What's The Best Helmet For Motovlogging?

[Urbaknight]

I mean.. I find it interesting that a forum about motovlogging doesn't have this question already asked, but.. Here goes.. Is it just me or does anyone else here automatically start thinking about mounting points for the camera whenever you see a helmet that you fancy?

I think it'd be interesting to know if anyone's found the best helmet to be motovlogging with, I mean, good solid surfaces to mount the camera the way you like it, low wind noise so the audio doesn't get all wonky, easy and stable mic placement, etc..

Feel free to share your current setup and what you've done to customize it to motovlogging (Hopefully its not too drastic!).

I'll start the ball rolling.

Personally, I use an AGV AX-8 DS for my motovlogging (bitchin helmet!).

As you can see, the GoPro is mounted on the left side of the chin bar with links added to allow it to be extended to the front to give me that chin view.

Thanks to the depression you see up there running all along the chin bar from the front to the back, the flat mount needed some modification to allow it to stick better, so I lined up the flat mount and layered on some 3M double sided tape on the parts that didn't contact the helmet directly. Piled on the layering until the flat mount is connected to the deepest part of the depression by tape. Felt pretty secure. Got the idea from one of the motovloggers I followed on YT. Couldn't remember who, now.

This view shows the difference between the part of the flat mount contacting the helmet directly and the parts that needed the layers of tape added on.

And finally, the camera is offset so the lens is right in the middle of the chin shield.

(Doesn't look that way because the camera isn't in it and its not sitting flush on the shield, but trust me, pretty dead on straight, there. )

The microphone cables are ziptied to the GoPro links to stop them moving around and routed behind my cheekpads (can't be photographed, too deep and dark) where I get the best audio because this helmet can be a little noisy.

So what about you guys? I'd like to hear what helmet/helmets you're currently using/have used for motovlogging.

 

[SwissMotard]

The best helmet is the quietest non-modular helmet available.

I use a Shoei GT-Air but still playing with the mic position. I think having the GoPro chin mounted adds a lot of wind noise that I need to sort out some how.

 

[dandoolittle]

I go by the Sharp System when helmet shopping. The camera stuff is not even important but I see where you're coming from

I've yet to find a lid that can't have some sort of clip/mount

 

[jthomas]

Not many helmets out there that are shaped nicely to fit a camera perfect. Helmet choice should be about fit, comfort and protection. Figure out camera after. We have had mounting cameras in our state become illegal. I found chest mount was more comfortable for me, so I have been lucky and gave up on the precise mounting of my camera.

 

[Urbaknight]

The best helmet is the quietest non-modular helmet available.

I use a Shoei GT-Air but still playing with the mic position. I think having the GoPro chin mounted adds a lot of wind noise that I need to sort out some how.

I agree. A solid chin bar is a must for microphone placement. But that's generally my rule anyway. I'm too scared of the chin locking mechanism failing in a crash. The thought of my chin scraping the pavement is just something I'd rather only see in my thoughts.

Is the mount placed smack in the middle or on the side (and extended forward with links like mine)? I tried vlogging with a side mount but the weight of it on the side and the wind pull at speeds were killing my neck. I'd take whistle over wind drag anyday, mate.

I go by the Sharp System when helmet shopping. The camera stuff is not even important but I see where you're coming from

I've yet to find a lid that can't have some sort of clip/mount

I like the chin view, so after verifying that the helmet has all the necessary safety prerequisites (primary requirement, of course), I try to see if there's a patch of real estate on or near the chin bars for me to mount the flat or curved mounts, but unfortunately a lot of manufacturers like to use that bit to curve or shape the helmet to be more aerodynamic. AGV especially has that hawksbill design that's so aggressive and sexy but that means there's no where to put your mount on your chin.

Not many helmets out there that are shaped nicely to fit a camera perfect. Helmet choice should be about fit, comfort and protection. Figure out camera after. We have had mounting cameras in our state become illegal. I found chest mount was more comfortable for me, so I have been lucky and gave up on the precise mounting of my camera.

