DIY: Cheap in-car camera mount
 

*UPDATE*
I finally decided to update this post with a video of the typical performance for HPDE's. Notice, no annoying clicking at all.


So, I was running low on funds for my HPDE, but I wanted to at least tape SOME of my sessions with my cheap point and shoot. Did a little searching, and decided to make my own in-car mount. Now, Im also using the base from my current Tripod, which makes things easy for me - you will need to customize this to suit you.

First thing first, things I used:

http://images53.fotki.com/v421/photo...MG_0555-vi.jpg

- 3' x 3/4" square tube ($10 or so)
- 3x U-Bolts with the plates and nuts (all of which came together when you bought one...)
- 6x locking washers for your U-bolts
- 3/4" x ~4" bolt (not sure on the PRECISE length off hand)
- 3/4" wing nuts (for the long bolt)
- At least three 3/4" washers

First, I went and measured dimensions for the actual posts. I was ORIGINALLY intending to have u-bolts wrapped around each headrest post, but it turns out that the distance between the 2 farthest posts is exactly 36" lol. So, I compromised, and decided to go with 2 posts on the passenger side, and 1 on the driver side.

http://images51.fotki.com/v748/photo...ensions-vi.jpg

I started by cutting off ~2" worth of wooden dowel, and drilling a 3/4" hole through the center:
http://images53.fotki.com/v421/photo...MG_0556-vi.jpg

I then started using painters tape and a pen to mark where the head rest posts were, and then using the u-bolts themselves, I marked where I'd need to put holes through the aluminum.
http://images53.fotki.com/v421/photo...MG_0558-vi.jpg

Once done drilling all the holes for the u-bolts, I then turned the rod 90 degrees, and put a hole exactly halfway between the inside passenger side u-bolt holes, and the driver side u-bolt holes.
http://images36.fotki.com/v1156/phot...MG_0559-vi.jpg

Finally, I began assembling the important part - the mount. I slid one 3/4" washer over my long bolt, and put it through that center hole. Then, I put the dowel over that. I then put one more 3/4" washer at the top, with a wingnut to cap it off. I originally felt this would make for easy removal/installation of the mount, but sadly it looks like I'll need a wrench no matter what just to get it tight enough. Also, It turned out that the 3/4" dowel was slightly too small for my mount, and the 7/8" was too big...so I need to wedge something over the dowel that will make for a tight fit for the head.
http://images52.fotki.com/v737/photo...MG_0560-vi.jpg

When all was said and done, you're left with this:
http://images52.fotki.com/v644/photo...MG_0564-vi.jpg

Youtube sadly compressed the **** out of this video, gotta figure out how to fix that.


Things I'm going to do to make it better: use those 3/4" wingnuts on the u-bolts themselves - that will make not only the bar much easier to remove, but easier to ensure its actually tight. Also, its getting a nice coat of paint here tomorrow, seeing as the sun was going down just as I finished it. Also, the video was a VERY dry run - I slapped it into the car as quick as possible before it got too dark. Lots of rattling, which I know the problem (base was hitting the wingnut on the dowel), and I know the actual base wasnt even tight on the dowel yet.

Other than that, I made a perfectly good camera mount and it maybe cost me $25 total, including the $6 paint lol. Your results will vary if you dont have a mount that you could put onto a dowel - I'll leave that up to you to figure out, but an "easy" solution would be to simply put a bolt through the center hole the same size as needed for the camera. Only downside is, it'll be facing up in the air. I wanted adjust-ability.

Very creative, well thought out!:tiphat:

Necessity is the Mother of invention. Well done!

Painted it up today. Better pictures tomorrow, and maybe a better video.

Looks good. Gonna take that idea and run with it a bit. Thanks!

Great idea and work! I'm going to do this idea too. I'm thinking some plastic dip on the u-bolts to minimize marring and vibration.

Thanks!

Thanks, the mount worked fantastic at my TrackDaze event (as you saw from the carnage Im sure). There was absolutely no vibration noise once I tightened the bolts properly - my install for the test video in here was very temporary due to lack of time - sun was dropping fast!

Feel free to leave some rep if you make it and it works out :)

nice work Bobo :tup:

Thanks - and I just realized, I never did get a good picture of it in painted form. Its sitting inside the car at the repair shop right now still, so I'll snap a shot or two once she returns home :)

Please do. I'm looking for a good (cheap) camera mount for a while. Thanks for the DIY :tup:

wow Mad nice!

You sure that rattling isnt the U-bolts on the headrest posts? I was thinking you can get like a little rubber bushing to put on the posts to mount it around so you can eliminate the metal on metal contact.

You guys are killing me lol.

OK, I'll say again - when I installed the mount for the example video above, the noise was mainly due to the fact that I did NOT tighten down the u-bolts enough, due to quickly fading daylight.

Now, Im not saying that there isnt SOME rattle when I tighten them completely, but the VAST majority of the noises in the video are due to two things:
1) Loose u-bolts
2) Loose camera mount on the wooden dowel, so it was knocking against the wing nut at the top anytime I'd hit a bump.

I will record another example when I pick the car up from the body shop on the way home.

nice DIY, 2 snaps up!

:ohsnap1::ohsnap1:

how come its at the body shop or did i miss that part?