Contour GPS & Camera Mounts: In-Car Camera Testing – 2013France Preparation

It’s the end of March. Golden Week is just over a month away. Of course, I’m going on a trip to Europe again this year, and the in-car camera is indispensable for that.

Every year I try to think of every possible way to do it, and this year I found a very good way.

Buy Contour GPS, the wearable little camera!

First of all, I got a new camera. I have been using a Sony Handycam, but from this year I will be using this wearable camera.

Contour コンツアー GPS フルHD ウェアラブルビデオカメラ 並行輸入品

Contour

Amazonで詳しく見る by G-Tools

The latest wearable cameras are small but can record full HDD and cost around 20,000 yen. And they have GPS!

They’re just so small and light!

The only thing that bothers me is the battery life. It’s a pity that CONTOUR with GPS function can’t be used while always charging. Moreover, there is no dedicated AC adapter for recharging the battery, so you have to use the USB port on the camera itself… You can buy a spare battery, but there is no way to charge it while the camera is in use.

However, I found a non-genuine battery and AC adapter on American amazon, so I bought that one.

Wasabi Power Battery Charger for Contour

This is going to solve the battery problem. I’ll be able to use this Contour while driving and keep the spare battery charged with the power from the cigar socket.

Bottom line, no problems at all, except that you can’t see what kind of footage you’re getting while you’re driving!

Picture and sound quality are good enough!

In addition, because it has GPS function, you can see the image linked with the map if you look at it with special software (WIn or Mac can be easily installed.) ), you can see the image linked with the map.

I’ve been wanting to link Google Maps to my videos for years, and I’ve finally gotten my wish. I bet it makes traveling even more fun!

In-vehicle stands simplified at a stroke!

Even if the camera weight reduction works, it’s useless if the crucial car stand doesn’t work, but I found a good way!

Here’s what I’m going to do this year.

It’s very easy to set up, and it was stable enough even for our child (Alfa Romeo Mito) whose dashboard is not flat but wavy, so I think it can be used for any car models.

This is a combination of two parts.

First of all, the foundation part is here.

Amazonベーシック ポータブルナビ用ダッシュボードマウント

AmazonBasics

Amazonで詳しく見る by G-Tools

It’s a bit bigger and weighs a bit more, but it’s a lot easier than carrying a tripod or stand.

The upper side looks like this, and the suction cup type mount can be attached here.

You can see the bottom side.

It looks like the same as above. However, there is a tape on the center of the bottom side that can be peeled off to attach it to the dashboard.

However, this tape was not used in today’s test.

つまり、ダッシュボードに載せているだけ！

And yet, it doesn’t falter under the slightest tremor or the centrifugal force of a left or right turn!

And yet, with the Mito dashboard, this stability is very easy and convenient.

As for the camera mount (stand), I used this suction cup type one.

[送料\399?] 吸盤式 クリップ型 ユニバーサルホルダー ：様々な物を挟んで固定できる 吸盤式 … 価格：999円（税込、送料別）

The attachment of the suction cup to the base is good, and the camera is easy to remove because of the clip system.

This clip-on mount could also be used to secure an iPhone.

Still, it is more stable than expected. It’s a lighter camera, but this mount could be used for Handycam.

Amazon basic series might be good

By the way, it’s not directly related to the in-car camera & mount, but I bought this again to secure the power supply while driving, and it was very useful.

Amazonベーシック USBカーチャージャー 2.1アンペア (タイプAメス 2ポート)

AmazonBasics

Amazonで詳しく見る by G-Tools

The output that can charge two iPads is attractive.

Before I bought it, I was most concerned about the glare of the (blue) light when I read the reviews, but I think it’s bright enough for this size, but not so bright that it’s a concern.

That’s all the preparation for the video system!

So I was able to check the quality of the camera, the stability of the mount and the ease of installation more than I expected.

With this, the preparation of the video system, which is the biggest problem every year, is completed. In addition, the preparation of the power supply system in the car was also completed.

いつもはカメラセッティングに30分以上かかっていましたが、今年はレンタカーを借りてからすぐに出発できそうです。いっぱい撮影したいな。