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MikeSnare
06-04-2007, 09:18 PM
Here's a link to a test I ran this weekend at El Toro with the mount I made for the SCAT Chase cam. The course is the left side Pro Solo course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGK8nExOIYQ

The camera is about 4' above the rear bumper, with the mount tied into the hard top attachment points, which makes it a Miatas only mount.

The quality of the ChaseCam video is much better than you will see here, but youtube compresses it so much it degrades the image a lot. Playing it with Windows Media Player you can see the cones much further ahead.

In any case, you can still get a good sense of the perspective you get with the camera up and behind the car. I'm pretty happy with the results for a first day out. I think I can damp the vibration a little more, and an external mic might improve the audio enough to hear more throttle modulation, tires, etc.

Rather than treat this as the serious business it is, some will no doubt find it necessary to focus on the fact that I missed a gate in this run, or otherwise comment on my driving. I will rise above that level of pettiness.

mpheinitz
06-04-2007, 09:36 PM
Wow. Nice.

Much better than the usual setup I have on my Miata, which is approx 10" high on the front edge of the trunk lid. See link for May 20th video. Low quality, but you get the idea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMljGJtSI7c

/Mike

-W-
06-04-2007, 11:45 PM
Nice videos. They make me want to get an exhaust.

MX5bob
06-05-2007, 05:55 AM
Funny thing, I played Mike S's from El T and one of the suggested vids that came up was Michael's from the Q.

Both give a good overall perspective. You can see your steering inputs along the way.

MikeSnare
06-05-2007, 08:25 AM
Mainly what I wanted to show folks is the perspective you get with the mount in that position, in case anyone would like to borrow the mount or build one like it. $30 at Home Depot and 3 hours or so to assemble. I'll be bringing it to most events.

JamesWilson
06-05-2007, 08:38 AM
Hey, look-- it's the ProSolo course!

It's really tough to get rid of that vibration when it is set so high---imagine if you put a big heavy camcorder up there :)

Great perspective, though. That would make a nice POV shot for a video...

Frank S
06-05-2007, 07:05 PM
Hey, look-- it's the ProSolo course!

It's really tough to get rid of that vibration when it is set so high---imagine if you put a big heavy camcorder up there :)

Great perspective, though. That would make a nice POV shot for a video...

I understand carbon fiber tripods damp a lot of vibration. Be a little more than $30 in material costs, I reckon.

Frank S