[Review] Oregon Scientific ATC2K Video Camera

[Squeaky]

After reading reviews from local dirt riders, I decided to splurge and buy a waterproof helmet/bar-mounted video camera. It's completely self-contained and requires no cords or cables. It works on SD memory cards and AA batteries.

Oregon Scientific ATC2K Waterproof Action Cam (http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=6&scid=14&pid=709)

I found it on sale at Amazon.com for $83.99, but I've heard better deals can be had if you look around.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/31SWJTJPAEL._SS400_.jpg

So far I've only had the opportunity to mount the camera on the grab rail in my truck with the bar-mount base. There's an alternate base that can be used with any of the included straps - one long one made of rubber to go around a helmet, one long velcro strap, and one smaller velcro strap.

A few minutes of 3090 goodness (man I wish I was on the bike instead of in my truck!)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6010461074168925651&hl=en

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PMKZM6YRL._SS400_.jpg

(Once I get my bike back I want to test the video quality and stabilization with different mounting points on both me and the bike.)

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HVBERJYEL._SS400_.jpg

It's very easy to use, but not all that intuitive with the display options. They're not difficult to understand, just difficult to read. They're tiny and all the way at the edge of the small LCD screen. It takes a little while to get used to how to go through the settings, but then you get the knack for it. It beeps once when you start recording and twice when you stop, so there aren't a lot of fancy beeping collaborations to remember when it's attached to the side of your head.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/316QD274ERL._SS400_.jpg

The camera rotates in a tight ring that is on a clip. The clip slides in and out of either the bar mount base or the alternate base. The rotation seems to be able to handle almost all mounting positions and angles.



The difficult part of setting it up is that there's no viewfinder. When you get it mounted for the first time, you need to shoot quick clips and check them on the computer to know if you're aligned to the road/trail. Once in place, I would imagine the base can remain in place and the camera added or removed as needed without (much) further adjustment.

The technical mumbo jumbo:


Full-function, hands-free, digital recording
Waterproof up to 3 meters and shock-resistant for extreme conditions
Mounts easily on helmets, handlebars, and other sports equipment
640 x 480 VGA resolution at 30 frames per second
USB and RCA cables included for easy playback on PC or TV (NTSC)
SD card expansion up to 2GB – onboard memory is 32MB
Operates with 2 AA batteries, not included
Dimensions: 4.25L x 1.75D x 2.25H (in.)


From their website:

Take your adventure home with ATC2K, the ultimate waterproof action cam! Weighing in at half a pound (with batteries), this self-contained, hands-free digital video cam delivers full color digital video in 640 X 480 VGA at 30 frames per second - even underwater.

Snow, Rain, or a dunk in a kayak? No worries - ATC2K is waterproof to 10 feet! PC and MAC compatible, ATC2K works seamlessly with most video editing software. Expandable up to 2GB on a standard SD card, ATC2K mounts easily and all mounting hardware is included.

I was asked about the resolution options and loss of quality with compression, so I tested the following combinations. Judge for yourself.

It says I'll get about an hour of footage out of a 2Gig SD card, so I might stick with Hi Res and just get more cards to swap out.

Low Res Compressed = 160 x 120
10 sec = 553 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2468598886126014068&hl=en

Low Res Uncompressed = 160 x 120
10 sec = 994 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1320670274836753824&hl=en

Med Res Compressed = 320 x 240
10 sec = 588 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2414678454718045290&hl=en

Med Res Uncompressed = 320 x 240
10 sec = 1436 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7373352569633891925&hl=en

High Res Compressed = 640 x 480
10 sec = 1272 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-931017713724390180&hl=en

High Res Uncompressed = 640 x 480
10 sec = 2962 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5034020026812655833&hl=en

[kstrs]

Used mine yesterday at SHNF NW loop, not the best day tho... between dodging the faceslappers & keeping track of a slower rider behind the vid turned out a little bobblehead-ish.

For how well it works this thing is a good deal, I have rechargable aa batts & 4 2g sd cards & just change batts & card after about an hour of riding. It works well so far, but I'm still experimenting with it.

[Ulric]

..and any 1/2 dercent bump will corrupt the recording.

I've succeeded in doing this, on a 4" drop (curb to parking lot surface at walmart), but as stated... it's decent for what it cost. I think there's someone else that is coming out with an improved variant...

[50cc chick]

Josh and everyone of the guys in his family basically, all have one. Check out the footage from sturgis, all filmed on that lil' camera. He also has footage from the golfcourse that he has taken with it. Think they got it for that same price!!! you should get it!!

[BuellRider]

I have one of those. Did one recording, but my bike creates to much vibration to mount it on the bike, I may have to mount it to the helmet, or get a regular vid cam (not DVD type, memory type)

[bumblebee]

The Twenty20 camera looks like an intersting option.

[Squeaky]

Ok, I'll let y'all decide which position is the most promising. None are great, but I need to figure out which is least nausea-inducing angle for the viewer - move with my head or move with the bike?

Mounted on the brake resorvoir:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5872794726938023304&hl=en

Mounted on the right side of my helmet:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2469860528860994427&hl=en

Mounted on the front fender:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7412980499870980131&hl=en

[Azylum]

if there were a way for you to mount it on the side of the bike, or on the side of the front wheel, that would be awesome.

