mysky 1 #1 October 1, 2003 Could someone tell me in there opinion what is the best and most importantly the safest camera helmet available? I have never flown camera and I need a camera helmet for a Sony PC-120. I just want to shoot video and I do mostly freeflying. There are 3 kinds of people in this world, those that know how to count, and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefalle 0 #2 October 2, 2003 the opinions regarding the best camera helmet will vary. If you want some good advise post this in the Photography forum there are SEVERAL folks there that are more than willing to help you out with your questions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DBCOOPER 5 #3 October 2, 2003 If your just doing it for fun and training and not for profit the quality I get from this is great.Replying to: Re: Stall On Jump Run Emergency Procedure? by billvon If the plane is unrecoverable then exiting is a very very good idea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auryn 0 #4 October 2, 2003 QuoteCould someone tell me in there opinion what is the best and most importantly the safest camera helmet available? I have never flown camera and I need a camera helmet for a Sony PC-120. I just want to shoot video and I do mostly freeflying. I can tell you what I jump, which I am completely comfortable with. I have a hawkeye LS (left side) with a big ass mini DV JVC DRV 1. but, as far as the helmet goes, it is perfect. Great head protection, I know it will help protect if I frap in. So much so that I am going to bounce my Z1 this weekend :) Ratchet chip cup, secures everything extremely tight. Now, here is the trick, no matter what you buy. If it doesnt come with an actice cutaway system (I am talking about a handle release of some sort, just like your main) GET ONE INSTALLED. Odds are, this will save your life. no joke. just look at the quincy 2000 video. I personally have an active cutaway system installed on the back of my helmet that uses cutaway cables just like a rig. pull the handle, the helmet is released. next step, pull it off my head and I am free. oh, and NO ringsight.. too much snag potential. Blue Ones ! Bryan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrisky 0 #5 October 2, 2003 Got myself a Rawa helmet, they are the best imho. Great fit and no handle needed, the straps they use can be released easier than a fumbling handle (just put two fingers on your chin) and if the pull is strong enough, they will come loose by themselves. Just do a search, you'll find the URL for them somewhere in the forums. Mail them for info in english. The price is unbeatable, service is very good and fast too. Audiblepockets left and right. If you want to jump a cameye, state that on order, as its a full enclosed camera setup. Also comes with a top-Cam mounting plate with drill-hole groves, all included in the base price of (i think) currently 325 USD. Did i mention they rock? The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open. From the edge you just see more. ... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivingdutch 0 #6 October 2, 2003 Another thing: Should we look for helmets with side or top mount cameras? I've heard pro's and cons about both. http://dropman.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
falxori 0 #7 October 2, 2003 do you have a pic or a link of that? i also have a LS hawkeye which i love, although i dont jump with a camera yet. i dont like the fact that its a mess to take off but i didnt know you can install a "cutaway" system on your helmet... O "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrisky 0 #8 October 2, 2003 Well, for my part i'm in for the side mount. On my helmet i can switch the camera in the mount 180 degrees for head-up footage on headdown jumps. the top mount ist good too, if you can get your slider around after deployment if you wish to. Apart from that, the top mount presents less "snagability" while presenting a longer lever to your neck. The sidemount feels safer to me, as i usually always turn my head to "look" at my hackey when pulling, thus having the cam mount facing down (mounted left) and away from the upcoming risers. This is not adviseable however, because the neck should ideally be straight on deployment. It also depends alot on your camera. Apart from the pocket wonders, cameras used to be bulky and lengthy, so you wouldn't have been able to mount them anywhere else than on top of your head or under your belly.The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open. From the edge you just see more. ... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chivo 0 #9 October 2, 2003 You can also research 2k Composites FFX or FF2 helmets... they seem to be multiplying quickly around here... they're very nice quality. I have an FFX. Only prob is that its a bit expensive. ~Chivo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmace 0 #10 October 2, 2003 I just got an FF2 and am really happy with it. It has a really nice fit and the box is pretty damn snag proof. You can also get a wicked cut away system with it based on the 3 ring circus. Camera is easily accessible. Only point, as Chivo said , pretty pricey.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auryn 0 #11 October 2, 2003 yep, as a matter of fact, I do. The work was done by the Peters of the Hungarian mafia over at CSS. They are actually the photo finish of this months parachutist. They charged me 50 dollars for the cutaway system, and like 40 to make my mount. They each have like 3 hawkeyes, all with this system in it. They have done probably 4 or 5 other helmets at CSS as well. I no longer jump at CSS, but you can call the DZ at 919 496 2224 to get in touch with them. The first pic is the handle on the back and you can see the cables going into the inside of the helmet. The handle is a loop, and it's snapped by 2 snaps to the back of the helmet. there is no way it can get pulled by accident. the second pic is the cutaway cable routed up the side of the helmet where they terminate.. they are in plastic channels pretty much throughout. third pic is of the chin strap and chin cup. they replaced the screws that hold the bracket onto the helmet with cypres loops, which is what the cables are routed through to hold it together. The loops should be replaced once a year or so. the fourth shows the snaps that hold the handle to the back of the helmet. Im pretty sure they can do this to just about any helmet. Blue Ones ! Bryan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auryn 0 #12 October 2, 2003 and a side note.. I am now an ENTHUSIAST !! yeee haaa. Blue Ones ! Bryan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auryn 0 #13 October 2, 2003 another thing you can do deployment, is put your head on your chest.. this gets the camera out the way as well, keeps your body position more straight, and helps reduce whiplash if you get a hard opening. Blue Ones ! Bryan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poohbeer 0 #14 October 3, 2003 Can someone explain why nobody uses bullet cams in skydiving? When fitting our motorcycles with camera's we always used these bullet cams on our helmets and on the frontfork. Works perfect and we could store that 'bulky' miniDV cam under our seats. Now offcourse in skydiving you don't have a seat but even then it must be easy to store the cam somewhere else in your gear. Only downside I can see is the wire you need to run between helmet and cam but that worked wonders on a motorcyclehelmet so can't see it not working here. Big upside: WAY smaller and lighter. ------- SIGNATURE BELOW ------- Complete newbie at skydiving, so be critical about what I say!! "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #15 October 4, 2003 You're from Skydive AZ, right? I'm sure you know Brent Finley. I'm sure he'd be willing to sit down and chat over a cold one at the end of the day. He's, like, an encyclopedia of information on the subject. Blues, 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
Chrisky 0 #16 October 4, 2003 Was in planning for live air-to-ground at the DZ in Spa. They have the whole setup, but the quality just wasn't as good as native DV. They still do it though. i think there was a bit of trouble with proper energy and transmission cable routing/connecting. Apart from that, i have no idea of the money factor... Should equal out prety soon due to VHS tapes, tho. Or did i get the whole completely wrong?The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open. From the edge you just see more. ... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jose 0 #17 October 4, 2003 Hey Mysky....I tend to agree with the Hawkeye LS. The helmets are really padded well and feel exceptional. Mine is a large, which seems to be the size that fits most people. Heres a pic if you are interested. edited - advertising items for sale not allowed in the forums Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BETO74 0 #18 October 5, 2003 Rawa helmets are great don't own one but I research alot about it I got an N-vertigo with a bone head Pc 101 with chin cup works for me my new helmet is a blade helmet exellent for freefly and RW see attachment, they cost as much as rawa but in my opinion better set up for stills.http://web.mac.com/ac057a/iWeb/AC057A/H0M3.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
