DIY Video Camera Mounts

Pictured above are the two different styles of video camera mounts I've made so far. They both hold a regular camcorder-type video camera, via the threaded tripod-mount hole in the bottom of the case, and you should be able to make either with minimal skills and common tools.

On the left is the $5 version, and on the right, is the super-fancy high-end $15 model. There are pros and cons to each, depending on what you want to film and how.

The $5 version prevents front passengers from riding along, doesn't work with some headrest shapes, and doesn't provide any visibility of the driver's hands or head ( with a stock lens pointed straight ahead, anyway ). It does allow independent seat travel and recline, and is very easy to install/remove. The $15 model is just the opposite; allows passengers, and shows some head and hand movement even with a stock lens but it does tie the two front seats together and is not as easy to install or remove. The camera is easily detached from $15 version, though, for viewing between races or runs.

Why did I build my own, instead of buying one? My DIY mounts obviously cost much less, but they also work in any temperature, unlike suction-cup mounts, and are impossible to break due to their simplicity. Even if I did manage to break ( unlikely ) or lose ( much more likely ) one, I can make another for a few bucks. Plus, it's fun to make car parts in your garage.

Comments and questions to David Hillman.