[Squeaky]

Side of the front wheel - I can strap it to the fork tube but it would be about the same as the fender mount I'd imagine. If that one isn't too shaky/wobbly I can try adjusting the angle so you see a little more road and a little less sky.

I have an idea to mount it to the side of the bike behind me on the luggage rack (when the bags aren't on) or on the top of the pannier itself to get it out a little wider. I wasn't able to try those today because I loaned out my truck with the bar mount still attached to the grab rail from the precious attempts... DOH!

[TeXasGiXXer]

I have one of those also. I only used it once and mounted it on my helmet, which took me forever to figure out how to do it. The way it's shown in the picture, I could not do, cause it would not fit. So, I put the elastic strap through my visor and lower half of the helmet and it didn't work all that well so I haven't used it since then. It was too difficult to get the camera straightened out so that I could get a level video. I couldn't find any place to mount it on my bike. I was hoping I could find a way rather than put in on my helmet. Any ideas on how I can do that? I wonder if I could put it on the frame sliders..?

[MACK]

on a good day lets shoot some wild vids...all of us actin up.

[pester]

After reading reviews from local dirt riders, I decided to splurge and buy a waterproof helmet/bar-mounted video camera. It's completely self-contained and requires no cords or cables. It works on SD memory cards and AA batteries.

Oregon Scientific ATC2K Waterproof Action Cam (http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=6&scid=14&pid=709)

I found it on sale at Amazon.com for $83.99, but I've heard better deals can be had if you look around.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/31SWJTJPAEL._SS400_.jpg

So far I've only had the opportunity to mount the camera on the grab rail in my truck with the bar-mount base. There's an alternate base that can be used with any of the included straps - one long one made of rubber to go around a helmet, one long velcro strap, and one smaller velcro strap.

A few minutes of 3090 goodness (man I wish I was on the bike instead of in my truck!)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6010461074168925651&hl=en

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PMKZM6YRL._SS400_.jpg

(Once I get my bike back I want to test the video quality and stabilization with different mounting points on both me and the bike.)

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HVBERJYEL._SS400_.jpg

It's very easy to use, but not all that intuitive with the display options. They're not difficult to understand, just difficult to read. They're tiny and all the way at the edge of the small LCD screen. It takes a little while to get used to how to go through the settings, but then you get the knack for it. It beeps once when you start recording and twice when you stop, so there aren't a lot of fancy beeping collaborations to remember when it's attached to the side of your head.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/316QD274ERL._SS400_.jpg

The camera rotates in a tight ring that is on a clip. The clip slides in and out of either the bar mount base or the alternate base. The rotation seems to be able to handle almost all mounting positions and angles.



The difficult part of setting it up is that there's no viewfinder. When you get it mounted for the first time, you need to shoot quick clips and check them on the computer to know if you're aligned to the road/trail. Once in place, I would imagine the base can remain in place and the camera added or removed as needed without (much) further adjustment.

The technical mumbo jumbo:





I was asked about the resolution options and loss of quality with compression, so I tested the following combinations. Judge for yourself.

It says I'll get about an hour of footage out of a 2Gig SD card, so I might stick with Hi Res and just get more cards to swap out.

Low Res Compressed = 160 x 120
10 sec = 553 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2468598886126014068&hl=en

Low Res Uncompressed = 160 x 120
10 sec = 994 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1320670274836753824&hl=en

Med Res Compressed = 320 x 240
10 sec = 588 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2414678454718045290&hl=en

Med Res Uncompressed = 320 x 240
10 sec = 1436 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7373352569633891925&hl=en

High Res Compressed = 640 x 480
10 sec = 1272 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-931017713724390180&hl=en

High Res Uncompressed = 640 x 480
10 sec = 2962 kb
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5034020026812655833&hl=en


with a 2 gig card how many minutes of recording?

[texlurch]

Mine is similar, but an older version. 2GB gets 90 minutes or so of high res. I just vecro'd the mount on the side of my helmet..

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb23/texlurch/th_337EastPart2.jpg (http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb23/texlurch/?action=view&current=337EastPart2.flv)

[Squeaky]

It was something like 60-90 minutes on a 2G card. I haven't been riding much lately so I haven't had it out.

[XRCajun]

On the helmet and fender there is to much movement. On the bar it was okay but the view was obstructed by the wind screen. If you could mount it in front of the wind screen or on the front cowl that would work best I think.

[Squeaky]

Well, my brake resv. was almost perfect for it. Just caught the edge of my windscreen. Then again, I've got big, wide bars.

[texlurch]

The helmet works, IF you can remember the camera is there...


I forgot how much it was angled in relation to the helmet, so when I look off to the side it tilts up.

I might try side of fairing again; mine was a little loose and there was way too much vibration.

[Squeaky]

Ok, now I've got an itch to try a few more angles. I'm headed out tomorrow, so I might try it mounted on the engine guards and/or the mirror stalk.

[GLD]

I'm so excited. I received one for christmas, can't wait until the next track day.

Keep up the good work guys so I can get the perfect mount after someone has already done all the research!