HOW-TO: Camera Mount

[Natey]

I don't feel like spending 100 bucks+ on an in-car camera mount, but it sure would be cool to get some Hwy9 footage!

With this in mind, I've been searching the net for a cheaper solution, and this is what I found....Might be time for a lil' project this weekend. ;)


How to build an in-car camera mount

http://hybrid2.honda-perf.org/contrib/cameramount/pics/m3s.jpg

Parts List

3 - ¼ by 2½ inch bolts
1 - ¼ by 1½ inch bolts
3 - ¼ inch lock nuts
7 - ¼ inch washers
4 inches of plastic hose(sku#705230 at Home Depot)
1 - 1"x48" box aluminum
4 - Plastic end caps(Part #1189-6)*
SLIK Compact Ball Head**

Instructions
1. Cut the box aluminum to the proper lengths. The short piece is 8 inches long and the long piece is 16 inches. At this point you can decide on the position of the camera in the car. If you want it more towards the center of the car just extend the length of the 16 inch piece. Then temporarily tape the two pieces of box aluminum together with electric tape. Mark the position for the three ¼ inch bolts, and drill the holes with a ¼ inch drill bit.

http://hybrid2.honda-perf.org/contrib/cameramount/pics/m1s.jpg

2. Remove the electrical tape and bolt the two pieces of box
aluminum together with the ¼ nuts, bolts and washers. After you have
bolted it together, take your headrest and mark the location for the holes
for the headrest posts to be drilled. Drill the holes first with a smaller drill bit. Then step the holes up to the final ½ inch size. Be careful while drilling these holes, since you are drilling in between the two pieces
of box aluminum the drill bit will have tendency to bite into the aluminum.

http://hybrid2.honda-perf.org/contrib/cameramount/pics/m6s.jpg

3. The next step is to drill the ¼ inch hole at the end of the longer box aluminum piece for the camera head mount.

4. After you have finished drilling all the pieces you will need to go back and clean up all holes and cuts you made, especially the ½ inch holes for the headrest posts. Make sure there are no sharp areas left on any of the pieces. I used a dremel tool with a sander disk (it fits the ½ inch holes perfectly). You can also use a file or just a sheet of plain old sand paper. After you are finished sanding, cut a piece of the plastic tubing just wider than the box aluminum.

http://hybrid2.honda-perf.org/contrib/cameramount/pics/m8s.jpghttp://hybrid2.honda-perf.org/contrib/cameramount/pics/m9s.jpg

5. The last step is to assemble all the pieces and do a test fit on the headrests. With all the bolts loose you should be able to slide the headrest posts into the rubber sleeves (it should be a little snug). If you can't, go back and sand a little off the ½ inch
post holes. Retry. If everything fits, tighten the bolts down and make sure the mount is firmly attached to the headrest. That's it! You just built yourself a $35 camera mount for you car. Now go out and get some video!!!



(rockon)

[zmepro]

cool!

[kcbhiw]

The only problem with that sort of mount is the excessive vibration that is received throughout the seat. I've also seen a mount setup that is tied to the rear "oh shit" handles. I'll post the link if I can find it.

Good post, nonetheless.


.....now, if only building a mount for the Miata was as easy.

[jflo]

hah...tell me about it. but that's cool...video footage of some fun runs

[kcbhiw]

Originally posted by jflo
hah...tell me about it. but that's cool...video footage of some fun runs

There are times where I really wish I had a camera; those times where I've pulled some pretty sweet turns on course. Oh well.

[StarvingRussian]

Thats really bad ass, my friend was thinking of making one that would go close to the ground, I'll have to show him this, we were also going to run a microphone from the camera under the hood so you could hear the engine. We did that once, but we also wanted video to go with it. Listen to it here. (http://www.protege5.com/vbb230/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18056&perpage=15&highlight=thunderous%20roar&pagenumber=1)

[PaulMP3]

good stuff natey... way to get clever.

[Dreeza]

Originally posted by StarvingRussian
Thats really bad ass, my friend was thinking of making one that would go close to the ground, I'll have to show him this, we were also going to run a microphone from the camera under the hood so you could hear the engine. We did that once, but we also wanted video to go with it. Listen to it here. (http://www.protege5.com/vbb230/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18056&perpage=15&highlight=thunderous%20roar&pagenumber=1)

it doesnt work fool

[StarvingRussian]

Originally posted by Dreeza
it doesnt work fool

bullshit

edit: it works fine, you have to left click on "here" then right click and save as in the thread.

