For safety I want a real time rearview and dashcam. I use a mounted Android phone running Cadence App as my head unit (its incredible look into it). On the same phone I’d like to run an action camera app with a real time preview window connected to a rear facing action camera. That would provide the a rear view image on the phone. I could also get the same camera to act as a dashcam and use it for quality pics and videos of my buddies riding behind me. To do it I have to find an action camera and remote camera app to provide all the following features; image isolation, looping, orientation lock (camera will be mounted upside down), mirror image (rear image will be in reverse), 1080/60fps, and if possible incident sensing (crash detection). I did a bunch of research, but manufactures don’t always go into this much detail, so I’m counting on some of you who might be familiar with such an action camera. Does anyone know a camera, and associated app, that could support all those feature requirements?
I’ve been looking into a similar setup although with less features than you require. I just want a continuous rear view image without needing to constantly turn my head or rely on a tiny mirror with an extremely limited view. A modern phone with a large screen having an unobstructed video feed from a rear-facing camera would be ideal. The only potential limiting factor would be powering the phone with the screen on at the brightest level during days when the sun is blazing. Perhaps an external battery could be rigged for very long rides.
When searching for information from riders who have already installed custom cameras for their bikes, the most common setup seemed to be adapted motorcycle dashcam systems. Apparently, they are cheap and not that difficult to rig for a bicycle. I didn’t look into the topic any further than a cursory search for information, but it could possibly serve as a starting point. I’d be very interested to read what those with electronic technical skills might suggest.
I haven’t used my GoPro in over two years, but I recall it has a feature where you can live stream the video feed to the phone. And start/stop the recording and such.
I rode a motorcycle on the streets when I was younger. I don’t recall ever having to look over my shoulder to see what was behind me because it had handlebar mirrors. I’ve driven a motor vehicle for over 50 years and always had situational awareness using my mirrors. I adapted that same function on to my bike when I first started riding on the streets over 35 years ago. I’ve never understood the resentment to not use a mirror when cycling. Mirrors are in use by over 8 million motorcycles today and according to google a quarter billion cars. I’m not against new technology but it’s hard to beat a cheap piece of glass that lets me see the road behind me.
Hey thanks for the replies! I’m still hunting and researching, I’m convinced this would be great functionality. Having a review image to see oncoming traffic, a dashcam that could actually record license plates and then the ability to video or snap a high quality image of your friends or route… all from your head unit. I’m convinced an action camera could tie all of this up.
Semi-prone - I’ve seen some units that would fill your wish list and they are relatively inexpensive. There are several systems out there with a wired cam and viewing monitor. Some even have extended battery life. If you havn’t tried Amazon yet do a search for “bike review camera” and a bunch will come up. I’m holding out, I want to get the image on my cell phone as it is my head unit.
DavidNeu - Thanks, yes GoPro does have a preview window on their app and they would be perfect but they are missing the “mirror” feature, at least I cannot find it. The image they show is reversed in rear view, great if you want to steer into the oncoming traffic.
TJ56 - Yes, mirrors work for looking behind, I just want to do more.
It’s really the “mirror” feature that is hard to find. Several action cameras have the other capabilities, it its that mirror setting that is hard to find. Has anyone seen a mirror feature in the action cameras app in the preview window or settings?
I’ve been using mirrors for decades. I would still have a mirror installed even with a good rear-view camera. The camera is supplemental. It improves situational awareness by increasing field of view. It’s another ‘layer’ of safety for me, not a mirror replacement. Bicycle mirrors, and I’ve tried many over the years from helmet mounted to bar mirrors, are limited. To get a similar field of view as in a motor vehicle you’d need two mirrors (left/right) plus a helmet mirror which you can use to pan the rear view by rotating your head slightly. But, who wants to install that many mirrors? Today, small cameras are available and they don’t add to drag, which are the bane of all mirror designs.
Why don’t you look into the new Garmin Varia or Cycliq Fly units (front and rear) to take care of the recording/dash cam/crash detection side of your requirements.
