Building a camera helmet

[jason]

I'm looking to top-mount video on a Protec helmet. I've been looking around for information and stumbled across this:

http://www.vertical-visions.com/07helmet.html

which seems pretty decent to me. I'm guessing I'll need to add a chin cup to the Protec, but I don't anticipate any problems there. Any thoughts? Comments?

With respect to protecting the camera from wind (and maybe rocks/trees/etc), what are your thoughts? The old gaffer's-tape-all-over-the-place has always seemed a little inelegant to me, and won't do anything for the rocks/trees/etc, but it's not like I own a fabrication shop...

[base428]

Some of those designs are old, some are fairly new.

There weren't a whole lot of camera helmets available on the market when I made some of those designs. All those designs work fine.....although you may get a lighter, better looking product if you buy a camera helmet. I guess it depends on your cash flow.

I still use the Headhunter Jawz helmet with many of my own mods, although the owner died in a tandem accident a while back.

The basic Protec helmet mod really worked well for me in the past....especially if you want to quickly remove the cameras to give to ground crew.

Hope this helps. Cya.

------------
Jason Bell (BASE428)
Email: jbell@vertical-visions.com
Web: www.vertical-visions.com or www.bridgeday.info

[jason]

Thanks. I haven't seen a camera helmet yet that really appeals to me. I look at the landing I walked away from when I experienced a tailgate hangup, I look at the crack up the back of the Protec I was wearing, then I look at my Factory Diver -- it's enough to make me head out and buy another Protec :).

Maybe the stuff I've seen isn't the best of what's available. Can anybody recommend a camera helmet (still in production) that will do more than shatter colourfully on impact?

[jason]

Secondary thought on all this... What's everybody's opinion about the available bullet cams? I was against it to start since I've got a 3CCD camera and it seems a shame to waste that, but I suppose a person could use the camera itself on ground footage, and stow it for freefall.

Suggestions? Personal experiences?

[BASE_689]

>What's everybody's opinion about the available bullet cams?
I have got a PC105 and a bullet camera. Not yet jumped with it. Still preparing the fiberglass mould to hold the bullet camera and fix the whole (mould+bullet camera) with duct tape to helmet.
With a wide angle lens on bullet camera I got outstanding video while using on the ground. My bullet camera is a high resolution one and has got 480 TV lines (same definition as PC109, for example). Still works in low light condition (while it is NOT possible to use with infrared/night shot/whatever).
Once I have finished with the whole setup, I will post few photos of my equipment. Bigger problems are with the tiny and weak connector that enters into the camera (I prepared a "platic" mould that refrain the connector from being broken because of its staying squeezed against my body inside fanny pack). Ordered a remote control (connected through LANC connector) to operate the recording (with bullet camera you got to use the camera in VCR mode and you MUST start recording from the touch screen, lot of recording time wasted because you should start recording BEFORE donning the rig).
I will keep you informed also about working of remote control.
See you soon
Stay Safe Out There
Blue Skies and Soft Walls
BASE #689 :)
e-mail: base_689@yahoo.com

[base428]

I've been using bullet cams for 6+ years now on BASE jumps. They have some advantages and some disadvantages.

Advantages
-----------
1) Obviously, they are lighter on your head, leg, or arm.
2) They'll decrease your chances of catching your slider/riser/lines in the helmet.
3) Bullet cams have great resolution and can almost equal that of traditional miniDV, although you are now dealing with an analog signal rather than digital. There is a company out there selling firewire bullet cams, although they are not as small as a typical bullet cam.
4) Lenses can be changed quickly if needed, especially if using a C/CS lense.
5) You can put a bullet cam ANYWHERE you want on your body or helmet. I've even worked on some designs for bullet cams INSIDE the container to catch the canopy extraction.

Disadvanges
------------
1) Ditching your helmet is not an option due to cable running from helmet to fanny pack, unless you have the correct breakaway connectors.
2) Typically, no audio is present. You can always wire in a mic yourself, although audio quality will not be that high.
3) MiniDV cameras in fanny packs are prone to having the ON/OFF or RECORD switches/buttons dislodged during canopy openings. You have to protect all important switches or buttons so that accidental powering down of the camera does not take place. I have a special bracket that attaches to my TRV900 that protects the ON/OFF and RECORD buttons. I've also lost some great video due to NOT having this bracket.
4) Lense clarity is nowhere near that of your miniDV. Distortion on the edges is common. Most non-C/CS lenses cost around $30, so you get what you pay for I guess.
5) Definately a lot more work rigging everything up before a jump.
6) CamEye usage through your Lanc port is essential to insure the camera is running. It also makes it easier to shut down the camera during long, boring camera rides.
7) Must carry a 12VDC battery or 8xAA batteries to power the camera and/or microphone.

If anyone has any questions on setting up a bullet cam system, shoot me an email and I'll try to help if I can. If you're buying a bullet cam, make sure you get at least 450 lines resolution and NEVER buy a CMOS sensor (bad quality). Good luck.


------------
Jason Bell (BASE428)
Email: jbell@vertical-visions.com
Web: www.vertical-visions.com or www.bridgeday.info

[346]

Do you have a favorite make/model?

[Trent]

Hey Jason,shoot me an email. I lost yours.
Trent
trent_rg@hotmail.com:-) :-)