Dimensions : 110mm long, 40mm diameter

32MB of built-in memory

Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor

640x480 VGA sensor resolution

Movie files saved as AVI with Motion JPEG codec

Audio saved as Pulse Code Modulation (PCM), 16,000Hz 128 kb/s in one channel

Fixed range focus, 1.5 meters to infinity

Automatic shut off after 30 minutes

USB 1.1

The Oregon Scientific ATC2K Waterproof Action Cam

Compared to other helmet cameras, like the VholdR Helmet Cam and the HERO Helmet Cam, the Oregon Scientific ATC2K Waterproof Action Cam is cheaper and easier to use. It only costs $119.00 directly from us here at The Point of View Cameras Store. Aside from the video function, you can also use the Oregon Scientific camera to take pictures. Other features of this excellent gadget include:

Simple kit for more action: The simplicity of the Oregon Scientific's kit puts into question the features of the VholdR helmet camera. As mentioned, the SD card that the Oregon camera uses is more readily available than VholdR's microSD. You can buy the card at any department store, along with the AA batteries. You may also pack extra batteries for the ride, unlike the rechargeable battery of the VholdR, which must be connected to a recharging station or a PC's USB port. In addition, the Oregon Scientific and the VholdR are about the same size, which means the VholdR's microSD and rechargeable battery were quite unnecessary.

Batteries of your choice: The Oregon Scientific camera gives you more freedom in your choice of batteries. You can bring as many AA batteries as you want on your journey and keep on shooting. According to the clearly written owner's manual, you can also use lithium, alkaline, and NiCd rechargeable batteries to operate the camera.

Different mounting options: Most helmet cameras on the market today are designed to be used in bicycles and not motorcycles, so you have to improvise if you want to attach the Oregon Scientific camera to your motorcycle's handlebar. You still have a lot of mounting options though, because the camera has a flat base with slots for two straps: one Velcro, and the other, rubber. Slide the base off if you want to and use the handlebar clamp to secure the camera to your bike. If the camera still shakes quite a bit, you can always wrap some duct tape around it to reduce motion.

Three simple buttons: No one wants to fumble with a lot of controls before recording an action-packed sequence. Fortunately, the Oregon Scientific only has three simple buttons to give you the exact settings you need to come up with great shots. Simply insert the batteries and the SD card in the camera, press the on/off button, and hold it until you hear a beeping sound. The LCD display should turn on, and you're good to go.
 

Oregon Scientific's LCD display is another advantage over VholdR's dim light, which is the only signal that it's on. The LCD display is very useful since you can't always hear the beep when you're wearing a helmet or ear plugs. Also, while bike rides are quite silent, motorcycle rides are noisy, so you need more than a beep to make sure that the gadget is running. Customize the settings: Once the camera is on, press the middle button and hold it to turn the video camera on or off. Other settings, like video quality, can be accessed through the third button. The Oregon Scientific offers three video quality options: 640x480 (high), 320x240 (medium), and 160x120 (low). Experts recommend setting the video quality on high, because you're bound to lose some quality when you edit your videos and post them on flash player sites like YouTube. The camera's menu allows you to delete the previous video or all videos in the SD card's archive, another advantage over the VholdR helmet camera. What's more, you can also turn the sound recording on or off, which isn't possible with the VholdR. Adjust the date and time immediately after turning on the camera so your videos will be correctly archived. You can also set the video speed to either 15 frames per second (FPS) or 30 FPS; and all of these controls can be accessed through the simple menu.

Record an hour-long video: You can record an hour-long video at the highest resolution using the camera's 2GB SD card. Oregon Scientific recommends recording at 640x480 resolution with 30FPS to get the best video quality that's fit for editing. According to the owner's manual, you may also use SD cards as small as 8MB, although the length would be much shorter.

Easily edit videos and pictures: To create a new video file, simply press the on/off button again. All your video files are saved in the 100COACH folder on the SD card. The package comes with a television input and USB cable, so you can view your pictures and videos on a TV or computer. If you have a card reader on your computer, you may also just pull the SD card out of the camera and insert it into the card reader. You can then edit the files in Adobe Photoshop, Premier Elements, or Sony Vegas.

Waterproof camera: While the Oregon Scientific camera is not shockproof, it is waterproof up to three meters. The package also contains some silicone grease to further keep the O-rings waterproof. You may apply the grease on the camera's sliding mounts since the plastic gets sticky when it's dry. Oregon Scientific also offers an optional blanket that you can wrap around the unit for protection against cold weather.

LCD display feedback: Unlike the VholdR, you know that the Oregon Scientific camera is recording even while you're riding a bike because its LCD display gives clear feedback. It displays the elapsed time that the video is recording, so you know how much memory you've got left on the SD card.

Rotate the camera: It's easier to get the best angles on the road with the Oregon Scientific camera than with other helmet cams because it rotates in its base. There are tiny marks in the plastic casing of the camera with intervals of 90 degrees to give you a good idea of how level the angle is. Mounting the camera securely on a bicycle or a motorcycle is still not that easy though; and you'll inevitably have a shaky video as you drive down the road. It's best to place helmet cameras on bikes rather than helmets because head movement produces a very shaky video recording.

Testing the Oregon Scientific Camera The cool thing about the Oregon Scientific camera is that under the right conditions, it can produce clear videos comparable to any digicam. One way to test its quality is by strapping it on to your motorbike along with a digicam. Here's how you do this test. 1 Mount it on your motorcycle: Unpack the Oregon Scientific Camera from its tough plastic pack. Slide in two AA batteries, and the 2GB SD card to record an hour-long video. Use the straps that come with the camera and some duct tape to attach it to the left handlebar of the motorcycle. Get a handy digicam, and secure it to the other handlebar using duct tape again. Make sure that both cameras are secure before you head out. 2 Drive with the camera: Ideally, the sun should be out, but there should be enough cloud cover so that the sky is not too bright. In these conditions, the Oregon Scientific camera should record the same as the digicam, giving you a clear picture of the road. You might get poorer results however, if the sky is too bright, because the camera might not be able to handle the high contrasts.

3 Compare it with a digicam: Load the videos in your computer, and play them simultaneously to see if there's any difference. You'll be amazed to see how differently the Oregon Scientific camera performs outdoors and how its video quality is indistinguishable from that of the digicam. The video will likely be shaky, but that's because it's difficult to firmly secure both cameras on the motorcycle's handlebars. In fact, the video will be much more shaky if you actually wear the Oregon Scientific camera on your helmet. Some experts say that it's better to mount helmet cameras on your bike to get a clearer video.

The Verdict: Simple to Use, Good Video Quality Compared to other helmet cameras in the market today, Oregon Scientific ATC2K Waterproof Action Cam is easier to use and cheaper. Its video quality can also be perfect given the right conditions, like lighting and how securely it's mounted on the bike. The Oregon Scientific's waterproof housing is another useful feature that will come in handy when it suddenly rains while you're recording video on the road. Remember to improvise when mounting the camera on the bike to reduce shaky movement. Action-packed videos need not be recorded using complicated helmet cams. Get an Oregon Scientific ATC2K Waterproof Action Cam now and get the videos you want in an instant.

Oregon Scientific ATC2K Wearable Video Camera + Free 2GB Memory Card Regular Price: $119.95 Special Price: $109.95 You Save: $10.00 (8%) Out of stock