I just bought my first digital camcorder and I've been jonesing to get some footage, but I have a problem. I don't have my 'bar installed yet so I rolled my sleeves up and rigged an ugly but functional camera mount.



I made it out of 2 aluminum bars from Home Depot 2"x1/8"x36" $10.88 each. Got a few small bolts and nuts and got to work. I cut about a 6" piece off of one the bars mount to the rear dome light. I drilled two through holes for the dome light bolts and four holes to bolt to the upper leg of the mount. I attached two strips of weatherstrip in between the 6" piece and the dome light to keep it from getting scratched up. Here is a pic of the upper leg and the dome light mount attached.

And the upper leg of the mount with the camera attached.

I tried to use the camera mounted without the lower leg but it wasn't stable enough and set off the shock sensor on the camera. Then I fabbed up the lower leg. I used the camera mount through bolt to attach the upper and lower leg and slid the bottom of the mount under the center console.




I sprayed it quick with some black paint for the stealth factor. I ended up cutting about 14" total off of the top leg and about 10" off of the bottom and there was trial and error bending and re-bending but nothing major. That's it, maybe this will help some of you roll bar-less people out. Sorry, no vids yet. By the time I got done it was time to start V-day dinner for the Mrs. In fact I need to go take the steaks off the barbie right now. Thanks,

Larry

 

good work...I put some Velcro on the middle -front of dash, and some on the bottom of my V.Camera.....on and off in seconds...great views also..being the lens is 1/2"-1" away from the windshied...works great...

 

Thanks. I was thinking of doing something like that but I didn't think the camera would stick when at the track.

Larry

 

looks really good! What size bolt is that for the camera base mount?

 

I'm not really sure, I just took the camcorder to my local independent hardware store and trial fit it. I think it's 3/4" long though. Oh, maybe 1/4"x 20 x 3/4" long if memory serves. I ended up using one nut ( I bought 3)and one lock washer as a spacer.

Larry

 

looks good, cant wait to see some footage!

 

Well, I just tried out the camera mount and it holds the camera steady great. Unfortunately it seems my car is too violent for the shock sensor in the Sony camcorder (dcr-sr42). Every time the action starts the camera cuts out. I have alot of footage of right before I stomp on it, lol. Maybe if I can isolate where the camera mounts with some rubber or something it will record correctly.

 

i was going to warn you about this yesterday.

the only way around this is to remote mount the camera in a padded box and run a cable to a stationary mini cam.

 

Thanks for the heads up, I'll see if I can rig something up this weekend.

Larry

 

SUCCESS!!! You were right on the money dlove! I made a padded housing out of and old abs plastic CD shelf I've had forever and stuck some weatherstripping on the inside to pad it up. This is the final WORKING product.


I am going to post links to more photos of the housing for those who want to check it out. I feel like I am sucking up alot of bandwith
I even have enough of the CD case left to make 2 more housings


http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...RETR/007-2.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...RETR/002-3.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...RETR/001-3.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...RETR/006-2.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...RETR/005-1.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...RETR/004-2.jpg

Now I have to get more time to shhot video and learn how to edit them with Windows Movie Maker. Thanks again dlove. When I get may rollbar installed I think I'll get a project box from Radio Shack and make one a little nicer.

Larry

 

great np.

yeah i was like, i wonder if i should tell him about our experince with this. Then i was like nah we had issues on a 600hp+ porsche gt2 race car, I bet this will be fine

 

also wmm is a cake, just be sure to save all the time. i have had it randomly flip out and close on me a few times.

 

Yeah, it ain't no Porsche GT2 for sure! I just think it's a little too violent with the Pro-Shifted trans for a solid mounted camera. Thanks again for the help and the tip on WMM.

Larry

 

once you get your roll bars installed...if you do...this is what i picked up



adjustable in three ways

 

Sticky pod: http://www.stickypod.com/osc/product...a0bf2c0d96eb9c

$60 and they work amazingly. A local guy has one. You can stick them on the outside of the car too. They are rated to 175+mph so you know they'll stick.