Crashes, Cams and more cams

It has been a few months since our last blog and wow...Cams in Action has undergone so much change. New products were tested, those that didn't make the grade were removed. Based on high demand, our sale on Contour  Cams was extend from the initial 3 days to nearly one month! However, you can still grab yourself a Contour Roam2 for just $244. Recently a friend of ours recorded his Quadbike accident on one of these Cams, it's hilarious but frightening at the same time as the rider came way too close to being seriously hurt. You can view the vid through the link at the bottom of the page Just wait for him to reach the top of the hill.. and then it all goes COMPLETELY wrong.

We've also had a resupply of the Optrix Chestmounts, so if you're a Runner, Snowboarder or Surfer, you can strap and protect your iPhone to film your best run/trick/stack.. and immediately post it to us! :)

Finally, we just want to announce that at Cams in Action, we wholeheartedly support all current and former members of Australian Police Forces, Defence Forces and Public Services. We want to thank you for keeping us safe, protected, out of harms way and attending to our needs when things go wrong. If you fall into any of those categories and you have specific Action Cam needs. Please contact us via the contact us form or our Facebook/Twitter page and we will endeavour to arrange a package that will suit your needs and budget.
http://www.camsinaction.com.au
We hope you all enjoy your weekend and get a chance to get active.

Watch the quad bike crash here.. please stay safe!

Protecting the wild with Trail Cameras

It’s a wonder to see animals roaming around in their natural habitat. It can also be quite difficult and for a good reason. If you walk through the country side or your local nature reserve, oftentimes you may not come across any wildlife at all. But that does not mean it’s not there!

Animals have very quickly learned that in general, humans are a threat. Whether it is to their safety through hunting or trapping or their habitat through re-zoning and destruction of natural land reserves. Speak to wildlife workers in Africa, Canada or the US and you will learn that even certain apex predators (top of the food chain) will be intelligent enough and opt to stay well away from sounds and smells of ‘people’.

So how do scientists and animal trackers find and follow the specific animal they are searching for? Well there are of course conventional methods like searching for tracks. Depending on what it is, the animal may have also been previously tagged. But the big issue lies in the fact that many animals move around at night, simply because it is either safer or more comfortable given the local climate. Now you may choose to spend your Saturday night sitting in the bush with a Nightvision to spot your wildlife. But in reality unless you are a pro, the animals will hear you and smell you long before you know they are there.

The best option to track night-time movements, is to locate the nearest animal trail, or water source and set up a ‘Trail Camera’. Then you simply return the next day or even a few days later and review the footage.

The beauty of these cameras is that even if the animal you are tracking works out that the camera is there, quite often it becomes curious. From Trail Camera footage that we have reviewed so far it’s fascinating to see how many walk up for a ‘sniff’. You might even spot something you never expected to see!

How Trail Cameras can offer Information and Protection 

Monitoring animal movements and migration plays a key role in preservation of endangered species and on the other end of the scale can help farmers monitor and protect their livestock and property from unwanted visitors (both wildlife and human).

In Australia, introduced species like Foxes, Pigs, Rabbits and Wild dogs are a threat, not just to crop and livestock, but to property as well. This is why farmers and people who live in areas near wildlife reserves need to build sturdy fences to keep these pests away. On occasion, these animals (including Kangaroos) will find a way to break through the fences and wreak havoc inside the paddocks and properties. To tackle this issue, the farmer simply needs to consider the use of a Trail Camera much in the same way as a security surveillance camera. Attach it to the fence post, gate-post or in a tree, really it’s up to your imagination. You can then very effectively identify exactly which critter (or person) is causing the problem.

The camera needs to be weather proof and must be activated automatically, through motion or sound detection. Trail Cameras were developed with this in mind, they can withstand a variety of different weather conditions and are equipped with night vision. At Cams in Action we have Trail Cameras like the Ibex Trail Camera or the MINOX Trail Camera DTC 500 provide you with high-resolution video and still photographs of your surroundings.

Example of Trail Camera use

The first example that comes to mind is species translocation through animal bridges or tunnels. This image is a wildlife bridge located in the Netherlands.

Animal bridges and tunnels are designed to help animals cross highways in safety and have also been effectively employed in Canada and the US. 

