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View Full Version : DIY crash cam housing?



Robert86
01-19-2007, 11:44 AM
Hey everyones,

I just thought I'd throw this out there, I don't know if anyone has ever thought of this but...I haven't made it yet or tested it out yet but for some reason I woke up thinking about it(weird huh?). I won't be able to test it out myself for lack of resources and the fact that I know their are better DIY'ers here to test it out.

Anyways, have any of you wondered how durable those Pelican cases are, I think they are really really durable. In theory(my theory) you could really jacked these things up about as much as you could to other crash cam housings, maybe not as much but hey how many of us have a few sticks of dynomite around? My plans for anyone to test out would be #1 to buy a Pelican case, carve out the foam to fit your camera, put your camera in.#2 buy a UV ray filter for the size of the cams lens and cut(drill) out a hole in front on the side of the pelican case to the size of the UV filter(which would be in front of the camera's lens). The camera would be able to easily shoot out of this little hole. #3 Buy some really really durable glass(plexi glass?) or something transparent and tough. Now depending how thick or thin it is, drill the glass(whatever) to the size of the UV filter, you might need two layers or just one. Ok, so now you have your pelican case with a hole on the side and a couple circles of durable glass(whatever). #5 So with the pieces of durable glass(whatever) you can glue them into the hole of the pelican case, use whatever type of glue would work best. If you made two pieces of durable glass(whatever) you'll obviously have less of a chance of anything getting into the pelican case. #6 Now buy some locks for your pelican case, they should already come with placement for the locks, and lock your pelican case down(with the camera in it).

In theory you should be able to give this crash cam housing a lot of abuse without harm to your camera. The camera is always really sturdy in that case without worrying about damage. As an extra step, you could tie your camera down inside the case with bugee cord by drilling two holes under the case and putting in the bungee cord on one side, bring it up over the camera and down the other hole, for extra stabilization.
Any comments would be appreciated or if someone would like to test it out I think that will be best. It's not that I don't want to do some work it's just that right now isnt' the best time to mess about with it. Lack of resources ect... So let me know what you think.

Kdawg
01-19-2007, 08:15 PM
You still cause jarring to take place in the camera. I am not sure what you are looking to do with the camera being so protected. But your care factor will go down, in essence causing the internal parts to get jarred. However if you are doing this for something specific, like filiming up close sports action from the field, and would be filming that anyway.... It may be an option.
] Just remember you need your controls at your fingertips too.

Robert86
01-19-2007, 08:37 PM
Well, I don't have any specific reason to use it. Just thought I'd throw an idea out there. I guess it would cause some jarring, but I forgot that film cameras are a lot tougher than video cameras. I was just thinking about any camera in general but you do have a point there. Is there any workaround for the jarring.

Matty_g
01-19-2007, 08:40 PM
no moving parts.

like a hvx.

Robert86
01-19-2007, 08:54 PM
no moving parts.

like a hvx.

...?

Matty_g
01-20-2007, 10:36 AM
haha sorry. it was a long day yesterday. i was a little out of it.

what kind of stuff do you plan on shooting with this kind of rig?
My point was that instead of dv cameras the hvx has no moving parts to get jarred while recording so the recording will still go smooth. I don't know how to minimize the actual jarring to the case though.