First timer for AP - Trex 600

[Efliernz]

Woohoo, it works.

I've stolen the family Sony P92 3 year old camera and tried it on a home-made mount. I have a downlink but haven't fitted it yet. I'm saving for the Canon 640... and an Askmanap mount. The family by the way, has another camera now.

The mount is only point and shoot at the moment but can be manually pointed to any vertical position before takeoff. It was gusting 20 mph today - not ideal for a non-expert but the heli (and me) flew well. Lots of refining to go but I'm on the right track now :) Tail-in to a 20 mph wind was hard work.

[Tonystott]

It's a rush isn't it!

[Efliernz]

I was concentrating so much, I had forgotten how long I'd been up. Saved by my alarm again... A very adictive hobby.

I have been in contact with my countries CAA (FAA equiv). They are re-writing the UAV/large model rules. Thankfully, the auther flys models and homebuilt planes. He is aware that an under 5Kg model needs different rules to a Predator!!! He said that I may need to hold a logbook and maintenence log for my models but that's it. Not too drastic compared to many countries.

[Tonystott]

Geez now I wish Australia became a state of NZ :D

[ErichF]

I just ordered one of these for my new Canon S3 IS cuz it's easy to integrate, and will operate the zoom on my camera:

http://blip.com.au/images/URBIWithA620.jpg

http://blip.com.au/default.aspx

Uses two channels to control the shutter and zoom.

I highly suggest getting a camera compatible with this gem.


I'm also going to order the Range Video Preview Transmitter, too.

Erich

[dreslism]

Erich,

Just fyi, several of us here have had the urbi's, and sold them and just hacked the Canon A6x0 series.

The urbi greatly slows the continuous rate on the canon A6x0 series, and it also removes the OSD on the video out, so you can't see what your settings are, or how many shots you have left on your card via your downlink.

About 45 minutes - 1 hour, and you can hack your camera.

Oh about the zoom, I have never had the need to use the zoom on any shoot, and I have been doing AP for about 3-4 years now.

I would also expect zooming would "amplifiy" any vibes out there, and it also reduces your f/stop which slows your shutter speed.

Anyhow, just some discussion on the urbi, it is a nice package and if you don't have skills or desire to hack your camera makes a nice clean efficient repeatable trigger.

I HATE servo triggers, too many issues with them. :D

Anyhow, nice shots Pete, welcome to the addiction.

[ErichF]

Thanks for the input Scott!

I am not using an A series Canon, however. I'll let you all know how it works with my S3. According to the website, all the problems you're referring to don't happen with the S3IS. We'll see if that's true or not.

BTW, those using the T600 for AP, what's your lifting capability like, and what's your endurance numbers? I'm thinking of using two packs in parallel to double my onboard capacity. Is that worth it to get more than 10 minutes airborne? My camera weighs just over a pound with batteries.

Erich