ION AIR PRO wind noise problems and mods

[sjbali]

Hi there

as many of you, i have a problem.

I am using the ION AIR PRO at the moment and its the WIFI version which doesn't have an external mic connection.

On the ION's the mic is positioned on the very end right after the mount.

I tried quite a lot things and just recently got my wind-cutter. It did get a little better but still far from acceptable.

After playing much around, i wonder if its my helmet or me

I just ordered this here below and planning to put the whole camera inside the puffy thing.

Anyone else got and ION AIR Camera here? I understand the contours are similar problematic. I did see the mod to put an external mic, however the ION is waterproof and i really dont want to mess with that.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Here the latest DO with wind noise of course

 

[sjbali]

I really wonder if its my helmet!?! I tried out several positions and dont have that much wind noise as i have on the helmet mount... any ideas?

 

[CBRHoonigan]

My helmet with the visor in a certain position makes the air turbulance worse so making the sound worse, but after i got a external mic it cured it all

 

[sjbali]

Thanks for that mate, yeah i figured that only can be it, i will be moving the camera around and see if i find another position.

This model of the ION hasn't gotten an external mic jack, and since it is waterproof i really dont want to open it to put one in.
I actually quite like the ION's they look somewhat better on the helmet, well until i gets it covered with the fluffy thing

I just can't see me drilling a hole into the camera for a external mic

 

[tims]

Hiya.
I have the same problem. Driving me barmy.
Where did you find the hardware mod for the AirPro? Ive been Googling for ages but cant it anywhere.
Thanks,
Tim

 

[sjbali]

Hi Tim, it really does!

Well, i was emailing ION several times but haven't gotten any reply.

So, i was googling and saw that the contour models have the same problem. I ended up ordering the windcutter for the contour
from windcutter.com. Which works ok for speeds below 40k.

I do know, that they would make one for the ION if you email them all details, but i haven't done this yet.

Next step was ordering the little fluffy dead animal shown above over ebay, i ordered two sizes and planning to
put the whole camera in them to see if it makes any difference.

Last resort would be, to open up the camera and soldering a cable in for an external mic jack, but this is something i really dont wanna do on a 300+$ camera which is waterproof.

The newer models come with a external mic jack, but you have to leave the little lid on the backside open, which make the camera not water tight anymore.

I figured, in the middle of the camera, where the blue casing meets the camera body, are tiny open spaces and i wonder if the wind gets
trapped inside there and generates the noise.

Once i get the fluffy condoms i will post it here, unfortunately since i am a long way from anything it will take some time.

I dont know where are located, maybe there is something else you could try.
The deadcat.com seems to be worth to give a shot.

Cheers

 

[tims]

Thanks Sjbali.

I'm curious about the hardware modification to solder on a mic socket. Have you got a link to the details you found?

Cheers!
Tim

 

[tims]

Love your videos BTW. Completely different to riding in the UK!
Monkeys! hahaha!

 

[sjbali]

hmm no, basically i would just open up the camera, take out the original mic.

Buy a 3.5mm headphone jack with cable ( female part stereo ) and solder that in.
( you even can buy a cheap 3.5mm headphone extension which come with the male and female
part and cut the cable of on the male part side )

On that then you can connect any 3.5mm stereo microphone.

Basically just as they did for the contour models

 

[sjbali]

thank you! Much appreciated!

Well it is indeed and took a lot of time to adjust

 

[sjbali]

Hi Tim,

so i was playing around yesterday on my way home.

What i actually did was, taking my samsung phone by using the build in audio recorder and put the phone in the jacket.
I haven't actually made the sync yet, but the audio is pretty decent.

All you need to do is once done, to sync the video and audio and strip out the original audio from the camera.

I will play a bit and see how it works out and maybe make a video to compare.

Maybe this is something which works for you, still better as opening up the camera!

 

[sjbali]

Hi Tim,

i finally figured it out!!!!

 

[sj1ny]

I have the ION Air Pro first generation and the wind noise is horrible. I came across the Garmin VIRB Mic Adapter that plugs into the usb charging port. Will this work on the ION its the same size plug so it will attaxh but will the external Mic work even though it was made for Garmin?