slowjoe

I realise there is no one perfect camera helmet what I'm really trying to find out is what people are using, for what specific camera work and why they have chosen the helmet they use picture someone with spare time on their hands and the ability to manufacture in composite materials, add in an interest in skydiving and camera work, and I think you can see where I'm going with this..

What is/would be the 'perfect' camera helmet? (or at least the 'perfect' helmet for your camera/s and type of use) In particular, I would like to know what you (experienced camera flyers and anyone who's looking at buying a camera helmet soon) consider important when looking for a camera helmet. I have listed some items below and would appreciate opinions on any or all of them, specifically, what you like, what you don't like and reasons why: - camera position, i.e. top-mount, side-mount, both - mounting platforms/areas - helmet securing system, i.e. hinged flap, chinstrap/cup etc. - ring sight mounting (would you want a low-profile integrated sight mounting?) - internal wiring for cam-eye, bite-switches, etc. - helmet weight - impact protection - fit - sizes offered - external size - cut-away system - helmet material, i.e. carbon fibre, glass fibre or plastic - liner and liner material - cost - waiting time, from order to delivery - paintjob - custom options - drogue chutes (presumably so the helmet doesn't kill anything too big if you cut it away) - a nice flat bit you can put the helmet down on - camera helmet related incidents that have determined things you now look for in a helmet - anything else I missed let rip with that barrage of opinions thanks

reminds me of one of the funniest days I've ever had, when I did the cyclotourist Ronde Van Vlaanderen in 2001....

just wondering if there's many skydivers that do not drink (alcohol).. and if the people at their local DZ also think they're strange because of this.. and if it annoys them that people still expect them to buy beer for everyone else.. ' as jy dom is, moet jy kak.. '

Being new to skydiving, but having some experience with other activities that require helmet cameras to be video'd, I have noticed a disparity in the approaches. Namely, skydivers tend to mount the whole camcorder on their helmets, where-as other sports such as mountainbiking, motorcycling and snowboarding use small, 'lipstick' cameras (Sony makes quite a few, they are really just CCD cameras that output a analog video signal, normally sealed in a waterproof housing) on the helmets, with small cables for video feed and power leading to a practical place for a camcorder, usually a backpack etc. . This kind of setup would seem very suited to sky-diving for a couple of reasons: -the cameras are really small, therefore they can be mounted to catch very little wind and be almost snag-proof -the bulkier and heavier (than the small camera) camcorder can be placed elsewhere on the skydiver, creating less strain on neck and affecting balance less -the mic can be placed anywhere (i.e. in-helmet for commentary if you have a full-face that seals real well) -with DV and a good camera, they don't seem to mean any loss in picture quality and they do have a variety of available lenses. I can't see any drawbacks for these cameras in a skydiving application and they're not even very expensive (about $120-$200). So my question: why have I not seen (or read, or heard about) any skydivers using these? please solve this mystery for me, thanks