What state is that? I haven't seen a lot of motovloggers use the chest mount. Does it not wobble? I'm under the impression that the chest mount will have a bit of give to it (unless its on too tight) that'll translate to shaky footage.

 

[jthomas]

I agree. A solid chin bar is a must for microphone placement. But that's generally my rule anyway. I'm too scared of the chin locking mechanism failing in a crash. The thought of my chin scraping the pavement is just something I'd rather only see in my thoughts.

Is the mount placed smack in the middle or on the side (and extended forward with links like mine)? I tried vlogging with a side mount but the weight of it on the side and the wind pull at speeds were killing my neck. I'd take whistle over wind drag anyday, mate.



I like the chin view, so after verifying that the helmet has all the necessary safety prerequisites (primary requirement, of course), I try to see if there's a patch of real estate on or near the chin bars for me to mount the flat or curved mounts, but unfortunately a lot of manufacturers like to use that bit to curve or shape the helmet to be more aerodynamic. AGV especially has that hawksbill design that's so aggressive and sexy but that means there's no where to put your mount on your chin.



What state is that? I haven't seen a lot of motovloggers use the chest mount. Does it not wobble? I'm under the impression that the chest mount will have a bit of give to it (unless its on too tight) that'll translate to shaky footage.

Im in NSW, Australia. Chest mount for Go Pro has a flat plate attached to a harness. Its comfy compared to when mounting the go pro to the helmet, no wind resistance from turning my head and dont have the weight putting the helmets balance off. Havnt had one shake at all with the chest mount. All my motovlogs have been done from chest mount.

 

[TheDutchTexan]

Any helmet that can fit your mounting device... Which means that pretty much any full face helmet will work depending on your wishes. I would take your mount with you when shopping for a helmet so you can put a camera on there asap!

 

[SwissMotard]

Is the mount placed smack in the middle or on the side (and extended forward with links like mine)? I tried vlogging with a side mount but the weight of it on the side and the wind pull at speeds were killing my neck. I'd take whistle over wind drag anyday, mate.

Dead centre.

 

[AmpdMoto]

HJC helmets typically have a smooth chin area which are perfect for front mounting a gopro. Really any helmet can work camera wise though. I have a Harley modular that I use a chin mount on, and I also have a scorpion exo , and a shark helmet and all have camera mounts. The harley helmet is the only one I chin mount though because I don't want to run the chain around the side on the others.

 

[ChunksLife]

i use a nitro mx650 dvs ion it works realy well for vloging

 

[SighBored]

I have the simple chin mount setup, video on YT.

What I'd like to know is how it feels mounting yours that way, side mounted but routed to the front/chin. One side will obviously feel heavier than the other. Do you feel a lot of wind drag on the side?

Any reason for not just slapping the 3M mount on the chin vent piece? It looks pretty flat, not sure whether the plastic tab might fly off if the camera is attached.

My friend ripped off his chin vent for his HJC RPHA-10+ and covered the vent with the 3M mount, perfectly covered the open vent holes. He didn't actually rip the tab off, he removed it. Can be re-installed if he wanted to.

 

[Urbaknight]

HJC helmets typically have a smooth chin area which are perfect for front mounting a gopro. Really any helmet can work camera wise though. I have a Harley modular that I use a chin mount on, and I also have a scorpion exo , and a shark helmet and all have camera mounts. The harley helmet is the only one I chin mount though because I don't want to run the chain around the side on the others.

I saw the HJCs in another dealer in town while looking for jackets, but by then I had already bought my AGVs and was dead broke. I see what you mean by the chin bar being smooth enough for gopro mounting. That Scorpion Exo though.. That's one sweet looking helmet. Unfortunately I don't think they're available in Malaysia.

i use a nitro mx650 dvs ion it works realy well for vloging

Ah! Another DS Helmet fan. =) I saw the aforementioned helmet. Do you mount it by the side or on the chin bar too like mine?

I have the simple chin mount setup, video on YT.

What I'd like to know is how it feels mounting yours that way, side mounted but routed to the front/chin. One side will obviously feel heavier than the other. Do you feel a lot of wind drag on the side?