Through the use of Trail Cameras animal populations have been observed to dramatically increase and become (genetically) much healthier, because the bridges and tunnels don't just protect wildlife from being hit by cars, they also connect fragmented habitats and help populations intermingle and breed, or in other words to improve their genetic heterogeneity. With a little help from Trail Cams ;)

Christmas Gift Ideas from Cams in Action

November is coming to an end, and by now, you should be working on your Christmas lists. Pretty soon the shopping malls will be filled with people trying to find their perfect Christmas presents for friends and family. If you want something special, unique, and affordable to give your loved ones this Christmas, Cams in Action has a great selection of cameras and other cool gadgets that your friends and family members will love. 

At Cams in Action, we offer more than just CCTV cameras and commercial surveillance equipment. We also have a great selection of action cameras and gadgets everyone will love to receive. The best part is that you don’t need to search through over-crowded malls and gift shops to find what you need. With the holidays just around the corner, here are some cool gift ideas to help you beat the Christmas rush:

    



        Superbug GSM Tracker Bug – This small and compact listening device also doubles as a tracking device that helps you find where the bug is located by sending an SMS request to your bugs SIM number and getting the GPS coordinates of your bug through a GSM network. The Superbug GSM Tracker Bug’s dimensions are only 48x40x14mm, making it very portable and small enough to conceal in your car, home, or keep in your purse. Just imagine the fun you can have with this little Superbug, keep one ear on your kids or your partner, just kidding! 

       

     
     Diving Mask  – This diving mask with built-in camera is the perfect gift for those who love to swim, dive, or take underwater photos and  videos. Experience the fun of being able to capture footage and still have your hands free to paddle around. With a photo resolution of 2560x1920 and a video resolution of 640x480, this 2 Megapixel camera can capture clear, crisp, and vivid images underwater. It has a 2GB memory integrated into the camera system. 

         

       RD32II Action-Cam 1080HD – Here’s the perfect gift for the extreme sports buff. This action camera is one of our favorite cameras here at Cams in Action. It is shockproof, waterproof for up to 20m and it captures exciting action videos in full HD. It has a multi-functional sports bracket that allows you to mount this camera in a wide variety of sports equipment and accessories to get great videos at great angles. The best thing about this action camera is the image stabilization software that comes with it. From now on, no more shaky action videos! 

        Tornado GSM Audio/Video Bug – Ever want to see what your cat does while you're not home? Who says bugs are only used by spies and law enforcement? This audio/video surveillance device is a great gift for parents who want to make sure that their children are in good hands with their nannies or babysitters. This device can be controlled via SMS and also doubles as a locator device.

         Blackbox D6 Car DVR – Every car needs one of these! This camera acts like a “black box” for your car that records everything that happens inside or outside the vehicle. It captures clear video of what’s happening on the road which can be used as evidence in an event of an accident. Unlike other mountable DVRs, the Blackbox D6 is motion activated which preserves battery life and saves video storage space. It has a 2.7 inch LCD screen and captures video at a 1920x1080 resolution. This car camera also has night vision capabilities so you can be sure that you won’t miss a second of footage, day or night!

If you’re looking for something new and unique to give your loved ones this Christmas, gadgets and specialty cameras is the way to go whether you want a fun gift or a practical one. With the wide array of products Cams in Action offers, you’ll find something for everyone.

Car Cameras: Ever Wished You Recorded this Accident?

No one wants to get into a car accident, no matter how minor. Aside from the damage done to a person’s vehicle, there’s always a chance for injuries and deaths to occur. The problems don’t end there. When all the chaos and confusion surrounding the accident has settled down, there are still the legal and financial liabilities to settle. Those involved in the crash have to sort out the details with the insurance companies, as well as with the police. In most cases, both parties involved in the accident try to direct the blame at each other, and if there are no witnesses, it’s hard to tell what really happened. If you’re the victim of another person’s recklessness, you need to be able to prove that what happened is not your fault. Most of the time, investigators can determine possible scenarios based on what they see, but a lot of times that is not enough to help prove a party’s guilt or innocence.

