ATC3K Helmet Camera Review

I've been on the hedge for almost a year now on whether to buy an ATC2K, but decided to take the plunge with the 3K.

I'll start with the bad, since they are very few, and easy to forgive.
1)Like everyone else, I will say that the audio quality is poor to useless. Since I'm willing to bet that the majority of things filmed using this camera will be put to music anyway, bad sound is a moot point. I'll need the waterproof capabilies so I don't care about the sound, but if you really feel the need to get good sound, I'd suggest the mods on this website:

http://www.utahtrikes.com/ARTICLE-31.html

UPDATE: Underwater sound is great, and waterproofing is fantastic, as can be seen in the snorkling footage I took: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vssIh9zl0hA

2)No view screen means you're never really sure if you have the picture centered. They're coming out with a ATC5K soon with a screen, but it's almost twice the price. Adjusting the camera along all 3 axis is a snap, so getting close-to-centered shots is almost assured.
3)Field of view is still a bit narrow. I'd suggest turning your head slightly left if there's something over there you'd like to get on film. Same goes for the right. But if you MUST have a wide angle view, see the above link.

Now for the good:
1)It's cheap. Really cheap for a self-contained helmet camera, so the rest of these points are moot.
2)It's truly waterproof. That's way-cool if you do lots of water and snow sports like I do, or just don't want to worry about a rain storm.
3)It's shock resistant. It is sturdy and can take a surprisingly good impact and keep on going. This is important in conjuction with #2 if you ski like I do!
4)It's tiny and light. I've worn helmet cameras that make you feel like a bobble-headed action figure fearing for his life. You won't worry about snapping your neck with this on your head.
5)No wires. 'nuff said there. Also, the mounting attachments ensure you'll be able to schwack this up to just about anything.
6)It uses Flash cards rather than tape or discs. And with 4GB cards, you get two hours of footage. That's A LOT.
7)Downloading the files (recorded in .avi) is so easy that you can do it while driving yourself to the hospital to show the doctors why you've come to see them.
Final word: more testing is needed. It's not super-quality and should not replace your high-end video camera, but I'm already confident that I'll get more than my money's worth out of this camera. Buy one and have fun.

Further test video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfMX1iRiLpI

And another video of edited footage to music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpk4NPZKfFk

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ATC3K
• Helmet
• Camera
• Rowing

[BlairHerring]

i do Parkour so i was wondering if this can be strapped on to a head with a band or is it only attachable to a helmet?

[LV2PLA]

This actually comes with an elastic type band that you can strap to your head - it's what I used to take it water skiing. I've bought a new camera - GoPro Hero Wide - and find it far superior in video quality, weight, ease of use, etc. The GoPro needs to be attached to a helmet though, so you might have to go with the ATC3K.

Honestly? I'd suggest not buying the ATC3K - there are newer cameras out there that are better!

[hse97]

can i hook this up to my paintball mask and record paintball or is it to fragile that it cant be shot

[LV2PLA]

You should have no problem with it getting popped with a paintball. It is very sturdy as far as I've found. I've dropped it on concrete, wrecked skiing with it on my head (hurt me more than camera), and it still keeps going.

[rockthe4grand]

I'm looking into getting something like this, but I would quite like some sound and as you said, it isn't brilliant. I have noticed on most of the ATC2K videos that its sound seems to be much better than the ATC3K...does anyone have any suggestions to what I should get. I would be using it on my RS 800 sailing Dinghy and possible on our Local RNLI inshore lifeboat, so sound would be nice on the latter. Thanks

[LV2PLA]

Just as windsurfmonkey said: I think the Tachyon XC might be better. I just got back from a snorkling trip in the Islands, and was totally shocked - the sounds recorded underwater were 100% perfect! Sounds recorded NOT-underwater still kind of disappoint.

Not one single issue regarding waterproof - down to 20+ feet of depth.

Final word: both are cheap, but I think the XC is just a little better than the ATC3K.

Good luck!

[01235813213455]

my god....poor sound??

sound's like grinding an alive pig......

[TheFreerun4life]

@BlairHerring i parkour all the time and thts what im lookn for!

[johnomi]

I've been on my hedge too, good video. lol!

[simon44]

Perfect review. Thanks

[SuperDwang]

@01235813213455 for whats it worth i think its pretty good

[snowboard1598]

i have this same helmet cam and i think the sound quality is horrible. even the video quality is real bad. it is also real shaky. it was a wast of my money