Let's talk action cams...

[aeronaut]

Here's all I want.

An input that if set to 12v, it records, if set to GND, it stops recording.

Anyone know of a cam that can do the above?

[aeronaut]

Ya know....I think a decent dashcam is what I'm looking for.
Something with decent quality and the right lens angle.

I don't understand why GoPro doesn't have this feature. But, ok.

Kill thread.

[aeronaut]

Crap....the problem with dashcams is they all seem to have a field of view of like...well over 120 deg.

So, back to the original question.
Any action cams with 'one wire' record, stop record.

[BlackHawkRacing]

Alex Rubinstein posted a good video to the AER page on FB of a dash cam he uses. FOV seemed much better than most. Based on his post, it seems to fit the bill of what you are looking for. Downside is the version he bought was expensive. He bought a Blackvue DR750s-2CH

Edit: here is the link to the post. FB is blocked at work so I can't confirm if this takes you the right spot. Hope this helps.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/amer...1484747698224/

[aeronaut]

There for a bit, I thought I was talking to myself. Again.

Thanks for the info. That looks like it fits the bill, if a bit pricey. Yea.

Looks like the front horizontal FOV is 116deg. Much better than some of the others at 140deg.
I think I'd like it more narrow than that...research needed.

[aeronaut]

It turns out...
Even though no review on the web says it...
Even though Garmin has no mention of it on their web page...
Even though the manual says something different...
Deep in the menu settings of my Virb Ultra 30 (discontinued by Garmin, by the way)...
is exactly what I want.
YAAAAA!


VirbMenu.jpg

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For the record, another really interesting option I found, was GoPro Hero8. ($270 ish refurbished).
You have to install the new "GoPro Labs" firmware for the Hero8. But it adds a ton of neat options, like:
- start recording at a specific GPS speed
- start recording based on motion sensing (sensitivity can be set).

Pretty cool. I don't care for the GoPro ecosystem or their interface. But the above is pretty cool.

[jimmypet]

Here's all I want.

An input that if set to 12v, it records, if set to GND, it stops recording.

Anyone know of a cam that can do the above?

I was going to suggest a ReplayXD, I have one and it has this function. I have it on a breaker. Turn breaker on camera records, turn breaker off camera stops.
Its a great camera but I just Googled looks like they may have gone out of business.

[aeronaut]

I was going to suggest a ReplayXD, I have one and it has this function. I have it on a breaker. Turn breaker on camera records, turn breaker off camera stops.
Its a great camera but I just Googled looks like they may have gone out of business.

I had seen a reference to those, and yea, NLA.
And, Virb NLA.

So, a few hours of research I found 2 options:
- GoPro Hero8, with GoPro Labs firmware
- And of course, AiM smartycam and all that goes with that.

I'll run my Virb till it blows up, and by then maybe the Hero8 will be under $150 and I'll try that.

[BlackHawkRacing]

I like the GoPro labs options you found. I might do that myself as I want to upgrade my front facing camera from my GoPro3. GPS option would would well for me; just being able to cut out the putting around the paddock and waiting in false grid.

[aeronaut]

If you go that way, report your experience!

I'm having problems with my MXm. It's supposed to have a power output that is controlled with conditionals. But, not so much. Was going to hook the Virb to it and turn it on at 30mph.

[Crustashio]

I just used a 12v-5v USB buck converter and ran a long USB->USB-mini to where my virb is. Switch on the dashpanel to turn the camera on. Eliminates a bunch of wasted footage of the paddock/grid before a race.

Didn't realize they discontinued the ultra 30...at the time it was the better camera vs the gopro. And the editing suite is really good.

[aeronaut]

That's what I may do if I can't get the MXm working. But Jeeezzzz...this is what the MXm is SUPPOSED to do.

[aeronaut]

Ok, got the MXm power outputs working. I guess they are open collector, or something else, not sure. With no load, they float to 12v even if the software says they should be at 0v. With a little load, they do what they're supposed to.
So now, my Virb should turn on above 30mph, and off below 30mph. YA!

[eacmen]

What really annoys me about gopro is you can't save your spot meter preference. So each time you turn the camera on you need you set the spot meter or you get washed out video of the road.

[Haifisch M3]

I like my old HD Ghost drift. Has large push button remote with velcro wrist mount. Designed for motorcycles... (pause/record) on the remote can be activated with gloves on. Also saves settings (both light exposure and audio mic level) also important is to have external mic plugin. The shape is much more aerodynamic than gopro and the fact that the lens can be rotated means you can mount it anyway and level the lens to horizon

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What really annoys me about gopro is you can't save your spot meter preference. So each time you turn the camera on you need you set the spot meter or you get washed out video of the road.

can't tell you how many videos I have watched with perfect exposure of dash and floor carpet.... but whiteout of the track...not to mention the guys that mount the cam so low that all you see is the sky without the track

[MemphisRob]

Dash2Pro has a cable that attaches to a GoPro3 and can be set to start recording and stop recording based on data. RPM, Speed, whatever.

[aeronaut]

^ good info.

My Virb Ultra is working really well with the MXm. On/Record above 30mph, Save/Off below 30 mph.
It's got a few quirks, but it captured every session last weekend without input from me.
I think I'll shop for another (used) Virb.

[Nugs]

^ good info.

My Virb Ultra is working really well with the MXm. On/Record above 30mph, Save/Off below 30 mph.
It's got a few quirks, but it captured every session last weekend without input from me.
I think I'll shop for another (used) Virb.

How do you get the Virb to start recording based on speed?

[aeronaut]

The Virb has a setting "External Power, start recording"
The AiM MXm has programmable power outputs. "below 30mph, 0V. Above 30mph, 12v".

The MXm programmable power output is connected to a 12v to USB converter, which is hooked to the Virb to it's USB port, which is its external power.

[Nugs]

Sounds like a good way to set it up.
I was hoping it was native in the Virb

[S14]

What really annoys me about gopro is you can't save your spot meter preference. So each time you turn the camera on you need you set the spot meter or you get washed out video of the road.

How do you spot meter the gopro so the winshield isn't blown out?

[eacmen]

How do you spot meter the gopro so the winshield isn't blown out?

Once you have the gopro mounted you can use the screen if it has one or the app. Hold your finger on a single point on the screen for several seconds and it will switch to spot meter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[19Spec3]

And now we know why Garmin cancelled the VIRB.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/69...UfE#additional

[aeronaut]

Well well. Interesting.

[aeronaut]

Update, FYI, looks like gopro labs s/w now supports the Hero7 black!!
https://community.gopro.com/t5/en/In...bs/ta-p/603173

3 modes of interest:

Camera Motion Triggers: Leverage the camera’s accelerometer and/or gyroscope to start/stop capture only when the camera is in motion, preserving storage and battery.
USB Power Triggers: Your GoPro can start/stop capture when USB power is detected, enabling USB-triggered functions such as serving as a dash cam.
Motion Detection Enhancements: Motion detection is now supported in all video modes, including 360° motion detection on MAX, with improvements to the sensitivity range.

Gonna give it a shot and see how it goes.