I've wanted to have a good method to record my autocross runsand track day laps but I have not really been willing to take the plunge on a GoPro. I have a weird thing with gadgets/tech in that I have a hard time rationalizing something that does only one thing. It is also due to my cheapness (frugal perhaps...), I wont lie. This has been taken to a new level since I got an iPhone and I feel like it does so many things so well, I should be able to use it for the purpose of recording my runs.
This is for my Hard Dog Sport Double Diagonal bar with 1.5" tubing. You will need to adjust for your bar if it is a different size tubing.
Version 1.0 was based on THIS
I grabbed a cheap Garmin Mount off of eBay and a cheap iPhone case from Meritline (awesome place BTW for cheap gadgety stuff/accessories...). Maybe if I would have bough the real deal Garmin mount instead of the eBay special, but still, I am not sure about the strength of the suction cup. The GoPro wins here as it was designed to do this
I don't have pics of the final product, but I'll just say it didn't inspire enough confidence to take my iPhone, probably my most loved possession, and hang it off the car while driving it in anger. So, it never even got a test run.
Version 2 came from this thread posted by OhNe0z HERE and specifically, the mount he found on another forum HERE which I am going to borrow pics from since I didn't think ahead to document all of this. I made some changes to the original in that thread, so I thought it was worth its own how-to.
So, here is what you need (All the links are her so if you want to grab it, you can buy it all online. I purchased everything but the SnapMount locally. ):
1. #2 Conduit Hanger
-I used a number #2, 1.5" hanger for my roll bar with 1.5" DOM tubing (Hard Dog Sport Roll Bar). You may need to go up to a #3 or #4 if you have 1.75" DOM tubing or greater.
2. 1.5" Rubber coupling
-This should work out fine for pretty much any size bar. You will need to slice it end-to-end to get it on the bar and trim so it fits (pics later in the post)
3. Table mount Tripod
-This is what I used base on the OP, but you could probably get others to work.
4. SnapMount Tripod Mount for iPhone 4/4S
-This was the piece de resistance. I discovered this through Googling and must say I am happy with the quality. I was concerned on how well it would grip the phone and planned two wrap rubber bands or something to secure it, but it holds very tight.
Optional Items:
5. Plastidip
-I coated the conduit hanger before assembly for 2 reasons: The first is that the galvanized conduit is ugly. The second was I wanted something that was durrable and would help avoid scratching the bar then I took it on and off.
6. Long Camera strap for a point and shoot
-In case the mount breaks I don't want the phone to fly off and bounce around the cabin or out of the car.
First step, if you go with the optional items, would be to Plastidip the Conduit Hanger. Follow the directions on the can. Hanging it is the best way do get good coverage and nat have it stick to the newspaper or cardboard you are spraying it on (ask me how I know...)
Ok, now that is done, let's put it together:
First, Unscrew this screw to disassemble the tripod. The legs will come out and there will be two identical plates. You will just need one.
Here is how it will go together:
You may need to grind the little plates to fit. I did for the #2 Conduit I used, but for the #3 I test fitted, I did not.
Take the 1.5" rubber coupler and toss the clamps, then cut it from end to end like this:
You may need to trim it to get it to fit around the bar with the clamp.
OK, now it is time to install this bad boy. You should have a pile of stuff that looks like this.
As I said, I have the camera strap and the Plastidip, but you don't need this if you wanna do it on the cheap. I am just paranoind (hence the strap) and anal about clean appearance on mods (Plastidip).
(Also, sorry the image quality is not so good going forward. Taking photos in my dark garage with the top up on the car and a car cover over it)
Put the cut couple on your bar:
Put your assembled conduit hanger and tripod over the coupler, tighten the the conduit hanger with the bolt and nut that it came with:
Attach SnapMount/iPhone to the Tripod/Conduit Hanger/Couple Assembly:
Align it to get the shot you want and you are good to go! You can use the regular iPhone camera app or any video app with this. I have used Harry's Lap Timer Pro. It is a great app that does video and does some basic data logging and overlays it with your video.
