So just why are progressive shift lights so popular? Do you really need a light to tell you when to Shift? Mix the sound of your engine with those nearby, together with a dose of red mist, and you may be surprised at what actually happens. Drivers that use progressive shift lights don’t tend to talk about what gives them a competitive advantage. It’s all about consistency, reference points and visual focus.
A progressive display gives you engine RPM in your peripheral vision, so you keep your sight uninterrupted and on the job. Importantly, you can use it to show only the RPM range you want to know. It’s quite a distinction from a single purpose ordinary shift light, which in comparison is more of a panic light. A progressive display provides an expectation as the shift point approaches, leading to a smooth anticipated gear change. Once a familiar item, the sub-conscious takes over the task and reduces driver workload.
They also serve as a very useful reference. For circuit work, it provides an easy RPM reference for corner entry and exit. This is a good gauge for pace (particularly when fatigue sets in), as well as for testing different lines through corners. Get familiar with new tracks using it as a reference, while avoiding the limiter. Manage fuel consumption with short shifting. Use for staging RPM and optimum take offs. When you achieve consistency, dialing in race setups can become quicker and more accurate.
Ecliptech manufacture a quality progressive shift light in Australia. A tidy solution with well refined features and attention to detail. It has a solid background in being used across a wide range of makes/models. Runs from a digital tacho signal, ignition output or low side of the coil connection.
The terrific folks at Launch Helmet Cams have put together an awesome onboard camera bundle specifically for iRace.
The bundle consists of:
Drift Innovations HD170 Camera
Rugged Roll Bar Mount
16GB SD Memory Card
The camera is one of the best on the market, check out the details here, and look for a full review on the iRace site soon! The roll bar mount is very strong and has been used to excellent effect by the iRace team in filming a bunch of footage this year. And the 16GB card is big enough to hold between 3 and 4 hours of footage between downloads.
The Launch Helmet Cams iRacer package is available for just $449 - head to the Launch site and let them know you're after this package. This is a great deal - a perfect Christmas gift, or something to get yourself to celebrate a great racing season.
The sixth round of the 2010 Independent Race Series saw the introduction of some exciting new racecars. The Oz Trucks are fast, they look good, and as you are about to find out they are affordable to buy and most importantly, affordable to run.
The Oz Truck concept has been developed by Greg McIntyre and Graham Struber. They have put a significant amount of thought into the cost associated with running racecars, and the Oz Truck concept has grown from that thought.
The cars have been declared eligible for the McHitch Touring Car Challenge on an ongoing basis, and with Queensland Raceway laptimes comparable to the ex-V8 Supercars that have raced in the Touring Car Challenge, it should prove to be a great match.
To catch you up on all the details of Oz Truck, we'll let Greg and Graham pick up the story:
Oz Truck Stock Car Racing was founded in 2009 by Greg McIntyre and Graham Struber, two race mechanics who spent the preceding three years working together in the V8 Supercar series. We had been working for other team owners in both the Development Series and the V8 Supercar Championship Series and decided to explore running a car ourselves in the Development Series for the first Townsville Round in 2009. As Australia was becoming effected by the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), we found that drivers were struggling to find funding to run in the Development Series. It seemed they were either able to find only part of a running budget but could not cover potential crash damage, or they may have been able to sign a crash guarantee but could not cover the running expenses. It seemed the challenge was finding a sponsor to see the value in sponsoring a car at that price level.
It was then that our thoughts were confirmed that the feeder categories to professional motorsport in Australia had become far too expensive for the majority of up and coming drivers to enter, with only the privileged few able to indulge in the sustained spending of large amounts of money year after year until they reached a high enough standard where they slotted into a professional team if there happened to be a spot available. If drivers can’t afford the ongoing cost of maintaining and repairing their cars then the quality of racing will suffer. We realised that Australia needed a professionally run and presented category with lower cost to enter into, lower running costs with cars that are cheap to maintain and repair.
