rumrunn6

not to hijack the thread, but ...

for my helmet I use a flat base dash ball socket mount

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

wrap it around the top of the helmet w zip ties

since that's no longer available, this looks promising

https://www.amazon.com/iSaddle-Threa...m+mount+holder

add and "extra" thumb screw to the bottom of the sportcam (because it attaches better to the camera than the generic screw that came with the flat plate mount)

https://www.amazon.com/SmallRig-Came...00CBSL30K?th=1

not all generic threaded mounting screws are equal that's why I use a good quality long photo thumb screw when using these generic type mounts

screw both together & adjust tension & aiming

for mounting on the bars, I use the device that came w my camera, it's been very durable & I can use the OEM quick release slide mount. this is fun cuz I can slide it off while I'm riding do some hand held stuff then slide it back on

add the screw on QR plate to the camera. this screws on very nicely & holds tightly

join the camera to the mount by sliding it on

there are positives & negatives to all mounts. I almost prefer to hand hold the camera but that's not always practical





for use in the car I use the flat dash mount w a beanbag style dash mount (from Best Buy) left over from my TomTom GPS. I just add some velcro

canklecat

I rigged up a helmet mount using one of the accessory shoes from the Ion Speed Pro kit. It's fastened to the helmet with zip ties and heavy duty Velcro tape. The Ion has an ultra-wide, near-fisheye lens, so aiming isn't critical.

There's a ball head accessory for helmets but it sits up higher than I want. The homebrewed mount sits closer to the helmet.

If anyone notices they usually ask whether it's a camera or light. Hard to tell at a glance because of the cylindrical shape. I also have lights on the helmet: a small, lightweight headlight on front; a Blackburn 2'Fer on the rear. Both are mostly to-be-seen lights, although they can serve in a pinch to read a map, check my wallet, or illuminate whatever the camera sees up close.

rumrunn6

that's tempting, if it's not a bother, would you be kind enough to throw up a pic if you have one. lately I only mount mine on the helmet if I'm riding where there are no ppl cuz it looks so dumb. usually is an unpaved rail trail which is rough terrain so bar mounted isn't ideal anyway. or at night. the bar mount is good on the smoother paved roads. wish mine was a dark color too. the white kinda stands out, which is ok as a deterrent when I have it pointed back toward overtaking traffic. but sometimes I prefer to be more stealthy

mcours2006

Here's a shot of mine:
IMG_0005.JPG

rumrunn6

oh that's simple, I like that!

rumrunn6

FWIW - I can confirm iON Camera mounts are 100% compatible with the Polaroid XS100. bought the iON Camera 5007 Mount Pack so I could get a lower quick release mount on my helmet

noglider 

What do you typically have to do to turn these things on and off? Swinging my leg over the bike is already involved enough these days.

canklecat

I'm not sure about other cameras, but the Ion (and rebadged Polaroids made by Ion) have two controls: a large slider and a pushbutton. Very distinct so they can be operated on a helmet cam without looking. The pushbutton is multifunction, with long push and short push modes that do different things.

Also the Ions vibrate to confirm any switch movement. This is usually palpable by hand even with thin gloves on, and sometimes through the helmet or even on the handlebar, depending on road vibration, etc.

There's an LED light, red for record, green for on but idle.

There are other miniature controls and ports under the rear weather-sealed cap, but don't often need to be switched in position. The cap needs to be removed every time to recharge the battery, and to either transfer/delete the recordings, or to remove/reinsert the media card.

Overall it's pretty simple for no-look helmet use. With a fully charged battery and enough room on the media card it'll run continuously until the battery is exhausted (usually 90-120 minutes), or the media card is filled. With an empty 16 GB media card the battery will run out first, unless an external battery pack is used. Probably not necessary for most commutes.

mcours2006

The only problem is the bolt hole at the bottom of the camera. It's plastic and I wouldn't trust it unless I had a secondary method of securing the camera onto whatever platform I'm using.

mcours2006

On mine it's one sliding switch--on and off.

rumrunn6

yeah that that threaded hole is weird. it holds perfectly w the supplied quick release clip which screws on, that's why I was excited to get the iON Camera mount kit w another QR clip. like I stated above when I use the threaded hole on the camera for other stuff I use an aftermarket good quality long photo thumb screw. I tried a few & found some work better than others. but it's really weird that a regular tripod screw just spins. whatever is going on there may have been intentional. the only thing that comes with the original camera that is supposed to screw in is that QR

mcours2006

Yeah, I used an aftermarket handlebar clamp mount, and it was off of this that the camera became dislodged, twice.

I never actually tried to use the QR. That QR clip requires another mounting bracket which I did not have. I already had the handlebar clamp. I thought these threads were pretty standard for cameras of all kinds.

rumrunn6

re: yeah, did not work for me either

re: QR clip requires another mounting bracket - you might be interested the iON Camera 5007 Mount Pack includes these items. I bought it for the circled items only

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

mcours2006

That looks a little bit more classy than my zip ties, but I'm still not convinced the bolt hole is going to hold up to use.

Having said that, I might be in the market for a second Ion for seat post for the rear. I'm trying to figure out how I might mount it there.

DiabloScott

I have two Contours - the mounts are really nice, the video is pretty good, the electronics are a little buggy. I insisted on replaceable batteries - I have 7 of them.

rumrunn6

try your QR plate if you can find it. just position & firmly screw it on. doesn't take more than a cpl turns cuz it's a short bolt. doesn't need any torque really, but can def feel it tighten

rumrunn6

got the iON brand Contour ROAM3 Waterproof HD on my wish list for a long time now


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00METYIQ2...XFURGNTS&psc=1

mcours2006

Yeah, too late. I already stripped it from using the handlebar clamp. Maybe on my next one...if I opt to get another.

mcours2006

I'm curious how the sound quality is on your Polaroid. The sound is very poor on my Ion. Barely picks up anything over the wind noise, and even when standing still indoors it's not good.

rumrunn6

seems OK for what it is, party voices, picks up my voice better than other people's but I can hear them if they are withing range, fairly subtle road sounds from inside the car on the dash, but I will say that when I am on a bumpy road I get a buzz when mounted on the bars. wonder if that's cuz I've dropped it 1 too many times ...? most of my road bar clips sounds OK, but sometimes I hear some buzz working it's way in, handheld it doesn't have the buzz & can still pick up the sound of the crunchy snow, or the sound of the studs on dry roads, yes you can hear the wind too

rumrunn6

thought I ruined mine too, but then I tried the QR plate & to my surprise it screwed in OK

mcours2006

That excellent sound! That's like 100x better than what I have on mine. Maybe worth a second look at that used one on CL. I can't even see where the mic is on mine.

rumrunn6

funny I never thought to look for mine. works under water too, but I do not have a sample I can access right now

rumrunn6

sounds like it would be a reasonable risk. looks like there are a few on ebay too!

ItsJustMe

Fly6 is good on the back. Up front, no perfect cameras currently as far as I know, but I haven't been looking for a while. The Contour Roam was good when they were available. Now it seems like none of the waterproof camera choices consider anything longer than an average downhill ski run to be worth putting batteries in for.

I'm kind of thinking about setting up a Mobius in a DIY waterproof case and USB power source.