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Need help jerry-rigging a POV setup with my digital camera

post #1 of 6
1/30/12 at 6:31pm
Thread Starter 

I posted this on newschoolers as well, but thought I'd see what the good folks on epicski have to say:

 

Ok so I don't have the money to buy a GoPro right now , but I do have a nice Sony digital camera (DSC-WX5) that shoots 1080p HD video. Until I can get a GoPro next year, I'm trying to figure out a way to jerry-rig a cheap setup for either a chest mount or a helmet mount. I have two thoughts right now.

 

Option A: Try to chest mount using a waterproof camera housing such as this http://www.amazon.com/DicaPac-WP310-160x105mm-Waterproof-Digital/dp/B001BSTJIO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327965967&sr=8-1 and use some combination of ties or straps to fix it to my backpack's chest and shoulder straps. The only problem is that one side doesn't have holes so I would need to create new ones and sacrifice the integrity of the housing as well as it's waterproofing. I don't think small holes with ties going through them would let too much water in if I were to fall, but I am worried about the case tearing where the new holes are created.

 

I also looked at hard cases such as this http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-Dive-Rated-Waterproof-Cybershot-DSC-WX10/dp/B005C5G86S/ref=pd_vtp_p_2 but they only have holes in two corners, and I think that I would need holes in all four corners in order to tie it down enough to be stable for filming.

 

Option B: Try to create a helmet mount using this http://delkin.com/i-7442106-fat-gecko-stealth-single-suction-pov-camera-mount.html. I would also likely have to use the same soft case I linked above to try to waterproof it, but cut a small whole in the bottom for the mount's screw. My biggest concern here is whether a suction cup mount will be strong enough for skiing. The last thing I want to do is lose my $250 camera because I'm trying to create a $40 helmet cam setup.

 

Question: Has anyone else tried to do something like this before? If so, what has worked for you? Or do you have other ideas for either option?

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post #2 of 6
1/30/12 at 8:25pm

That polaroid thingee looks like it has fairly thick hard plastic all the way around.

I'll bet a carefully drilled and tapped (or self-tapped) hole with a sizeable bolt in it would be self-sealing.

THat would give you a lot more attachment options.

 

As to suction cups - I wouldn't.

I know some people do with GoPros. but they are fairly light.  And they probably just put them there for one run.

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post #3 of 6
1/30/12 at 10:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdf View Post

That polaroid thingee looks like it has fairly thick hard plastic all the way around.
I'll bet a carefully drilled and tapped (or self-tapped) hole with a sizeable bolt in it would be self-sealing.
THat would give you a lot more attachment options.

As to suction cups - I wouldn't.
I know some people do with GoPros. but they are fairly light.  And they probably just put them there for one run.

I'd agree with mdf on the suction cups, but suggest a slightly different approach to mounting. Drill a hole right through the base of the case and put a 1/4-20UNC threaded bolt through it - this can then be screwed into the tripod mount of your camera and straps then attached to the bolt. That will then make the camera secure, although the case might not be as waterproof as it was when you bought it.
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post #4 of 6
1/31/12 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the useful advice, I'll take those ideas into consideration.  One thought I had to work around the suction cup issue is to thread a tie through the vent in my helmet and tie it to the mount as a safety leash if the suction cup were to come off. 

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post #5 of 6
2/2/12 at 10:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wear The Fox Hat View Post


Drill a hole right through the base of the case and put a 1/4-20UNC threaded bolt through it - this can then be screwed into the tripod mount of your camera and straps then attached to the bolt.

 

+1 to this idea.  I drilled a hole through the soft replaceable ear piece of my helmet and attached a Mag-mount tripod head to the 1/4-20 screw.  I use it to attach my Contour camera.  The magnetic attachment lets me detach the camera when not in use.

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post #6 of 6
2/2/12 at 11:43pm

may wish to check out the camera for cold weather performance.   Likely will work but some have issues getting cold

 

keep an eye out for a gopro hd on woot.com or their old sales a dumping.  picked one up for my wife for $125 (or was it $130)  ... dirt cheap based on least costly i could find were closer at $200.  one now for $149 at: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GoPro-HD-Helmet-Hero-Digital-Video-Camera/310361163934?_trksid=p1468660.m2000036#ht_3749wt_1185

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