Around this time we started looking farther afield to what other categories were available in other parts of the world and found that the NASCAR style trucks running in several state based oval series in the USA seemed to be thriving. We started talking with a test and development driver who was driving for a race truck manufacturer on a circuit racing specific prototype truck that was being developed by a new partner in their business. We started talking about specifications and pricing and sounding out some people in Australia who we thought may be interested in what we were up to. It was then that Wayne Miles, a Speedway Super Sedan driver from Cairns became interested, asking “how do I get a drive in one of those?” We then made an enquiry about having a run in the trucks in the USA and arranged for Wayne, his wife Di and ourselves to take a trip to the USA in October 2009 to spend a weekend testing some trucks. We were able to test 3 different trucks with 3 different engine/gearbox combinations allowing us to pick the driveline package best suited to the Australian spec truck. We spent some time at the factory running through more details, setting up one of their trucks, met with their engine builder to run through the engine specifications, made contacts with the safety equipment suppliers, tyre suppliers, freight forwarders and completed all the things that would have been difficult to do from Australia. We then returned home and spent the next 3 months working through an exclusive agreement to distribute the trucks in Australia and New Zealand. Wayne absolutely loved driving the trucks in the USA and immediately placed an order for the first truck, as part of our agreement we ordered a second truck to keep as stock in Australia as well as a range of essential spares, consumables including slick and wet tyres to service the first two trucks for the first six months or so.
Initially the biggest challenge with running the trucks in Australia was fuel. In the USA the trucks run on a 110 octane leaded racing fuel, which would have cost over $5 per litre in Australia and really blow out the running cost. Graham had some discussions with Jim VanGordon the engine supplier and it was decided to look at the E85 Ethanol blend fuel. This was all new to the yanks but we knew only too well that converting to this less expensive and more readily available fuel could only be a good thing. We did our research on the local E85 suppliers and got to know Brett Thompson from Fuel control, Brett was only too helpful when it came to providing us with information on E85. The E85 from Fuel Control was available at a good price and they already had some runs on the board in supplying V8 Supercars with the same E85 for the previous season. We then had Jim VanGordon test some of the USA E85 on one of the engines to choose the correct carburettor and fuel system requirements. We opted for a larger fuel cell to accommodate the increased fuel consumption of Ethanol blend fuels. Jim's feedback on the E85 was very encouraging, the engine made more power, burnt cleaner and even with the increased fuel consumption the dollars per lap was reduced to around two thirds of the running costs of the leaded fuel with the benefits of being nicer to work around and making our class of racing more sustainable environmentally.
The trucks have only been in the country for a short while, we have completed a shakedown session for both trucks at Lakeside Raceway. Wayne's truck has also completed some test days at Queensland Raceway and at Paul Morris's facility at Norwell, with several professional drivers behind the wheel turning lap times in the low 1 min 15 seconds, around 3-4 seconds off current V8 Supercar lap times. We recently ran the 2nd truck at the Shannons Sports and Muscle Car Spectacular at Queensland Raceway so that potential customers could see the truck in action and the response from current and past racers was phenomenal. It seems everyone loves the look of the trucks, they sound unbelievable and look tidy on the track whilst running very competitive lap times. We have not received any negative response to the pricing with everyone surprised at the low cost for a brand new, turnkey 500+h.p. 1200kg race car.
What are they? An Oz Truck is based upon a Mild Steel space frame seamless tube chassis. The chassis is very similar to a Trans-Am/Sports Sedan, it is a straight rail chassis; the rails run under the diff for simplicity. It features a double wishbone front suspension, 3 link rear end with non adjustable but re-valveable coil over shocks front and rear, the rear end is a bullet-proof full floating, non-cambered Winters 9” with full spool and nodular iron centre. The engine and gearbox sit centrally and at the front giving easy access for maintenance. The body is fibreglass with a beautiful gelcoat finish meaning painting is not necessary, just add vinyl graphics and sponsors decals. The other benefit to this is that racers don’t have to carry their own spares, they can simply carry a spare sticker kit and buy panels from Oz Truck at the track to add their own stickers when fitting. There are no opening doors to replace and no expensive headlight or taillight assemblies, only stickers for aesthetics.
