Helmet Camera Mount

Before I set out on this trip, I picked up a few different media recording devices.  This one is a mini camcorder.  Its about the size of a medium cellphone and records high definition video.  Its a super cool little camera.  The only complaint I have about it is that there is no shake compensation.  Its called the Flip Mino HD.Once I arrived in Queenstown and I moved into my flat, I unpacked all my snowboard gear.  As I pulled out my very old snowboard helmet a thought came to me.  It would be rad to get some point of view (POV) video of the snowboarding I’m going to do here in NZ.  I thought about follow cam stuff, following riders down shoots and off jumps, all filmed from my mini video camera attached to my helmet. (this type of filming a has been done a lot before, this is just rigging up my own helmet mount)

I went through a few different ideas on how to mount it.  One idea was to use my camping head torch head band, and wrap the camera with that.  It didn’t work too well because there wasn’t enough support and the camera wobbled with every jolt.  I tried attaching bungy cords to the camera and around my head to secure the mount more, but after almost loosing an eye when one bungy released, I though better of it.

I then tried to attach the camera to my helmet with bungy cords, but again the same problem arose as the head band mount.  Friends suggested tape, but I didn’t want to go that way because the camera would be difficult to dismount after a day of riding, and hard to mount again when I was ready to shoot in subsequent days.

After tinkering for a few days, this solution dawned on me….and surprisingly it really worked out.  I had all the parts except for the bolts and washers, and 2 quick stops at the hardware store and I was all set.  I even found a screw with the same thread as the camera mount and thumb nut….never thought I would find that at a local hardware store!

Helmet Camera Mounting System

Helmet Camera Mounting System

The nut and bolt attachment point on the helmet allows the L bracket to pivot when loosened for quick pitch adjustment of the camera.

Unfortunately Flip doesn’t make a water housing for this model. (they do for there older model) I made a small protection bag out of a zip lock bag and tape.  Any place that I need exposed on the camera, I cut the bag away and layered tape over the hole, and then cut away entry holes.  The tape creates a water tight seal.  It ain’t pretty, but effective….I hope.

Camera Water Bag with Water Seal (tape)

Looking at the back of the camera. I'm going to have to take off the helmet and a glove to turn on/off, and start/stop, but at least it will work.

Camera Screw Mount

Mount

Helmet Cam and Me!

Designin’ in a van, down by the river!

The night that I left Taranaki, I had to get some design work done for a project I’ve been working on since I arrived in NZ.  I found this camp site, in the middle of no where that I had to myself.  It was creepy, like a scene out of Scooby Doo.  Here I am designing from a van near the bottom of the world.  What a difference a few months make eh!

You have already seen this pic, but this is the part of the journey when I took it.

Designin' in a van, down by the river!