Is there such a thing?

[Tim Shriver]

I purchased one of the Ram suction cup camera mounts
and am in need of an adapter or bracket that
will allow the camcorder to be right side up
while hanging from the botton side of the Ram mount.

This is the mount I purchased with the 6" arm.

http://www.mountguys.com/product_p/ram-b-166-c1.htm

The only way it can be attached is to the front windshield.
Due to the angle of the windsheild I cannot put the
head and camera on top, but must instead turn
the mount downward and hang the head and cam from
the bottom.
This means the camera would have to hang upside down.

I could make a bracket for it, but would rather find a
head/adapter that would put the cameras right side up.

Any ideas? Is there such a thing?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[Chris Nuttall]

I'm not really sure I can help, but I take it something like this is what you have in mind.
http://www.filmtools.com/filmtools-in-car-windshield-camera-mount.html

The only problem I've seen with this mount is the inability to use a panning head. The camera would just be fixed in one direction. Since I shoot most of my video in the car (scared to death of lightning), this really isn't an option for me. It's the only thing keeping me from getting it, too.

 

[Tim Shriver]

I wish I could get the head assembly only. That might do the job. If all
else fails I will put the Ram in the trunk and order this one.

I dont care for lightning either, to many close calls.

Thanks,

Tim

 

[Robert Rohloff]

I just bought the 115 Gripper from Filmtools. It holds my Sony trv840 D8 with no problems. It appears to be very stable while moving. I had been using a old radar mount with a tripod head however when I changed vehicles it did not fit.

It does have some adjustment on the camera mount area that allow some movement. I have not done enough with it to comment on how it works.

 

[Robert Rohloff]

This site sells the same mounts and parts.

http://www.vacuummounts.com/prodpics.php

 

[John Erwin]

I purchased one of the Ram suction cup camera mounts

Hi Tim; While I'm a big fan of Ram Mounts I would strongly recommend not using the model you selected for the job you have in mind. I'm pretty sure the suction base would ultimately not hold the loads you have in mind.

Like the others here have suggested a "vacuum" mount is what you will need; these have much higher grip strength and are used in applications just like what you have in mind.

Somebody here a few years back (sorry can't remember who) fabricated their own mount with one of those vacuum mounts similar to one of the websites above; they added some hardware store corner brackets and other bits and came up with something strong and could pan too.

 

[Tim Johnson]

Home Made Cam Mount

John, I'm not the one who made the mount using the suction cup device, but I did fabricate a mount that works quite well. Perhaps someone will find it useful. Tim, sorry, I'm not sure your suction cup device will adapt to this, but maybe there's something here you can use.

Top view (also seen with laptop via jottodesk.)

The pan tilt mount is an inexpensive bogen mount that attaches via 3/8" - 16 bolt.

Finding the materials, and knowing someone who welds are the only requirements. Here is the simple design plans.

Here's a rough pic of where it attaches to the seat mounts in the truck...

The lower plate is iron so its rock solid. The inner pole (fence post cut to length and panted) can be removed when not chasing to get things out of your way. I don't recall the exact lengths of the poles but that can be modified to suit your hight needed.

Its very simple and works great.

 

[John Erwin]

AHA! I found a picture of the mount in question. I tend to keep pictures of inovative designs for things in case I can use them later.

The following mount was designed by J.R. Hehnly; he took this pic in 2004. Hopefully he or anybody else doesn't mind me reposting this picture here; it doesn't look like he's been here for some time.

It looks like he combined a vacuum mount with some tripod parts and some hardware brackets.

 

[Gerard Jebaily]

AHA! I found a picture of the mount in question. I tend to keep pictures of inovative designs for things in case I can use them later.

The following mount was designed by J.R. Hehnly; he took this pic in 2004. Hopefully he or anybody else doesn't mind me reposting this picture here; it doesn't look like he's been here for some time.

It looks like he combined a vacuum mount with some tripod parts and some hardware brackets.

Only problem i noticed with J.R.'s mount is that he had to pump up that suction cup bout every 20 mins to keep the mount on the windsheild.

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Here is a small very inexpensive tip to help Suction Cups stay on the glass.
Go to the drugstore and buy the smallest bottle of Glycerin you can.
You only need a very, very small amount to spread on the suction cup. Literally barely enough to get the inside of the cup covered. Anymore and it may slide some on the glass. If so, remove and wipe some off.
The suction cups will stay put. Better than water, glass cleaner, baby oil, and all those other tricks around.
Also helps to keep them in place on other smooth surfaces that have a tendency to let go too easily.

 

[Tim Shriver]

I want to thank everyone that gave me some ideas and pointed
to some resources for the mounting of cameras.

While this may not be the ideal setup, it works for me right now.
As with any project, the first time you attempt it, you learn
things you can use the next time around.

The setup is simple and works. I am not after pro-quality
video but rather a record of what I see and report.

I kept the Ram suction cup mount and constructed a simple
bracket to keep the camcorder right side up.

The laptop is sitting on an Air Desk Moble, which is good as the
Fusion is not big on room, so being able to remove the laptop
mount is good with me.

2 meter Yaesu along with a Midland commercial radio
is used for UHF ham and our business band radio system.

Magellen 4000 GPS and a few other items.

Now we need some storms to try it out. (no hail please)

http://www.proalert.us/med_mw122fusion 006.jpg

Again, thanks for the input and I am sure I will be seeking
more of it in the future.

Tim