Camera's - Helmet or Body or where ?

[wotbus@]

Hi everyone. I have a project to tour the Pyrenees later this year, assuming some sort of normality returns. It's one of a few projects so may be the only time and I want to have some movie record of it.
I have watched YouTube videos of other moto riders and while very impressed with some of their presentations, drone footage etc, I have no intention of going to that extent.
The video's however have brought to mind many questions so I am hoping there is a camera using biker out there can answer a few for me. Remember, complete newbie here 

Helmet footage seems the best as you get the view you turn your head to look at, also place names etc. Where on the helmet - Side / Front or Top ?
Are these camera's easy to stop / start recording or is it helmet Off  to do so each time ?
How do you know the camera is in fact working, do you monitor it on a smartphone ?
I have a bike Inter-phone for me and my passenger but I will be solo. Using this set-up would I be able to put some comments onto the video recording while I ride ?
How do you line it up, trial and error or can you Bluetooth to a smartphone so you can "see" what your helmet cam is looking at ?
Do you have to carry a pocketful of memory cards for a 10day trip ?
How long do the modern camera's run for or are they to be connected via USB all the time ?
GoPro seems the most popular but I am not really asking for recommendations, just how to go about it all.
So, lots of initial questions. There may be an adventure type Forum somewhere where I could find some answers but I've yet to find it - anyone 
 

[Christy]

I have had a Garmin camera for a few tears and mounted it on the top of my helmet which probably looks a bit funny but it works for me. It is a manual on and off on the camera. It was the cheapest decent camera at the time. I was amazed at the quality but you can't do cometary at the time. I usually just add music when I edit the footage.  I would have a look at the Go-Pro site. They seem to be the best on the market. All the bloggers seem to use them.

[wotbus@]

Thanks Christy. I've downloaded a users manual for  GoPro and learned you can connect a smartphone via Bluetooth which can be used to Preview or View media so that answers my question of how to accurately position the camera and also know you have successfully switched it on (visions of removing glove, searching around helmet, finding camera, finding On button, pressing and wondering if it's on or not).
So, a mount for a Smartphone is needed. Where you put the camera is a personal thing - for me I think Right side as my Intercom for GPS Interface is on the left., I couldn't find anything yet about how long the battery/memory cards last but I suppose that depends on quality of recording and size of card. I realise there is going to be a lot of re-charging and downloading (to a Tablet ?) for a 10 day trip so that's another gizmo to take. I'm beginning to wonder if several stops and use my small digital camera is the way to go LOL.
OK, on with the planning. Just hope Covid will be a thing of the past this Summer :-)
Thanks for showing an interest.

[Christy]

Good luck with the search 

[EftanD]

While I am sure no one will agree with me, and I am a novice.. I have found securing the camera around the handlebar/ windscreen (just looking around screen if poss) gives a good recording.
Granted you can't turn your head to see all the view but ot records what the bike sees! 
Im using an older Virb and that doesnt even get much (if any) windnoise since the screen shields it somewhat.

[wotbus@]

Cheers. I hadn't thought of (extra) wind noise from a sticky-out square camera on the helmet so I think your way will be the way to go, for ease of operation as well. I don't have a camera yet with more research to do.
Thanks for replying. 

[Paul_Smith]

Can I suggest... get a second camera.

If you want anybody else to watch your video, it has to interest them. A good view of what the bike sees is really important, and with a range of mounts you can get different views for different parts of the journey to mix it up and add interest, but, and this is quite a big butt, too much of the same view, no matter how good it is, gets a pretty boring pretty quickly. If you have a helmet mount capturing what you, the rider, are looking at, you can splice it in with what the bike sees and make interesting videos that other people might actually enjoy. No promises of course, as at the end of the day we are still talking about your holiday snaps.

Have a look at some of the videos from "RoadTrooper" on YouTube, two cameras and no voice over. This guy lets the scenery do the talking.  RoadTripper

For an example of absolute mastery of the art, check out the videos from "itchy boots". This one is a good introduction:  Itchy boots

Don't bother with cheap cameras, which means you are probably talking about a GoPro (or a good copy). You don't need to bother with the latest and greatest either until you have the skills and experience to get the best out of them. Stick in big memory card on the bike mounted camera and remember to turn it on when you start your ride, and either use a big card in the  helmet mounted camera or use a handle bar mounted remote.

Be aware,  a four hour ride with two cameras is going to require up to eight hours editing to produce a twenty minute video. Make sure your PC or laptop is up to the job.

P.S. remember to practice on local runs where you know the roads and what is around the corner so you can learn the habits that work and that don't. 

[wotbus@]

  I'm not going now LOL

Hi Paul. Thank you for your post which I value highly; all good stuff to help me assess just exactly how to go about things. As I mentioned, the movie souvenir would really only be for me and maybe my partner and I have no intention of preparing a presentation for an audience of any kind although I have done a little bit of video editing in the past and heaven knows I have plenty of spare time these days, don't we all 

It's through reading "Lone Rider" by Elspeth Beard (if you haven't read it I can't recommend it highly enough) that I made the decision to do what maybe my last "big one", I'm 78 and handicapped with arthritis in my hands but don't tell anyone
This led me to the net and endless viewing of moto-trips which in turn sowed the seed of "why not me and my own little movie".

I have seen those of all the links you mentioned and then some. Regis Leveque (French) presents some splendid stuff which I refer to often, and have to say I marvel at the professionalism but I am realistic; just an old fart still able to ride and planning a trip which will push my own limits because that's what us blokes do innit   

OK, two camera's makes sense although the price of one decent one makes the eyes water and I have to question at the price, would I use them much after ? Maybe    but preparing road-trip movies is not my intended future hobby, but........

I realise also groups or more than one means riders probably share footage to realise the whole and setting up for ride-by's etc etc becomes easy but this is way OTT for me as I just want something a bit more and a bit better than a camera full of stills.

I appreciate your advice, good nuts and bolts stuff, thanks


 

[Paul_Smith]

Go! Get your vaccines and go just as soon as soon as you can.

You should be able to find a service like https://www.eurobiketrans.co.uk/ that will get your bike to Toulouse or Pau so you can concentrate on the fun stuff.  I highly recommend doing the Route260 on the Spanish side (with lots of detours of course  ), and if you are looking for somewhere to stay, check out the excellent and biker friendly Hotel Les Brases in the town of Sort https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Hotel_Review-g1072494-d1133368-Reviews-Hotel_Les_Brases-Sort_Province_of_Lleida_Catalonia.html   

Buy your second camera second-hand. You can sell it again after the trip for pretty much what you paid for it.

[wotbus@]

Thanks for the tips and info Paul. I still intend going Covid permitting.