How a Car Camera Can Help You

If you’ve seen any of those TV shows about real life cops who pull people over to the side of the road to give them a ticket or arrest them, then you would have noticed that a lot of the footage comes from cameras mounted on the police car’s dashboard. They use it to prove if the suspects resist arrest or dispel any accusations of wrongdoing on the part of the arresting officers. The camera sees it all and can be admitted as evidence in any court of law.

The same principle applies to car cameras used by civilians. It serves the same purpose as an insurance policy. It is installed just in case something goes wrong. If an accident happens involving your vehicle, the footage from the camera you’ve installed can prove that the accident was not your fault. If you’re a victim of a hit-and-run incident, you can also use the footage to identify the vehicle that hit you, and eventually, the person behind the wheel for purposes of prosecution. Car cameras don’t only prove your innocence when an accident happens, it can also show whether or not you committed a traffic violation when a traffic cop pulls you over.

Another advantage a car camera can give you is that it can help expedite the release of your insurance claims. Many insurance companies require those involved in an accident to submit proof that they were not at fault. The problem is, when the official police report is inconclusive, the process of filing for your claim becomes a little bit more tedious and complicated. There are letters you need to write and witness testimonies you need to collect and submit in order for your claim to be processed. With a video recording of the accident, the whole process speeds up and you are able to collect from your insurance company faster.

Accidents happen when you least expect it, which means you should be prepared for anything. Aside from practicing defensive driving, following safety measures, and making sure your car is insured, you should take the extra step and install a car camera on your dashboard or on your rearview mirror. By installing a car camera, you can save yourself a lot of time, effort and frustration when dealing with the aftermath of a vehicular collision.

Action Cameras: Don’t Miss a Moment of Action!

People have been trying to capture their adventures (and misadventures) on video for decades by strapping on video cameras on bike handlebars, helmets, or anything that moves. Unfortunately, regular video cameras aren’t built to capture high-speed images or keep a steady shot through rocky terrain. They are also too heavy. These shortcomings led to the invention of the POV Camera (Point-of-View), better known as the Action Camera. This type of camera gives viewers a view of from an angle that no other camera can give you. They can be strapped to vehicles or built in to different types of sports helmets to capture images as seen by the person wearing the camera. Action cameras also carry features not found in regular video cameras that allow them to capture images at different speeds, heights, depths, and lighting conditions. Imagine seeing what a professional skateboarder sees while doing stunts on a half-pipe, experiencing what it feels to skydive, or joining in on an off-road bike race in the comfort of your living room.

Since more and more people are into extreme sports, the demand for action cameras has increased. The advancement of camera technology has fostered the creativity and imagination of people who want to produce or see something new other than the boring standard footage you see in most regular and extreme sporting events. With an action camera, you see everything happening from the point of view of the person participating in the sport or activity, giving viewers a unique perspective into what’s actually going on during these events.

What’s so special about action cameras?

Most, if not all, action cameras are portable and lightweight, yet still have the power and capacity to capture images with great clarity and stability you won’t get from your average video camera. These cameras are also available in High Definition, so you won’t miss a moment of action. If you’re fond of watching videos on video hosting sites like Vimeo or YouTube, then you have probably seen what some of the craziest, most creative minds have produced using an action camera.

The growing popularity of this new genre of videos has prompted many camera manufacturers to design their own line of action cameras. There are so many to choose from that POV video buffs are having a field day comparing notes about the pros and cons of each camera model out in the market. Choosing the right model or brand of camera greatly depends on the quality of video you wish to have and the activities you plan to use it for. There are small ones that could easily and comfortably be mounted on your helmet or headgear while there are larger ones that are optimized for use on dirt bikes, race cars and other fast vehicles. 


You can even get waterproof action cameras that are great for snorkelling, free diving, or scuba diving.

You can do just about anything with an action camera. You can just mount it up on your vehicle or attach it to your helmet or special headgear to capture the magic as you perform a wide range of exhilarating activities including skydiving, 4-wheel driving, dirt biking, or diving. When you’re done taking excellent footage, you can have a lot of fun editing the videos to create memories you can be proud to share with everyone.

Instant Fame: How YouTube Can Get You Those Precious “15 Minutes”

There are cameras everywhere. You have your webcams, digicams and phone cameras and all sorts of video recording devices. Because of this, people can now become instant worldwide sensations because of video hosting sites. YouTube and other similar sites allow people to upload videos for the whole world to see. Whether it’s a home video or a professionally edited short film, name it, you’ll find it on these sites.

