Improvising Low Cost Sports Camera Mounts

The improvement in the quality of mini-digital video cameras has caused sports enthusiasts to seek new ways to mount these cameras to different types of helmets and sports equipment to capture the action and movement of their sporting events. 
Part of the fun is determining how to get the camera near the action. Many use helmet mounted cameras because it gives the impression of watching the video from the perspective of the participant. The head stays still while the action takes place around the person, and the perspective is from first person, or the one who is actually doing the event.

On bicycles, there are two favorite mounting options. One is forward-looking from the handle bars. Usually the camera is mounted on one side, or lower than the handle bars which gives a perspective below the normal field view that a rider would experience. The other mounting position is backward-facing, toward the rider. This gives the viewer the perspective of being directly in front of the bicycler and the fast motion of objects as they disappear behind the bicycle.

Many have tried to improvise a camera mounted on a kayak. Usually there is a mounting service on the rear of the kayak that allows the attaching of screws without damaging the surface. From there, one can devise a number of different mounting poles and contraptions. The preferred view is about two feet above the surface of the kayak. This allows the viewer to see beyond the person in the vehicle, and look to the river beyond. The trick of the camera mount is to secure the camera in such a way that it does not vibrate with the motion of the boat. Some have tried to cushion the mount with rubber couplings, but the rigid mounts actually tend to vibrate less than the ones with the rubber connectors.

Skiers have experimented with helmet mounts for their cameras, as well as goggle-mounts and chest straps. The least effective are the goggle-mounts, as the goggle strap, itself, tends to be loose and can be the source of vibration. The helmet mount is a secure way to fasten the digital camera to the skier, but often the quick head movements make the video jerky. The chest mounted camera is the best way to capture skiing action. The chest tends to stay still as the skier's body moves down the hill, and the view of the hands in front of the skier gives just enough framing to make the viewer really feel like they are going down the hill.

Digital camera owners continue to experiment with ways of getting their mini-digital, high definition video cameras close to the sporting action. Part of the sporting fun is capturing the experience and sharing it after the event has taken place.

There is a growing interest in the use of action sports cameras, such as the GoPro 1080p and similar devices having GoPro mounts that attach them to helmets and other sports equipment. John Meyers is a sports enthusiast who write articles on action cameras and features the action video of the week at GoProSpot.com