Choosing the right DVR for your motorcycle
To the fact that modern cars are massively equipped with DVRs, today everyone is already used to it. But these gadgets are no less relevant for motorcycle owners. A DVR or an action camera can be mounted on a bike for safety, so that in the event of an accident, there is evidence of who is to blame, someone shoots extreme videos for video blogs, doing extreme stunts. Naturally, not every registrar can cope with work in such conditions, because you will have to work not in a warm cabin, but in the open air. How to choose a reliable video recorder for a motorcycle with a high-quality picture that will cope with work in any weather conditions?
Features using motorcycle recorders
Naturally, conventional motorcycle DVRs are not suitable. They are designed to be installed only in the car’s interior, therefore they do not have the necessary safety margin and are often not equipped with the functions that bikers need: shock resistance, not susceptible to dust and water, etc. The choice of specialized motorcycle video recorders is not very large, therefore more action cameras available and diverse in their functions.
If we talk specifically about the video recorders for bikes, then one of the most popular options is a device mounted in a mirror. A similar system conducts video recording from two sides: in front and behind the back. In this case, the picture taken by the rear camera is transmitted to displays located in the mirrors. Installing such devices is somewhat more complicated than action cameras. However, they are popular, as often in order to understand what happened in the event of an accident, you need to have a video not only of the front view, but also of the rear. Sometimes only this can help, as the record will be reliable evidence.
Features of using an action camera for a bike
These are small devices with a camcorder specially created for use by fans of extreme sports. They are not afraid of harsh conditions, tolerate bad weather and temperature changes, and also guarantee a clear picture when shooting at high speed. Their advantage is that the choice of action cameras in stores is much greater than special motorcycle DVRs.
Many bikers choose them, since such cameras can be used in almost any environment, and the picture is of very good quality. Gadgets have a rugged case, and work stably even in extreme conditions. These are one of the most important advantages that can become the reason for buying an action camera. In the event of an accident, they have very good chances to stay intact and maintain important video evidence.
What characteristics should I look at when buying a motorcycle DVR?
When buying, you should take into account a number of important technical characteristics so that the registrar shoots efficiently and can cope with any task:
- Airtight construction. The camera mounted on a motorcycle is exposed to all atmospheric factors (wind, rain, snow, etc.), therefore it is important that the device has good protection against dust and water. The case must be airtight, an additional protective box will not be out of place for an action camera.
- Resistance to vibration. For devices of this type, it is very important that there is good stabilization, otherwise the picture will be blurry during shaking and it will be difficult to consider something.
- Write permission. Now the most optimal are models with a resolution of FullHD 1920x1080 pixels, because they provide good picture quality. Nevertheless, if the budget is limited, you can take cameras with a resolution of 1280x720, they also do a good job, it’s not even worth considering below, the picture is unlikely to bereadable. If the budget allows, then you can buy a DVR for a bike even with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels.
- Diagonal and type of display. This is a rather individual parameter, everyone can choose what is convenient for him. However, the most common are devices with LCD displays with a diagonal of about 2-2.4 inches.
- GPS. This is a very useful feature. The presence of a GPS module allows you to get the maximum information content of the recording. It allows you to track a motorcycle in the event of theft and in real time to establish its location. Some devices allow you to save the route, and later you will be able to estimate the distance that you have covered and monitor the movement of the bike.
- Viewing angles. The area of the road that enters the camera lens depends on this parameter. The optimal indicator is from 100 ° to 170 °. Of course, there are models even with a viewing angle of 360 °, but buying them is not very advisable if your goal is to record what is happening on the road. Often they suffer from quality, as the image may be deformed.
- Connectors. Video capture devices for motorcycle equipment can have a variety of outputs: HDMI and micro-HDMI, USB, micro-USB and others. Here the choice is up to the user, you need to select those models that have the connectors necessary for you to work with them.
- Frame rate. This indicator affects the quality of the picture, if it is low, then the video will be of poor quality, especially it will be noticeable when driving on rough roads and at high speed. You should take devices with a frequency of at least 30 fps, it is even better if the camera has a frequency of 60 fps, then the shooting will be smooth without jerking, and the picture is well read.
How and where to properly install the DVR on a motorcycle
You can fix the device due to its compact size in many places, the main thing is that it is convenient for the motorcyclist. Many mount cameras on the steering wheel, control panel, fairings, plug and even on the fuel tank. It is also possible to install the camera on the helmet.
Fixing DVRs directly to a motorcycle
When installing the camera, you must take into account several important points:
- viewing angle that you will get after installing the camera at this point;
- potential risks, here you need to choose a place so that the camera does not get ripped off by the wind, it doesn’t interfere and doesn’t fall off when hit, so it’s not recommended to choose protruding parts for installation.
An improperly mounted DVR will not hold securely, or will cause inconvenience to the rider during riding. If you install the camera on the vibrating elements of the vehicle’s engine, the risk is increased that the video will be blurry and blurry, with poorly visible details.
The optimal place to install the DVR on a motorcycle, you must always choose individually. Since here several factors must be taken into account: the model of the motorcycle, the features of the work of equipment, the style of riding a biker.
Features of using a helmet-mounted camera
It is important that the helmet mount is reliable and can withstand the load. When using this method of video recording, keep in mind that what a person is looking at will be recorded. This is a plus on the one hand, and a minus on the other. The advantage of mounting an action camera on a helmet is that you can just get out of the motorcycle, and record what is happening in any place, go there to get a better look. However, when driving, often on the record there may be a change in the picture, since the biker instinctively turns his head. And this is a minus, because often people reflexively turn their heads in the direction of the sound source in a collision, and some moments from what was happening on the road at that time may not get into the frame.
Obviously, for bikers, video recording is no less important than for motorists and you need to choose a camera very carefully. If you have not found a suitable model for yourself, you can buy an action camera or a video recorder for a motorcycle in our online store 130.com.ua.