Why Are Online Videos So Popular?

Every day, millions of viewers from all over the world log on to these sites to watch entertaining, informative, and a lot of times, funny videos that other users have uploaded. If you’re looking for instant celebrity status, then posting a video on YouTube is the way to go. On YouTube and other similar sites, you have a built-in audience that is constantly searching for the next big thing. The funnier or stranger the video, the better. For some reason, people enjoy watching strange, funny, and sometimes even embarrassing moments in other people’s lives. Of course, if there’s an audience for this kind of videos, people will continue to upload them on the web. Another thing that attracts people to these sites is that the videos they host are free to watch. As long as you have a computer, tablet, or smartphone that can connect to the internet, you can access a collection of hilarious videos posted by other people.

Most people who frequent these sites are those who are looking to take a break from the stresses of everyday life. Some log on for a few minutes, while others spend hours browsing through videos just for a laugh. If they find a video they like, they share it on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. The next thing you know, the video has gone viral.

How to Be an Instant YouTube Celebrity

Some people upload their personal videos to this site to share it with their friends while others do it for the sole purpose of getting their 15 minutes of fame. If you’re included or want to be included in the latter, then you really should get the camera rolling. You don’t have to be a pro to be able to produce interesting videos that people will surely enjoy watching and sharing with their friends. All you need is a good camera and something or someone to film.

If you plan to star or direct the next YouTube hit, you need to upload a video that will surely capture the attention of viewers worldwide. It can be candid blooper video or you can show-off your skills and talents in a unique way. Before you begin your directorial or acting debut, it’s a good idea to check out what’s popular on these video hosting sites. This way, you can come up with something original. The next step is to grab an action camera and start filming.

With an action camera, you can record high-quality videos from your point of view. By mounting it on your hat or helmet or headgear, or anything that moves, you can give your audience a perspective they don’t normally see. This will set your video apart from the others and give you a bigger chance at online fame.

Explore the Wonders of the Ocean with a Diving Mask Camera

Diving and snorkeling are great ways to explore the wonders of the deep. If you dive at just the right spot, you get to see marine life that you won’t see anywhere else, not even in aquariums. To capture this once in a lifetime moment, you would need a good underwater video or still camera. The problem with this is that it can be difficult to maneuver underwater while carrying video cameras or other underwater recording equipment.

The solution to this dilemma is to use a diving mask that was made specifically for this purpose. The built-in camera allows the user to take photos and videos underwater even at a depth of 100 feet or more. It works just like an action camera, as it shoots hours of footage at a POV (point of view) angle. It can also take still shots like any underwater camera can. This type of camera is so easy to use, even an amateur diver can operate it. It comes in various resolutions to suit your photography and videography needs. Amateurs and hobbyists can opt for a low resolution camera for personal pictures and home videos, while there are also more expensive high resolution and HD versions of this camera for serious underwater photography enthusiasts and professionals.

How Does a Diving Mask Camera Work?

There are many different brands that produce and sell this type of underwater camera. The features and specs may vary for each brand, but most, if not all of them, function the same way. This innovative gadget is ready to use as soon as you put the mask on as the camera is already mounted on to the mask. When the user is ready, all he or she needs to do is to turn it on and fix the settings to take still photos or capture video images. At the press of a button on top of the mask, a diver can take crisp images for depths reaching more than 100 feet. The camera is battery operated and comes with LED torch lights you can attach to the sides of the masks to help capture crisper, clearer images even in the dark trenches of the sea.

One major concern about a camera that’s mounted on a diver’s head is figuring out what mode it is in. An LED light installed in the mask lets the user know whether the camera is in photo or video mode. Once the camera is in the desired setting, divers can start taking pictures and recording video with just one press of the shutter button. The pictures and video files are stored into a memory card that is already built into the mask. To view or share the images stored in the memory card, you connect the camera to any computer using a USB cable.

If you’re off on a diving trip, don’t forget to bring a diving mask camera with you. This way, you can impress your friends with spectacular underwater shots that handheld underwater cameras can’t give you.