DIY - video camera mounted to drivers headrest

[nzer]

If you read below you will see the author (Peter) decided to mount it to the driver's seat after initially going for the passenger seat - weight of the driver stabilises it. So the below instructions are perfect for LHD or RHD vehicles - you simply attach the mount to the drivers seat the opposite way from the passengers seat (ie: invert it without making any changes).

In other words the below mount can be used on either the drivers or the passenger headrest.

If you follow the below the final mount should look like this!



This was written by one of our 86 club members here in New Zealand, Peter Sullivan, and he has given me permission to share it with you. Thanks Peter!

Here's a simple and of course cheap way of mounting an everyday digital video camera into the GT 86.

At first I thought of mounting the camera in the back seat area of the car, somehow using the child retrain anchor points in the 86. Instead I have chosen to use the passenger seat headrest to mount the camera.

There are many advantages to this location.

1. The camera is up front which gives a much better view of the track ahead.

2. Also it is easier for the driver to start and stop recording.

3. Less materials and easier fitting and removal.

Although it is ingenious, I can not claim the glory for this design. While searching the net for materials I stumbled upon a website of someone who designed and built this. I have done exactly the same thing, with just a couple of small refinements of my own.

The first picture is of the materials. Not every bit was used, because some things come in packets and the box tubing is purchased in lengths of 1.2M and I am only using 400mm.

The whole thing probably took less than an hour to make and everything was purchased from a local hardware store, with the exception of the thumb screw which was in my junk box in the garage...

Adding up the "actual" materials used, the cost was just under $15.00

Testing

The following documentation shows the camera mount being fitted to the passenger seat headrest. After fitting and with the seat empty, my first drive produced a somewhat shaky video. The test was repeated with a passenger in place and the stability was improved greatly!

At this point I decided that I will fit the camera mount to the drivers headrest. It does not interfere with the driver and nor does the drivers head obscure the view. There is still some shaking, but it does depend on the road surface. However, I think on a smooth track surface it will produce video of acceptable quality and it is just for fun anyway.


Figure 1

At the top is a length of 19mm x 19mm aluminium box tubing. A couple of "U" bolts with 15mm opening. The saddle supplied is not used in this application. Just below that is my thumb screw which is essentially a 15mm diameter solid bar then drilled and tapped with a piece M6 threaded rod inserted (before I cut it to the correct length)

The packet on the left is some thin strips of self adhesive rubber. The packet on the right is some 20mm square plastic plugs that will fit into the ends of the box tubing to cover any sharp edges.

Construction.

First start by marking and cutting a piece of box tubing 400mm long.

Using Figure 2 below, measure 25mm from the right-hand edge and mark. From this point measure 24mm and mark. From there measure 150mm and mark. Measure a further 24mm and mark.

Drill out each hole 10mm, right through the box tubing.

Hint. Using a drill press and a "step" drill makes this a breeze.


Figure 2

See Figure 3 and measure 25mm in from the other edge and drill a 6mm hole in the opposite face for the thumbscrew.


Figure 3


Figure 4

The protruding thread should be about 1mm shorter than the maximum depth allowed by the corresponding mount on the camera.


Figure 5

Push a 20mm square insert into each end of the box tubing. (I trimmed about 1mm off each side of each flange to make it easier to push in. Figure 5)


Figure 6

Cut off the lowest tare and just leave 2 plus the end so that it does not interfere with the bolts after insertion. These are a push fit, no glue is required.


Figure 7

Cut 2 pieces of self adhesive rubber and place between the "U" bolt holes. This is to protect the area that will be in contact with the chrome headrest supports.


Figure 8


Figure 9


Add two more pieces either side of the camera thumb screw hole to protect the bottom of the camera


Figure 10

To further protect the headrest supports, wind some PVC tape around the top of the "U" bolts.


Figure 11

Place the "U" bolts around each headrest support and secure with nuts. (I will probably change these to wing nuts later).


Figure 12


Figure 13

Attach the camera with the thumbscrew.



Figure 14

Adjusting the camera view is real easy.

1. The thumbscrew allows movement left and right.

2. Height can be adjusted by moving the headrest up and down.

3. The level can be adjusted by moving the "back" of the seat forward and backwards.
4. Final adjustment can be done with the zoom in the camera itself.

Hit the track and the record button.... And as always, it's all easily removed when you get home.

[crazyfrenchbiker]

Very well done. Thanks!