skim

I am a little late in the game (not a porsche owner yet, still working on it but I want to be a better driver before I hop in a GT3 - other than 993, not interested in any other p-car except GT3 ) but I want to start tracking.
I've watched a lot of in car videos of people here and I want to capture my own driving. What camcorders do you use? I was looking at some HD camcorders but I am not sure if they are worth the money for this use (and maybe other use outside of it, but mainly for this).
Thanks!

Gus F

Welcome, Let me tell you that it is never too late for start living the life!!!
What car you intend to track?

skim

Thanks for the welcome! =)
I drive a z4 coupe, m version so it has the LSD which should be a good track machine to learn with.

fc-racer

I've been using the AIPTEK series of cameras with a lot of success. I just ordered the following from Amazon.com:

1 "RAYNOX QC-505 WIDE ANGLE 0.5X"; $29.95
1 "Aiptek Action HD GVS 1080P High Definition Camcorder with 5x Optical Zoom (Silver)"; $164.95

I also have a www.filmtools.com suction mount that is extremely robust and sturdy that will be used with the camera. The results with the previous AIPTEK A-HD were great and I expect this to be even better with the wide angle lens.

Gus F

My DD is a Interlagos Blue E46 M3, Great car!! the ZM3 must be a great drive too!! you will have a lot of fun!! next natural step is the GT3

Gus F

fc-car, that camera set up sounds very good, and for HD the prices are not expensive at all !!

Nugget

I use a pair of VholdR Contour HD cameras and I'm extremely happy with them. HD (I run 720p/60 but they'll do 1080i/30 as well), light weight, and fairly cheap. They're durable as hell and have simple, one-button controls which make them easy to cope with all the distractions of the paddock. The big tactile on/off switch on the top means you can operate them without removing your driving gloves. They're really well-designed for this sort of use.

I plan to add a third one to the mix this season for an interior angle and so I can grab audio from inside the car (and lessen the wind noise).

The key for quality track video is to get cameras that are as light as possible. The heavier the camera, the harder it will be to avoid vibration and wobble. Second most important feature is a rapid iris/apeture that can cope with light changes as you drive into and away from the sun, or if you're mounting inside a dark car and wanting to record the things happening outside in the bright sun. I think it's worth finding a camera that can do 60fps, too. At track speeds it makes a big difference. I know the Go Pro Hero HD does 60fps too, and is a popular choice like the VholdR.

You're on the right track (har har) with the plan. Grabbing video of your sessions is an invaluable learning tool. I've learned so much by watching my lapping and spotting bad habits or decisions later that I didn't pick up on while I was in the car.

Here's some laps I shot at H2R last month. You have to click through to yootoob to see it in HD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad2CDlSRHJc

Jangobipbip

GO Pro HD and it rocks!

Simple, easy and nice quality.

996FLT6

^one question- I have the HD one as well but haven't used it. The old one had a viewfinder but the HD does not- how do u know if it's angled rt? I typically mount mine in the rear. Thanks. Mike

fc-racer

The issue with most helmet cams is the internal microphone. Here's a comparison of the different setups I've tried:

w/external mic using a webcam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHCeAUTmty0
w/internal mic using a GoPro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyAwTh2Kehc
w/internal mic using an AIPTEK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJwOX-Zjtdw
w/external mic using an AIPTEK w/wide angle lens: coming soon

skim

nice driving, nugget and fc-racer!
after all said and done (planning about 4-5 track days this year), this is one expensive hobby. a lot more than my dad's "expensive" golf. but i am totally psyched!
i was initially thinking of getting an expensive JVC or canon camcorder, but after watching all these and everyone's helpful advice, i can see that a relatively inexpensive handheld like aiptek is a better choice.

how about a flip? i haven't heard much of aiptek though the quality appears to be good, i'm not sure if it can match up against flip?
thanks!

Nugget

The VholdR cam has two lasers that point out the front which allows you to see exactly where the camera is pointing and if it's level or not. They light up when you first turn the camera on. I find it's pretty simple in practice to get it right on the first try.

I also agree completely with fc-racer. Having a line in jack to hook up an external microphone is a huge win. Neither the Go Pro or the VholdR have this feature and I miss it a lot from my last rig. A nice external mic with a rycote windjammer on it provided spotless audio even in my old convertible at track speeds.

tcsracing1

http://www.vio-pov.com/

Nugget

HD or GTFO.

tcsracing1

im considering trying the trackmate for in car....... but the V.I.O for exterior car mount shots as well as on dash face shots