Just a side note on a post above.  I dont think anyone should be "called out" for expressing an opinion on this forum unless they use profanity or vulgar language.  I dont think the purpose of a forum on this site is to promote products per se'.  The purpose of the forum is for  skiers to express their opinions and findings regarding new equipment and new ideas regarding technique, etc.  I think it is ok for someone to have a difference of opinion about a product, a ski or whatever, as long as they are not vulgar, or making it a personal attack on an individual.  I (personally) would be more likely to try a product after hearing both good and bad opinions about it.  If all I hear is positive feedback from the guys selling the product I am less likely to pay atention to it, and more likely to view it as a simple advertisement.

david38off, what exactly is happening? You set the camera to record and only get the 10-15 seconds before the boat takes off? Do you get the 10-15 seconds before taking off and then get black or garbled video for the full length of the pass? If it's the prior, it seems like the vibration is, in one way or another, tricking the record button into activating. Stupid idea, try leaving the camera in standby and see if it starts to record when you hit the gas.



Some cameras are more sensitive to vibration than others.
I've talked to enough skiers to confidently suggest the Flip cameras. I do not personally own one, but they are showing to be rugged little cameras with acceptable video quality.

david38off wrote:

Just a side note on a post above.  I dont think anyone should be "called out" for expressing an opinion on this forum unless they use profanity or vulgar language.  I dont think the purpose of a forum on this site is to promote products per se'.  The purpose of the forum is for  skiers to express their opinions and findings regarding new equipment and new ideas regarding technique, etc.  I think it is ok for someone to have a difference of opinion about a product, a ski or whatever, as long as they are not vulgar, or making it a personal attack on an individual.  I (personally) would be more likely to try a product after hearing both good and bad opinions about it.  If all I hear is positive feedback from the guys selling the product I am less likely to pay atention to it, and more likely to view it as a simple advertisement.

Of course. I think you're missing my point.

HO410 wrote:

david38off, what exactly is happening? You set the camera to record and only get the 10-15 seconds before the boat takes off? Do you get the 10-15 seconds before taking off and then get black or garbled video for the full length of the pass? If it's the prior, it seems like the vibration is, in one way or another, tricking the record button into activating. Stupid idea, try leaving the camera in standby and see if it starts to record when you hit the gas.



Some cameras are more sensitive to vibration than others.
I've talked to enough skiers to confidently suggest the Flip cameras. I do not personally own one, but they are showing to be rugged little cameras with acceptable video quality.

I set the camera to record, and immediately after pulling up the skier (less than 1 sec) it shuts off.  Blank screen and a message ( I am sorry it is cold and we arent skiing here yet so havent tried it since sept...so I dont remember what exactly the message says ) appears on the camcorder...something like video recording stopped?? It doesnt record anything during the pass or after..it just turns off.   So it seems that the vibration of pulling the skier up is turning off the camcorder.  I dont think it has anything to do with the trakker exactly, except that it appears just pulling the skier up is too much vibration for the camcorder on the trakker.

Last edited by david38off (Wed, Mar 10, 2010 9:31 PM)

I checked and it does have a micro SD card in it that comes out of the bottom and is placed in the computer for viewing.  ??

I have heard about cameras having sensors that are not adjustable. i.e. Moisture sensors that will shut the unit of until the moisture is gone. I would guess that a camera could have a vibration sensor as well. You might call tech support of the manufacture with your question.
I built a camera mount about 20 years ago. I don’t remember seeing one before I built mine, but I can’t imagine that it was an original idea of mine. I must have seen one and just don’t remember. Does any one know how long Tracker has been around? I first set the camera on a tripod and my girls, youngest 5, would video me. We then got an inboard and I modified the top of the tripod to mount on the pylon. This worked great. There was a loose connection within the swivel that inhibited the vibration from transferring to the camera and allowed the camera to keep up with the skier in the preturn as he broke free of the boat. Keep in mind this was before camera stabilization. Or at the least mine did not have it. That swivel eventually wore out and I re-did the apparatus with a bearing swivel. This tightened up the connection and transferred the vibration from the engine right to the camera. I mounted four vibration dampers and that took care of the vibration. The other problem then showed up with the bearing; not enough free swing. It would keep up in the pull but when you got free of the boat and the rope would sway, you would ski out of the frame. I think that sounds better than “I got slack”. My perspectives of things are always changing so maybe my skiing was such that I was the only problem and not the bearing. I’m posting a picture. Maybe Tracker can get some ideas for a damper from mine. They are welcome to use any aspect with no obligation to me. I really want to get back to videoing. It helped me then and I think it would really help me know. I know without a doubt that what you feel and think is not always what you see.

I apologize for not seeing your post earlier. There is a company called MOR/ryde that makes suspension systems for travel trailers. Some where back in the 70’s, I got some samples at a dealer show. I’ll bet if you call them and ask for four samples, they would accommodate you. Good luck and again, sorry for the delayed response.

Last edited by BudMan (Tue, Jun 8, 2010 1:45 AM)

BudMan wrote:

I apologize for not seeing your post earlier. There is a company called MOR/ryde that makes suspension systems for travel trailers. Some where back in the 70’s, I got some samples at a dealer show. I’ll bet if you call them and ask for four samples, they would accommodate you. Good luck and again, sorry for the delayed response.

Budman, are you using dampers between the bracket and pylon, or between the bracket and the camera mount?

I bought a Flip but have not used it yet.  The vibration issues were from my old Sony.  I'm just sort of preparing in case it happens again.  Believe it or not I've only been on the water once this season.