[pr5owner]

StarvingRussian your sig is a little bit scary

[smithers_0990]

The only problem with that mount is that most people don’t sit with the seat straight up. The way that one is positioned you would only see the sky.

later

[PhatTrax]

The only problem with that mount is that most people don’t sit with the seat straight up. The way that one is positioned you would only see the sky.

later
mount it on the passenger seat and if someone sits there, kick them out ;)

[jersey_emt]

I just bought this:

www.stickypod.com (http://www.stickypod.com)

The thing is absolutely incredible

[kcbhiw]

I just bought this:

www.stickypod.com (http://www.stickypod.com/)

The thing is absolutely incredible
I really should invest in one of those. I shall call it...cone-cam, heh. I only have one video of me driving and that was at a track day at Road Atlanta. I need to either get one of those stickypods or rig something up so that I can analyze my driving when attending an auto-x.

[enigM@]

This is a good product too:

http://www.clamperpod.com

Just roll down the window and go to town.

[hukster00]

jersey_emt (http://www.msprotege.com/forum/member.php?u=5109) - you gona mount it outside of the car ? let me know how it handles at 100+ mph :D

[tonkabui]

hey natey, instead of a ballhead, i would go with a 3-d head. and instead of slik, do yourself a favor and at least get a bogen head. the ballheads, especially those costing less than $50, are NOTORIOUS for slipping. very good idea, nonetheless. good find.

[jersey_emt]

jersey_emt (http://www.msprotege.com/forum/member.php?u=5109) - you gona mount it outside of the car ? let me know how it handles at 100+ mph :D
Will do :)

[jersey_emt]

hey natey, instead of a ballhead, i would go with a 3-d head. and instead of slik, do yourself a favor and at least get a bogen head. the ballheads, especially those costing less than $50, are NOTORIOUS for slipping. very good idea, nonetheless. good find.
2nd the suggestion for a Bogen head.

My tripod legs and head are Bogen...very good...solid and stable, and not horribly expensive.

[kcbhiw]

This is a good product too:

http://www.clamperpod.com (http://www.clamperpod.com/)

Just roll down the window and go to town.
Hehe...funny how the picture on the main page is of a camera tied to the headboard of a bed. Wonder what they are implying? (scratch)

[enigM@]

lol.. i think that's the backrest of a chair

[LinuxRacr]

Moving to the How-To Section.

[jrodhotrod]

1st. Natey, did you ever build the mount and why haven't I seen this before.

2nd, that stickypod thing looks pretty freaking cool. Has anybody actually had any experience with that do it yourself mount that attaches to the passenger seat?

[uclap5]

i believe that nate took those directions from another board since its hosted on a honda website.

nate also posted he got one from ebay for like $30, on MOCC at least ;)

[fLyPiNoY7]

and i built one...still dunno where to post that vid though...

[Natey]

i believe that nate took those directions from another board since its hosted on a honda website.

nate also posted he got one from ebay for like $30, on MOCC at least ;)

Yep. I have some killer vid of Hwy 236 but I don't know how or where to post it. Anybody wanna host it for me?

[jrodhotrod]

Natey: http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/

[low_psi]

Yes I used those instructions off 7thgencivic.com to make mine. I used just one piece of aluminum that the passenger side headrests went thru and then the driver's just held it down. The cushioning absorbed most of the vibrations but I should have used acrylic tubing around the headrest posts. Then I just used the head off a cheap tripod and bolted it on. It was a budget mount and I couldn't find a Bogen head locally. I gave it to SuperSpud, I'll have him take pics.

[eting_pro5]

I've seen one that appeared to be just a 2x4 or a similar sized piece of wood...maybe only 1x2. It was long enough and had holes drilled so it fit through both the drivers and passengers headrest in the middle it had a camera mount. just make sure your passenger seat is aligned with the drivers. I'm sure anyone could do this for $5 plus the cost of the camera mount.

[DistantTea]

Not to be a naysayer but thats too much money to do it yourself. This is the one that we use for racing. $45

http://www.chasecam.com/cruisecam/index.html

I use one of those crank type tie down straps you can get at home dept for 1.95 to secure the rear seat. I just put each hook into the LATCH location in the back seat, loop the strap around the headrest and crank it tight. Acts just like having a passenger in the seat.

