Backstop Camera Mount (Budget-Friendly Version)

[Eric F]

Parts...
Arm - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NBQF4PT
Clamp - www.amazon.com/dp/B073TVNYYZ

For mounting a GoPro, any GoPro tripod mount will work. Here's an example... www.amazon.com/dp/B00N5LIYEA
For mounting a cell phone, add another one of the second part, or any other cell phone tripod mount.

I tested this setup with my Mevo Plus camera this past weekend, and was very pleased with the ease of setup, adjustability, and rigidity. A foul ball impact close to my mount location did not bump the camera out of position at all. For chain link backstops, this setup is going to get the call for me ahead of my highly-modified Fence Clip that I have been using for a while.

There are a few different articulating arms on Amazon, including a sub-$6 one, which I also bought to test. The low cost one was a bit shorter (which I preferred), but the movement was rough, and it did not lock down as firmly as the one I ended up using. The one pictured above moves smoothly and has a high-quality feel, by comparison. As such, I don't recommend the super-cheap one unless you really need to be rock-bottom on cost.

The part that grips the fence is a simple cell phone mount, and there are lots of options on the market, but this is the only one I found that has the range necessary to grab a typical chain link fence (most don't go small enough). I was hoping to find something made of metal, but haven't been able to. Despite being plastic, this one seems pretty solid and durable, and easily grips the fence very firmly.

For netting backstops, I haven't been able to come up with anything that will do the job better than a LynkSpyder. The LynkSpyder remains at the top of the list if you need one mount that handles everything.

EDIT: Warning - I have not had a direct impact from a foul ball with this setup yet. I feel like it will hold up well, and stay attached to the fence (I squeeze the clamp pretty tight), but I can't make any assurances at this point.

 

[BRsoftballDad]

That's pretty slick. I like it and will have to give it a try. I will probably buy 2 of the phone adapters though since I stream from my phone. Thanks for the links to Amazon.

 

[hummingbird]

Ok I did read what you wrote but just confirming, that basically you're using what normally grips the phone, to grip the fence instead? Hmm.. now I'm thinking I got enough random parts to make this myself..

 

[Eric F]

Ok I did read what you wrote but just confirming, that basically you're using what normally grips the phone, to grip the fence instead? Hmm.. now I'm thinking I got enough random parts to make this myself..

Yes. The part that grips the fence is a cell phone mount for a tripod (the Amazon links provided will give you more info). This is the only one I have found (so far) that adjusts small enough to grab a chain link fence, and has the thumbscrew to tighten it for a firm grip.

 

[hummingbird]

Yes. The part that grips the fence is a cell phone mount for a tripod (the Amazon links provided will give you more info). This is the only one I have found (so far) that adjusts small enough to grab a chain link fence, and has the thumbscrew to tighten it for a firm grip.

Excellent. Great idea. I'm going to try this out.

 

[Josh Greer]

Disclaimer: Yes we do market a product that relates to this question. But it is a big market that we share and ultimately want the travel ball family to get whatever they need to record their players. My comments are based solely on the OP details and not trying to stifle any comments. Feel free to boot me from the topic as needed.

How far does the grip portion of the hardware extend through the fence. If a ball was to hit this area, would it make contact? Could this contact dislodge the device and/or change the direction of the ball? Perhaps, because of the curve radius, this would be more applicable to baseball over softball.

 

[Eric F]

Disclaimer: Yes we do market a product that relates to this question. But it is a big market that we share and ultimately want the travel ball family to get whatever they need to record their players. My comments are based solely on the OP details and not trying to stifle any comments. Feel free to boot me from the topic as needed.

This thread was purely in response to a number of conversations I've had - online and out on the fields - with people who are looking for a different solution to mounting their camera. Most often it's a cost concern. Being the tinkerer kind of guy that I am, I started spinning ideas in my head, and came up with what is posted above.

Just to be clear, I think the LynkSpyder is an awesome product, and Josh's continued contribution of info and knowledge to the DFP community is exceptional.

How far does the grip portion of the hardware extend through the fence. If a ball was to hit this area, would it make contact? Could this contact dislodge the device and/or change the direction of the ball? Perhaps, because of the curve radius, this would be more applicable to baseball over softball.

The grip portion does extend slightly inside the fence (less than 1/4", I'm guessing), and hooks around the fence wire a little. I would say it's not significantly different than a Fence Clip in that regard. It seems to me that the clamp is able to grip tight enough that it should be able to withstand a direct impact, but that's just my best guess.

Please understand that I'm not marketing a product, or making any guarantees about performance. I'm simply sharing a home-cookin' recipe to address a concern that others have mentioned to me.

 

[JayIndy]

very cool setup. I just purchased a similar hinge adaptor today to add to my rig

 

[Surra343]

yup. Im doing this. Great Idea! Thanks for Sharing.

 

[BradyC87]

This thread was purely in response to a number of conversations I've had - online and out on the fields - with people who are looking for a different solution to mounting their camera. Most often it's a cost concern. Being the tinkerer kind of guy that I am, I started spinning ideas in my head, and came up with what is posted above.

Just to be clear, I think the LynkSpyder is an awesome product, and Josh's continued contribution of info and knowledge to the DFP community is exceptional.



The grip portion does extend slightly inside the fence (less than 1/4", I'm guessing), and hooks around the fence wire a little. I would say it's not significantly different than a Fence Clip in that regard. It seems to me that the clamp is able to grip tight enough that it should be able to withstand a direct impact, but that's just my best guess.

Please understand that I'm not marketing a product, or making any guarantees about performance. I'm simply sharing a home-cookin' recipe to address a concern that others have mentioned to me.

Different than the official fence clip by not costing a ridiculous $80. Can't believe anyone actually spends that much on $4 worth of parts.