Flip Ultra HD Motorcycle Mount Test - R1200GS

[peckhammer]

GirlWonder and I flew to Burbank last weekend to do a couple of shows that involved BMWs. Our second shoot was with cinematographer Stan McClain. Stan showed us how to mount cameras and shoot motorcycle footage "on the cheap." We mounted a Flip Ultra HD camera to a BMW R1200GS, using a Cardellini clamp and manfrotto tripod head from Stan's business (http://www.filmtools.com) in Burbank, California. The on-board shots were done with the Flip (@720p), mounted to the luggage rack. The main footage is shot with a Canon HV30 high def video camera (@1080i). I rode the GS around on our property in Aguanga, CA for these shots. All the sound is from the Flip camera, which was was better than what was recorded by the HV30. The Flip camera and grips cost about $300, and do great job of capturing bike-mounted footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDeHrWobM_U

As you may know, I am a R1200R owner, but I have to admit being impressed by the GS. We rode it from Burbank to Angeles Crest, Angeles Crest to Wrightwood (the Crest is now open all the way, after having been closed for the past 5 years), and then we headed South on I-15 to Temecula. In Temecula we picked up SR79, to SR3, did our shoot, and headed over to SR371. We picked up R74 which is an awesome road which decends about 3000 feet in altitude as is drops down into the Palm Springs area. It was 104 degrees while we spent a couple hours in Palm Springs before heading back to LA via I-10. Awesome ride, totalling more than 400 miles, all in one day, and all in comfort. The GS is a surprisingly great/comfortable bike.

[bobw]

Great video. I forwarded your report to a couple of friends that are avid rider/photo/film guys.

Thanks

Bob

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Interesting....

I know its not too hard to find but I am looking for a small affordable camera digital or film in a waterproof casing that I can mount almost permanently on my bike.... and a tiny remote switch that I can attach somewhere near my grip or lever on the handlebar.

Is anyone using a convenient setup like that for less than $500.

[famousperson]

Interesting....

I know its not too hard to find but I am looking for a small affordable camera digital or film in a waterproof casing that I can mount almost permanently on my bike.... and a tiny remote switch that I can attach somewhere near my grip or lever on the handlebar.

Is anyone using a convenient setup like that for less than $500.

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=47479

[Dan-A]

Do you have the part numbers for the mount and head?

[Dan-A]

Interesting....

I know its not too hard to find but I am looking for a small affordable camera digital or film in a waterproof casing that I can mount almost permanently on my bike.... and a tiny remote switch that I can attach somewhere near my grip or lever on the handlebar.

Is anyone using a convenient setup like that for less than $500.

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=47479

I have one of those and it is, so so.

[peckhammer]

Do you have the part numbers for the mount and head?

[*]Bogen Manfrotto Mini Ball Head 484 (for cameras up to ~8lbs) or
[*]Bogen Manfrotto Pro Ball Head 486 (for cameras up to ~13lbs)
[*]Mini Cardellini Microphone Clamp w/ 3/8" Thread Size : Mini 3/8-16 sku# 4159 (There is a skinny version of this clamp too: http://www.filmtools.com/minorskinmin.html
[*]Pure Digital Flip Video UltraHD Mini HD Camcorder - Black U2120B

You only need one of the ball heads above, but if you plan on using it for something other than a flip camera, you may want to consider the 486. These heads can attach to suction cups too, and I use these for mounting cameras to motorcycles and cars in various configurations. As an example, see

[famousperson]

Interesting....

I know its not too hard to find but I am looking for a small affordable camera digital or film in a waterproof casing that I can mount almost permanently on my bike.... and a tiny remote switch that I can attach somewhere near my grip or lever on the handlebar.

Is anyone using a convenient setup like that for less than $500.

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=47479

I have one of those and it is, so so.

I figured that for the money it couldn't be anything much. On the other hand, he wouldn't really lose anything if it didn't work out, and it might be a solution for the short term.

[famousperson]

You only need one of the ball heads above, but if you plan on using it for something other than a flip camera, you may want to consider the 486. These heads can attach to suction cups too, and I use these for mounting cameras to motorcycles and cars in various configurations.

I guess in your experience the suction cups hold even given vibration and wind, or you wouldn't recommend them, but still... Can you trust them with an expensive camera?

[peckhammer]

I guess in your experience the suction cups hold even given vibration and wind, or you wouldn't recmmend them, but still... Can you trust them with an expensive camera?

The key is to use several suction cups (triangulation), which has more to do with vibration stabilization than it does with redundancy/safety. I've got a show coming out about this subject in July, so I'll post a link here when its uploaded. To answer your question, I do [nervously] trust $3500 to a Suction Cup:


$3500 = 17.5 Flip Cameras. The choice is yours...

[Dan-A]

Interesting....

I know its not too hard to find but I am looking for a small affordable camera digital or film in a waterproof casing that I can mount almost permanently on my bike.... and a tiny remote switch that I can attach somewhere near my grip or lever on the handlebar.

Is anyone using a convenient setup like that for less than $500.

I have one of these, and it is way better than the little gopro (IMHO)
http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/10/07/re ... camcorder/

I used it for this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx8aA_2KhFQ

Now that I am hooked, and enjoying doing the videos, I am thinking about the Canon HF20 (when the pocket book allows)
http://estore.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/ ... gory=12077

[peckhammer]

I am thinking about the Canon HF20 (when the pocket book allows)

I was impressed by the HV30. If the HF20 is as good, I might pick up one myself. It's only $799 at Newegg, and they often have a 0% financing deal with no payments for 6 months (sometimes 12 months if the item costs more than $1K).

[Dan-A]

Check Amazon too, free shipping, no sales tax.

[crazyhorse]

i have a canon hv20 which is now getting a bit long in the tooth. it's still a nice hd (1080i) hdv tape camcorder (although poorer than my optura pi in low light).

i have taken video on my bikes with smaller cameras in movie mode successfully using a ball head ram mount to the handlebars. i find the ram mounts incredibly flexible and sturdy. same system as you probably mount your gps with my with a screwmount.

wes