The engine is a carburettored 520 HP spec engine taken from an ARCA series where they run the previous seasons NASCAR Sprint Cup cars. It is a wet sump, hydraulic engine meaning no adjusting tappets, it features a fully self-contained Mallory ignition system with programmable rev limit set well below its capability at only 6400rpm. This ignition system is built specifically for this engine and is only available to VanGordon Racing Engines. The engine is mated to a T101-A, 4 Speed Dog Box as per NASCAR via a Quarter Master reverse mount starter bellhousing and clutch. The radiator is mounted at the rear in the pick-up bed for protection against crash damage and also contributes to the excellent 53% rear weight bias.
The secret to the low cost of chassis components is that the chassis is designed around off the shelf components, not custom machined high end parts as found on most open wheelers and V8 Supercars. For example, if the truck hits a wall and takes off a front corner the components that will normally require replacing are the Top Arm ($115), Steering Tie Rod ($100) and the Caster Rod ($120) that’s a total of only $335 per corner! If the front Grill/Bumper section is damaged beyond repair then it would be $595 for a replacement. These things are cheap to repair because they are a well thought out design, not sophisticated, but engineered to be raced hard and repaired for very little cost. There is no excuse for not having a dive up the inside of someone in one of these.
We have been very careful to spec the trucks so that they can be run with only the driver and one other person at the track, we have fitted remote adjusters on both the panhard bar for rear roll centre changes and the top arm on the rear end for instant centre adjustments, the reason being we want people to be able to make adjustments to the truck during a practice session without having to jack the truck up.
The other requirement we had was the trucks had to be able to be maintained in a garage with simple tools, without needing a hoist or special pneumatic equipment, just a trolley jack and four jack stands. To achieve this we have stuck with the single seat layout, this allows the rear of the engine, electrical system, exhaust, gearbox and tail shaft to be accessed through the removable tinwork on the passenger side of the drivers compartment, in fact with this tinwork removed and the single piece hood comprising the bonnet and front guards removed it is easier than working on an open wheel race car allowing all components to be easily accessed. We expect engine life to be such that racers should not need to own their own engine hoist, any gearbox removals and clutch maintenance can be done from the passenger compartment such is the ease of access on a vehicle without a production car style floorpan.
Oz Trucks Future Oz Trucks mission is “To create the most diverse yet committed group of racers in the country running in the most cost effective yet exciting class of racing ever to come to Australia and New Zealand. To be the race series of choice for racers and fans alike.”
The series will be structured so that all competitors and Oz Truck have a voting right, in both the direction of the category and specifications of the truck. If competitors decide a component of the trucks is limiting the performance of the trucks relative to the overall performance or is affecting the quality of the racing and they have a majority vote on upgrading that component, Oz Truck will research and develop a suitable upgrade or source a suitable replacement component in response, the competitors will then take a vote on whether or not to proceed with specifying the new component in the rules. The same with the future of the category. If an opportunity presents itself for the trucks to run at a new venue or event, Oz Truck will research the pros and cons of such a move, present this to the racers as an option to be voted upon and if the majority decide this is the direction the category should take then so be it.
The series will be controlled as a spec class. The engine is sealed by VanGordon Racing Engine in the U.S.A, Oz Truck have appointed Steve and John Murphy at M & R Performance as the authorised engine builders in Australia. M & R will complete any re-sealing or inspections required and will work with VanGorgon Racing on any issues that may arise. The critical chassis components have been identified with tamper evident stickers to protect racers from costs getting out of control through the development of suspension components that will give those with large budgets or special resources at their disposal an advantage over others. To look at a possible example: front uprights, if someone decided they wanted to develop their own upright with unique front end geometry, this would give them an obvious advantage over someone without the resources or budget to do so, this would mean costs would blow out for everyone without any gain in the quality of the racing. This is why the components are controlled and marked. We have been very careful to price all components so that there is no need for racers to look at other suppliers due to running cost, to try and cheat the system, this means that even with simple components such as trailing arms, control arms etc. racers can be assured they are all coming from the same supplier and therefore no advantage has been gained.
We are aiming to have a field of trucks on the grid for season 2011 and judging by the response we have received so far we are well on track. We will initially be running the trucks under the AASA at Queensland Raceway and Lakeside, plus Morgan Park at the iRace meeting. The series will be Queensland based with the possibility of adding an interstate round if that is what the racers indicate they would like to do. Beyond this we aim to introduce the same concept to a 2nd Australian state and to New Zealand should it prove viable to do so.
