Eric sent me a Reflex helmet-cam to test on the Spyder.  I doubt that I will be using it much for taking actual videos, but the camera also has a still photo mode, so it would be handy to have a camera available for taking snaps of things seen while riding the Spyder.  The cameras has two large buttons that can be felt through gloves – one for turning the camera on/off, the other for starting/stopping video recording or for taking stills.  It also vibrates when you press a button, which can be felt through the helmet.  So it’s pretty easy to use, and much better than having a separate camera – no need to stop, remove helmet, get the camera out of the frunk or the tank-bag and use it, before putting the camera away and replacing the helmet again.

Here is a short video sequence I took from the bike, riding from Maleny to the Reesville Lookout, which is just a couple of klicks past my house on the way out of Maleny.  Please note:  this is an .MP4 video file.  Your computer must be capable of displaying this format, or you will just see an error message.

And here is a short video sequence I took from the new F3 Spyder, because I couldn’t believe the difference in wind, engine, and road noise between the old RS model and the new F3 model – the F3 just whispers along!  You may hear me making a sound check half way along Macadamia Drive...  but the camera is mounted OUTSIDE the helmet, so the built-in mic doesn’t pick up my voice very well.  External microphones are available for small cameras like these – the mic is fixed inside the helmet – but the sound quality is pretty awful.  Either good at low speed but hopeless at high speed...  or vice-versa.  Please note:  this is an .MP4 video file.  Your computer must be capable of displaying this format, or you will just see an error message.