I’ve decided I’d like to get a helmet cam – not for YouTube – but simply for looking back at my cycling adventures when I’m old and grey.

Requirements

Not too heavy
Mac compatible ( i presume they all are these days)
Battery life – ideally 2-3hrs (is this possible)
Prefer to attach to side of helmet rather than a square box on top – I like the idea of it being subtle.
HD

I’d appreciate any recommendations

Thanks in advance

I got one of these for my recent trip to Canada:

It’s not HD but suited my budget. I used the handlebar mount and it’s solid, it didn’t move one bit during 2 days in Whistler, there are other mounts in the box and you can buy specific ones if required. The only problem is the noise through the frame etc but this can easily be reduced/removed in iMovie. The footage was clear with no vibration, the camera has a fisheye lense so you see a lot of the trail and surroundings. The usual light/dark problems exist when going in and out of the forest but it looks fine in iMovie. The benefit if the X170 is that it has a built in screen for viewing, it is small but works fine.

HTH

Not in the slightest bit subtle, but my Go Pro has been super. Playback on a 42″ TV is amazing, but then I suppose that’s why TV crews use them.

Gopro or contour for ‘the best’ , the contour is subtle but I prefer the gopro for quality.

Contour are cheap on Amazon at the moment because of new model.

Have a look at techmoan for review of various cameras. I like the look of the Crocolis.

Go Pro with a chest mount + all the other clip ons. Hours of fun wondering where to bolt it next.

I have one of these

http://178.239.166.177/~dogcamsp/sony-hq1-550-helmet-camera.htm

with this recorder

and this piggy back batterypack that powers the camera and recorder.

looks like this installed.

also have the new adjustable microphone and a few SD cards.

It’s fitted in a shockproof otter box and cost me £500.

Never gets used really so looking to sell for £100 if your interested.

video of some footage here

[video]http://vimeo.com/8403553[/video]

[video]http://vimeo.com/8404388[/video]

[video]http://vimeo.com/8396652[/video]

Appreciate the answers so far.

Contour hd at 135 looks pretty good value.

I like the subtlety and no battery pack.

Thanks

Has anyone tried the Tachyon Micro HD cameras – at $139 they look like a steal? Are they any good compared to the Go-Pro?

I seem to remember Coastkid mentionuing that he uses / used the original Tachyon XC for his videos.