Candid Camera

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 31^st, 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. 

In the saddle, back on the game

Since my last entry, I’ve  secured another temp gig and therefore some fiscal liquidity, plugging the gaps between retainers and other, less consistent editorial payments. Managing sheltered housing schemes is familiar territory for me and not unpleasant work, although nowadays I associate it with the classic, slightly kitsch but brilliant piece of social commentary that is “Pearls Café’”.

For the uninitiated, it’s an old Specials’ track dating back to 1980, seemingly about a deranged old lady in a café, lamenting her life. However, the final verse the narrator suddenly has an epiphany; that his present girlfriend is cold, shallow and unfeeling  “ When I first met you, I really thought you were a wet dream come true. Now I know that you don’t care about somebody else’s nightmare”.

Having lured Joshua back to his BMX courtesy of this spatter deflecting SKS X blade clip on mudguard, there’s been a resurrection of competitive ambition on his part, expressing a desire to try racing first hand and wanting to accompany me on evening meanders. Given woefully inadequate standards of driver etiquette/skill seem supplanted by ever greater aggression, I’m of the opinion that cross country mountain biking is the most obvious and accessible outlet, with a view to cyclo cross when he’s twelve or thirteen and suitably prepared for long, steady road outings.

The nice folk at Zyro (www.zyro.co.uk)  dropped Minoura’s VC100 bracket over for me to play with. Beautifully made from CNC machined, silver anodised aluminium, it essentially converts the bike to a mobile tripod and camera spec allowing; ensures capture of impressive video footage-whether carving through deserted back roads or hustling through congested city centres. This is largely attributable to a combination of rigidity and broad, shock absorbing rubberised cork platform.

Obviously, it cannot compete with the 180degre peripheral capture of a helmet cam and 350g magnesium bodied super zoom compacts are pretty much its limit. Some of you will baulk at fifteen quid but while the backyard specials brewed using an old reflector bracket and similar oddments from the spares box are phenomenally satisfying to make, should it fail at tour typical speeds, cameras run the risk of becoming bin fodder.

Spring may well be in full bloom but manufacturers are keen to showcase their new season’s lighting and I require little persuasion to try them Silva, a marque more commonly associated with compasses, torches and similar generic outdoor apparel have been expanding their bike range.

In stark contrast to their road specific see with Pave’ comes this quirky looking “Commute”, which given cursory inspection looks indistinguishable from a sea of similarly competent contingency units, perfect for extended summer playtimes on the best bike or as dynamo companion/backup.

On paper 45 lumens lags behind the latest generation of bobby dodgers but the collimator lens delivers a very pure beam, devoid of halos with reassuring peripheral prowess. Tool-free silicone wrap over mounts are a welcome revolution, offering secure purchase, yet slipping off in seconds when locking in the street. This one is unremarkable other than to say it sweeps anaconda fashion around the full panacea of handlebar diameters without indigestion.   

Reassuringly stout composites bode well for longevity, shrugging at the inevitable everyday carelessness and Silva boast that it’s unaffected by temperatures as low as minus 20. A rubberised, centre mounted switch is easily operated in gloved hands and on the fly, although not the sort prone to accidentally engage when hibernating in jersey pockets/panniers. USB rechargeable li-on cells have almost become default but while in many respects a blessing, AAA are readily available pretty much anywhere and offer tour practical run times-I’ve managed eighteen odd (max) and an Uber frugal ninety eight in flashing using premium grades. All the more impressive since it gives change from £20. www.silva.se.

Another unexpected pleasure is this beautifully crafted saddlebag complete with Camera insert made by Emily O’ Brien. Hailing from Medford Massachusetts, she’s a mile munching, limerick loving music teacher and lifelong fettler who manufactures a handmade range of luggage/accessories capable of passing her own rigorous testing regime. Initial impressions are extremely favourable and its one of the most exciting bits of luggage I’ve had the privilege of testing to date. http://www.dillpicklegear.com/