Helmet Cam Review 3: Launch Helmet Cam Complete Pro Kit

[Scott]

In the third chapter of our series, we look at an up and coming company in the helmet cam arena. In business for about a year and a half, Launch Helmet Cams are based in Western Australia, and is the brainchild of Matt Fitzhardinge and Markland O'Connell. Along with motocross, wakeboarding, surfing, skating, snowboarding, these guys both are aggressive mountain bikers, spending most of their time doing downhill or jamming in skateparks... so you know these guys have extensive first hand experience with how rough you can get with electronic gear you wear while playing...

Check it out here (http://www.farkin.net/page.php?zp=837ee2).

[Adrian]

Great Review, great vid...

[at the drive in]

I think dave the model is actually spicoli from fast times at ridgemont high

[johnny]

That's one hell of a video..... I mean Techno's editing, not my filming.

Bloody good review too!

[Muz]

I think dave the model is actually spicoli from fast times at ridgemont high

Hey Bud! What's your problem!? All i need are some tasty trails and I'm fine.

By the way, awesome editing Rob.

[sikpuppyonglory]

very impressed with the quality of build, price & clarity of this setup, now if i only had the money:)

[demo man]

fucking awsome video - rocked my socks off!

I am desperate to know what you used to create the intro sequence... I loved the continuity of the vid. top work bloke!

Camera has very decent colour and quality, better than i had expected to see, so well done to the Launch boys and girls!



...
wow, almost all of those sentances ended with an exclamation mark... must be good then right?

[Dicky]

Great footage, much better resolution than I expected, oh and bloody brilliant editing. Nice work Rob. :D

I'm thinking of an HID / high power LED setup for caving / abseiling etc as well - this thing looks well tough enough to be banged into more than the occasional rock.

Now if only I had some more toy money...

[risky]

Bloody good little video Rob.

I too am desperate to find out what you used to create the intro sequence, plus the editing package you used to put the whole thing together. Loved the split screen stuff.

Well worth the download just for the viewing pleasure. :cool:

[Techno Destructo]

Hey, thanks everybody!!!

The intro sequence was actually a learning experience for me... *WARNING - COMPUTER SOFTWARE TALK AHEAD*

I've always been a long-time user of Adobe After Effects for motion graphics and compositing, and I've gotten pretty comfortable with it over the years. But earlier this year, I just did a course in Shake (the compositing tool the big film companies use), so I tried to do as much of the intro using Shake and Shake alone. Which was a bad idea.

For anybody who wants to know, Shake should only be used for single shots of 20 seconds or less. Like layering 3D over a live action shot. I was trying to do everything After Effects could in Shake. Bad idea. To put it another way, I was trying to build an entire barn using only a hammer, for every job. 'Cause I'm stupid.:mad:

The 3D was done in Maya. Text generation was done in After Effects in the end, and some of the graphics done in Photoshop, some (with great difficulty and a lot of cursing) were made within Shake.

Overall editing (after the intro) was done in Final Cut Pro.

Music was shameless stolen from Erratic, a fantastic local band (sorry guys! I have been to your past shows and bought your CD though!), who did a mash-up called "Chems vs Eminem", so Erratic kinda stole it from those guys in the first place...:p

Overall, I would have probably done a much better job in half the time if I wasn't so stubborn and just used everything at my disposal instead of my "experiment" in Shake.

Thanks again to all the pilots in the video, and to Johnny for all the 3rd person footage, and to Naz for the photo, and to Jeff Spicoli for inspiring Dave Musgrove to be who he is!:D

[olly1oo6]

Good work guys! Really enjoyed the video, its great to see all the local spots from someone else's perspective:)

[luke_rowell]

cool vid dudes

[Certifi]

i picked up a wireless cctv camera from brunei for $15au. it does 480lines and works great as a helmet cam. you can buy them from ebay i think the brand in banqobi. check it out i would recomend this to anyone looking for a cheap "entry level" camera.

[Techno Destructo]

Big ups to the boys at Launch Helmet Cams who plugged us on their site after their recent website update!

Check it out here! (http://www.launchhelmetcams.com/demo.php)

[agriff77]

After a previously frustrating and costly experience with Helcam Australia I decided to purchase a Pro Helmet Camera kit from Launch Helmet Cameras.

http://www.launchhelmetcams.com/products_pro.php

I purchased it from Launch on the Friday and it arrived express post on the Monday... bloody fantastic service!

Here's a quick look at what I got (they even threw in a few extras for me):

520Line Sony Camera
Microphone
Crush proof, waterproof case
Nuke proof camera mount (this thing is tough!)
Battery clip
Gymble style mount

Extras:
Additional Dual Lock strips
Wide angle lens (fittted)

http://picasaweb.google.com/agriff77/LaunchHelmetCameras?authkey=sI1E1H6MK7M

Since I required the camera for surf life saving I went about doing a few mods to make the whole thing waterproof (to 10m) and recording to a solid state recorder. We take some pretty nasty bumps in the surf and the last thing you want is jumping heads on your DVD or hard drive camcorder.

