Here are some reviews of the ATC 3000 action camera that I’ve been emailed by people.

I had initially started using a Nikon LS10 compact mounted via a manfrotto 035 superclamp after some very close calls whilst commuting in and out of work via cycle. There had been a sudden downward shift in driving standards in late 2007 here in Southampton and I had started to wonder should I be hit and there were no witnesses forthcoming or present who would know what happened. Why should I give up something I love for the idiots out there to have their own selfish way?

The clamp and compact proved unreliable in the rain. It was not waterproof or shock proof. It did have a stunning video image but the clamp also held its own problem with the mount being heavy and unbalanced. I then did a fair bit of research online (what would we do without the internet!?) to find a suitable alternative. Youtube proved the place to be as many sportsmen and women seemed to be using some kind of mysterious camera attached to their skiing and cycling helmets. On from that I found further youtubers who were posting videos of similar experiences to mine. After I had realised what the camera was I ordered one.

My initial concerns were that it was a little bulky. Mounting it on a helmet is a bit of a faff in my opinion and throws the helmet out of balance. Nothing worse than turning your head to shoulder check and finding your lid keeps turning. You have to learn to move your head in a particular fashion to counter this, and I for one did not get on with this.

Mounting the camera on the handlebars was much better for me. It did lose the side to side visibility of the head movement but it was comfortable. Handlebar mounting lead to its own problems – the lens element flexes on some of the worse roads you ride on and the sound is terrible. Digital distortion is rife at the best of times due to the way the microphone is designed into the casing.

All this is very well but there are some very good points about this camera that simply outweigh the negatives. For one the camera is one of the best waterproof designs around. A simple design that works well. The lens is also inset and kept away from the lighter drops of rain, this inset also acts as a hood to stop some of the flare from bright sunshine.

Another positive is how this camera is pretty damn tough! A few months after first using it on the handlebars I was hit side on by a driver who pulled out of a roundabout junction without looking. The camera provided enough evidence to get successful prosecution and cost the driver several thousand quid on his insurance. Remarkably despite being hit by the car the only damage was to the handlebar mount – the camera STILL works!

The image is contrasty and captures details well for such a small lens and sensor. It’s not quite DVD quality but it does a great job for the money.

My videos can be found at http://www.youtube.com/downfader2 where you will find some basic video tests of the ATC3k as well as the usual cycling about. My blog can also be read at http://uk.360.yahoo.com/downfader

Daniel (Downfader) – 16/05/2009

This is a nice little site about the ATC camera range. I bought the ATC3000 July 09 as I wanted to video at least 2 hours at a time.

I bought mine specifically to record any accidents or near misses and broadcast them on youtube whilst out cycling for commuting and pleasure. I had a major accident in 2007 which left me with multiple spinal fractures so when I started to ride again (a big deal for me) the ATC3000 was an essential part of my cycling kit. I may add that there were a number of witnesses at my accident but it made me think what the outcome could have been should they have not come forward.

Most of my footage is pretty boring. In the event that I need to challenge a driver on a manoeuvre I am sure it intimidates them. I often point to my camera before or after a manoeuvre to the driver. You cannot be sure if they understand what you are up to but I sure feel better and that’s what counts for me.

Another thing about the ATC range is its well engineered. My ATC 3000 has never let me down. I have used the same 2 rechargeable batteries for about 10 months and the same 4gb sd card….in all weathers and it always comes up with the goods. Occasionally a spot of road dirt will obscure a part of the lense but that would happen with any camera!

Ian (nearcyclemisses) – http://www.youtube.com/user/nearcyclemisses
– 09/05/2009

Got a review for any of the ATC cameras?  Send me and email with it and I’ll add it to the website, along with a link to your youtube page of website!