Helmet recorder
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
Helmet recorders are standard field issue equipment for UNSC Marines.
When in combat with an enemy, they are instructed to turn these recorders on to get as much information on the Covenant as possible, such as behavior and tactics. Because such data is scarce, the helmet recorder is an invaluable tactical resource to the ONI and the UNSC forces, who often retrieve this data and then debrief the wearer about the audio and video data they recorded. They store their information in the processed Recorder Chips.[1]
The recorder is equipped with a night vision function, though picture quality is said to be poor.[2] Curiously, it appears that these cameras stop recording when the user is incapacitated, such as when PFC Wallace Jenkins was attacked by the Flood. It may be that the impact simply caused an equipment malfunction.
The Spartan-IIs and Spartan-IIIs routinely utilized recorders to document engagements during their missions. Prior to 2547, ONI's Section Two had kept many of their early recordings classified with top secret encryptions in an attempt to keep the general public unaware of the existence of the Covenant and the Spartan Program.
Covenant Ossoonas are equipped with similar helmet-mounted recording units.[3]
Use
- During his time at Corbulo Academy, Cadet Michael Sullivan hacked into mission recordings in order to uncover ONI secrets. He managed to decrypt a top secret footage of a rebel stronghold raid in which UNSC forces began to fight alongside Insurrectionists against an unknown threat. He also showed his squad a shot of a strange large armored soldier .
- Members of Alpha company were equipped with helmet cams during Operation: PROMETHEUS. Footage of their final moments on K7-49 was later viewed by Colonel James Ackerson, Chief Franklin Mendez and Kurt-051.[4]
- During the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV, SPARTAN-117 was equipped with something similar to a helmet recorder in Côte d'Azur. A fiber-optic cable equipped with a camera, he used this device to record an Engineer taking apart a car.[5]
- During the Battle of Installation 04, SPARTAN-117 got his first glimpse of the Flood while watching a recording he found in Private First Class Jenkins' helmet.
List of appearances
- Halo: Combat Evolved (First appearance)
- Halo: The Fall of Reach
- Halo: The Flood
- Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
- Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
Sources
- ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level 343 Guilty Spark
- ^ Halo: The Flood, page 206-207
- ^ Halo: The Flood, page 28
- ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 86'
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 183