983 0 #1 January 27, 2005 Hi there, I'd like to listen to some opinions regarding having the video camera on top of a helmet. I already did it this way because I think it is, and have read some articles in which it seems like a better solution than having it at the side. I'll use it mostly for BASE jumps and just for info, I've never jump with a camera before. The pros basically would be having the weight centered and avoiding riser strikes which could lead to off heading openings (not good) or any other opening problem when one side has more tension than the other. Am I correct? On the cons side, the only problem I have been told of would be when having a low line twist. The camera could get in the twist making it difficult for head movement while trying to untwist the lines and possibly correcting heading direction. Also if jumping slider down, it would be better to remove the slider completely from the rig, which I already do everytime. So, does it seems like a good idea? Anything else I didn't think about? Thanks, 983 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gus 1 #2 January 27, 2005 One other con (which is true of all topmounts) is that because it's higher on your head and therefore further away from your neck (which is the pivot point) you'll feel the weight of the camera more on opening. Maybe the difference is negligable but BASE openings are brutal enough for me! GusOutpatientsOnline.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #3 January 27, 2005 I always thought that because a topmount is more in line with your spine it is easier to bear the weight there? ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #4 January 27, 2005 QuoteOne other con (which is true of all topmounts) is that because it's higher on your head and therefore further away from your neck (which is the pivot point) you'll feel the weight of the camera more on opening. Acctually it should be less damaging to the neck if you keep your eyes on the horrizon on deployment. The neck (and spine) will take the load better "in line" than off to the side.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gus 1 #5 January 27, 2005 I see what you're saying. Take it to the extreme though and put your camera on the end of a 1m pole coming out of the top of your helmet and even little movements are amplified. Like I said though, the difference is probably negligable. GusOutpatientsOnline.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdfreefly 1 #6 January 27, 2005 When I had a factory diver, I used to have real problems with that little velcro strap coming undone. You might want to chose a better helmet for your camera setup, just a thought. Methane Freefly - got stink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #7 January 27, 2005 QuoteWhen I had a factory diver, I used to have real problems with that little velcro strap coming undone. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sounds like you need new Velcro. The best Velcro pile only lasts 100, maybe 200 cycles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites oiseau60 0 #8 January 27, 2005 what box did you use? does bonehead now have a box for the HC series? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jdfreefly 1 #9 January 28, 2005 QuoteSounds like you need new Velcro. The best Velcro pile only lasts 100, maybe 200 cycles. Which is exactly why you shouldn't use a factory diver as a camera helmet. Methane Freefly - got stink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ltdiver 3 #10 January 28, 2005 QuoteQuoteSounds like you need new Velcro. The best Velcro pile only lasts 100, maybe 200 cycles. Which is exactly why you shouldn't use a factory diver as a camera helmet. 1) Not secure enough to not move around when the air hits it. Cameraflyers understand just how snugged down a helmet has to be for the camera not to shake. 2) Not a cutaway system installed. I know the older models don't have cutaway capability. But why, with the ability to have one on your camera helmet would you -not- want to upgrade your safety. Those of us in the business of flying camera, who have lost comrades, understand. 3) The top of the regular RW helmet isn't flat which makes for a more insecure mount with a flat camera/box surface. Sure the nice duct tape makes it look cool and all, but does it provide stability in freefall? btw, 983, would you mind filling out your profile so we know who we're talking to? :^) ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 983 0 #11 January 28, 2005 There you go!!! I did write my name on my profile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites AiRpollUtiOn 0 #12 February 2, 2005 QuoteI always thought that because a topmount is more in line with your spine it is easier to bear the weight there? If you manage to keep your head straight, yes it is, if it is in line with your neck and spine, the weight will feel the same. If you don't manage to keep your neck straight, an increase in distance between neck -pivot point- and camera - weight- will result in an increase in AUCH!!!! Sidemounts have an advantage in this aspect. A good opening procedure helps you to keep the weight centered, and increases the camera-flying lifespan of your neck. (my drill is: get into a sort of knee-flying position looking straight forward about 2 milliseconds after I released my pilot-chute, looking at your opening is nice, and gives you nice footage, but can hurt like hell. Looking forward leaves you like a blind person while your main is opening, so you have to try to feel what is happening, if it takes too long you can always look up anyway) 938, why not get a helmet made for cameraflying, it doesn't have to be all that expensive to be safe and strong! I can imagine this one falling of your head on opening (my girlfriend lost a Z3 without extra weight on opening), and when BASE-jumping you should always want to keep the helmet on your head 'till after landing... *editted twice since my english spelling sucks big-time* *and a third time since the 2nd editting sucked!