Bicycle HeadCam V1

I made a headcam so that everyone could see the bullshit crashes I manage to come up with every weekend.

Larger Images are here: http://encypher.net/image/tid/144

Some first test shots around my house:
Test Shot 1 Test Shot 2 Test Shot 3 Test Shot 4 Test Shot 5 Test Shot 6

I sourced the camera from Altronics, an electronics supplier based in Perth, Australia. The specifc item is called a "Waterproof Colour Micro - Bullet CCD Camera", product number S9135. It runs off 9V DC and draws a maximum of around 300mA. The video output is suitable for plugging straight into a VCR or camcorder line-in, however mine came with a BNC plug, so I bought an adapter to convert that to RCA.

I was unable to find a 9V battery that would provide the required current for and hour, (the length of a DV tape, so a good time lenght to aim for), so I used 8 1.2V rechargable batteries from Jaycar, as well as sourcing the battery holder, and a plug suitable for powering the camera (PP0510).

Headcam - Top CCD closeup from rear. Note the mark I added to find the "up-down" plane. There were no apparent markings to this, so I pointed the camera at a known level bench, and rotated the camera until the output display showed it as level.

Headcam - Connectors View of the connectors from the rear. This enables me to remove the helmet, while keeping the bag on my back. Note the BNC-RCA adapter.

Headcam - Front Headcam - Full View View of the whole thing. Lotsa zip ties! Note that it needs to point in a slightly upwards direction, as usually when you ride you dip your head while holding the handlebars and raise your eyes. If the camera is mounted where you would expect the view will be mostly of your front wheel.

Headcam - Rear Headcam - Top