Any reason for not just slapping the 3M mount on the chin vent piece? It looks pretty flat, not sure whether the plastic tab might fly off if the camera is attached.

My friend ripped off his chin vent for his HJC RPHA-10+ and covered the vent with the 3M mount, perfectly covered the open vent holes. He didn't actually rip the tab off, he removed it. Can be re-installed if he wanted to.

I'll go look for it. I don't remember seeing that video, though (and I've seen a fair bit of your content, mate. )

I have my gopro mounted on the side with my K3 SV. THAT one pulled my neck down at speeds. Pretty tolerable at low speeds, though, but go anywhere north of 100 and you're just fighting the wind at that point. Mounted the way I illustrated above, the weight is actually towards the middle and downwards (which is pretty manageable. A LOT better than side mounting) and the weight distribution feels pretty natural. You get used to the pulling from your chin after a while. Its more natural to resist on the x-axis than it is for the y. Its also more low profile this way, I don't look like I have a satellite sticking off of the side of my head drawing looks everywhere.

I didn't slap the camera directly on the chin vent shield because that bit can be popped off (and it doesn't require THAT much effort to.). Besides, if I went the way of your friend, I'll likely be sweating buckets more than I already am what with our weather. Haha. I need that vent as unobstructed as possible, man.

 

[ChunksLife]

I saw the HJCs in another dealer in town while looking for jackets, but by then I had already bought my AGVs and was dead broke. I see what you mean by the chin bar being smooth enough for gopro mounting. That Scorpion Exo though.. That's one sweet looking helmet. Unfortunately I don't think they're available in Malaysia.


Ah! Another DS Helmet fan. =) I saw the aforementioned helmet. Do you mount it by the side or on the chin bar too like mine?


I'll go look for it. I don't remember seeing that video, though (and I've seen a fair bit of your content, mate. )

I have my gopro mounted on the side with my K3 SV. THAT one pulled my neck down at speeds. Pretty tolerable at low speeds, though, but go anywhere north of 100 and you're just fighting the wind at that point. Mounted the way I illustrated above, the weight is actually towards the middle and downwards (which is pretty manageable. A LOT better than side mounting) and the weight distribution feels pretty natural. You get used to the pulling from your chin after a while. Its more natural to resist on the x-axis than it is for the y. Its also more low profile this way, I don't look like I have a satellite sticking off of the side of my head drawing looks everywhere.

I didn't slap the camera directly on the chin vent shield because that bit can be popped off (and it doesn't require THAT much effort to.). Besides, if I went the way of your friend, I'll likely be sweating buckets more than I already am what with our weather. Haha. I need that vent as unobstructed as possible, man.

i mount my camera right at the chin and my mic in my cheek pad looking at ur pic my set up is almost identical positioning

 

[Urbaknight]

i mount my camera right at the chin and my mic in my cheek pad looking at ur pic my set up is almost identical positioning

I suspected. Not much choice left is there? haha. Do you tether your goPro to your helmet? You know, just in case the mount fails?

 

[ChunksLife]

yes i have a secondary gopro anchor never has fail on me tho just have it to make shore

 

[SighBored]

I'll go look for it. I don't remember seeing that video, though (and I've seen a fair bit of your content, mate. )

I have my gopro mounted on the side with my K3 SV. THAT one pulled my neck down at speeds. Pretty tolerable at low speeds, though, but go anywhere north of 100 and you're just fighting the wind at that point. Mounted the way I illustrated above, the weight is actually towards the middle and downwards (which is pretty manageable. A LOT better than side mounting) and the weight distribution feels pretty natural. You get used to the pulling from your chin after a while. Its more natural to resist on the x-axis than it is for the y. Its also more low profile this way, I don't look like I have a satellite sticking off of the side of my head drawing looks everywhere.

I didn't slap the camera directly on the chin vent shield because that bit can be popped off (and it doesn't require THAT much effort to.). Besides, if I went the way of your friend, I'll likely be sweating buckets more than I already am what with our weather. Haha. I need that vent as unobstructed as possible, man.