Anyway here's what I came up with:

http://picasaweb.google.com/agriff77/HelmetCamera?authkey=K8kqVJI4EPY

...and here's the final footage, compressed for web viewing.

http://www.vimeo.com/235884

I'm pretty stoked with the service and quality of the Launch Cam gear and wouldn't heistate to recommend these guys to anyone! I'm now thinking of using these kits to build a few more waterproof kits for other clubs :cool:

[Techno Destructo]

Anyway here's what I came up with:

http://picasaweb.google.com/agriff77/HelmetCamera?authkey=K8kqVJI4EPY

...and here's the final footage, compressed for web viewing.

http://www.vimeo.com/235884

I'm pretty stoked with the service and quality of the Launch Cam gear and wouldn't heistate to recommend these guys to anyone! I'm now thinking of using these kits to build a few more waterproof kits for other clubs :cool:

agriff77, that was AWESOME!!! :cool: That was some fantastic footage, and stuff I would never have expected to see on Farkin! That looked INTENSE!:eek:

We're going to have to talk about how you did the waterproofing, 'cause after the beating you gave that camera, I think I'd be trusting your setup for my canyoning missions!:D

Bummer about the cam coming off the helmet... what part separated? Was it velcro separating from velcro, or was is the velcro's glue separating from the helmet?

[agriff77]

It was the velcro glue seperating from the helmet. I've since sanded back the gloss surface on the helmet and attached a new strip of Dual lock with high strength Epoxy. It would take one hell of a hit to take this thing off now.... and I'd be more concerned about my health than the camera if such a hit should take place!

I used entirely IP68 components so 10m submersion shouldn't be a problem. Next step will be heading under the surface with some diving gear to get footage from beneath the waves as the IRB's pass overhead :).

Canoeing and white water kayaking would be a peice of cake for this thing!

[MTB-ChiK]

After a previously frustrating and costly experience with Helcam Australia I decided to purchase a Pro Helmet Camera kit from Launch Helmet Cameras.

http://www.launchhelmetcams.com/products_pro.php

I purchased it from Launch on the Friday and it arrived express post on the Monday... bloody fantastic service!

Good work Andrew! That footage looks great even when compressed.
The guys at Launch are bloody awesome. I ended up getting a lanc from them & took 3 days to get here. Then the long awaited lanc from mr nutbag finally showed up yesterday after 3+ months and blaming the floods for delayed delivery (lol, funny there were no floods when we ordered it in APRIL!)

Wish we dealt with Launch from the beginning... They are cheaper, very honest & friendly to deal with :) ah well, live & learn!

[Techno Destructo]

Next step will be heading under the surface with some diving gear to get footage from beneath the waves as the IRB's pass overhead :).

Andrew, please post up those videos as soon as you make them... I'd love to see the performance of this cam underwater!

Also, great choice with the music... That tune from Grinspoon is probably one of my favorite Aussie tunes of all time! And the way it's timed where it breaks into the second half of the song as you slam your hand down on the marker on the beach is great! Nice editing! And it seems the intensity of the song always picks up at the same time you give the gas to the IRB!:cool:

[taint]

@agriff77: Are you able to get a clip of some of the actual footage(before compression) up onto the web.

How does it look when watched on a TV?

I am debating whether to go for a video camera (re:expensive) or an mpeg-4 flash based recorder

[agriff77]

Lost Control by Grinspoon... it gets me fired up every time!
:D

I'll post some more when we get the underwater stuff done.

I hooked the player up to a 42" Plasma last night and it seems fine. I occassionaly use it to record programs too (it has a function that allows timed recordings). Video quality looks about the same as a VCR.

If you want broadcast quality you pay $2,000 plus for decent solid state technology. I'd suggest using a DV tape Camcorder if you want the best possible video quality and aren't too worried about weight or shock absorbtion.

The files are too large to post in an uncomressed format.

[taint]

Where did you order the recorder from? I have found some rip-off players but not the axisoft ones.

[joy boy]

great video, really enjoyed watching it, looks really smooth.
does it have something quick and easy to plug into to watch? we found that when we were testing a helmet cam, we took half an hour to get it in the right spot, and if it fell or moved slightly we wouldn't know untill we got home and plugged it into the TV.

[Techno Destructo]

great video, really enjoyed watching it, looks really smooth.

Hey, thanks joy boy! I appreciate the compliment (if you ARE talking about my video clip for the review, that is...:o )

does it have something quick and easy to plug into to watch? we found that when we were testing a helmet cam, we took half an hour to get it in the right spot, and if it fell or moved slightly we wouldn't know untill we got home and plugged it into the TV.

I'm not sure if I understand what you're asking, but if you're asking if you can quickly see what the helmet cam is seeing, then, yes. You can simply plug the video/yellow RCA plug directly into a TV (if it has RCA inputs) and see what the helmet cam is "viewing" at that very moment. Uh... as long as the helmet cam is plugged into it's power source, that is...