Here is an example of video taken with the mount using Harry's Lap Timer Pro:
[VIMEO]27520066[/VIMEO]
The only problem I want to sort out is the audio. Lots of wind noise on the mic. I am going to try a few things with foam next season, but if you have any ideas, let me know.
This is for my Hard Dog Sport Double Diagonal bar with 1.5" tubing. You will need to adjust for your bar if it is a different size tubing.
Version 1.0 was based on THIS
I grabbed a cheap Garmin Mount off of eBay and a cheap iPhone case from Meritline (awesome place BTW for cheap gadgety stuff/accessories...). Maybe if I would have bough the real deal Garmin mount instead of the eBay special, but still, I am not sure about the strength of the suction cup. The GoPro wins here as it was designed to do this
I don't have pics of the final product, but I'll just say it didn't inspire enough confidence to take my iPhone, probably my most loved possession, and hang it off the car while driving it in anger. So, it never even got a test run.
Version 2 came from this thread posted by OhNe0z HERE and specifically, the mount he found on another forum HERE which I am going to borrow pics from since I didn't think ahead to document all of this. I made some changes to the original in that thread, so I thought it was worth its own how-to.
So, here is what you need (All the links are her so if you want to grab it, you can buy it all online. I purchased everything but the SnapMount locally. ):
1. #2 Conduit Hanger
-I used a number #2, 1.5" hanger for my roll bar with 1.5" DOM tubing (Hard Dog Sport Roll Bar). You may need to go up to a #3 or #4 if you have 1.75" DOM tubing or greater.
2. 1.5" Rubber coupling
-This should work out fine for pretty much any size bar. You will need to slice it end-to-end to get it on the bar and trim so it fits (pics later in the post)
3. Table mount Tripod
-This is what I used base on the OP, but you could probably get others to work.
4. SnapMount Tripod Mount for iPhone 4/4S
-This was the piece de resistance. I discovered this through Googling and must say I am happy with the quality. I was concerned on how well it would grip the phone and planned two wrap rubber bands or something to secure it, but it holds very tight.
Optional Items:
5. Plastidip
-I coated the conduit hanger before assembly for 2 reasons: The first is that the galvanized conduit is ugly. The second was I wanted something that was durrable and would help avoid scratching the bar then I took it on and off.
6. Long Camera strap for a point and shoot
-In case the mount breaks I don't want the phone to fly off and bounce around the cabin or out of the car.
First step, if you go with the optional items, would be to Plastidip the Conduit Hanger. Follow the directions on the can. Hanging it is the best way do get good coverage and nat have it stick to the newspaper or cardboard you are spraying it on (ask me how I know...)
Ok, now that is done, let's put it together:
First, Unscrew this screw to disassemble the tripod. The legs will come out and there will be two identical plates. You will just need one.
Here is how it will go together:
You may need to grind the little plates to fit. I did for the #2 Conduit I used, but for the #3 I test fitted, I did not.
Take the 1.5" rubber coupler and toss the clamps, then cut it from end to end like this:
You may need to trim it to get it to fit around the bar with the clamp.
OK, now it is time to install this bad boy. You should have a pile of stuff that looks like this.
As I said, I have the camera strap and the Plastidip, but you don't need this if you wanna do it on the cheap. I am just paranoind (hence the strap) and anal about clean appearance on mods (Plastidip).
(Also, sorry the image quality is not so good going forward. Taking photos in my dark garage with the top up on the car and a car cover over it)
Put the cut couple on your bar:
Put your assembled conduit hanger and tripod over the coupler, tighten the the conduit hanger with the bolt and nut that it came with:
Attach SnapMount/iPhone to the Tripod/Conduit Hanger/Couple Assembly:
Align it to get the shot you want and you are good to go! You can use the regular iPhone camera app or any video app with this. I have used Harry's Lap Timer Pro. It is a great app that does video and does some basic data logging and overlays it with your video.
Here is an example of video taken with the mount using Harry's Lap Timer Pro:
[VIMEO]27520066[/VIMEO]
The only problem I want to sort out is the audio. Lots of wind noise on the mic. I am going to try a few things with foam next season, but if you have any ideas, let me know.