Low-cost microSD camera’s are everywhere!
I had been looking for a small camera for about 3 months to mount to my airsoft gun. These days, you can’t even go to the local department store’s electronic section without seeing a small video camera for under $50. Many of these camera’s are shaped like small video cameras, point and shoot still cameras or tiny “gum-stick” devices that are literally no larger than a pack of gum.
Needed: A tactical battlefield video camera
Milsim airsoft is a sport in which the participants play airsoft games in the style of a military battle simulation. Everyone dresses up in team camouflage, operates within set squads and attempts to achieve certain objectives on the field.
During prior airsoft battles, various team members have brought still cameras, gum-stick cameras and even full size video cameras to record the action. With each type of camera, the user typically becomes ineffective on the battlefield and rather than being an asset, becomes a liability. The reason for this is that the camera person must use one or both hands to hold the camera. In the best of cases, the user has a pistol for a side-arm and can still defend themselves. In the worst case, the person is an embedded “journalist” in need of protection.
I really wanted a video camera to take to a regional airsoft event, but I was not about to get a camera that I would have to hold in my hand. With that in mind, I found myself in the market for a small camera to attach to my airsoft rifle. I currently have two airsoft rifles, an Echo 1 G36K and a G&G M4 / GR16. Both rifles have rails that are compatible with both picatinny and weaver rail mounts.
Unfortunately, all of the cameras I had looked at could not be easily attached to either of my rifles. The small consumer cameras were actually too large to attach to a rifle and the gum-stick camera had the lens pointing out the side of the package and not from the thin, top of the package.
What I was really hoping for was a camera that I could place into a standard 1″ scope mount. So, I began searching the net, but not really knowing what I might find.
“Spy gear” to the rescue: A video camera in a flashlight?
You might be wondering why anyone would want to put a camera into a small flashlight. Spy gear of course! “It’s a flashlight… It’s a camera… No, it’s both!”
In my search for a small video camera, I came across a great little device. It’s an 8 LED flashlight with a video camera built right into the head of the light. The body of the flashlight is aluminum and even better… it is a 1″ diameter tube!!! In addition to being a good fit for a scope mount, the flashlight camera was only $35 and came with a free 2GB microSD memory card.
The camera reviewed here is no longer avaialble. But that’s ok, the review still provides some great ideas for mounting a POV camera to your airsoft platform. Here are some other POV style cameras that could be mounted to your airsoft rifle.
Unpacking and testing out the camera
A great tool for any airsofter, hunter or sportsman
I have owned my camera for about 3 months. It has lived up to my every expectation and for the price, it was worth every penny. If you are looking for a gift for someone in your life that enjoys sporting, guns or just cool gadgets, this camera is definitely for them.