All in all the timing couldn’t have been better really as we got to talk with the guys in the USA during the trucks development, the AASA is well established in Australia, Rod Dale from iRace has provided us with an option to run at extra tracks and with the GFC of recent times people are looking at an alternative category to what is currently available where for many the running costs are unsustainable.
We are very excited with where we are at right now and the momentum that Oz Truck is gaining, we can’t wait to see a field of trucks out there with everyone have a real go as we know they will.
The trucks retail at $69.000 USD, this includes a driver seat fitting and shake down session at the track, more information can be found at www.oztruck.com including pricing of all components and consumables for racers to estimate their running costs. There is also a registration form to join our mailing list for news and updates. We are currently talking with potential customers racing in other categories as well as people who have had a break from racing and are looking at re-entering circuit racing through Oz Truck, plus a large amount of interest from Speedway racers looking at entering circuit racing through Oz Truck as Wayne Miles has done. We would also like to hear from any businesses that may like to become involved either through series sponsorship or who may be looking at supporting an individual driver in a new and exciting race series that will attract attention by default.
Motor racing is one of those things that is hard to describe in a movie or television show. Those who compete know what it feels like to succeed and they know the pain of failure. Sometimes it can be difficult to put into words or explain, and there are only a few films that help.
One great classic is Grand Prix. This movie doesn't have the most complex story line, but does feature some amazing (especially for it's time) race footage.
Another is Le Mans. Le Mans features a little more analysis of the driver, and what makes a (stereotypical) racer tick.
Love the Beast is a more recent film by Australian Eric Bana. It follows Bana's development of a racecar for Targa Tasmania, and his competition in the event. Woven within the story is the real theme of the movie - how motorsport can generate and strengthen mateships that transcend everyday life. The movie also works in interviews with Jeremy Clarkson and Jay Leno, known car nuts.
Onboard cameras are a great tool, and the recent explosion in affordable high quality cameras has meant that an onboard camera is a viable proposition for most racers. Get yourself a camera, and pretty soon you'll have a load of great footage. But what do you do with it? We recommend the great video sharing site Vimeo, but first you'll probably want to do some editing.
Which is where this tutorial comes in. After using a small selection of video editing tools, we've found that one of the simplest and fastest solutions is Quicktime Pro. This program is available from Apple, and comes in Mac and Windows PC compatible versions. There are loads of video editing programs available (and certainly others with loads more features), but we haven't found any that match Quicktime Pro for speed and simplicity (sometimes all those extra features just add complexity and make a program harder to use). Quicktime Pro allows you to select certain sections from your source videos and combine them into one or more edited videos. You can add MP3 soundtracks, and also create videos from the Time Lapse feature of some onboard cameras. Quicktime Pro also allows you to compress your video file so it is quicker to upload to the internet.
The best way to get familiar with the features and how to use Quicktime Pro is by seeing it done, so without further ado, here is a video tutorial:
The video goes into recommended export settings. To save you needing to watch the video each time you want to remember the settings, they are as follows:
Select Movie-to-MPEG4, then under "Options":
File Format: "MP4"
Video Format: "H.264"
Data Rate: choose between 2000 kbits/sec and 5000 kbits/sec
There are many more options for video editing, and if you have one your prefer, we'd love to hear from you, and perhaps you could submit a tutorial for this page.
The VHoldR ContourHD is a versatile and easy-to-use video recording system.
We tested a unit at Round 2 at Morgan Park, onboard Richard Mork's Honda Integra in Super Hoist Plus Production Racing Cars. The results were very good (and can be seen at onboard.irace.net.au), a full review follows.
What's in the box?
The ContourHD arrives in an attractive display case. Inside the standard package you get:
Contour HD Camera unit
MicroSD Card (2GB)
Goggle Mount
Flat Surface Mount
Rechargeable Battery
USB Cable
Setting Up
Setting the camera up to record is extremely straightforward.
