In-car camera mounts (sans rollbar)

[rain902]

The trick is to find an affordable security camera that produces a good enough quality picture.

decent sony ASIC & 1/3ccd lippy is going to cost in the vicinity of $300

[bigdog]

We were buying in 'bulk' wholesale - 380-400 line res cameras @$200-250 with 2mm and 4mm lenses. 2mm will give you the whole cockpit of a car/truck from a roll bar mount.

[Andrew]

I've purchased a couple of cameras from these guys.

[rain902]

I've purchased a couple of cameras from these guys.

these guys have some good stuff and some really shoddy stuff on their website, but their customer service is non existent, and their attitude is up their **** Ive had the misfortune to buy assorted stuff off them over the years and wouldnt touch em again. i think half the surveillance camera industry thinks they same thing - have never heard anyone say anything good about em.

[Andrew]

I've purchased a couple of cameras from these guys.

these guys have some good stuff and some really shoddy stuff on their website, but their customer service is non existent, and their attitude is up their **** Ive had the misfortune to buy assorted stuff off them over the years and wouldnt touch em again. i think half the surveillance camera industry thinks they same thing - have never heard anyone say anything good about em.

Ok i'll try again, what about these guys then

[rain902]

I've purchased a couple of cameras from these guys.

these guys have some good stuff and some really shoddy stuff on their website, but their customer service is non existent, and their attitude is up their **** Ive had the misfortune to buy assorted stuff off them over the years and wouldnt touch em again. i think half the surveillance camera industry thinks they same thing - have never heard anyone say anything good about em.

Ok i'll try again, what about these guys then

havent dealt with them - bit on the dear side - but its a free country, and they can charge whatever they think fools will pay - ive seen some of the shonky little wireless cameras coming in to the country for like $5 each, with CMOS imaging and really poor design. the cheaper cameras have real issue with backlighting, white balance, and ccd smear - as with your digi still camera, one gets what one pays for...

tried this mob?

[Okibi]

Has anyone used this mob?

[mightyrollaman]

Here is the finished article. Apologies for the pic quality, the camera didn't seem to like the lighting.

I've used the standard seat belt mount bolt with one of the spacers removed and washers used to brace the camera mount and still allow movement of the seatbelt hanger. The bolt holds the mount tight, restricting fore/aft movement.








It is all fashioned from a sheet of 3mm aluminium ($10 second hand) and held together with rivets. The camera is held in with the standard tripod screw and will have a cable tie securing it from the rear when in use.

I agree that the foam support is rather crude, but at the time couldn't think of anything else that would provide the same stability without removing the carpet and drilling holes in the bulkhead. I've glued a section of studded floormat to the bottom to help grip the carpet. Im now thinking I may replace it with an L section of aluminium sheet with the same floormat treatment on the bottom, and rivetting it to the side of the camera enclosure.

The view from the camera is pretty good, but lacking in height. I resisted the temptation to make it higher as this would compromise its stability.

Anyway, what do the scrutineers amongst us think of it?

[fig]

Wont know till you put it through its paces

Although its crude, some of the best results have come from such devices. Good use of imagination, hope it does what you want. Fine tuning it will be fun.

[mightyrollaman]

Oh its been through its paces. Works a treat.

I hate to imagine what people think when I start and stop recording whilst in traffic!

[fig]

Oh its been through its paces. Works a treat.

I hate to imagine what people think when I start and stop recording whilst in traffic!

[Okibi]

I hate to imagine what people think when I start and stop recording whilst in traffic!

"mum why does that man have a cheese grater attached to his car?"

I can't wait to see all the great footage.

Just be careful is recording stuff on the street, it could be used as evidence.

[rain902]

I like it, but I have to ask why use the foam block instead of affixing the thing to both sides of the car?

[mightyrollaman]

If I extended it to the other side of the car, it would take a considerable amount of strength to give it the same longitudinal stability. This means a great deal more weight and would take twice as long to fit and remove. As it is, the foam is wedged under the aluminium section, giving adequate strength.

I'm going to replace the foam with an L section of aluminuim tomorrow.

mum why does that man have a cheese grater attached to his car

Those are speed holes Okibi!

Just be careful is recording stuff on the street, it could be used as evidence.

I know, how ironic would it be if someone took me out with it running. No disputing that liability!

[rain902]

If I extended it to the other side of the car, it would take a considerable amount of strength to give it the same longitudinal stability. This means a great deal more weight and would take twice as long to fit and remove. As it is, the foam is wedged under the aluminium section, giving adequate strength.

I'm going to replace the foam with an L section of aluminuim tomorrow.

how about a 25mm box section alloy bar? that would have the cross sectional strength, and be relatively light. i like your design, just asking the questions ;)