By Paul Tolme

March 10, 2008 issue 

Star in your own action sports video with a wearable, miniature camcorder. Helmet cams are the latest must-have gizmo for adrenaline junkies, who post their exploits online and e-mail clips to friends. They mount to your head, handlebars, surfboard or kayak, leaving hands free for rip cords or ski poles.

The POV.1 features a lipstick-size camera, a wireless remote, a microphone and editing software that allows you to organize and upload clips to video-sharing sites ($700; vio-pov.com). The Digital Hero 3 has waterproof housing, shoots 56 minutes of video and sound and features a slide-show mode that takes a picture every five seconds ($140 to $180; goprocamera.com). Built for simplicity, the VholdR features aluminum housing, one on-off switch and no cables, and weighs 4.8 ounces ($350; vholdr.com). Already own a camcorder? Hoyttech.com sells lipstick cameras that can attach to your camcorder such as the EconoSport HelmetCam kit ($190). Helmetcameracentral.com sells a variety of brands and includes product reviews. Post images on YouTube or upload them to rip.tv and watch the spills and thrills.