Mini digital video recorder-need advice

[5 Eyes]

HI

I am looking for a mini digital video recorder and camera with good battery life and must be water proof/sand proof.

I have looked at camera packages on www.HelmetCamera.com and a few more and the more I read the more confused I get.

The camera on the helmetcamera web site looks very good as do the accesories... does anyone have any experience using these mini DVR's.
The advantage of them for me would be that they record straight to a card and not to a tape which would be a disaster..
the disadvantage is that I've simply not used one and dont know anyone that has

[jdenenholz]

check out Helmet+Cam, Helmet+Cameras, and Motorcycle+Cameras by Twenty20 Camera.

[roadsacallin]

I've never seen one of these in person, but it sounds like a good option.

http://www.elmo.co.jp/suv-cam/en/index.html

[Van Isle]

Roadsacallin,
I just recently myself picked up one of www.helmetcamera.com's 560 line helmet cams with the DVR.

Comments on the DVR:
record quality is as they say: NOT "broadcast". It's good for sharing with friends, showing on a TV with some apparent loss of resolution, great for web-based stuff.

Pros: TINY! The DVR is the size of my Blackberry Pearl: 9cm x 5.5cm x 1.1 cm thick. It's size and bulk means I can pack it anywhere to keep it from the elements. Unless you're diving I wouldn't go with their waterproof pelican case system.

The whole camera set up seems pretty bombproof

Camera can be hardwired to bike (12V)

records to SD and is easily read by PC or Mac


Cons: DVR doesn't seem very tough, and there's no name brand on it. But again, for it's size it's easy to protect, and if something does bugger, it's only a few hundred $ to replace.

no remote record button. I'm going to try keeping mine in my tankbag mapcover, see how that works.

DVR can't be readily hardwired, although will charge off of USB.

Here's a pic of everything I need to capture video. Camera plugs into 12v DC hardwired on an f650 GS:

EDIT: I don't need the Leatherman or the BB to film. They're just for scale.