Home-made Helmet Cam

GoPros are all the rage, and you really can't beat 'em. But if you're the DIY type, you might want to make your own helmet cam. This Instructable shows how to make your own helmet cam that:

• - Adjusts (can be tilted and swiveled to any desired angle)
• - Is compatible with any small camera that has a tripod mount (the little threaded hole on the underside of the camera)
• - Attaches to different types of helmets (biking, snowboarding, etc.)

The disadvantage: you don't want to wipe out with this camera in place. Doing so could damage your camera, your helmet, or yourself. So proceed with caution!

The parts I used are:

• tripod screw, with washer and lock washer
• 2 small Meccano plates with right-angle bends on each side
• Small bolt, hollow metal tube, 2 washers, and wing nut
• Small piece of grippy material, like a jar-opening circle
• Cable ties (a.k.a. "zip ties)

You can substitute similar parts as needed. For example, a smooth metal plate with bent-up sides can replace the Meccano plate.

Put a slight bend into the base plate to match the contour of your helmet.

Line up holes in the base plate with vents in the helmet, and secure with cable ties.

Line up the holes in the right-angle bends of the two plates, and attach the two using the bolt, washers, and the hollow metal tube. Secure with the wing nut.

The camera plate should be able to pivot up and down, and stay firmly in position once the wing nut is tightened.

Using the tripod screw, attach the camera to the camera plate. Put the grippy material between the camera and the plate; this provides some friction to prevent the camera from accidentally twisting side-to-side.

The pictures show the camera set up in different angles. Generally you'll want it aimed slightly downward.

Put the camera in video mode, and capture your action -- on the ski slope, roller coaster, or wherever.

As the video demonstrates, it takes a bit of practice to keep your head angled toward the scene you're trying to video.

Cut the cable ties to remove the helmet-cam from the helmet, and use new cable ties to attach it to another. The above pix show it attached to a bicycle helmet.