The back cover of the camera opens by sliding to one side, and then folding open. The battery is then inserted in a receptacle on the back of the recorder, the memory card is inserted under the same cover, and there is also a simple slide switch to choose between the two recording modes (HD or SD).
Getting this ready to go takes about one minutes.
Mounting
Our test unit was supplied with two accessory parts, which we used to mount the camera to the roll cage of Richard Mork's car. The Universal Mount ($39) slides easily onto the "T" grooves on the base of the camera, and the mount itself has a standard (1/4", the same as most tripods) female thread, allowing attachment to a huge range of accessories. We then attached the XXL Roll Bar Mount ($69), which uses a hose clamp to attach securely to the roll cage.
We mounted the XXL Roll Bar Mount pointing in roughly the right direction (with the hose clamp), and the mount itself then offers multi-directional adjustment, allowing you to point the camera exactly where you want it.
The camera itself then offers rotation of the lens to level the shot. The front bezel rotates, and moves the sensor to set it up perfectly horizontally. The camera also has two lasers incorporated, which allow you to assess where the centreline of your shot will be (a very useful feature, which mitigates the lack of a display screen to check your shot).
Operation
Once setup, the camera features a single power button on the back. Pressing this turns the unit on. The lasers illuminate briefly so you can check your shot, and the green light on the front of the camera lets you know it's ready to go. To start recording you simply slide the switch at the top of the camera to the front. The light turns amber to confirm recording is in progress.
To stop recording, the slide switch is moved to the rear, and power off via the same switch used to turn the unit on.
This system is VERY simple. You can operate it by feel, which is a big advantage if you can't see the camera when you're turning it on (helmet-mounted for example).
Downloading
The benefits of a Memory Card Reader A memory card reader can be had for around $10. Make sure you get one that accepts SD cards. You simply plug your reader into a USB port on your computer, and plug your SD card into the reader. Your files are available to copy to the computer, or edit/upload them straight from the card! If you have a second memory card, you can pop it into the camera, and get back to shooting, while you download.
The ContourHD includes a USB cable to allow you to connect the camera to the USB port of your computer and download the video files. Our preferred method of download is to remove the Micro SD memory card from the camera and use a USB SD Card Reader to access the files directly (see sidebar for more info on this).
Using our preferred method, the video files were easily accessible, and downloaded quickly to our computer. You can also watch the video files on the computer directly from the memory card (accessing it as an external drive). The files are .MOV, which can be viewed on almost all computers.
The ContourHD also includes some "Easy Edit" software, which allows you to download, edit and share the captured video. This is an important feature for novice users, and avoids any confusion over which software to use.
Video Quality
The video quality from the ContourHD is outstanding. Resolution: There are two resolutions to choose from, 1280x720 pixels or 848x480 pixels. The higher resolution is High Definition, and the lower is DVD quality.
Clarity: The video is very clear, and offers a very wide field of view. Close objects (~50cm) are in clear focus, and objects that are far away are in focus. The wide angle of the lens - 135 degrees - also means that you capture a lot of action in the frame.
Smoothness: There are two frame rate options, each tied to a resolution. The HD setting offers 30fps (smooth), and the SD setting offers 60fps (VERY smooth).
Light Balance: Our test footage was shot from inside the cockpit of Richard Mork's car. The light balance was quite good considering the difference between the lighting conditions.
Sound: There is a built-in microphone which is quite effective at capturing good audio. As mentioned our test footage was captured inside the car, so we can't comment on how the microphone will cope with wind noise. The sound captured by our unit was excellent, and it even caught the comments made by the driver!
To view some of the video we filmed, click here. Note that this video is compressed for display on the internet, but still gives an excellent idea of the video quality. If you're interested in seeing the original files, let us know and we can send them to you.
Accessories
There is a wide range of accessories available for the ContourHD, including:
Camera Mounts
Bags and Cases
Power Supply
Spare Parts
The accessories that may be useful for you will depend on where you are going to mount your camera. For mounting the camera in the cabin of most cars, you will probably need to investigate the two accessories we mentioned above. You may also like to get a case to protect and store your camera unit.
If you want to be more adventurous with mounting the camera head, you may want to consider some of the alternative accessories. There are lens and camera protectors, roll cage mounts, suction mounts, clamp mounts, goggle-strap mounts and more.
