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      04-04-2010, 04:07 PM   #1
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Mounting a camera

Hi folks,

I am going for my first track session in a few weeks' time, and I would like to mount a digital camera or possibly even a video camera inside my car. Does anyone have any suggestions how to safely do so? Keep in mind that it is an HPDE session, so I can't utilize the passenger seat (which will be occupied at least part of the time by the instructor).

Thanks in advance
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      04-04-2010, 04:49 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pman10 View Post
Hi folks,

I am going for my first track session in a few weeks' time, and I would like to mount a digital camera or possibly even a video camera inside my car. Does anyone have any suggestions how to safely do so? Keep in mind that it is an HPDE session, so I can't utilize the passenger seat (which will be occupied at least part of the time by the instructor).

Thanks in advance
The suction cup mounts for windscreens work well. I have a contourHD and GoPro. I prefer the contourHD as the view is less distorted by the fish eye lens...the GoPro makes you look faster though! It is also tough to get good sound with the windows down.

I think anything bigger than these might need a stronger mount which might intefere with your view/instructor.

To be honest, I would worry about your driving first time out and worry about filming it next time.
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      04-04-2010, 05:22 PM   #3
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I recommend the GoPro HD Hero and a cruisecam short bar mount. I use those for my track days, and the results are pretty good.

http://www.goprocamera.com/index.php...2&productid=30
http://www.cruisecam.com/products.html
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      04-04-2010, 06:37 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garek View Post
I recommend the GoPro HD Hero and a cruisecam short bar mount. I use those for my track days, and the results are pretty good.

http://www.goprocamera.com/index.php...2&productid=30
http://www.cruisecam.com/products.html
Cool. I've been looking for a mount like the CruiseCam.

I just bought a Hoyt MSR-200 (www.hoyttech.com) to replace/complement my GoPro Hero Wide. It has a narrower view angle than the GoPro's. I haven't tried it on track yet.
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      04-04-2010, 07:07 PM   #5
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That hoyt Camera looks pretty cool. Nice since all I ever see around and at the track are tons of people with the GoPro which I like as well.

I like Hoyt's optional Rollbar mount, I might look into it

I used the Cruisecam for years. It's a sturdy good product just have to make sure you mount it well so it wont vibrate too much
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      04-04-2010, 07:29 PM   #6
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What about that mini HD thing? That's designed for this type of thing.
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      04-04-2010, 07:43 PM   #7
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http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370710
Gopro mini HD
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      04-04-2010, 09:28 PM   #8
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Basically they're all the same and very similar the Hoyt was designed for motorsport use as well
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      04-05-2010, 02:03 PM   #9
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Some track groups will not allow suction mounts inside the car. Ideally you should find a "hard" mounting method - screwed/bolted on securely in some way. When a suction mount fails, the whole thing just falls off and can become a projectile. If you do go with a suction mount, at least add a tether strap to keep it from flying that far.

The best interior mounting location would be where the camera has a view out the front as well as enough of the interior to see your steering wheel and hands, so you can get a sense of what you were doing. This can be tricky to get the exposure right depending on the camera, so that the interior isn't too dark and the outside isn't washed out.

If your camera has enough of a wide angle lens, mounting it off the headrest with something like the Cruisecam mount works well. (and is securely mounted) Mounting on the front windshield via suction only will show the view out the front and not what you are doing inside. Mounting on the back window looking forward is too far back to get a good view of the track in front of the car.
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      04-05-2010, 11:24 PM   #10
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Just bought a cruisecam(r) today...will see how it does with the Flip HD

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      04-10-2010, 10:50 PM   #11
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AMT Engineering headrest post arm...

http://www.amt-engineering.com/

shot this with my point n shoot camera at infineon a while back. incredibly sturdy and very little vibration transferred to the camera.

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      04-12-2010, 12:20 PM   #12
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Awesome advice as always folks, thank you.
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      04-14-2010, 01:43 PM   #13
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I'd like to see some vids when you have them ready.
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      04-14-2010, 01:59 PM   #14
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go to filmtools.com

there is a headrest camera mount for ~50$. its very good
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      04-20-2010, 08:35 PM   #15
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I took this video on Monday at VIR with my new Hoyt MSR 200. The original resolution was 720P, 60fps, but I think iMovie changed the frame rate to 30fps.


[u2b]<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mNotBk5Z6eo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mNotBk5Z6eo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>[/u2b]

Note: my instructors are not always that enthusiastic .

Last edited by drivendriver; 04-20-2010 at 08:42 PM..
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      04-20-2010, 11:47 PM   #16
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lol GJ on passing the R8... your instructor is amazing!! hahaha can't believe she was commenting on every turn. It's actually nice though, she sounds encouraging and wanted you to push the car.

Great video and nice driving. Who did you track with?
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      04-21-2010, 12:08 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garek View Post
I recommend the GoPro HD Hero and a cruisecam short bar mount. I use those for my track days, and the results are pretty good.

http://www.goprocamera.com/index.php...2&productid=30
http://www.cruisecam.com/products.html
+1 on Cruise cam...works perfect

Quote:
Originally Posted by cchan View Post
Some track groups will not allow suction mounts inside the car. Ideally you should find a "hard" mounting method - screwed/bolted on securely in some way. When a suction mount fails, the whole thing just falls off and can become a projectile. If you do go with a suction mount, at least add a tether strap to keep it from flying that far.
The BMWCCA chapters on the east coast won't allow suction cup mounts. Cruise cam works perfectly though.

Here's my cheap Hitachi camcorder on the cruise cam mount in my E36 track car.

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      04-21-2010, 06:52 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noxredna View Post
lol GJ on passing the R8... your instructor is amazing!! hahaha can't believe she was commenting on every turn. It's actually nice though, she sounds encouraging and wanted you to push the car.

Great video and nice driving. Who did you track with?
Thanks! This was with the Audi Club. But that lady instructs with pretty much all the clubs that use VIR.

Now, here is another video I'm less proud of:

[u2b]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3eEsgpwHo4k&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3eEsgpwHo4k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/u2b]

My only excuse is that I was getting tired . I think I turned in too late and tried to tighten it.
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      04-23-2010, 08:11 AM   #19
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I recently bought one with a suction cup to mount on the fender or door. I can't wait to use it on my upcoming events, I hope they don't fall off tho, that'd be tragic
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      04-23-2010, 08:47 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FruitCake View Post
I recently bought one with a suction cup to mount on the fender or door. I can't wait to use it on my upcoming events, I hope they don't fall off tho, that'd be tragic
The NJ chapter of the BMWCCA wouldn't let folks use external suction cup mounted cameras at the last event we did. The concern was that the camera would fall off and cause a debris hazard on the track to other drivers.
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      04-23-2010, 10:06 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skierman64 View Post
The NJ chapter of the BMWCCA wouldn't let folks use external suction cup mounted cameras at the last event we did. The concern was that the camera would fall off and cause a debris hazard on the track to other drivers.
that problem has crossed my mind. however I don't go with BMWCCAs as they host more autocross than DEs here in Souther California chapter. I wonder if other host such as Speedventures and Redline will allow it.
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      04-24-2010, 05:23 PM   #22
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+1 on the gopro. I've been using one for about 2 years (20 DE Weekends) both inside and outside the car. I love it
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