JD McCutchen
05-26-2008, 11:54 PM
I just picked up the Panasonic HDC-SD9 which is a SDHC based camcorder which records in High Definition. It weighs in at a whopping 11.7 ounces which includes the battery. It measures 2-1/2"W x 2-1/2"H x 4-3/4"L. It came bundled with a "demo" of Pinnacle Studio 11 Plus. The review say there are issues with the Pinnacle Studio, but once you update the software, the issues are gone.
The nice thing about this camera is even though there is no rear facing viewfinder, it will still record with the side display closed.
I was looking at the following method of mounting it to the bike.
1. http://www.spoiledbiker.com/ramb202.html
a. mounted left of center on the top of the dash
b. this location puts the camera in place for left hand operation
2. http://www.spoiledbiker.com/ramb201.html
a. 3" arm to push the camera back from the windshield
3. http://www.spoiledbiker.com/ramb202au.html
a. mount to secure to the bottom of the video camera
**I have to plug Spoiled Biker as there was an issue with my last order (threaded rod in a RAM Mount was missing - RAM Mount's problem) and SB's customer service was top notch in taking care of the issue. Thanks again Joe.**
The only thing I am unsure of would be the length of the arm. The longer the arm, the more chance of a bump causing extra movement in the camera, pivot point scenario. If the arm is short, one runs the chance of the front of the camera catching some of the wind coming up the underside of the windshield adding a buffeting movement to the camera.
I thought about mounting a dash shelf, but because the light sensor for the Pathblazer is mounted on the dash centerline and slightly forward of the plastic rivets it appears that it would get covered.
The nice thing about this camera is even though there is no rear facing viewfinder, it will still record with the side display closed.
I was looking at the following method of mounting it to the bike.
1. http://www.spoiledbiker.com/ramb202.html
a. mounted left of center on the top of the dash
b. this location puts the camera in place for left hand operation
2. http://www.spoiledbiker.com/ramb201.html
a. 3" arm to push the camera back from the windshield
3. http://www.spoiledbiker.com/ramb202au.html
a. mount to secure to the bottom of the video camera
**I have to plug Spoiled Biker as there was an issue with my last order (threaded rod in a RAM Mount was missing - RAM Mount's problem) and SB's customer service was top notch in taking care of the issue. Thanks again Joe.**
The only thing I am unsure of would be the length of the arm. The longer the arm, the more chance of a bump causing extra movement in the camera, pivot point scenario. If the arm is short, one runs the chance of the front of the camera catching some of the wind coming up the underside of the windshield adding a buffeting movement to the camera.
I thought about mounting a dash shelf, but because the light sensor for the Pathblazer is mounted on the dash centerline and slightly forward of the plastic rivets it appears that it would get covered.