MotoGP-style front camera....

**Marshy** · 31-01-2016, 04:43 PM

I've always struggled with getting a front-facing camera in a good position on the Aprilia (either it's in the way of the dash, or I hit my helmet on it when I tuck in). If I stick it on the front of the fairing instead, it looks totally shit in external photos.

So, what to do. I've always likes Mstevo's setup, with the bullet-cam in the nose, but I didn't want to spend $2k on a VBox or an AiM SmartyCam GP. I found a 4k Panasonic bullet cam on Amazon for US$229 (with three different mounts), which I thought might do the trick. I installed it a couple days ago, and it worked great on track yesterday!

First, I installed a USB port, for charging the camera (annoyingly it won't record and charge at the same time, so I need to just plug it in between sessions). There's a 'how-to' for installing a usb port here: http://tarmactalk.com/forum/showthre...-Zed-lap-timer

Next up, I re-purposed an offcut of aluminium bracket I found lying around, and mounted it to the dash stay.

Velcro on the camera and the bracket take care of mounting. It's easy to reach to turn on, even sitting on the bike.

Mounting in the nosecone was slightly more tricky, but it's very secure as the bracket is 3M double-sided taped on, plus has two cable ties going through the fairing. If I could do it over again, I'd drill the view hole a teeny fraction higher, but it's all good.

All done!!

**Turbo** · 31-01-2016, 04:47 PM

This is sooo flippin legitness!!
Nice work on the install, matey!

**Little Mick** · 31-01-2016, 04:54 PM

Anyone explored the 360 degree cams popping up?

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

**Turbo** · 31-01-2016, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Little Mick

Anyone explored the 360 degree cams popping up?

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

YES!! I saw Mark McVeigh's one from The Island Classic the other day. Amazing action!!
Any idea how it works??

**Little Mick** · 31-01-2016, 05:00 PM

I thinks its like the google street view camera in essence

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

**Little Mick** · 31-01-2016, 05:01 PM

Marshy, as the designated test it man it is your duty to source a sample and test with a full report back to the crew

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

**chubb** · 31-01-2016, 05:10 PM

Is it just the photo or the camera is pointed fairly towards the ground

**Ruckos87** · 31-01-2016, 05:15 PM

Fancy!!!

🏻

🏻

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**zooker** · 31-01-2016, 05:53 PM

Nice! Any footage?

**Turbo** · 31-01-2016, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by zooker

Nice! Any footage?

There are a couple of seconds of pretty interesting footage.. think that's from your rear camera tho, innit Marshy?

**Marshy** · 31-01-2016, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by chubb

Is it just the photo or the camera is pointed fairly towards the ground

Hence why I would've drilled the hole a touch higher.... But it's still ok.

Here's a vid with the view: http://tarmactalk.com/forum/showthre...4361#post24361

**Binksy** · 01-02-2016, 08:09 AM

Nice one Marshy, this is something I've been looking at trying to do for a while. Have just been working on getting a similar set up with the Drift Stealth in DVR mode so I can have it power up and run on ignition start however it looks like it won't quite be feasible. But that looks like quite an elegant system!

Thought about fixing a "bubble" of clear plastic or something over the top of it? I'd imagine it'll cop a lot of stones based on how many my go pro takes mounted much higher on the fairing

**Marshy** · 01-02-2016, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Binksy

Thought about fixing a "bubble" of clear plastic or something over the top of it? I'd imagine it'll cop a lot of stones based on how many my go pro takes mounted much higher on the fairing

Good idea!! I could hack a gopro casing.... anyone got any old/broken ones lying around?

**Carl-52** · 02-02-2016, 08:50 AM

Just go buy the replacement go pro lens cover, the arent expensive. Comes with the entire screw on section

**Marshy** · 02-02-2016, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Carl-52

Just go buy the replacement go pro lens cover, the arent expensive. Comes with the entire screw on section

Ta mate!

Good tip.

**Little Mick** · 14-02-2016, 12:24 PM

http://360flyau.myshopify.com/

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

**Turbo** · 14-02-2016, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Little Mick

http://360flyau.myshopify.com/

I saw one of these in Surf Dive Ski the other day, really impressive bit of engineering!!
My cameras have had a few knocks recently, may well be time for an upgrade!