Video camera recommendation please

[Robster]

I have an 80Gb Archos AV504 into which I plug in the Archos Helmet Camcorder.

The qualities way off what you'd get from a dedicated AV input to a camcorder, but decent enough and streets ahead of things like the Oregon and Tony Hawks which record to memory cards.

The only limiting factor with the Archos in terms of recording is battery life...mine will record for the whole length of time it takes a fully charged battery to drain - around 4.5 hours depending on the temperature. It will however run off a 12v feed whilst recording...though I've never done this.

Another benefit is it the 4.3" screen is very watchable and, as its basically just a hard drive with a screen, you can upload and store movies on there as well for those rainy evenings in your tent and all your mp3's too.

I also have the dock, which means I drop the unit in and can then watch anything I've recorded on the cam (or the films I've downloaded off t'internet) on my TV and control the whole thing with a remote. Oh and it has a timer too so you can use it instead of your video recorder to record the telly. It'll even record off DVDs and encrypted satellite channels...allegedly.

I'm quite chuffed with mine

[Cabby]

You can get arrested for wearing a helmet cam.....

Bloody cold too.........................
















the old ones are the best eh?

[Robster]

You can get arrested for wearing a helmet cam.....

Makes for interesting "footage" though......tunnel vision?

[FatFergie]

I've got a cheap and cheerful samsung (available for well under €200/about £100) which does all my point and shoot wants. Yes sometimes you can hear the tape whirring on replay but a remote mic takes care of that.
The thing that's upset me is that I was under the impression that it had an AV in option, I've never used it but since this thread started I decided to have a look at how it works. The instuction book says it does it, I've been on to samsung to find out and they say it has it, but I can't get it up on the menu! Confused.....
It's a vpd361i.
It's got a manual focus option which is easy to get to unlike some quite expensive cameras. Nothing worse than a "hunting" focus.

[Whealie]

I've gone for the XRV Jim recommendation though from Amazon with free delivery, which worked out slightly cheaper. Will report on progress.
Now I need a tripod and a bike mount. Recommendations please.

[Robster]

Now I need a tripod and a bike mount. Recommendations please.

I have a RAM mount for the normal video camera. Very sturdy, and if you shell out for a couple of the U-Bolts then you can easily move if from facing forwards to facing backwards.