Good to know that routing the camera from the side to the front is better than plain side mounted. Well if you're planning to be doing motovlogs, you want the voice to be as clear as possible, so you'll probably need to shut the chin vent to prevent the air flow from screwing your audio, hence it's to be expected that the chin vent would be sealed/closed.. I'm already pretty much used to having my chin vent fully closed all the time with my balaclava on. Sweat.. Well, this is Malaysia after all.

Thanks for viewing my crap, whereabouts are you located? Maybe can meet-up sometime. RSSR!

 

[Urbaknight]

Good to know that routing the camera from the side to the front is better than plain side mounted. Well if you're planning to be doing motovlogs, you want the voice to be as clear as possible, so you'll probably need to shut the chin vent to prevent the air flow from screwing your audio, hence it's to be expected that the chin vent would be sealed/closed.. I'm already pretty much used to having my chin vent fully closed all the time with my balaclava on. Sweat.. Well, this is Malaysia after all.

Thanks for viewing my crap, whereabouts are you located? Maybe can meet-up sometime. RSSR!

Your stuff's basically the only one we get here man. Haha. =) I'm based in Penang, mate. I would definitely look forward to a TTS with ya. Heh. I'll give you a shout if I ever pop on down KL (vice versa).

 

[SighBored]

Your stuff's basically the only one we get here man. Haha. =) I'm based in Penang, mate. I would definitely look forward to a TTS with ya. Heh. I'll give you a shout if I ever pop on down KL (vice versa).

Oh Penang huh. If I'm heading up there again I'll let you know. And vice versa.

 

[MiGlyRides]

SHOEI Hornet X2, I got it for the helmet & figures out the motovlogging part later, I've added more shit to mine for good reasons though (at least I think they are )

Front view - Going for that teletubby look, Nah I like this look as it has a good view of the road ahead & bike, also around the rider too so I can see Coonts beside me in the video, it also covers the hole that is there from the peak air vent. I have put extra reflective stickers on the front, Back & both sides to try and be a little bit more visible out there at night.

BluTac sealant (tested it is waterproof) for the hole I drilled in the Go-Pro case to fit the USB adapter, This cable has a Mini USB cable input so the Go-Pro never has to leave the housing.

The Mini USB input which I plug an external battery into so I can record until the SD card fills up.. & a Shit load of Gaffa tape to keep all those wires down!

My Mic Placement, Bottom Mic is the SENA 20S top Mic is the Go-Pro, both are the same Mic, it's an excellent placement (for me) except for being able to hear me breath if I go for a walking vlog.

 

[Urbaknight]

SHOEI Hornet X2, I got it for the helmet & figures out the motovlogging part later, I've added more shit to mine for good reasons though (at least I think they are )

Front view - Going for that teletubby look, Nah I like this look as it has a good view of the road ahead & bike, also around the rider too so I can see Coonts beside me in the video, it also covers the hole that is there from the peak air vent. I have put extra reflective stickers on the front, Back & both sides to try and be a little bit more visible out there at night.

BluTac sealant (tested it is waterproof) for the hole I drilled in the Go-Pro case to fit the USB adapter, This cable has a Mini USB cable input so the Go-Pro never has to leave the housing.

The Mini USB input which I plug an external battery into so I can record until the SD card fills up.. & a Shit load of Gaffa tape to keep all those wires down!

My Mic Placement, Bottom Mic is the SENA 20S top Mic is the Go-Pro, both are the same Mic, it's an excellent placement (for me) except for being able to hear me breath if I go for a walking vlog.

Precisely the reply I'm looking for! thanks for the insight, mate! Any issues with drag at speeds with that placement?

P/S: you can actually purchase cheap goPro cases off of eBay with holes already built into them for access to your USB, HDMI and microSD slots. Its a cleaner cut, and you save yourself a perfectly usable goPro case for those underwater moments.

I'm planning on putting bluTac on the cable extremities too.. Just to keep the water out. We'll see!

Oh Penang huh. If I'm heading up there again I'll let you know. And vice versa.

Cheers, man.