camcorder hunting

[martineta]

Does anybody here use a camcorder mounted to their rifle? I want to try but have zero experience with mounting options, barrel, scope, or sling swivel stud? Any particular brand of camcorder that holds up better than the rest and which brand to avoid? Thanks for the help.

[cpd23]

Most cams will not stand up to the recoil of the rifle. Hat or helmet cam will do a good job for you. I have used these cams and had really good luck with them. LINK (http://www.epicstealthcam.com/)

[martineta]

Thanks for the link. Do you use the screw to the tree mounting device I saw in their accessories section? I think that would work for me as I do most of my hunting from tree stands.

Ignorant to this sort of technology that I am, I was hoping there was a strong gun mountable camera out there. Cabelas does sell a mounting device for camcorders to be mounted directly to your gun so I assumed there is some camera out there that can stand the pounding. Besides rifle hunting, I was hoping to be able to use one with a shotgun to film bird and duck hunting at my lodge in Uruguay.

[martineta]

Bushnell 73 7000 5X rifle scope video recorder. It mounts right on to the scope. According to Bushnell, the camera can withstand recoil up to 375 H&H or 12 gauge with no problems.

7 reviews in Optics planet give it mainly 4 out of 5 stars. One guy hated it.

Negatives were not very good video quality in low light so most of my deer hunting plans would not be met with this camera.

other negative was past 50 yards not good video quality.

These two issues are two deal breakers so the search goes on. I really want to find something I can reliable mount on my rifle or shotgun.

I would think a pretty significant market would exist for such a camera.

[Alleycat]

Cameras are out there, but the issue with gun mounted cameras is that they make the viewer vomit if you have the power dialed up. I use a tree mount and a regular video camera. I have thought about getting a gun mount so that I can show a split screen.
http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4648

[martineta]

Cameras are out there, but the issue with gun mounted cameras is that they make the viewer vomit if you have the power dialed up. I use a tree mount and a regular video camera. I have thought about getting a gun mount so that I can show a split screen.
http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4648

Now that would be pretty darn slick. Thanks for the advice.

[LouBoyd]

You might consider the Elcan DgitalHunter or DightalHunter day night. One of it's settings records an mpeg video for five seconds before and affter a shot is fired The video shows the same view as the riflescope's screen.

What it is:
automatic video camera selectable, recoil or manual triggered. still camera selectable (higher res) 3megapixel CCD
Riflescope with setable and selectable software reticles.
BDC setable to match ammo ballistics.
Twilight/moonlight passive. (about like dark adapted eye).
Night scope with active IR . Range dependent on IR source.
Sensitivity auto adjusts.
No parallax problem (true for most NV scopes)
Picatinny rail mount.

What it isn't.
No built in laser rangefinder (though the reticle can be set up to work like a mil-dot rangefinder.
no built in inclinometer.
No built in wind measurement (though windage can be entered into the reticle.

[martineta]

That is one sweet scope. I have a year round damage permit to shoot deer off my brother's place. Permit even allows night hunting. This scope would be pretty slick used day or night. Thanks.

[BWE Firearms]

I am currently looking for a video camera to use when I shoot the subgun matches. With the gun mounted cameras most of the time all you see is the dirt as the shooter runs between shoot boxes. I am thinking some kind of head mount so the camera will shoot what I am seeing. If anyone knows of something decent let me know.

[LouBoyd]

. I am thinking some kind of head mount so the camera will shoot what I am seeing. If anyone knows of something decent let me know.
Look for the cameras which are used by sky divers and cycle riders. They're just a small ccd color cameras mounted on the helmet and a solid state DVR in a shirt pocket. Quality is standard NTSC video with auto exposure (not night vision). They're fairly cheap, about $100 each for the camera and the DVR. They're very rugged with no moving parts. It will show wherever your head is pointed. I don't know of any civilian eye trakers such are used in military aircraft.

A motorcycle helmet plus earplugs gives bettter hearing protection than earmuff style protectors, especially with the clear plastic faceplate. I've used it with my Pauza 50 BMG Carbine. Cameras on helmets stay in place well.

[martineta]

Earlier in this thread there is a link to Epic action video cam like what Louboyd is talking about. I don't know how it would stay pointing down range while you are peering thru a scope but the same company sells a bunch of different mounting devises to use in lots of senarios. The screw into a tree or wooden permanent tree stand would work for me.

[LouBoyd]

Cameras are out there, but the issue with gun mounted cameras is that they make the viewer vomit if you have the power dialed up. I use a tree mount and a regular video camera. I have thought about getting a gun mount so that I can show a split screen.
http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4648

Cameras on guns can be used in several ways.
1. Just to record what goes on in front of the gun while using the guns non-video sights.
2. Camera mounted on the firearm with an LCD screen mounted on the firearm too. With an IR illuminator this can also work as a night vision sight too.
3. Camera and display mounted on a helmet. Helmet may have an IR illuminator. Gun carries an IR illuminator and dot pointer. You need line of sight to the target, but the the gun does not have to be aligend with the eye to shoot.
4. Camera mounted on the firearm, Display mounted on the helmet (one eye overlay, possibly semi-transparent). The shooter sees what's in front of the camera. Shooter can aim around corners and reamain behind cover. The gun carries an IR illuminatar and (maybe) a dot pointer. It is difficult to maneuver in clutter if the only vision is though a camera not located near one's eye.

There are many variants of combinations of CCD, bolometer, and Intensifer technology. CCD's are by far the least expensive.

As to videos making you vomit, no one is forcing you to shoot deer or to watch. Tou probalby shouldn't show your dinner guests the videos right after you've served them veneson.