As others have mentioned, for real time looking, get a small mirror or even one of the mirrors that sit in the bar ends. Having said that, you should always be checking over your shoulder regardless to check any blind spots.
Running a continuous video stream on a phone is going to deplete the battery super fast and you could also run into overheating issues with the additional processing power it’ll use.
Not to mention if you’re planning on using the phone for both head unit and live stream, then you’re going to be distracting yourself far too much switching between apps, or looking at the camera which will ultimately defeat the safety purpose you’re aiming for.
I disagree! I only use one brake hood (or left bar on tri bike) mirror when riding on the road. It provides me with a clear, distortion free, picture of what is behind me. The brake hood mirror mimics what motorcycles are using. I’ve tried the helmet and visor and glasses mounted mirrors without any success. I bought a Varia back in '20 and I now use it along with the brake hood mirror. Both of those provide me a great deal of confidence that I know what’s going on behind me. Several years ago (look at that old watch) when this subject was debated I tried to get a picture of how well I perceived it works. I think the picture is pretty good evidence of seeing the entire road behind me, distortion free, at 20mph. YMMV
Nice mirror, which one do you use?
I may be wrong, but that looks like it is attached to flat bars not drop bars like a road bike. I have a mirror as well as a Varia, but the mirror that fits a drop bar does not provide much left /right (horizontal) field of view.
This is the one I use on both my road, gravel, and tri bikes. <$20 is nice for so much functionality 
Yes mirrors can work. Since I ride full time on a triathlon bike there really isn’t a good place to mount them other than my helmet. Then there is the aero aspect and breaking your aero position. That’s why I’m looking for a preview image right in front of me. I do ride with radar right now, which helps. I wouldn’t be using the rear view full time, just on tough situations like when you are riding in the shoulder and have to enter traffic for a oncoming left hand turn.
I appreciate all the safety concern, but I think this would be an additional layer of safety to compliment shoulder checks and radar. Let me know if you have any Action Camera suggestions, it’s really that image mirror capability that is hard to find.
Thanks, I’m looking for something on a drop-bar gravel bike (that gets used sometime on the road).
The problem with that one is that it mounts on the hood (which is ok), but then it blocks the hood if you want to grip the bars there (which is not ideal) …
I must be doing it wrong. I tried a similar mirror on my road bike and it sucked for me. I think I change my riding and head position too often and the mirror was never pointing in the blind spot that I needed.
The road vibration as well totally messed up any view I would get. I think this was the biggest problem actually.
The helmet mirrors seem to work for me but required some practice. Garmin varia has rendered all of them unnecessary though and has no real aero penalty.
It’s been so long ago that I don’t recall which bike. It works just as well (for me) on either road, gravel, and/or tri bikes. It doesn’t block my grip on my hood either. Regarding aero: it’s used for training and recreation so who f’ing cares.
For tri bike it does require a “hack” to fit on the flat bar. Here’s some pics I made for the tri adaptation many years ago:
Dual cateye bm45 mirrors is a game changer on road and group rides…but often thought a rear view camera could be useful
Yeah look at that you actually got a mirror on your aero bar setup, hats off to you! That’s my challenge with mirrors also, no one makes a standard mount for forward facing bars with time brakes or gear selectors in the ends. … Hey you guys with 3D printers…
very interesting never saw one like that before.
I never found a bar mounted mirror that worked well for me. I rode with a helmet mounted one for a while but for the past 6-7 year I’ve been using Trieye glasses and they work great. They’re out of the way and you have as wide a field of vision as you want just by turning your head. It’s quite easy to see what happening behind you - I feel like even if I had a radar unit I’d want to keep the ability to see what approaching behind me. Between the mirror and my ears though, I haven’t felt like radar is going to add much to my experience.
Wow, I’ve never see these Trieye glasses, I’m going to pick up a set… Thanks Clay! However I’m still going to keep pursuing the rearview camera idea.