I've heard that Brands Hatch used to prohibit camcorders on bikes or at least charge for their use. I think this was just a scam by Octagon to cash in on the burgeoning interest in onboard videos. Might be different now that Jonathan Palmer has taken control. Worth a check first if you're planning on going.
I have 3 bullet cams on my bike all controlled by a remote 'switcher' unit on the bars (see below) and linked into a Sony PC3 camcorder.
The beauty of the switcher means that you can literally' switch' from view to view as you ride along.
I used to have the tank tripod but:-
a) feared my £1500 camcorder would end up flying off over my head at 100mph+
b) Didn't like the restrictive viewing angles attained by this device
c) Dreaded coming off the bike on a trackday and mincing the camera as well as the bike
If you're camcorder is small enough (like the PC3 or a simillar model), you can get the camera itself under your seat (even on a space-absent 748/9**).
Forget bumbags or rucksacks - Trackday organisers don't allow them.
I have my camcorder in a small bumbag which is strapped to my top yoke. It obscures the lower clocks a little but this doesn't matter to me on the track. As long as the bars are uninhibited that’s all that counts to me.
Vibration and heat can be a problem for mini cams so be aware where you locate them on the bike. Use Blu-tac or foam to help cushion the unit.
I have some footage on my site taken with my cameras. I did buy the best camera RF Concepts had (£175). This took 3 months to arrive initially and has since stopped working (it was supposed to be waterproof, bombproof, whatever!!!!).
If you want to take the onboard video seriously, you’ll no doubt want more than just the lenses. I found it easier personally, to get my gear from Phillip Mace at Highview Electronics. Not only is he a Duke rider who has tested his products on his Duke, but he is also an electronics wiz and has his own firm specialising in them. If you need enhancements to your system or advice on attaching the lenses to third-party devices (such as switchers etc) then Phillip can advise on this and also make the components needed up for you. Not sure RF can offer such a ‘one-stop-shop’ type of service
Samples of my onboard stuff can be seen
HERE – you will need the DIVX codec though to see the video files (i.e. without the codec you’ll only get sound but no picture). This can be downloaded via a link on the video pages of my site which you will arrive at with the aforementioned link.
Highview can be contacted via here
http://www.highviewelectronics.co.uk/ Shout with any queries.
Guido