CharleyH

I compiled this video to show the difference between the AIM HD GP 120 degree and 84 degree cameras. The videos were taken on the same car with the camera in the same position, but the video's were taken on different days and the lap times were quite different so I had to do some editing to line them up (as best I could). I don't think either camera is better, they are just different. The 120 show more of what is happening on the side of the car, but it distorts the picture more so the track appears straighter. I hope this is helpful for people trying to make the decision between the two cameras.

Charley

Matt Romanowski

Nice video and thanks for putting it together. I think it shows the difference well.

ProCoach

The 120 degree FOV is no longer in production. I do have one open box 120 Rev2 all-in-one for sale.

Currently, the choices for the GP version are 67 degrees or 84 degrees and for the HD Rev2.1 version, 60 degrees and 84 degrees.

I sell seven or eight 84's for every one 60/67.

Thanks for putting that up. I like the added sense of speed on the 84, too.

jwasilko

No more 120 at all? Ugh. That's my preferred AoV....

winders

It certainly depends on application, but I always thought that 120 degrees was too wide for a closed cockpit car and certainly too wide for an open cockpit car.

Here is 120 degree in a closed cockpit car:



Now if you want to see feet and arms and all the gauges and outside the side windows, 120 degrees makes sense.

ProCoach

Lens availability governs production offerings.

jwasilko

I guess it depends where you mount the camera. Here's the field of view in my car...the camera is basically over my right shoulder. This video is a compilation of race starts at Palmer, so there's a fair number of cars in close quarters. I like that I can see cars in the rear view and right side mirrors:

winders

My 84 degree SmartyCam HD v2.1 is in the same basic spot:



I like how you can see the track and cars in front better with the 84 degree camera. Like I said, it all depends on what you want to see.

dan212

Interesting to see it this way. I have a gen 1 Smartycam and the normal harness bar mount point gives me a good view of my halo seat on the left. Can't see the driver at all. So I hang it upside down from one of the top bars.
What do other people do to keep their halo out of the way??

amso3

Dan 122

The halo seats are an issue especially when cars have two halo seats. I've added an extension to move the camera forward 8-12 inches. Obviously you sacrifice some of your view, but it is better than seeing lots of the seats in the video.

As far as 84 vs 120 lens in closed cars goes, I have two cup cars who run both the 84 and the 120 lens. The 84 is connected for coaching and practices. The 120 is used in races in case someone hits the side of the car (evidence in PCA racing). Overall, I much prefer the 84 lens though.

dan212

Jerry - extending forward about a foot would do it, but what are you using to extend forward so far? I would think the camera would vibrate or shake with such a long horizontal extension.

I have a couple of Ram Mounts in the car, but the longest Ram extension is 8 inches.
I found some extensions from Kayalu.com, but they seem intended for light weight cameras and not motorsports.

What are you using??

I have a GoPro mounted on my A pillar as a spare camera (in case the smarty fails).. Using this billet mount. (Wish I could remember where I got it) This mount could hold anything.

linzman

I have 2 of those mounts that i won through 944Cup. Can't remember the manufacturer either, but they are great, super strong billet and adjustable to just about any angle.


Found it. SVtek

amso3

Dan

You are correct, two RAM mounts together will vibrate too much. The best one I have seen is an aluminum bar (3/4" I think) about 12" long clamped to the roll bar with a muffler type clamp and the bar has a camera swivel on the end. Very rigid. I think it would be easy to fabricate

dan212

Ahhh - so you are using an end-to-end solid mount. That would explain it. Nice!!
Sadly my girlfriend would not take kindly to me fabricating metal parts in my NYC living room.

Now that I think of it, I don't think I can move it any further forward without losing too much view. Its barely enough as it is. (See Below) I guess the original Gen 1 Smarty has a longer lens? (I think I bought it from you actually). Mounted upside down from a top bar to clear the halo. I have several top bars and a diagonal bar over the passenger side (too low for me to safely mount a passenger seat) that I could use. But the lens is too long. You can see from the image below that I can't really move the camera further forward. I barely have a wide enough view as it is. Maybe the Smarty HD with 84 lens is wider? Something to talk to Santa about next year I guess.