Video/Action Camera for Cycling, Rear Facing with Monitor/Phone

mckennal on 30/09/2017 - 23:31
Last edited 01/10/2017 - 10:38 by 1 other user

I recently bought a chariot/trailer to go behind my bike for my toddler to ride in while I trundle along. I've noticed it's very difficult to check how he is going while riding, it's not just a quick look over your shoulder, you have to really turn around, or pull over.

I'm thinking about setting up a video camera/action cam to face to the rear of my bike, and have a screen or use my phone on the handle bars so I can glance down occasionally to see how he's going.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a camera/monitor setup, or some kind of action camera that I can view a live video feed on my phone mounted on the handle bars?

Basically trying to achieve something like this:
But happy to use my (Android) phone as the screen to view the video feed if that's easier/cheaper/etc.

Obviously, the cheapest option that works sufficiently is what I'm going for :) I'm fine with buying stuff from gearbest/eBay/whatever.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Luke

Edit: I'm partial to Xiaomi kit, so open to a solution involving stuff from them :)

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • bongom on 01/10/2017 - 10:19

    Have you tried a bicycle mirror?

  • whooah1979 on 01/10/2017 - 10:26

    Dual lens dashcam and a power bank.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/10/2017 - 11:07
    +1

    I would encourage not to do this, camera or not.
    You don't need to be a Rhodes Scholar to understand why…

    • mckennal on 01/10/2017 - 13:17

      Do you think it would be less safe than turning around to check?

      • [Deactivated] on 01/10/2017 - 14:26

        I wouldn't have a kid of mine towed behind a bike i was riding, which is why i wouldn't get to the stage of considering a camera.

        But hey, there's no admission test for parenthood.

      • whooah1979 on 01/10/2017 - 14:26

        Taking ones eyes of the roads for any amount of time is the easiest way to collide into an object. Being a cyclist makes it more dangerous.

      • altomic on 01/10/2017 - 19:49

        If you turn around for even a fraction of second ,even on a straight wide empty road, you could run into the back of a bus full of orphans and puppies which would then push it off a cliff, and it would land on the dalai lama and Stephen Hawkings who are about to solve would hunger.

    • jimjames on 02/10/2017 - 19:14

      Nothing wrong with the trailers in the right areas (ie. Off road paths or very quiet streets. I use one to pop down to the shops or the park.

      Also, pretty sure you would be able to drive a car without glancing away from the road at some point eg. before changing lanes so I don't see how a quick glance on a bike is any different.

      • [Deactivated] on 02/10/2017 - 21:20

        Saw one at ALDI today - i guess that's where some folk may be getting them.

        My main concern is cars - while the risk may be low (camera or not), the outcome can be catastrophic. In the park it's less of a big deal as long as their fingers don't wander i suppose.

  • jimjames on 02/10/2017 - 19:08

    As someone who has one of these trailers, I either just glance around while riding or more often, check on him at intersections or periodically stop and see how he's going.

    Unless you're riding on busy roads (probably not the greatest idea with the trailer) then you should be able to stop and check in one way or the other.

    • mckennal on 03/10/2017 - 09:33

      Yep, I think that's the plan. Thanks.

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