Dashcam installations are becoming more common these days.
There’s no doubt they come in handy if something unexpected happens.
But the cost of installation and the camera itself can add up. Plus, as someone who test-rides various bikes, I find myself wondering what to do in a pinch.
Lately, there are affordable cameras available, so I’m going to test one mounted on my helmet.
[SJCAM Japan] SJCAM C100+ 2K 30FPS Ultra-lightweight 33g
While it’s affordable and easy to set up, there are some drawbacks.
• Charging is required before each ride
• Loop recording only works while charging
• Mounting and removing is somewhat inconvenient
• The appearance is a bit awkward
On the plus side:
• Affordable
• No need to install anything on the bike itself
• Works with any motorcycle
• Perfect for people who ride only occasionally
When the camera arrived, I stared at it for a while wondering whether to mount it on my body or on my helmet. I decided to start by testing it with a helmet mount, which seemed simpler.
I think the future of motorcycle dashcams will trend toward smaller and smaller units.
It’s even possible they could come factory-installed as standard equipment.
Let me list some features I’d love to see in universal dashcams:
When seeking versatility, I think the key is that it should work with any motorcycle.
Thinking about it that way…
For the rear, a camera integrated into the license plate holder with adjustable angle would be great.
For the front, a camera built into the mirror with adjustable angle—you lose design options, but it’s very clean.
The main units would be independent front and rear, with the SD card in the body.
For the mirror, you’d get power and ground from the handlebar switch area, with no constant power and battery backup.
For the license plate holder, you’d draw power and ground from the license plate light, with the same setup.
Both installation and appearance could be handled very quickly.
But the ultimate might be a dashcam built into the helmet itself. I’ve seen crowdfunding campaigns for that, but the size was awkward and the power supply issue wasn’t solved.
Adding a battery makes it heavy, so it’s a real puzzle.
[SJCAM Japan] SJCAM C100+ 2K 30FPS Ultra-lightweight 33g
