My newest mod GS legal

[EricF]

my new co-pilot
http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/attachments/copilot.jpg

[GuidoThePenguin]

Now get the wide-angle lense to put on it and your set. :biggrin:

[EricF]

Yup, actively searching a store that has them in stock, so I can try before I buy ;)

Otherwise its field of view is pretty good already... ;)

[reptar]

Any tips on mounting the camera you'd like to share (placement, bracket strength, material, etc)? I should be inheriting a camera soon and would like to get it set up in my car.

[EricF]

The same spot I put mine ;)

Actually I just picked up duplicate materials so that I can build another one. :D

Heres what you need.. all from home depot(all in the same aisle)
1 3/4 inch square Aluminum tube comes in a variaty of lengths (36 inch will work) $4.($5.95 for next size)
Package of plastic caps for end of aluminum $1.39
3 5/16 Bolts $.33(.11 ea) make sure they are the bolts that have thread all the way to the head.
3 5/16 Nuts $.09(.03 ea)
3 5/16 Lock washer $.09(.03 ea)
3 1/4 flat washers(they will fit around bolt) $.06(.02 ea)
Package of 5/16 wingnuts(3) $.83
total cost under $10, unless you get the larger piece of box tubing.

The last thing you'll need is a Camera mount, this is the most expensive part
you might be able to find a bolt that would fit in the bottom, but then aiming
it would be not happening.

Just picked up another today, a Manfrotto, made by Bogen $ 33 but its a ball pivot head.
There are cheaper alternatives out there though, I just didn't want to mail order anything.

I'll be writing up a how to, if I make the new one to my liking the old one will be for sale..
without mounting head, unless you want me to pick up a Bogen like I got.

But I will be modifying it to fit a neon as well.


Got my info here. (http://hybrid2.honda-perf.org/contrib/cameramount/buildit.html)
Although he uses 1 inch tubeing and 1/4 bolts.. 3/4inch has thicker walls, and 5/16 bolts are
stronger :)

Location, I wanted something close enough and high enough so that I can see out the windshield
and see the steering wheel. One thing you need to consider it how wide of an angle your camera can view
mine in stock form can see out the windshield nicely, but forget seeing much in the cabin.. I bought
a wide angle camera lens, screws right on(depends on model, some don't have this) I will also be
securing the camera with an alternate strap, incase it comes loose which I doubt, but better safe than sorry.

[reptar]

Good stuff. Thanks.

[EricF]

Here are some in car shots, to show the difference in lens.
http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/attachments/narrowangle.jpg
http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/attachments/wideangle.jpg

I'm still considering getting a .3-.4x wideangle(fisheye) to show more of the cabin.

[reptar]

Yeah, that's a pretty big difference. Ideally, I'd like to be able to see my hands in the shot. Regardless, it will be interesting to review my runs and see what I think when I'm not under pressure.

[EricF]

true same here.. I think I'll probably buy a wider angle lens in a month or so... I can still position the camera to get me if I want to ..
Now to get it out of where it sits currently.. <sigh>

[EricF]

Well here you go... and official Howto... :)
LINKY! (http://thor.prohosting.com/~nfredly/Cam/camhowto.html)

[GuidoThePenguin]

A good idea might be to try to raise the camera up some so you can see more of the road in front of the car. Only problem is the rear view mirror gets in the way.

[EricF]

Thats right about eye level, the image is a little misleading
cause the lot infront of the car is crested, and the car is on the up side
and what you are looking at is the down side of the crest(if that makes sense)
like this /-\ LOL well you get the picture. I can put the headrest up higher.. but
the pictures were quick and it was really hot in the car.. LOL.

[eurocrisp]

I wanted to do this too, but I wanna mount a camera to the right of the passenger seat pointed ar the drivers side front corner of the car, so instead of looking straight out from the middle, you can see straight ahead to the right of the cameras peripheral vision but out to the left of the car too.

[EricF]

Should be easy enough to do that, just modify the mount so the pieces are longer and hang over
the pass side of the passenger seat... I have several holes in my mount so I can put the camera
in a couple different positions.
As far as pointing it at the driver.. you'll be able to study driver movements..
but I'm not sure the perspective will give you a good look at the course..

I have my first videos today.. :) from a neon but thats ok...