Dear GoPro...

[K'Tesh]

Dear GoPro,

I am a bike commuter. I have to lock my bike outside for extended periods of time while at school. I've been in several crashes with cars over the years, and I want to document every ride in the event I need to present evidence of the behavior of all parties involved.

Since I have to lock my bike outside, I am forced to remove the camera each time I park. I've tried your mount, and IMHO it sucks. It rotates down due to shock and vibration. So, all I was getting was video of my front wheel and the road/trail passing under me. When I crank the screw down hard enough to prevent this, it slows me down when I'm trying to rush into class. I solved part of the problem by tethering the camera to prevent the rotation, but it slows me down even further.

I *NEED* a mount that I can attach to the bike, and one that I can attach to the camera (and locks it into place so it doesn't rotate in any unwanted directions), then the two mounts mate with a nice clean quick release.

I hate having to unscrew the damn camera each time I get off my bike (and buying new F'n screws each time I loose the F'n things). I had a tether to the screw, but it fell off anyway. So, I'm forced to buy a $20 grab bag of mounts to get a single screw? What the HELL is that?

On the Bike Commuter GoPro Mount I've suggested. The camera's waterproof case would screw into the mount, but the design would allow for the camera's removal (even with a Battery BacPac installed) from the case, but not require the user to remove the case from its mount.

An even better, more useful product would incorporate some bike computer functions. The mount would have 2 or 4 contacts that would (wired) connect to a sensor on the fork of the bike. A magnet on the front wheel would 'trip' the sensor, turning on the camera (if the user opts to turn on that setting using supplied software). When the bike stops, a programmable setting could allow for continued recording for a few minutes, until manually turned off, until the battery drains, or until the flash card is filled.

Another programmable setting would allow the camera to overwrite the old videos/photos once the flash card is filled. If there's nothing desired for documentation, we don't have to manually delete it. If we need something, we can upload it to our computer, YouTube, or give it to authorities.

The two of those contacts connect to the sensor, which could also be programmed to include the wheel's circumference, and apply the speed info to the video (like a time/date stamp). The other contacts connect to a second sensor which could record cadence info for a performance rider's inner geek.

So, why do I want all of this?

Let's say I get on my bike, the sensor turns on the charged camera (video mode). I'm riding at Xmph for a while, when someone makes a mistake, and I'm down. My video could show the mistake, how fast I was going, as well as when it occurred. If the video is set to continue until manually stopped, or programmed to quit after several minutes, additional footage taken could show additional behaviors (such as verbal exchanges, assaults, fleeing from the scene, as well as witnesses, or people being heroes/cowards).

So, even if I'm rendered incapable of testifying for myself (or against someone else), my video record could be admitted in court to speak for me.

I'm certain if you were to create this product, you'd have bike commuters everywhere beating a path to your door looking to buy them.

Many Thanks,
K'Tesh

PS... The more I use my camera, the more likely I am to loose or damage it, the more likely I'll be needing to buy a replacement. All this means more $$$ in your coffers.

[Spiffy]

I can't believe they don't make a quick-release handlebar mount for this style of camera mount... I have the Swann Freestyle HD camera with the same style of connector screws, but it came with a rounded helmet mound and a flat-surface mount that have that super-adhesive on them and then the screw mounts to the camera simply click into those... I'd be pretty annoyed if I had to unscrew one of the mounting screws each time I wanted to remove it from a surface...

but I do agree that it's hard to get the screws tight enough to keep the camera upright over lots of bumps... I'm constantly adjusting the one on my scooter after big bumps...

[Simple Nature]

You might consider one of these, K'Tesh...

http://www.amazon.com/Minoura-Camera.../dp/B0059VET02

[q`Tzal]

K'Tesh:
I take it you have one of these GoPro cameras?
Does it link/attach/save live GPS data for the video? The Contour line stores the data in a separate format only viewable from their software.

I was thinking that it might be useful, if ugly on video, to have the time and GPS info imprinted directly on to every frame of video like a professional security camera.

There are simple algorithmic techniques that can be used by even underfunded police staff to show that video frames have not been altered thus possibly solving the unverifiable evidence problem.

[K'Tesh]

Originally Posted by Simple Nature

You might consider one of these, K'Tesh...

http://www.amazon.com/Minoura-Camera.../dp/B0059VET02

Nice idea, but it won't work... The GoPro doesn't use that standard camera mount for it's products.

Originally Posted by q`Tzal

K'Tesh:
I take it you have one of these GoPro cameras?
Does it link/attach/save live GPS data for the video? The Contour line stores the data in a separate format only viewable from their software.

I was thinking that it might be useful, if ugly on video, to have the time and GPS info imprinted directly on to every frame of video like a professional security camera.

There are simple algorithmic techniques that can be used by even underfunded police staff to show that video frames have not been altered thus possibly solving the unverifiable evidence problem.

I do have a GoPro, and no, it doesn't do GPS. I'd just like to have an option for a time stamp on/off, and if they made a commuter version, to have my current speed capable of being stamped like the time stamp. I feel it would be useful if a court case was brought (or perhaps, you upload the video to YouTube, and send your/their insurance/lawyer there, and get a fair settlement), and then you wouldn't need to have a forensic analysis done.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by K'Tesh

Nice idea, but it won't work... The GoPro doesn't use that standard camera mount for it's products.

Oh, but follow Simple Nature's link to Amazon, then scroll down to the "Frequently Bought Together" section and there's a GoPro Tripod Mount adapter for $8 more.

[biciclero]

I've been trying to think of a way to mount my computer so it shows up in the corner of the frame when my camera is running. The way I have my camera mounted now, I can see my brifters at the edges of the frame and can easily tell when I am braking or shifting. I'll bet there's a low-tech way to mount things so the camera can just visually record the data. Rain and darkness would be problems, though...