ContourHD Scorecard Value for money: 9/10 Ease of installation: 8/10 Ease of operation: 10/10 Video resolution: 9/10 Video clarity: 9/10 Video smoothness: 9/10 Battery life: 9/10 OVERALL: 9/10
Summary
The ContourHD is an outstanding entry into the onboard camera world. It offers very simple operation, flexible mounting, and great video. At just $399 it is also EXTREMELY afforable, and a worthy addition to your racegear.
VIO POV 1.5 Vital Statistics RRP: $795 Resolution: 720x480 (max, other avail) Field of View: 110 degrees Memory type: SD card Recording capacity: 4GB = 2h50m, 8GB = 5h44m (at max resolution) Battery type: 4 x AA Battery life: 4-5 hours alkaline, upto 10 hours lithium
The VIO POV1.5 is a very capable digital point-of-view (POV) video recording system.
We tested a unit at Round 1 at Oran Park, onboard Tony Bonanno's Turbo MX5 in RocketSports. The results were excellent (and can be seen at onboard.irace.net.au), but read on for our full review of the VIO POV1.5.
What's in the box?
The VIO POV1.5 arrives in an attractive box. Inside the box, pretty much everything is contained in a sturdy carry case (very handy for ongoing use). Inside the carry case you get:
POV1.5 recording unit
Camera head with 1.5 metre cable
Software/instructions CD
Wireless remote control
4GB SDHC memory card
USB cable
Analog AV cable
Mounting accessories
4 x AA batteries
Setting Up
Setting the camera up to record is quite straightforward.
Batteries are inserted in a receptacle on the back of the recorder, the cover is held in place by two locking tabs - very secure.
The memory card is inserted in the bottom of the recorder. The slot is protected by a cover affixed by a thumb screw - again, very secure.
The end of the camera head cable has a screw on plug that screws neatly into the top of the recorder.
Getting this ready to go takes about two minutes.
Mounting
We mounted the camera in Tony Bonanno's MX5, and it took about five minutes. We used an accessory mounting case for the recording unit (we'll talk more about this below), which allowed us to easily mount the recorder to a vertical leg of the roll cage. There are many options for where to mount the recorder, but we wanted to be able to see the small screen, and access the controls in place.
We cable-tied the cable along some roll cage tubes, and then used the included 'double hook and loop mount' and some more cable-ties to attach the camera head to another part of the roll cage. The resulting mount was very steady, and provided an excellent camera shot. As the shot incorporated part of the dash board, we had an iRace sticker in view initially, but discovered that it reflected of the windscreen, partially obscuring the shot - just something to keep an eye out for when mounting your camera.
Operation
The controls on the camera are quite simple. There are seven buttons, but you can pretty much get away with using just two of them once setup.
The onscreen menus are easy to follow, and setting the modes you want is simple (you may need to read the manual to help decide which modes and settings are best for you).
Once the settings are right, to start recording all you need to do is turn the camera on (one button), and then press record. You'll get visual confirmation that recording is in progress on the screen. Once you've finished recording, it's one button to stop recording, and one button to turn the camera off.
It is possible to review the footage on the small screen, and this could be quite useful in the field/at the track.
The camera also includes a small wireless remote control. This uses radio frequency to control the camera, so it doesn't need to be line-of-sight to work. We elected not to use the remote, because we wanted to check the screen and confirm the camera was operating each time. With some familiarity, the remote would be an excellent option, and could easily be mounted (cable-ties) to a steering wheel or dashboard.
Downloading
The benefits of a Memory Card Reader A memory card reader can be had for around $10. Make sure you get one that accepts SD cards. You simply plug your reader into a USB port on your computer, and plug your SD card into the reader. Your files are available to copy to the computer, or edit/upload them straight from the card! If you have a second memory card, you can pop it into the camera, and get back to shooting, while you download.
The camera includes a variety of cables to access the video. There is an AV cable to allow you to connect the camera direct to a TV, and control the playback via the recorder. There is also a USB cable to allow you to connect the camera to the USB port of your computer and download the video files. Our preferred method of download is to remove the SD memory card from the camera and use a USB SD Card Reader to access the files directly (see sidebar for more info on this).