Here's a video from our last autocross.

http://www.goodhumorracing.com/04cpe1/cpe11lg.wmv

[Natey]

That's a good idea. :)
I just used the rear seatbelts. When you extend them all the way they will lock wherever you stop pulling on them(it's for baby seats). I just wrap the seatbelt around the headrest, pull it tight to lock it down, and my vids aren't too shaky...even rolling on the JICs. :)
I also agree about the money. I ended up buying pretty much the exact thing off of eBay for 35 bucks shipped.

[jrodhotrod]

Not to be a naysayer but thats too much money to do it yourself. This is the one that we use for racing. $45

http://www.chasecam.com/cruisecam/index.html

I use one of those crank type tie down straps you can get at home dept for 1.95 to secure the rear seat. I just put each hook into the LATCH location in the back seat, loop the strap around the headrest and crank it tight. Acts just like having a passenger in the seat.

Here's a video from our last autocross.

http://www.goodhumorracing.com/04cpe1/cpe11lg.wmv
I am having trouble visualizing what your doing with the straps, can you possibly take a picture of your set-up, I think I'll be ordering one of those for myself.

-Jared

[DistantTea]

It all gets removed after the event because of the kids car seats. But I'll try to explain it better. It works really really well.

Ok the device is one of those ratchet type strap tiedowns. Basicly the ratchet device has a short strap with a hook on the end, then the long strap side ratchets inside the device and tightens down. The long strap also has a hook on the other side. I attach the ratchet side into the far LATCH point (where carseats attach... in the seat crevice) then loop the long strap around the camera mount and headrest and back down to the back seat. Then I put the long strap hook into the other LATCH point. THen I just ratchet the whole thing tight. It pulls the passenger seat so tight that you can't move it at all.

But sometime this week I'm getting my socket set out and going bolt hunting on that seat because its awfully loose.

[jrodhotrod]

Thanks for the explaination, that makes more sense to me now. I think I could do that myself once my cam holder gets here :D

[jflo]

i just smashed my camera in between the headrest and the actual seat...i'm gonna make a mount sooner or later...too damn lazy tho hahaha

[PhatTrax]

i just smashed my camera in between the headrest and the actual seat...i'm gonna make a mount sooner or later...too damn lazy tho hahahait works, right? :D

[jflo]

fo sho ! hahha...i think i'll just leave it at that for a while

[rygar8dung]

Try the "Tony Hawk" helmet skateboarding Cam, It records basic video, and sound, it takes 2AAA batteries, and records to a SD card up to 2-4GB i think, It comes with a flexi-strap so you can mount it almost anywhere!
Also footage can be edited easily on your comp.

[rygar8dung]

I am currently finishing a DVR system with four cameras all at different angles, the front cam is a 22x zoom camera. I'll post pics later.

[conewagon]

love my Hero GoPro!

[altspace]

The GoPro is a nice little unit. Not the best quality, but very flexible. For those RX-8 owners, here's what I do. Just 3 bungees and my tripod. Works fantastic. Got to love those built in child seat latches.

http://www.altspace.com/rx8/cameramount.jpg

Video from Lime Rock Park Mazda parade lap. Pardon the noise, I had left the camera strap eyelets loose. About half way thru we really take off at speeds up to 100mph on the straights.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KZqyA-JTnRQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KZqyA-JTnRQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[sean22306]

I made a mount just using some scrap alum. I found in my garage. Actually turned out decent, with little vibration and could probably be made really cheap. Tied together the 2 headrests and made it really stable.

Picture:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e14/sean22306/Image002-1.jpg

Video: shitty quality and 2x speed to make it shorter (it was easier to upload)
<object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DDHPlUXM84I&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DDHPlUXM84I&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>

[blueprotegelx]

That's price sweet Sean. You should paint the setup black or something. The video looks like the camera is pretty stable! By the way you didn't come to a complete stop @ the first stop sign. lol.

I made a mount just using some scrap alum. I found in my garage. Actually turned out decent, with little vibration and could probably be made really cheap. Tied together the 2 headrests and made it really stable.

Picture:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e14/sean22306/Image002-1.jpg

Video: shitty quality and 2x speed to make it shorter (it was easier to upload)
<object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DDHPlUXM84I&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DDHPlUXM84I&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>

[sean22306]

I never do at that sign lol I don't like taking off in 1st up that little hill.

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