Helmet cams have always
stirred mixed emotions in me. For the most part positive-the quest to document
rides in their full 1080HD glory. GO PRO’s various generations have become
pretty much the standard by which all are judged and I was really impressed by
the Hero2 a couple of years back.
However, choppy financial waters precluded
purchase and last year’s end of line Delkin Wingman indulgence proved false
economy.
Thirteen months hence and
I’m eager to avoid throwing good money after bad, yet enticed by a sub £100
Geonaute boasting 1080HD, 5mpxl stills and user-friendly design...
Now, direct
comparisons with GO-Pro’s Hero series are perhaps inevitable, although
misleading-rather akin to comparing entry level and enthusiast CSC cameras.
Image quality is very good, though not in giant killing territory, colours aren’t
quite so accurate and vignetting’s apparent in certain lights. Build seems
reassuringly sturdy- I’d rather pay extra for a bolt-on LCD playback screen and
protective casing than see corners cut structurally.
Minoura Le Korde proved a
delightful handlebar host for dry weather reportage but the G-Eye escape’s
centre mounted lens is incompatible with Hero and Wingman polycarbonate shells
alike, so you’ll need to invest in a model specific unit.
Supposedly water resistant
to 60metres, it seals completely tight, precluding attachment to mini bar
pods…Experimenting with some redundant (though complete) blinky brackets came
close, yet ultimately unsatisfactory thus I resigned myself to shelling out a
further (and final!) £20 on this nicely machined K-edge “Go big” aluminium unit.
Much better than watching my
new companion expire in a series of R2D2 esque bleeps come the first hint of
drizzle or exploding on contact with terra firma. Alas, I must confess these
optical investments were borne from a series of near misses and “Punishment
Passes” yet I’m hopeful engaging reportage stuff will prove its staple diet.
Knog are due to launch an LED lighting companion for nocturnal filmmaking this
autumn-something I was quick to register interest in-hopefully I’ll get chance
to put one through its paces very soon.
To the uninitiated, “punishment
passing” is an act of intimidation used by some drivers to communicate their
contempt for cyclists. This takes several forms, though usually involves
overtaking with, or swinging back prematurely, leaving inches, sometimes less
to spare.
The latest encounter
involved a long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter van emblazoned with tarmac
supplier’s livery passing a hairs’ breadth from my handlebars (along a series
of tight bends no less). Happy to give them and others some free publicity
here; or via you-tube.
Staying with commercial
vehicles a moment, I found myself equally confounded by a communication
informing me that a “global logistics company” who regularly drive by and
occasionally deliver to my house, cannot find me and need directions! Hmm,
no-one else, let alone the larger, established firms have any trouble
whatsoever. While generally a constructive, pragmatic soul, I won’t entertain
incompetence-especially on a professional level.
Summer doesn’t officially
end until October 31st, yet it’s beginning to feel peri autumnal
here; temperatures and daylight dip quite suddenly past 20.00, turning one’s
mind to lighting. I recently completed a long term test of this One23 Extreme
bright 1000 for a new publication and it’s yet another illustration of how
competent, yet affordable contemporary high power systems are.
Once burdened with hefty,
temperature sensitive lead acid cells that returned 2, maybe 3hrs from a full
eight hour mains charge. These days £80 buys bijous li-ons capable of fuelling
1000 lumen lamps for nigh on four hours and 15 in the lower, which is capable
enough for speedy semi-rural navigation, let alone cross town commuting.
Cheaper lens and reflector
components mean some compromises where beam purity’s concerned and a few £150
plus 650 lumen models produce higher quality light, thus it wouldn’t be my
first choice off-road. However, there’s ample clout for spooky unlit lanes to
around 28mph.
Some will argue this is
relatively expensive in the global age. Yes, you can get lucky, acquiring
outwardly identical designs for considerably less. However, quality of output
varies and electricals/charging equipment won’t necessarily meet domestic
standards either. Official imports are easily replaced or repaired under
warrantee and provided you’ve proof of purchase, competent local bike
shops/distributors will handle any warrantee woes.
Attending the capital to
watch one of Kate Bush’s live theatrical masterpieces persuaded me to bring my
less desirable travel compact along. This was remarkably liberating since it
still takes decent images yet is old and (relatively) inexpensive not to instil
the same theft anxiety associated with CSCs.
Alas, the enigmatic performer
stipulated no unofficial image-taking (stills or otherwise) I was still able to
sneak eighty odd photographs of well and poorly laden/ secured machines within
an hour to illustrate further, forthcoming features.
