My Business Story

Hello! My name is Mike Boester and I am the CEO and Founder of “bad” Vision Point of View Camera.  This is my business story.

1--We started as a small USA Company based in Northern California and we import products from around the world.  I’ve been involved with the sporting world since I was a boy.  In 1989 my love of bicycle brought me to California to race and develop as a cyclist.  I’ve always had a fondness of the Outdoors and high intensity sports such as Cycling, Car Racing, Kayaking, Surfing, Skiing or just about anything that gets people moving.   After I left competitive bicycle racing I branched into a carrier as a Retail Manager in the Bicycle Industry.  I’ve helped to develop 2 failing stores into leaders by developing a unique product niche and customer service and satisfaction policy. I have also started (1) Start-up up store that drew a customer base from over 250 miles.  

I decided to start “bad” Vision in the Fall of 2009, 6 months after sustaining a head and upper torso injury while Mountain Biking.   I mounted on my helmet a popular action helmet camera, this large boxy camera mounted on my helmet contributed to the injuries.  After I recovered I decided that there had to be a better way for athletes to share their point of view with a camera.  “bad” Vision began in the Spring of 2010 with a point of view Sunglass Camera.

2--We, “bad” Vision, are a Company that was one of the first to offer the Sporting World a camera designed into a Sunglasses frame.  We have stayed with the Sunglass Camera and six months ago began to offer the Sunglass Camera in a 720p HD version, the first ever in the USA.  Beginning in the Spring of 2010 “bad” Vision also offered the smallest waterproof action camera that is about the size of a lipstick container.  2 months ago “bad” Vision released it’s newest mini Action Video Camera that is now HD, Wide Angle, Water proof to 20 M and includes a small low powered laser sight for determining camera angle for under $200.

3—“bad” Vision has been active promoting the products by participating with Peace Officer Associations for S.W.A.T. or other tactical training, Local Car Enthusiast Club Meetings and Track Days, High School Speech and Video Presentations and Local Athletic Teams for individual athletes promotions.  We have also donated over $7,000 in products for raffles, promotions and athlete sponsorships.

4—“bad” Vision products are the only ones that come with the (1) year Manufactures Warranty covering materials and workmanship. The “bad” Vision (2) year “Crash” Replacement Policy that covers all damage to the camera for the original owner at the low promotional price of $80.  The camera absolutely has to be returned and proof of original purchase must accompany the camera, no exceptions.

5—My  name is Mike Boester from “bad” Vision  and this is my Business Story.

Buying a bike for College

Question what kind of bike should I get my child who is going off to College?

A bike for a new college student... I would probably suggest looking for a "Craig's List" bike first, nothing fancy and Ugly as He&@!!!  Your child probably won't like this, but unfortunately a lot of New Bikes are taken the first two weeks of school.  The thieves know that the new students are coming in with much on their plates and are easy targets.  If the new/old $25-50 "Craig's List" bike is taken in that first week or two it won't hurt as bad as losing a $350-500 investment.  If you do decide to go "New" or "Used", make sure you include the following:

1) Quality U-Lock and Cable $30-60  (Make sure Sales Dept teaches the proper way to use this combination.) 

2) Seat leash.  $5-10

3) Wheel/Seat Post QR Locks. $20-50

4) Lights--Front and Rear(Check with the School, some provide these at a reduced cost or free) or $20-50+   (Removable when not in use)

5) Minor Tool Kit; Tube, Patches, Pump, small multi-tool and lube  $30-60.  (Removable or stored in his backpack.)

6) A Rear Carrier Rack and Baskets/Bags.  $40-90

7) Check some of the local Bike Shops, they may have a "Free Maintenance Plan or reduced $ Plan for Students. 

Example: "The Bike Connection" used to have a "Stanford University 4 year Plan" for $50

   Note:  In College Towns this period is a "feeding frenzy" for many local bike shops and they can make much of their yearly sales during this period.  Don't be scared to ask for a "Deal", the industry is used to this.

Advice on Bike fit for a New bike

A bike fit question for Mike from a bike customer:

Hey Mike,

    I am trying to figure out the sizing on an Orbea frame; also, the frame I have is 54cm but their new frames are odd number sizes.   Without seeing my fit, should I go down or up?

Thanks!

R

 Dear R,

    For frame size I would suggest looking at your current bike's Top Tube Length first. If you are very pleased with your fit and have minimal aches and pains, use this measure as a guide. (Note: on a Euro Built bike that should be about 54 cm for your 54 Orbea. Next look at the Head tube length and if you are using an up-turned stem or a level one. The other consideration is if you want a "Performance" or "Comfort" fit. Comfort has a shorter Top Tube and taller Head Tube for a more upright position, Comfort fit). That should help you to get started.

