I'd like to get a video camera...and like to setup a mount inside my Xterra. If possible, I'd like something that could mount to the grab handle - otherwise I may have to look into a suction cup mount of some sort. Any ideas?

Here ya go:

http://www.ram-mount.com/camera_mount/camera_mounts.htm

http://www.filmtools.com/cleatsuccamm.html

I figure I might get that one if I was going to do suction mount.

Andrew, with your expensive ass camera, I would go with the a hard mount or a clamp mount instead of a suction mount.

I have to say after using my RAM gps mount for awhile that thing is bullet proof.
Of those two mounts listed, the ram is just $40 and has got to be much higher quality than that other linked mount since it says, "This is our lowest quality mount".

I don't think you'd go wrong with the ram mount and the nice thing about it is that you could get other end fittings if you decide you'd rather hold something else, gps, cell, whatever.

FWIW, mine has been through a month of freezing/defrosting cycles and hasn't slipped or needed to be reseated yet.

*edit - What kind of 'expensive ass camera' are we talking about mounting?

Andrew, with your expensive ass camera, I would go with the a hard mount or a clamp mount instead of a suction mount.

No no this isn't for my DSLR - this is for a camcorder that I will pick up at some point. Flash-based, $200ish. Just for doing video.

I have to say after using my RAM gps mount for awhile that thing is bullet proof.
Of those two mounts listed, the ram is just $40 and has got to be much higher quality than that other linked mount since it says, "This is our lowest quality mount".

I don't think you'd go wrong with the ram mount and the nice thing about it is that you could get other end fittings if you decide you'd rather hold something else, gps, cell, whatever.

FWIW, mine has been through a month of freezing/defrosting cycles and hasn't slipped or needed to be reseated yet.

*edit - What kind of 'expensive ass camera' are we talking about mounting?

James was thinking about my Canon DSLR still camera - I'm a photographer, but that one isn't getting mounted. It stays in my padded pack :D The one I'm going to mount will just be a cheaper flash-based camcorder.

The site I linked, yes it is their lowest quality one, but that site is more for film for use in movies and such - their higher quality mounts will be ridiculous:

http://www.filmtools.com/grtiedokit.html

Stuff like that :P

I would also mention that driving on washboardish roads with the gps in the ram mount and it wasn't bouncing around at all.
So long as we aren't talking about a 35mm production camera or Red One (sigh) I think the ram should work on most consumer cams.

How does the RAM work? Does it have a pump for the suction cup or does it just press on? The one I linked has a pump which is better for suction cup mounts, and also has the indicator which will show you if it doesn't have the proper suction so you can pump it a time or two more as needed.

This will be the smaller flash-based consumer type. Probably a Canon FS100 or similar.

It has a twist lever that creates the suction and a pretty heavy duty suction cup. Clean the window, clean the cup, apply a little liquid (I just licked it) place where you want on the windshield and twist the lever, it locks in and makes a strong suction.

There is no indicator or pump system.
Vid of ram installed I found on youtube and at 2:00ish some pics of what it looks like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONBbo4Ma5R8

Have you tried attaching it to your dash? Because that's probably where I'd need to mount it.

No, only to the windshield. I'll give it a try tomorrow but not sure if our dashes are the same.

My dash is textured and won't make a good seal.
Plus with the airbag up there probably not the best place to set a camera anyway.

I got the one from film tools. The cleat with the pump, etc.

Anyway this thing is SOLID. It is fine on my textured desk and file cabinets. I can pickup computers with this thing and it holds solid. I can shake my desk and move the filing cabinet with it attached. I feel like I will break it before I can break the suction.

I'm sure this will work fine on any non-porous surface whether textured some or not.

I would feel safe mounting this to the metal outside of my truck as well. The red safety line would show if the seal is weakening.

I will see about getting some video of it or pics.

Saw your China Wall video you posted and wondered if you had some pics of your camera mount yet? It was solid in that video. Only way to get smoother video is to go full on gyro stabilized and that's just a bit of overkill heheh.

No no pics yet.

The only downside was that it won't fit to hold the camera right side up. So all my video from the cab is upside down, but that's an easy 180° rotate in the video software.

You can kind of see it in this picture below my rearview: