fine on the track. Maybe some shake from the seat vibrating but not too bad

MysticBlue · 08-03-2009, 09:05 PM

Yeah, those have been backordered forever. So I did like you did... made my own. A piece of 1" bar stock aluminum from Home Depot, a couple of u-bolts, and a camera mount system from here; http://www.ram-mount.com/camera_mount/camera_mounts.htm

Worked great. Here's the results:

And a couple quick pictures:

AMOCHOSTO · 08-03-2009, 09:09 PM

Nice hack, that's a great way to mount a camera!

That's the most accurate representation I've seen of Fox Red on my computer

M3 Montreal · 08-04-2009, 10:59 AM

So here's the result of the hack . A small street driving video ...

Cant wait to video on track day this friday !

MMMorish · 08-04-2009, 12:47 PM

That video looks pretty good. Cool!

Radiation Joe · 08-04-2009, 01:38 PM

There is a safety issue with using a single headrest mount. The end of the mount can be dangerous in a crash. I suggest mounting to the driver's seat to limit the chance of impacting the end of the mount. I use a cruise cam that mounts to both seats so there is no exposed end.

RENN Spec · 08-04-2009, 02:15 PM

get one of those go pro cameras. They're pretty cool and you can get it though Evasive, one of the sponsors.

Big Windy · 08-04-2009, 06:18 PM

That looks solid...thanks for sharing!

lucid · 08-04-2009, 06:33 PM

I'll be there. I started a roll-call thread in the track section:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287875

BMW CCA allows that type of mount, but not all clubs do. NASA/PDA only allows it if you are driving solo and it is pointing away from the driver toward the empty seat (mounted on the driver's seat).

The cruisecam mount is pretty cheap (and works well), so I didn't see the point of making my own, which is what I was considering initially.

The gopro cameras are cool, but I am not sure if they would pass tech with just a suction cup attachement. They might require it to be tied/bolted it down.

bigjae1976 · 08-04-2009, 09:47 PM

You can get the gopro on ebay for about $140.

I have the cruise cam mount and the gopro. I also have a Sony DVD camcorder.

The camcorder takes much better video but you can mount the gopro just about anywhere with the suction cups or the x2 tape mounts. I've driven around Seoul over some pretty bad roads with the suction cup mount...hasn't fallen off yet. It holds on quite well to glass.

DLSJ5 · 08-15-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Montreal

So Im headed to the track this friday (Le circuit Mont Tremblant) with boston chapter BMWCCA and I REALLY wanted an in car camera mount to videotape with my digital camera.

I looked online and found the Cruise Cam (DLSJ5 uses it for his Youtube videos. Great videos btw !) so I called to RUSH order only to find out they are sold out due to the popular demand and wont be getting any for at LEAST one month ! ...

I was so set on having one I decided to rig this up with an old Tripod some drilling and some bolts...

So I tested it out earlier and It's AMAZING ! It ended up costing me about 3 bucks in parts plus an old tripod (not an expensive one) I hadnt used in years.

Thanks for the props!! Comparo vids really show how well the E92 responds to mods, much better than any dyno sheet can.

I think what you did looks great! I started mounting mine on the drivers seat to get a wider angle.

Paddy · 08-15-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

There is a safety issue with using a single headrest mount. The end of the mount can be dangerous in a crash. I suggest mounting to the driver's seat to limit the chance of impacting the end of the mount. I use a cruise cam that mounts to both seats so there is no exposed end.

Only problem with drivers side, is that you need to be able to adjust the seat height/angle to get a good view out the window. The best position is high seat facing slightly forward, not the best angle for a driver.

I made the same hack (square aluminum tube) as shown above.

I also picked up a canon Powershot 850IS digicam on craigslist for $100, great video and the optical image stabilization is a real plus.

wolftrouble · 08-16-2009, 04:47 PM

I'm using a vacuum mount (The Nukklehead, from Wood's Powr Grip) and have been impressed with the safety, not so much with the video quality. It tends to be very, very shaky under all driving conditions due to being mounted to the body (effectively, via the rear window in my case) and all the way in the back. I'm looking for a mount similar to what's being described here to try and get some better footage than what I've managed so far.

That said, I do plan on trying to get up the guts to mount it outside the car. I have a camera I wouldn't mind destroying if it came loose (my old one) but I'm afraid of the mount generation enough suction to warp the body panel I attach it to. And no way could I do that on a track, obviously. But a spirited run up a mountain road could get some freaking cool footage.

M3 Montreal · 02-22-2010, 10:51 PM

bump... for new track season that will be starting soon and people may want to set something like this up...

Also have put up quite a few vids from last season...

This one below features a NEW V10 R8...

http://www.youtube.com/user/montreal.../1/QyrG5EpZr-Q

Mr Tonka · 02-22-2010, 11:08 PM

it's always nice when a guy driving an R8, wearing driving gloves, waives you by never to be seen in the camera again.

08-03-2009, 08:50 PM	#1
M3 Montreal Colonel 68 Rep 2,194 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 SG ,DCT & 2011 S4 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal , Canada iTrader: (0)	In car camera mount hack... So Im headed to the track this friday (Le circuit Mont Tremblant) with boston chapter BMWCCA and I REALLY wanted an in car camera mount to videotape with my digital camera. I looked online and found the Cruise Cam (DLSJ5 uses it for his Youtube videos. Great videos btw !) so I called to RUSH order only to find out they are sold out due to the popular demand and wont be getting any for at LEAST one month ! ... I was so set on having one I decided to rig this up with an old Tripod some drilling and some bolts... So I tested it out earlier and It's AMAZING ! It ended up costing me about 3 bucks in parts plus an old tripod (not an expensive one) I hadnt used in years. __________________ 2012 E92-M3 Space Grey on Fox Red, DCT 2011 B8 S4 S-Tronic , Black on magma red
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08-03-2009, 08:52 PM	#2
M3 Montreal Colonel 68 Rep 2,194 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 SG ,DCT & 2011 S4 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal , Canada iTrader: (0)	Hmm my pic didnt get posted above so here it is... Attached Images __________________ 2012 E92-M3 Space Grey on Fox Red, DCT 2011 B8 S4 S-Tronic , Black on magma red
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08-03-2009, 08:59 PM	#3
FStop7 I like cars 329 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	That's a pretty popular way to mount cameras and it works pretty well. GL with it, it should be fine on the track. Maybe some shake from the seat vibrating but not too bad __________________ My photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/racelap/
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08-03-2009, 09:05 PM	#4
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	Yeah, those have been backordered forever. So I did like you did... made my own. A piece of 1" bar stock aluminum from Home Depot, a couple of u-bolts, and a camera mount system from here; http://www.ram-mount.com/camera_mount/camera_mounts.htm Worked great. Here's the results: And a couple quick pictures: Attached Images
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08-03-2009, 09:09 PM	#5
AMOCHOSTO Major 32 Rep 1,007 Posts Drives: IB BB E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto. iTrader: (0)	Nice hack, that's a great way to mount a camera! That's the most accurate representation I've seen of Fox Red on my computer __________________ E90 Interlagos Blue, (Winter Beater) Bamboo Beige, M-Drive, EDC, PDC, USB 6MT. Mods to date; Curb rash, Scraped front spoiler, Installed RAC Monolite RG63 Silver 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe (ROW)
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08-04-2009, 10:59 AM	#6
M3 Montreal Colonel 68 Rep 2,194 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 SG ,DCT & 2011 S4 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal , Canada iTrader: (0)	So here's the result of the hack . A small street driving video ... Cant wait to video on track day this friday ! __________________ 2012 E92-M3 Space Grey on Fox Red, DCT 2011 B8 S4 S-Tronic , Black on magma red
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08-04-2009, 12:47 PM	#7
MMMorish Just call me J.J. McClure 156 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 M3 & C4 Corvette Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5)	That video looks pretty good. Cool! __________________ MODS: Meisterschaft GT Racing Exhaust / BMC Air Filter / UUC SSK & DSSR (Modded)/ RPI Scoops / Passport SRX Hardwired / Custom Wrap 3M Clearbra / 20% Tint / 50% Windshield Tint / Key Hole Delete / Matted Out Accessories / VRS Type II Diffuser / Smoked Reflectors / Euphoria 6K LED Interior Lights / Rear Fog Light Mod / 6000K HID's / 6500K LUX H8 Angel Eyes / RDash License Plate LED Kit / LED Xenon Reverse Lights "M3 drivers have no friends"
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08-04-2009, 01:38 PM	#8
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	There is a safety issue with using a single headrest mount. The end of the mount can be dangerous in a crash. I suggest mounting to the driver's seat to limit the chance of impacting the end of the mount. I use a cruise cam that mounts to both seats so there is no exposed end.
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08-04-2009, 02:15 PM	#9
RENN Spec Major 141 Rep 1,314 Posts Drives: 488 Pista, M2CS, Tundra Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Arcadia, CA iTrader: (3)	get one of those go pro cameras. They're pretty cool and you can get it though Evasive, one of the sponsors.
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08-04-2009, 06:18 PM	#10
Big Windy Major General 152 Rep 5,124 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	That looks solid...thanks for sharing! __________________
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08-04-2009, 06:33 PM	#11
lucid Major General 374 Rep 8,033 Posts Drives: E30 M3; Expedition Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I'll be there. I started a roll-call thread in the track section: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287875 BMW CCA allows that type of mount, but not all clubs do. NASA/PDA only allows it if you are driving solo and it is pointing away from the driver toward the empty seat (mounted on the driver's seat). The cruisecam mount is pretty cheap (and works well), so I didn't see the point of making my own, which is what I was considering initially. The gopro cameras are cool, but I am not sure if they would pass tech with just a suction cup attachement. They might require it to be tied/bolted it down. __________________
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08-04-2009, 09:47 PM	#12
bigjae1976 Major General 1570 Rep 8,075 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	You can get the gopro on ebay for about $140. I have the cruise cam mount and the gopro. I also have a Sony DVD camcorder. The camcorder takes much better video but you can mount the gopro just about anywhere with the suction cups or the x2 tape mounts. I've driven around Seoul over some pretty bad roads with the suction cup mount...hasn't fallen off yet. It holds on quite well to glass. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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08-16-2009, 04:47 PM	#15
wolftrouble Private First Class 16 Rep 148 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	I'm using a vacuum mount (The Nukklehead, from Wood's Powr Grip) and have been impressed with the safety, not so much with the video quality. It tends to be very, very shaky under all driving conditions due to being mounted to the body (effectively, via the rear window in my case) and all the way in the back. I'm looking for a mount similar to what's being described here to try and get some better footage than what I've managed so far. That said, I do plan on trying to get up the guts to mount it outside the car. I have a camera I wouldn't mind destroying if it came loose (my old one) but I'm afraid of the mount generation enough suction to warp the body panel I attach it to. And no way could I do that on a track, obviously. But a spirited run up a mountain road could get some freaking cool footage. __________________
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02-22-2010, 10:51 PM	#16
M3 Montreal Colonel 68 Rep 2,194 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 SG ,DCT & 2011 S4 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal , Canada iTrader: (0)	bump... for new track season that will be starting soon and people may want to set something like this up... Also have put up quite a few vids from last season... This one below features a NEW V10 R8... http://www.youtube.com/user/montreal.../1/QyrG5EpZr-Q __________________ 2012 E92-M3 Space Grey on Fox Red, DCT 2011 B8 S4 S-Tronic , Black on magma red
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02-22-2010, 11:08 PM	#17
Mr Tonka is probably out riding. 6058 Rep 2,294 Posts Drives: Something Italian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sweatypeninsula iTrader: (0)	it's always nice when a guy driving an R8, wearing driving gloves, waives you by never to be seen in the camera again. __________________ "There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice. -Charles de Secondat"
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