I have a small digital video camera I'd like to mount inside my car during events. Are there any recommended (safe) ways to do this? duct taping a tripod over the transmission tunnel probably wouldn't pass tech inspection.

Eventually, I'd like to mount a laptop w/ a few other toys too.

TIA

 

I found a window mount on E-bay, it clamps on to the window.. there's also suction cup mounts that work REALLY well, I have one that I put in the rear window that sees my dash and out the window.. just remember to strap it with bungee cords so if it falls off, it won't fly all over the place.. My Malibu actually has a camera mount "Clamped" onto the rollbar crossbrace between the seats.. You can buy a "Tripod" mount for a rollbar crossbar and pick up the Cusco bar that goes behind the seats that is used for a harness mount, but thats going a little extreme..

 

one word: stickypod.com

 

Here's what I plan on using for my upper mount point for my harnesses.. http://www.sparcousa.com/harness_bars.asp I think cusco also makes something similar.. There are rollbar camera mounts that will clamp onto that bar you can put between the seats.. Not cheap, but you get safety and a cool place to put your camera.

 

Stickypod!! Thats the one I couldn't think of.. you can put cameras all over a car with that thing..

 

this one is better:

http://www.autoxcam.com/mounts/index.htm#1

 

Yeah, that's great if you have a camera that weighs 3oz. but if you're looking to strap your regular digicam to one of those you're flat out of a grand immediately (I guarantee those'll pop right off before you even get your camera mounted).

Plus with that system you have to provide something to record with- that's just an external lens-type thing.
but those little mounts are the way to go if you already have a smaller camera...

 

I just saw this one on ebay. i like this even better. its rated to 3 lbs. and is half the price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5709728422

I am using a bulit style camera so weight is not an issue but this one seems really heavy duty. I think I will get this instead.. I was about to order the other one myself.

by the way, those who are thinking about installing a system. don't spend all that money on packaged stuff. get a $40 mobile VCR and a bulit style CCD camera and this mount from ebay and you will be done for less than $200.

you can always upgrade to mulitple cameras with a $150 processor and additional cameras for around $80 each. all from ebay.

 

found this other other one in case the camera you are using is really heavy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

 

cool! Bases are looking covered

 

$8 worth of fasteners from Home Depot and I get a great view out of the entire windshield plus many of my body movements.

I don't think suction cup ones will pass tech, but the one I pictured below passes tech and most of the one listed in the above posts will pass tech AND are officially SCCA approved.

 

Hmm..... there's a "testimonial" on stickypod from a guy who went to use his at an SCCA event. The judges looked at him quizzically and he just said "if I thought it was going to fall off, do you think I'd strap a $1000 camera to it?" he says they let him use it.
My AX group isn't bound by SCCA regs and exterior cameras aren't covered in our rulebook so I don't expect any flak.

That's a wicked cool interior mount, Brian. Is that all fasteners, or are parts of that welded?

I'm surprised that SCCA groups would have a problem with something like stickypod, but wouldn't with a VCR in the back seat....? Yes, I know you're strapping it in somehow, but it seems that a VCR is at least as heavy as a digicam and would be at least as likely to want to fly around the cabin.... plus you need a power inverter (something else to break loose and take off toward a window or your head)..... but, whatever works.

 

Well, I haven't seen stickypod, so I could be wrong. As long as it's considered secure, it's fine. I don't get any problems with mine at SCCA events. They recommend I use a lanyard if I ever get a camera that weighs more than about a pound, but they say it's not going anywhere.

And as for its construction, no welding required. I made that out of flat stock with holes in it, 1/4 bolts, nuts, and washers. It bolts right into the child seat retention mount and only requires a couple of wrenches and a hacksaw to make. For anyone who wants to know, most cameras use 1/4" standard threads, so there's no special hardware needed.

 

http://www.chasecam.com/mounts-suction.htm

The guy is an autocrosser. It's designed for motorsports

 

the VCR is 12v. and is the size and weight of a cd changer. you wont have any problems with it. its also got a remote IR sensor for the remote so you dont have to point the remote down under the seat.
I also got a 5.6" LCD screen (also 12v) from ebay for around $50, it even has a speaker on it. its let me watch the recording and comes in very handy in aiming the camera.