Suggestions - cheap small light video better than a EDVR 5 1

[Efliernz]

Hi all.

Several of us have the small 5 in 1 Stlabs EDVR. Great toy but we want something better. Not DVD quality, just better than the 5 in 1. Something that swallows SD cards is a bonus. I know a lot of digicams can do video but this needs a smaller cross-section due to aerodynamics (it will be taped to models and full-size externally).

Thanks in anticipation ...

[BarnOwl]

I think the advantage of the eDvr is the size and weight and the fact it can take movies at 640 x 480 in 30fps.
So I got one not long ago. But frankly the images are just terrible. I think the tiny plastic lens is the bottleneck.

I see a lot better quality movies from camera's like the Nikon Coolpix L3 (Fogger vid, awesome: http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=33600)
These cams go for around $ 120 - $ 250

But it takes the space of 30 eDvr's so you have to make a decent mount.

I was getting a new video cam for my ground filming and I got really impressed by the Panasonic sd1. I know this a semi professional cam but if you see the images on a big widescreen it is really worth the money.

If you get a proper mount for a camera you might as well get this one because it is hardly bigger than a digital still camera with video capabilities.........
Pete, did you have a look at the SD1 thread here for its amazing pictures (Taken by the pro's with stabilized AP setups so that's a different pot of tea.......)

[Efliernz]

I've been drooling over the SD1... it is on the top of the list. I'm saving for the Askmanap pro 50 mount and a Trex450 mount at the moment. I get my 1210i charger this week and my 3rd AR7000 for the DX7 and another 6S battery, so it's not like I'm not spending!!!

I'm having fun with the eDVR and it works really well on an ali stand-out mount off the side of the 600. I just want more than 5:27 minutes duration and slightly better (videotape) quality. The fact that the eDVR weighs nothing means it has been taped on the rudder of a 3.2m 200cc Extra300 and a F3B glider over the last week. So much fun.
I'm finishing off a foamie pusher for it at the moment. Camera in the nose for our indoor combat!!! Sooo much fun :glasses2:

[BarnOwl]

I agree these little wonders are great fun! It is also good to see how your flying looks like in the air.
...Well actually not so good because from underneath everything that seems pretty smooth looks real crooked from above..... :?

I used my old canopy for a mount. Cut a hole in the front and stuck a piece of velcro on the bottom, that way I can adjust the angle.
Nothing but free view from the cam:

[Efliernz]

I drilled a hole :WOW through the side of the ali frame and the ali mount plugs in/bolts in place. When the blades are at full speed, there is zero vibration. It even looks level once the heli does it "lean" when flying. I'll post video once I get time.