Got Tower Camera?

[IDBoating]

Go Pro has wifi back option on the way that will stream to a iPhone or iPad when paired. first one to mount an iPad in there TIGE dash will be awesome.

Interesting option. I'd still go with wires, though. Too many possibilities for interference with wireless.

What I'd like, ideally, is a standalone waterproof (or at least splash resistant) 1080p bullet camera with HDMI output and a 90 degree or less view angle. No switches or other controls on the camera - just supply power and it supplies video out. You can get some of those features on some cameras but I've yet to find them in a single package.

Also, standalone 1080p cameras seem to run in the $500+ range. If you're willing to give up 1080p the cost can drop substantially, to under $200. That's probably the way I'm going to go. I've found a vendor that has cameras like that with a choice of objective lenses so you can pick the FOV you want. The video output looks at least as good as MiniDV, which is probably good enough since most people end up downsampling anyway.

[shawndoggy]

you can get a canon vixia hf 20 for around $250. Don't know how it'd hold up to tower use (and it certainly wouldn't be something to leave on the tower). The upside of a "legit" video cam is the ability to zoom. A camera angle that works for surfing can be terrible for wakeboarding or skiing. and vice versa.

I'd much prefer a high quality mirror to a camera and a screen for viewing my riders while driving. To me the camera is to capture video for later viewing.

[IDBoating]

I'd much prefer a high quality mirror to a camera and a screen for viewing my riders while driving.

Just my opinion, but I've tried both and far prefer a camera and standalone LCD screen. Every mirror I've tried - all of which mounted on the windshield of my 24Ve - blocked far too much forward vision.

On my previous boat I had a tower mounted mirror, and that worked really well. Great visibility forward and backward. However, that boat didn't have a bimini top and looking at the angles, I'm not sure that would work with my current setup.

I installed an inexpensive rearview camera (below the tower on one of the unused speaker mounts) and LCD screen last summer and the results were spectacular. Everyone who tried it loved it. Perfect visibility forward and a great view aft as well. All for ~$160 IIRC. A bargain.

This year, I'm trying to upgrade the camera to something video-worthy... hence my comments on this thread.

[Nobody]

This is our tower camcorder. I hold onto the tower, point and shoot with the other hand, capable of full 360 degree motion.

Downside: Requires high performance computer to process AVCHD format.

Upside: True 1080 resolution and color quality beyond belief.

Canon XA10 HD Professional Camcorder

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Camcorder.html

[shawndoggy]

THAT is a nice rig. I've been using a panasonic fx35 that does pretty darn well for a $300 camera.

[Nobody]

THAT is a nice rig. I've been using a panasonic fx35 that does pretty darn well for a $300 camera.

When I found out I needed a high performance computer with 16 gig ram, special video card, blah blah blah.....then Adobe, I was pissed. But this is the price you pay for 1080 Blue Ray quality video these days. If I could only afford a fancy mirror I'd be happy.

[shawndoggy]

LOL yeah I went through all of the same when I bought a vixia hf20 back in 2008. Still wasn't happy with video editing till I got on osx. Oh and I had to buy a ps3 to play the avchd natively.

AVCHD cameras are the cheap part of the workflow!

[Duncan]

Interesting option. I'd still go with wires, though. Too many possibilities for interference with wireless.

What I'd like, ideally, is a standalone waterproof (or at least splash resistant) 1080p bullet camera with HDMI output and a 90 degree or less view angle. No switches or other controls on the camera - just supply power and it supplies video out. You can get some of those features on some cameras but I've yet to find them in a single package.

Also, standalone 1080p cameras seem to run in the $500+ range. If you're willing to give up 1080p the cost can drop substantially, to under $200. That's probably the way I'm going to go. I've found a vendor that has cameras like that with a choice of objective lenses so you can pick the FOV you want. The video output looks at least as good as MiniDV, which is probably good enough since most people end up downsampling anyway.

Keep us posted regarding what solution you settle with. I would like to benefit from your research

[bmoorewiz]

This seems to have died, but back to the original thread...Can someone tell me who has the tower camera from Tige what they paid exactly? Do you like it?