DIY Car Mount (Looking for Good Suction Cups)

S

Steve Nelson

New member
I'm looking to build my own car mount, using Suction Cups (like these: http://www.stickypod.com/). Now, they do sell their suction cups for $9.00 a pop. But I imagine I can get some for cheaper and sans their strict copyright policy. Has anyone had experience in building a car mount or at least know where I could acquire some of these industrial suction cups?
 
Car Mount/Suction Cups

Car Mount/Suction Cups

Hey Steve,
We built a car mount for our feature last year. I used the suction cups for glass carrying with the handle that runs between the two cups. I used two of them. The cups are placed on the car and a trigger is pulled back to activate the suction. They worked great. We placed cargo straps across the mount to keep it from slipping in case the cups came loose. You can only go about 35mph with the mount but we had no problems. And with a nice polarizing filter on your camera you can get some non-glare shots through the front of the windshield. I will post some pics of the mount when I get back home.

Here is a link showing the type of suction cups we used.
Suction Cups
 
Why not just buy one? Filmtools.com had one that I used...don't think it would've been worth it for me to try to build one myself. I had my HVX on the side of a car going at least 70 mph...I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
 
Mike McNeese said:
Why not just buy one? Filmtools.com had one that I used...don't think it would've been worth it for me to try to build one myself. I had my HVX on the side of a car going at least 70 mph...I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
Click to expand...

I work at IndyMogul.com, and on my show, "Weekend Extra", one thing we do is design D.I.Y. video equipment for people to learn how to build themselves and then make in depth video tutorials.
 
zach72 said:
Hey Steve,
We built a car mount for our feature last year. I used the suction cups for glass carrying with the handle that runs between the two cups. I used two of them. The cups are placed on the car and a trigger is pulled back to activate the suction. They worked great. We placed cargo straps across the mount to keep it from slipping in case the cups came loose. You can only go about 35mph with the mount but we had no problems. And with a nice polarizing filter on your camera you can get some non-glare shots through the front of the windshield. I will post some pics of the mount when I get back home.

Here is a link showing the type of suction cups we used.
Suction Cups
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot Zach! Can't wait to see the pictures.
 
Steve,
I built mine from plans in a book called Killer Camera Rigs. I purchased the suction cups at a local automotive store. I havent use the rig to capture any footage yet, but I did test it out and I agree with Zach72 on using the cargo straps just in case the cups dont hold. I will try to get some pics posted later on today or tomorrow.
By the way, keep up the great work. I am an indymogul junkie!
 
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so when do we get to see these images, I need to see some before I try to build one.

I need a good car mount, I'm missing ou of several rap video shoots do to the lacik of one.

Jason
 
Jason,

If you are losing work due to not having the right tools, keep in mind that you can rent car mounts and then add that cost onto your rate.
 
chuck coburn said:
Jason,

If you are losing work due to not having the right tools, keep in mind that you can rent car mounts and then add that cost onto your rate.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say I'm losing work just not activly chasiing after it, everyone wants the shots of them rolling in their rides, or close ups of their spinners while tooling down the road. so my next two major equipment buys will be a steady cam, and the stuff to build a car mount.


Jason
 
Alright guys, I'm sorry for the wait. I thought I would of had more time in between shoots this weekend than I did. I hope these help out, if you need anything else let me know.

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thats pretty cool, has anyone built a rod based mounting system so you can mount it inside the car as well? and always have the camera upright?

if anyone has I'd like to see images of your set up.
 
Mike McNeese said:
Why not just buy one? Filmtools.com had one that I used...don't think it would've been worth it for me to try to build one myself. I had my HVX on the side of a car going at least 70 mph...I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
Click to expand...

Which car mount from filmtools did you use? I've been eyeing the 6" one, which i think might be enough? or did you go for a bigger one, say the 10"?
 
Jason Miller said:
thats pretty cool, has anyone built a rod based mounting system so you can mount it inside the car as well? and always have the camera upright?

if anyone has I'd like to see images of your set up.
Click to expand...

The Killer Camera rigs has a plan for that set up, but I never built it.


I used an old bike rack to make a door mounted rig for shots through the window. Used it on a feature last year and it worked great. I'll post pics of the rig manana, but here's some of the footage.

http://www.stickypod.com/videos/data/500/VD_QT.mov
 
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Jim is correct, the plans for the car mount are followed by a system that is very similar to what you are asking about. The plans call for the car mount to get a few modifications so you eventually have a three in one rig. I haven't tried that yet, but I did run across something that you and everyone else may be interested in. On Black Friday I was out and about and ran across this:

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http://www.scheelssports.com/webapp...10101&storeId=10001&productId=54630&langId=-1

I was able to get mine for $29.99. With a few safety cables on your camera, I think you could get some good stuff.
 
yea those can be had for cheap on ebay, but I wouldn't put an hvx on it, not to mention an hvx with the m2. its really for small handycams and slr cameras I believe.
 
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