Tern GSD - Safety Camera - 360 Camera (insta360/DJI/GoPro) OR Cylciq/similar?

[Kris Mason]

Hi All,

A few too many close calls lately carrying my daughter - time for a camera!

With the prevalence of high-quality low-cost car "dash-cams" I am surprised by the lack thereof for bikes.

Looking to buy something quality that will last - insta360 x4 or x5 look great and was my inital thought of what to go with, bumped into a guy with Cycliq on todays ride said he has had for years and is happy.

The tern obviously already has in built front and rear lights, and I add an extra very bright flashing front light and rear light (rechargeable) which I will probably keep.

Questions

- What camera is best for Tern GSD and why? do you have one now?
- Best mounting option for best coverage noting some incidents or near misses come side on!

Thanks very much in advance!

 

[fooferdoggie]

I had used cylciq but man having to charge them every day when I would go months with them. Every time I had an issue was when I forgot them. Battery life is so short for GoPro

 

[RunForTheHills]

I have had my share of close calls riding my bike. I still don't think it would be worth the hassle to ride with a camera. That said, I just bought Viofo dash cams for my wife and myself for our cars. My wife was in a fender bender where someone tail ended her at a stop sign a few months ago. The other driver claimed she backed into her to her insurance company. Total lie, but a dash cam would have put the lie to rest. Instead, we had to pay our deductible for the repair.

 

[stompandgo]

The Garmin Varia RCT715 can be powered from an external source that will charge its internal battery. If your Tern has a USB-C port on the display that is designed to charge your phone, you can use that to charge the camera from your main battery. I have the older Garmin Varia without the camera, and an older Cyliq Fly 6 CE left over from my analog days. They work fine, but they are not connected to the main battery.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I had debated on running wires to power my regular blinkies to a battery so it is not hard to do.