*"Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 3ringheathen 0 #13 February 4, 2005 In my experience, top mounts expose you to significantly more risk as far as neck strain on a hard opening. The leverage issue seems to far outway the right to left balance issue. On the other hand, riser strike on a side mount, while rare, can be bad news on a base jump. Jumping camera on a base jump is particularly dangerous, and I'm not solidly convinced that either option is clearly better. I lean slightly towards top mount, but wouldn't want to jump camera slider down/3 second delays too frequently! Ouch. If your risers are long enough, your camera shouldn't be a problem top mounted, because the slider should still be sufficiently above the camera to avoid snagging. Lots of variables. Good look sorting out what's right for your situation. -Josh If you have time to panic, you have time to do something more productive. -Me* *Ron has accused me of plagiarizing this quote. He attributes it to Douglas Adams. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. 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oiseau60 0 #8 January 27, 2005 what box did you use? does bonehead now have a box for the HC series? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdfreefly 1 #9 January 28, 2005 QuoteSounds like you need new Velcro. The best Velcro pile only lasts 100, maybe 200 cycles. Which is exactly why you shouldn't use a factory diver as a camera helmet. Methane Freefly - got stink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #10 January 28, 2005 QuoteQuoteSounds like you need new Velcro. The best Velcro pile only lasts 100, maybe 200 cycles. Which is exactly why you shouldn't use a factory diver as a camera helmet. 1) Not secure enough to not move around when the air hits it. Cameraflyers understand just how snugged down a helmet has to be for the camera not to shake. 2) Not a cutaway system installed. I know the older models don't have cutaway capability. But why, with the ability to have one on your camera helmet would you -not- want to upgrade your safety. Those of us in the business of flying camera, who have lost comrades, understand. 3) The top of the regular RW helmet isn't flat which makes for a more insecure mount with a flat camera/box surface. Sure the nice duct tape makes it look cool and all, but does it provide stability in freefall? btw, 983, would you mind filling out your profile so we know who we're talking to? :^) ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
983 0 #11 January 28, 2005 There you go!!! I did write my name on my profile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AiRpollUtiOn 0 #12 February 2, 2005 QuoteI always thought that because a topmount is more in line with your spine it is easier to bear the weight there? If you manage to keep your head straight, yes it is, if it is in line with your neck and spine, the weight will feel the same. If you don't manage to keep your neck straight, an increase in distance between neck -pivot point- and camera - weight- will result in an increase in AUCH!!!! Sidemounts have an advantage in this aspect. A good opening procedure helps you to keep the weight centered, and increases the camera-flying lifespan of your neck. (my drill is: get into a sort of knee-flying position looking straight forward about 2 milliseconds after I released my pilot-chute, looking at your opening is nice, and gives you nice footage, but can hurt like hell. Looking forward leaves you like a blind person while your main is opening, so you have to try to feel what is happening, if it takes too long you can always look up anyway) 938, why not get a helmet made for cameraflying, it doesn't have to be all that expensive to be safe and strong! I can imagine this one falling of your head on opening (my girlfriend lost a Z3 without extra weight on opening), and when BASE-jumping you should always want to keep the helmet on your head 'till after landing... *editted twice since my english spelling sucks big-time* *and a third time since the 2nd editting sucked!*"Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3ringheathen 0 #13 February 4, 2005 In my experience, top mounts expose you to significantly more risk as far as neck strain on a hard opening. The leverage issue seems to far outway the right to left balance issue. On the other hand, riser strike on a side mount, while rare, can be bad news on a base jump. Jumping camera on a base jump is particularly dangerous, and I'm not solidly convinced that either option is clearly better. I lean slightly towards top mount, but wouldn't want to jump camera slider down/3 second delays too frequently! Ouch. If your risers are long enough, your camera shouldn't be a problem top mounted, because the slider should still be sufficiently above the camera to avoid snagging. Lots of variables. Good look sorting out what's right for your situation. -Josh If you have time to panic, you have time to do something more productive. -Me* *Ron has accused me of plagiarizing this quote. He attributes it to Douglas Adams. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
