Body cameras

January 21, 2022, 01:15 PM

RogueJSK

What are you wanting to use it for?

Are you after something like a Go Pro or body-mounted smartphone, for use when you'll know ahead of time that you want footage?

Or do you want something that can be triggered to record as needed with little notice, like a police body cam?

In addition to researching hardware, you'll want to brush up on the laws in your area, which can dictate where/when you're allowed to record audio and video.

For example, many car dash cams are set up to constantly record anytime the car is on (and often when it's shut off too). That's fine in a public area like a parking lot or roadway, but could cause issues if you were to bring that same constant-on camera into a less public area.

January 21, 2022, 01:17 PM

radioman

I see a lot of go-pros on chest harnesses around here. popular on ski slopes, on hiking trails, etc.

January 21, 2022, 01:20 PM

RogB

quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
What are you wanting to use it for?

Are you after something like a Go Pro, for use when you'll know ahead of time that you want footage?

Or do you want something that can be triggered to record as needed with little notice, like a police body cam?

In addition to researching hardware, you'll want to brush up on the laws in your area, which can dictate where/when you're allowed to record audio and video.

For example, many car dash cams are set up to constantly record anytime the car is on (and often when it's shut off too). That's fine in a public area like a parking lot or roadway, but could cause issues if you were to bring that same constant-on camera into a less public area.

This- "do you want something that can be triggered to record as needed with little notice, like a police body cam?"

January 21, 2022, 03:47 PM

john1

Way back before body cameras were prevalent my wife found a pen with a camera on e-bay that didn't cost much at all.
I wore it for traffic stops and any interaction where I might need a record.
I was surprised about the quality of the recording and the simple, unobtrusive activation of the pen in my shirt pocket.

January 21, 2022, 04:13 PM

StorminNormin

quote:
Originally posted by john1:
Way back before body cameras were prevalent my wife found a pen with a camera on e-bay that didn't cost much at all.
I wore it for traffic stops and any interaction where I might need a record.
I was surprised about the quality of the recording and the simple, unobtrusive activation of the pen in my shirt pocket.

Ha! I remember those and still have a couple from back then but I can’t get them to work anymore. I used to use them to film the inside of fencing operations and make undercover buys. A quick search shows they still make them.

January 21, 2022, 09:54 PM

Rey HRH

I've been wanting one to record any interactions that may be beneficial to record. I also would want it to attach to the back of my headrest to film back of my car as my dash cam only records to the front.

"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.

January 21, 2022, 10:07 PM

tatortodd

quote:
Originally posted by Rey HRH:
I also would want it to attach to the back of my headrest to film back of my car as my dash cam only records to the front.

Switch from a dash cam to a taxi/Uber/Lyft cam as they record both the road ahead and the passengers.

January 22, 2022, 10:06 AM

Rey HRH

quote:
Originally posted by tatortodd:
quote:
Originally posted by Rey HRH:
I also would want it to attach to the back of my headrest to film back of my car as my dash cam only records to the front.
Switch from a dash cam to a taxi/Uber/Lyft cam as they record both the road ahead and the passengers.

I don't want to record the inside of my car; I want to record the road behind my car. I can see how "back of my car" can be taken as you did.

January 22, 2022, 12:08 PM

tatortodd

quote:
Originally posted by Rey HRH:
quote:
Originally posted by tatortodd:
quote:
Originally posted by Rey HRH:
I also would want it to attach to the back of my headrest to film back of my car as my dash cam only records to the front.
Switch from a dash cam to a taxi/Uber/Lyft cam as they record both the road ahead and the passengers.

I don't want to record the inside of my car; I want to record the road behind my car. I can see how "back of my car" can be taken as you did.

You’re looking for a 2-camera dashcam. #3 is the two year newer version of my 2-camera dashcam.

I think you’d be extremely disappointed with a spycam you move from your pocket to rear facing in your vehicle. Having a fixed 2-camera system will have better and more consistent video recordings. Also, my system records both cameras on same card with synched time stamp if needed for an accident (eg sideswiped so you can show how other party was driving before and after OR Rear ended and other party flees there is twice as much opportunity to record plate # and driver’s description).

January 22, 2022, 02:24 PM

Rey HRH

quote:
Originally posted by tatortodd:

I think you’d be extremely disappointed with a spycam you move from your pocket to rear facing in your vehicle.

That's an excellent tip. Then I don't have to try to find a dual purpose camera. Thank you.

January 23, 2022, 02:11 AM

ftttu

I wear a huge Axon camera at work, and other than a large amount of footage it records, it also has GPS logging.

Next to the video on our footage storage site, I see a map with my GPS logging on it. I'm not saying GPS logging isn't important for civilians, but I'm sure it would add cost and size to a personally owned camera when small size is important.

A quick net search shows cameras, but the lesser priced ones have very limited recording time. If I got an off duty camera, it would at least have removable storage like a micro SD. I don't think 12 to 15 minutes is enough for those lesser internal storage cameras I'm seeing.