Using our preferred method, the video files were easily accessible, and downloaded quickly to our computer. You can also watch the video files on the computer directly from the memory card (accessing it as an external drive). The files are .AVI, which can be viewed on almost all computers.
Video Quality
The video quality from the VIO POV1.5 is excellent. Resolution: There is a range of resolutions to choose from, up to a maximum of 720 x 480 pixels, at up to 30 frames per second. This is effectively DVD resolution video. Resolution options are: 720x480, 720x400, 640x480, 360x240, 360x200, or 320x240.
Clarity: The video is very clear, and a very wide field of view. Objects that are quite close (~40cm) are in clear focus, and objects that are far away are in focus. The wide angle of the lens - 110 degrees - also means that you capture a lot of action in the frame.
Smoothness: With up to 30 frames per second, the smoothness of the video is very good. DVD video maxes out at ~30 frames per second, so that gives you an idea.
Light Balance: Much of our test footage was shot in overcast conditions - these are often the most troublesome for an onboard camera - the exposure or light balance needs to be adjusted to show detail on the dark areas inside the car, as well as the very bright, white sky. The VIO POV1.5 handled these conditions very well, with excellent details on all parts of the picture.
Sound: The camera cable features an inbuilt microphone (about halfway along, so around 3 feet from the camera head), and this proved to work very well when mounted inside the car. We didn't do any testing with the unit mounted in a noisier area (engine bay, or outside in the airflow), but the mic level is adjustable, and should be no trouble to get nice sound in challenging conditions. There's also the option of an external (tie-clip) microphone, which could be positioned wherever you like.
To view some of the video we filmed, click here. Note that this video is compressed for display on the internet, but still gives an excellent idea of the video quality. If you're interested in seeing the original files, let us know and we can send them to you.
Accessories
There is a wide range of accessories available for the POV VIO1.5, including:
Camera Mounts
Bags and Cases
Cables and Microphones
Power Supply
Spare Parts
The accessories that may be useful for you will depend on where you are going to mount your camera head and recording unit. For mounting the camera in the cabin of most cars, you should be able to get by with the included gear, but you may want to check out one of the camera extension cables to allow you to put the camera head further from the recorder. You may also like to get a case to protect and mount the recording unit. Finally, a roll bar mount for the camera head may give you that little bit of extra security and flexibility.
If you want to be more adventurous with mounting the camera head, you may want to consider some of the alternative accessories. There are lens and camera protectors, roll cage mounts, suction mounts, clamp mounts, goggle-strap mounts and more. There is also the optional external microphone, and you can even get a power kit to allow you to hardwire the camera to your battery, or plug it into the cigarette lighter.
VIO POV 1.5 Scorecard Value for money: 7/10 Ease of installation: 9/10 Ease of operation: 9/10 Video resolution: 7/10 Video clarity: 10/10 Video smoothness: 8/10 Battery life: 9/10 OVERALL: 8.4/10
Summary
The VIO POV1.5 is a professional-quality camera. The included equipment allows you to capture onboard footage straight away, and there are a range of accessories available to expand your mounting options. Video quality is very good across the board, with the only omission being HD recording. The inbuilt screen allows you to ensure you've got the perfect shot, access menus easily, and review your video without a computer or TV. And the price is affordable, at $795. If this is in your budget, and you're in the market for an onboard camera, the VIO POV1.5 is highly recommended!
So just why are progressive shift lights so popular? Do you really need a light to tell you when to Shift? Mix the sound of your engine with those nearby, together with a dose of red mist, and you may be surprised at what actually happens. Drivers that use progressive shift lights don’t tend to talk about what gives them a competitive advantage. It’s all about consistency, reference points and visual focus.
The ContourHD includes a USB cable to allow you to connect the camera to the USB port of your computer and download the video files. Our preferred method of download is to remove the Micro SD memory card from the camera and use a USB SD Card Reader to access the files directly (see sidebar for more info on this).
The controls on the camera are quite simple. There are seven buttons, but you can pretty much get away with using just two of them once setup.