Mike

Thanks Mike for the input and advice.

    You put me in a performance fit and I am ok with it. Still not sure how to equate my 54 cm top tube to either 53 or 55 cm sizes.

Yours truly,

R.  

Dear R,

      The reason I asked Performance or Comfort is because you purchased your bike over 5 years ago and a lot can change in this time period.  Anyway, so if you’re in a performance position and you like it, determine the "effective Top Tube" length and determine the stem length to get overall Torso extension and back angle.  If you use longer than a 12 cm stem the longer Top Tube and shorter stem would probably be the better choice.  On the other hand if you use a shorter stem the longer Top Tube would be better.  Double check the head tube on either bike so that it will be as close to the current position without adding excessive spacers or that the stem is resting on the headset.

Note:  Look at it like this, eliminate the bike for a moment and think about you the rider and how your current position has you perched on your bike.  Now as you add the bike frame and fit components use the sizes that replicate your current angles or position.

Hope this helps...

Mike (owner of "bad" Vision)

Ski Weekend March 2011

Product introduction take 2

How to retrieve your bad video

DBC 200K 3-5-11

DBC 200K 3-5-11

Northern California Corvette Association Test Video.mov

Burlingame Italian Club Fund raiser

I had a great evening with everyone at the Burlingame Italian Club fund raising.


Met alot of nice people. Thanks so much to Ms Wemple, Ms Mc Mann, and everyone else for organizing such a fabulous fund raiser.

I was very happy to find that the bad Vision donation, a pair of HOTSPOT glasses, went for more than retail value.

Next week I will be going back to Burlingame to present to the Speech classes.

Wish me luck,

Mike

Helo Electric 1

Campy Only!: 200 Kilometers in 90 Seconds

Campy Only!: 200 Kilometers in 90 Seconds: "The latest CampyOnlyGuy video: Direct link here. I used a bike-mounted 'Spark' camera from Bad Vision to capture all of the video."

Leaving Davis, 1-8-2011

Ride to the Dam

The Ride Day One 1-15-2011.m4v

actioncameras.co.uk on BBC Radio York

Quick Sey up guide for Bad Vision

Bad Vision

Quick Set-up Guide

For an installation tip I would recommend that you begin with inspecting the mini camera.  The small pin hole camera is forwards and the removable end cap should be used with only the complete water sealed cap provided (the sound cap has a small moon shape and is not waterproof).  One drawback to this is that the audio will also not be very clear, this enables you to enjoy the video with-out wind noise.  The second install tip would be that the “Bad” logo should always face up and the buttons will be on the right side.  With another tester we found the smaller of the two looped Velcro fasteners helpful with the camera orientation when mounting to a car or other fixed object.

The camera is very easy to operate, just push the rear button for two seconds, the blue light will come on.  Wait from 10-20 seconds and as it begins to flash you will be recording.  To stop and save the file just push the rear button for two seconds or until the blue light goes off.  (Note if the blue light flashes rapidly 2 times per second the device’s memory is full).

To watch the recording, remove the end cap and plug in the USB to any computers USB PORT.  (Works on Mac or PC)  Wait for the computer to recognize the player (15-30 sec.), you may have to go into “My Computer” and it will show up as a disc.  Click the disk and you will see Video, Double Click Video and that will show all the files that have been recorded.  To delete a file, just highlight and delete or drag it to “Trash”.

If the camera ever “Freezes”, just remove the end cap and use a paperclip to push the re-set button. 

Note:  Additional Mounts are being developed as we receive requests from customers, Prototype bicycle fork and hang glider mounts will be available soon.

Please enjoy, be creative and have fun with the unit, don’t hesitate to call or email me with comments or questions.  Badvision10@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Mike Boester,

Bad Vision LLC---650-815-8169 or 650-728-8557

“Bad” =(Boester and Daughters)

“Share Your World!”

SURF

Answers from Mike

Hi all
Just added a new page on our "bad" Vision web site (badvision10.com), called "Answers from Mike".
Just send me an email at;  mike@badvision10.com, and I will answer your question to the best of my ability.  We are also working on  How To videos.  WE would love to get some more video form all of you out there.  You can submit videos by:   1. On our web site, 2. Sending us a DVD,  3. Sending us a USB memory stick, 4. Uploading on YouTube,  5. Sending us a large video file on , Memeo, YouSendIt, or any other programs like these (they are free).
Happy to hear any comments or suggestion anytime,
Mike

Join FITE at joinFITE.org

"bad Vision"

Well I think I've link Blogger with my website.
Sorry for this delay I am just am biker.
Any feed back would be appreciated.