Archos Helmet Camcorder for Generation 5 Archos Portable Media Players

by Archos

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000S6R964
• Item model number: 500986
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,001 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 15, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Ideal for extreme sports and professional applications, the Archos generation 5 helmet camcorder comes complete with a high-resolution lens, built-in remote, and microphone. The camcorder's robust video capture capability enables it to record clear footage in most environments without extra light sources, even in near darkness. The camcorder can record in MPEG4 and AVI formats in VGA resolution, and the recorded footage is stored automatically on your Archos generation 5 device's hard drive (sold separately).

What's in the Box
Helmet camcorder with wired remote control, DVR travel adapter, head band, carrying bag, and owner's manual.

High resolution mini-cam with built-in remote and microphone can record clear footage in most environments.

Perfect for extreme sports, the camcorder comes with a DVR travel adapter and head band.

Product Description

Ideal for extreme sports and professional use, this mini hi-res camera with built in microphone and controller will follow all your movements and film what you see thanks to the supplied head band. (DVR travel adapter included.)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not great... Get something else., April 20, 2008

By 

Jalen Anthony Krupa "Jalenk" (Reno, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Archos Helmet Camcorder for Generation 5 Archos Portable Media Players (Electronics)

The Archos Helmet Camcorder is good in the sense that it's extremely easy to use and setup. However, the lack of picture quality is enough for me to start looking for another bullet camera to replace the Archos.

Here are the three things that rock with the Archos bullet cam...

1) Easy to setup... You take your Archos Helmet Camcorder and plug it directly into your Archos recording device, and you're good to go.

2) The Archos Helmet Camcorder is powered by the Archos recording device, (Archos 604 for example). For those of you that have never owned or have seen the other bullet cam systems, most of them require a separate power supply to power both the camcorder and the microphone. The Archos uses the battery power of the Archos 604 to power both the camcorder and the microphone.

3) Control of record start and record stop are at your fingertips. No need to purchase an extra control Lanc. device, or any other third party remote that may or may not work with your setup. The Archos Helmet Camcorder has the controls you need, in a place that's easy for you to get to.

Now the downside...

PICTURE QUALITY!!! Yes, 420 lines of resolution is good, and yes 640X480 is good, but it's just that... Good. If you're looking for great, you need to go for a bullet camera that has 520 lines of resolution or even splurge for the Sony 580 ExView bullet camera. The problem with these bullet cameras however, is the problem I mentioned above. These bullet cameras require extra power supplies. Now, you're probably thinking what's the big deal with an extra power supply? Let me say this. I ride dirt bikes with three other guys that own bullet cam systems, but they never use them because it's such a process to put them together. That's the difference between the Archos helmet cam, and all the others helmet cameras out there. The Archos unit is easy to use and setup... It's as simple as that.

I gave the Archos Helmet Camcorder three stars because Archos is on the right track. They just need to come out with another helmet camcorder, just like this one, only next time with more resolution! Also, the DVR travel adapter that allows the helmet camcorder to attach to the Archos recording device (which is included) is a little rickety. Sometimes the DVR travel adapter will pop off of the recoding unit, making your video stop in the middle of its recoding. This is bad! One more thing... I had to purchase a helmet mounting kit from a third party, (Viosport). Why wouldn't Archos sell helmet mounts? They sell a helmet camcorder, but don't sell mounting kits... Whatever!

If I had to put another helmet cam system together, I would buy the Archos 604 recording unit, and buy a higher quality bullet camera. Get yourself the proper Viosport mounting kit and you're good to go. Pass on the Archos Helmet Camcorder.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Ok for a street bicycle, but no way would I use this off road!, October 14, 2007

By 

Chad Hucko (O'Fallon, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Archos Helmet Camcorder for Generation 5 Archos Portable Media Players (Electronics)

The camera seemed to work ok and the picture looked good. I was just hopping something made to mount on a helmet would be much more durable. Sound was low and hard to hear. After reading the instructions I was afraid to use this on my dirt bike. It is not water resistant and it also said not to use in a dust or sand environment. Also the camera attaches to the Archos similar to how the docking station does. It just seems way to weak and easy to break. The mount strap might work ok for a bicycle helmet, but will not work at all for a motorcycle. If you plan to ride a bicycle on the road, this might be ok, but for a dirt bike, forget it! I ended up returning it because I do not think this would be suitable for a motorcycle. Chad

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not very useful, January 15, 2009

By 

traveler "traveler" (carlisle, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Archos Helmet Camcorder for Generation 5 Archos Portable Media Players (Electronics)

I love Archo products. I have had no problem using them. The quality has been good and I find them very easy to understand. Except for this one. I have yet to be able to create a useful video from it. In dim light it is useless. In bright light it is merely fair. The microphone's range is minimal. This is the only Archos purchase I have regretted.