[heath_92]

Looks like a great product and it's also fantastic to see an australian company making them not just some factory in China. Overall a great product at a great price.

Cheers

Heath

[takai]

Just to threadbump, what recorder is that? Im thinking abotu getting a similar one for my race car.

[Techno Destructo]

Just to threadbump, what recorder is that? Im thinking abotu getting a similar one for my race car.

Just a Sony Handycam... one of the lower specc'ed ones. Nothing exotic.

[gixxer]

Note:..... Your camcorder must have a video input or VTR (video tape recording) capability. This means that if you can record from the TV onto your camcorder, then your camcorder is compatible. This feature is found on many popular brands and on most Sony models.

Some of the cheaper camcorders may not have this capability, they only have video out (output)..

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/gixxer1000k4/hc_LNO.jpg

[Techno Destructo]

Note:..... Your camcorder must have a video input or VTR (video tape recording) capability. This means that if you can record from the TV onto your camcorder, then your camcorder is compatible. This feature is found on many popular brands and on most Sony models.
Good post, gixxer. On that note, as well... referring to the aforementioned chart... you would do well to choose a camcorder that has LANC input as well, so you can use the LANC controller (read the review for more details)

[takai]

Sorry, i was asking about the one which agriff used for his SLS stuff:
http://www.farkin.net/forums/showpost.php?p=1031396&postcount=15

The recorder in question is an Axisoft MP410 (http://www.axisoft.com/products/MP410/MP410.htm), but i have no idea on where to get it from.

[gixxer]

Good post, gixxer. On that note, as well... referring to the aforementioned chart... you would do well to choose a camcorder that has LANC input as well, so you can use the LANC controller (read the review for more details)

thks.....yeah the LANC cable/remote thingy is a must, when I first did my bullet cam setup on my motorbike, I had to use the camcorder remote and push the record button on that, which wasted time...by the time I pushed record on the remote and then packing it all away and then getting on the bike to go.....

also thought this link is worth a look as well....

http://www.cameraaction.com.au/CALL1300-303-191/products.asp?sku=184099&dept=6


cheers

[takai]

That Oregon Scientific looks interesting. $125 from the US as well.

[gixxer]

That Oregon Scientific looks interesting. $125 from the US as well.

US link....
http://store.mpgear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1355


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j254/gixxer1000k4/AT18_2_lg.jpg

[scud]

Hay everyone know this isn't about this camera, but dose any one know of a 16:9 widescreen helmet camera ive seen the seen the cameras reviewed and they are all 4:3. Not much good when all my other cameras are native 16:9. I know that may editors crop 4:3 to 16:9 however i would like to hope there is a better way.

[Techno Destructo]

dose any one know of a 16:9 widescreen helmet camera ive seen the seen the cameras reviewed and they are all 4:3.

I searched for a widescreen helmet cam last year, but there didn't seem to be anyone offering one at the time. Doing a little bit of a search on the net hasn't found any new results.

I guess the solution is still scaling up the image and cropping the top and bottom of the frame, sadly....:(

[scud]

I guess the solution is still scaling up the image and cropping the top and bottom of the frame, sadly....:(


Shame... guess ill sit on my cash till someone in the helmet-cam industry jumps on the widescreen band wagon. The tecnology is no worries ... have you seen the size of the chips in those consumer HDV cameras thay are tiny (1/5 inch) so SD widescreen should be know wories. Ive even seen at SIMPTE (trade show) this year at the Lemac stand a HD camera the size of a match box car capable of HD 1080p/i, 720p and SD, the down fall is that it is hidiousley expensive and needs a specific CCU (Camera Control Unit) that comes with the kit (so cant be used remotly). Not to mention the rather good lens and 4:2:2 HD SDI/SDI or 4:4:4 Dual HD SDI (Serial Digital Interface, a pro video and audio conector) out ......... a little over kill when dv would make me happy!!!

Dose anyone know what the Black Pheonix Film guys use cos there are some awsom helmet cam shots in the Drift 3 traler in widescreen.

Anyhow thanks for your help TD will keep you posted if i find a one!!!

[Techno Destructo]

Anyhow thanks for your help TD will keep you posted if i find a one!!!

Thanks scud, I'm really interested to see when helmet-cams will catch up with the rest of the camcorder technology... Hopefully soon...:(

[gibbo4]

A bit of a grave dig, but does anyone know the song used in the Launch Helmet Cam videos? I'm assuming its a remix of Eminem but cant find it anywhere :(

[Techno Destructo]

A bit of a grave dig, but does anyone know the song used in the Launch Helmet Cam videos? I'm assuming its a remix of Eminem but cant find it anywhere :(

It's a mashup of Chemical Brothers and Eminem... so it's essentially a bootleg or an unauthorized recording done by a third party. You'd have to search the web for it. I think it was called "Em vs the Chems" or something like that...

[zap]

Yeah, I wonder what those guys in Roam and those sort of films use gear wise, I find that all fascinating. I know it was alot of film stuff, but alot of people are just shooting in High Def these days.

[blake_lombard]

cool as im going to get a h cam