valiant-51

Hi wolfriverjoe! Thanks for sharing your opinion. I do know that there is a "Photography and Video." Thanks for the suggestion. The 2014-2015 Skydiver's Information Manual says that "All camera platforms, whether custom or off the shelf, should be evaluated for safety and suitability to the camera flyer's purpose. (1) by a rigger (2) by an experienced camera flyer" In accordance with this, I decided to post it here so that our friends, the riggers, could have a discussion about it. This is supposed to be the forum where "you can discuss any gear related questions and issues. Ask about gear before you buy it and find out what others are using and how." Please, tell us what you think about the helmet. 1. If the helmet is also the camera, would you still consider it "an add on?" 2. Would you like a helmet with a camera built in it? Cheers!

Thanks Hollywood5581! I will contact you when I plan a trip to Lodi. Cheers!

Hi Keith! Thanks for the advice! Seriously. And thanks to all of those that also offered their advice on the value cameras on learning/training. I thought that it would be clear from my original post that I did not indented to use this, or any other camera, to improve my flying skills. What I actually said was that: "4. Bottom-Line: This would be just for fun!" I actually placed this post in the gear forum because I wanted for you guys to help me understand "the benefits and drawbacks of jumping one of these helmets for the purpose of recording my "point of view" of a skydive." I thought that the idea of a built-in camera was cool and figured that since there was no post about this helmet in the gear forum, that it would be nice to start talking about it. Maybe I said too much, and should have just dropped the name of the helmet and the pictures. I feel that many fellow-jumpers just focused on my interest on improving my flying skills before getting a "GoPro" and completely ignored the piece of gear that is up for discussion in the "Gear and Rigging" forum. Maybe, they all work for "GoPro." Cheers brother and Blue Skies!

Cool Remster! Thanks for sharing your opinion! I think that number 2 is a solid point. How often do you find yourself changing your camera? (i.e. what is the shelf-life of a camera that you get for recording fun jumps? I would like to clarify that I was not saying/suggesting that recording POV video would improve my flying. What I meant to say is that before I get a "GoPro," I would like to improve my flying skills because of the added weight and/or potential snag-hazard on my helmet. My mistake - I am typing through a language barrier here. Actually, the only reason why I would be interested in something like this helmet is because I thought that it would be fun to record the "wealth of visual stimulation that can be readily captured through still and video photography" (borrowing this description from the USPA). Hence, "4. Bottom-Line: This would be just for fun!" Cheers man!

Hi Alexg3265! Thanks for the reply! I agree that the helmet looks like something that is marketed for other athletes, and probably a lot younger than your average skydiver. I actually saw this for the first time at REI this weekend. Their website promotes the helmets for BMX riders, skateboarders, and snowboarders. However, I was excited about this because I know that some of the new technologies and equipment that we use now in skydiving have actually migrated from other sports and/or aviation practices. I am interested in the whole behavioral point that DoughH brought. I looked for more information into this and found a few discussions addressing scenarios with some similarities (i.e. Tandem jumper that wanted to bring his helmet mounted camera, ect..) but definitely not 1000 threads. Maybe this could be 1001 thread, since we have new information to analyze and talk about. I am curious about something that you mentioned. Is there an illegal way to fly a camera?

Hi Remster! 1. What do you mean by excuse to use POV cameras? 2. Would you like a helmet like this one for your own flying? 3. Do you think that this concept could help decrease camera-related accidents and/or injuries? Cheers

Thanks for the advice diablopilot. I will definitely work on that. What do you think of the built-in camera?

Thanks for the link and the advice NWFlyer! I will stay tuned to the Facebook page! Cheers

I wanted to see if there are any riggers, camera flyers, and/or experienced jumpers that would like to discuss this interesting piece of equipment. I would like your help understanding the benefits and drawbacks of jumping one of these helmets for the purpose of recording my "point of view" of a skydive. The helmet has a camera housing group that is built into the helmet, and thus should decrease the probability of snagging your risers, lines, etc. The quality of the image is not great but I think that it beats not having any video capabilities to record the wonderful experience of skydiving. I like this product because it is considerably more affordable than buying a "GoPro" and because I would like to improve my flying skills before I add any weight and/or potential snag-hazard to my helmet. I think that there are a few things that I have to disclaim before we initiate the conversation to avoid any confusions. 1. I am an A-licensed jumper with the USPA. 2. I am not intending to become a professional camera flyer (i.e. not doing any camera work for hire). 3. I am not intending to become a team's camera flyer. 4. Bottom-Line: This would be just for fun! The 2014-2015 Skydiver's Information Manual says that "All camera platforms, whether custom or off the shelf, should be evaluated for safety and suitability to the camera flyer's purpose. (1) by a rigger (2) by an experienced camera flyer" Riggers and experienced camera flyers, can we talk about these helmets? This is the link to the company's website. http://bulthelmets.com/ Cheers!

Hi all, I am a returning skydiver and would like to say hi to the community. I started jumping in Skydive San Diego 10 years ago and took some time off from the sport. I recently moved to the Bay Area started jumping again at Skydance Skydiving in Davis, CA. I am having a great time flying but have found it hard to make connections with other A-licensed jumpers (or newer jumpers) interested in learning, practicing, and/or just flying together a few times. Business drives the schedule of a lot of senior jumpers in the community and very few are interested in jumping with A-licensed jumpers, unless you are willing to $$$-talk about coaching-$$$ of course. I have paid for a some coach jumps already but I am ready to start flying with other people and making new friends! If you are a jumper from the bay area and would like to jump with a new but highly motivated skydiver, contact me! I drive from the south bay and have been going to Davis almost every weekend. We could also talk about carpooling. Cheers!