In car video (GoPro alternatives)

I am looking to get some in car video action going on for my Miata before my next race. Would like to get a GoPro, but I reallu cant justify sending that much for one. Any one know where I can get a camera that has HD and all the goodies as well as a roll cage mount for it for a really sweet price?

What kind/brand of cameras I mean

Swann...something. Chinese knockoff of a gopro. Gets decent reviews.

In reply to mndsm:

Does it have a mount for roll cage/bar?

I'm using keyfob cameras. Cheap, light, and work well enough. Battery life is a bit short (40 min in HD mode), but there are mods you can do to add external batteries. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1556994

miataman86 wrote: In reply to mndsm: Does it have a mount for roll cage/bar?

IIRC the gopro ones all work.

GearPro, the cheapo Chinese knockoff. You won't get the durability of a GoPro but you probably don't need it.

The camera from Monoprice seems to be OK, and is less than $100. I will probably buy one when my original GoPro decides it's time to die.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=117&cp_id=11704&cs_id=1170401&p_id=10159&seq=1&format=2

Example video: http://vimeo.com/57111944

My local Wal Mart sold off their GoPro 1s for $99 when the GoPro 2 came out. Darn I should have picked up a few!

CGLockRacer wrote: I'm using keyfob cameras. Cheap, light, and work well enough. Battery life is a bit short (40 min in HD mode), but there are mods you can do to add external batteries. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1556994

Wow, lots of info in that link. I may have missed it but is there a link either in that forum or elsewhere of an example of video from that particular model keyfob camera?

We recently got Ion Air Pros from Amazon. Comes with a 32gb Micro SD and jumper SD card. Got 3 of them for our race cars, seem to work well. Comes with all the mounts, chargers, ect.

In reply to DukeOfUndersteer:

What is the typical price?

Think they were something like $150? That's what my boss told me. They just showed up one day in Amazon boxes.

Right now the Contours are on sale at Amazon for $105. Smokin deal if you ask me. I heard they are going out of business, so hopefully the GPS and + models will drop down in price too.

http://www.amazon.com/ContourROAM-Waterproof-Hands-free-Camcorder-Watersport/dp/B007W02PRM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1377017655&sr=1-1&keywords=contour

I got a GearPro for $40. It's cheap & works. I'm sure it's not as good as a GoPro, but mine falls off & gets run over I won't be crying either.

I was just at Sam's Club over the weekend and they are selling GoPro Hero 2s for $179.88. I don't know if that's a good price or not, so I am just tossing that out there for comparison purposes.

I switched from a GoPro to a $20 Jazz HD. The Jazz works great and is easy to use. More capacity than my GoPro and works every time. Also, it has a flip out screen that you can replay on without hooking up to tv or computer.

I switched from a GoPro to a $20 Jazz HD. The Jazz works great and is easy to use. More capacity than my GoPro and works every time. Also, it has a flip out screen that you can replay on without hooking up to tv or computer.

Suggest you look at the JVC ADIXXION GC-XA1

It has numerous features for a good price.

The thing that makes the GoPro so good for the types of things we want to video is the wide angle. Make sure you have something with a wide field of view or you will probably be disappointed.

True I was doing in-car video before it was cool and typical FOV cameras are like looking through a keyhole in comparison.

Much appreciated on the response, guys! Gonna be looking at getting something here in a few weeks.

In reply to drainoil:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg-9365aRvc&feature=c4-overview&list=UUEnuA7iv-9rfb-n13ctLZfQ (Ignore the flikering, that was something in the upload to Youtube)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSVtYAawikQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUEnuA7iv-9rfb-n13ctLZfQ

CGLockRacer wrote: In reply to drainoil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg-9365aRvc&feature=c4-overview&list=UUEnuA7iv-9rfb-n13ctLZfQ (Ignore the flikering, that was something in the upload to Youtube) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSVtYAawikQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUEnuA7iv-9rfb-n13ctLZfQ

^Huh not bad. At that price they could be a good deal for getting additional angles or for high-risk use like a "bumper cam."

I use a CamOne Infinity HD. Not bad quality for $115 with a replacement lens. Check it out. I have a quick review and many autox in-car videos on my Youtube channel. Search up my username there.