First AP platform - TREX 450.

[trireme]

I have wanted to heli AP for years. I just could not afford the hobby of helis, let alone AP!

But now the prices and availability of things have come way down, thank god!

I have been flying now for about 11 months. I have had my TREX 450 for almost 2 months, its my second heli.

It was built with AP in mind. I have a JGF 450 F motor, with CC35, SportBEC, CF boom, blades, FP EVO25's. But it is also a great sport flier!

I am getting very comfortable with it, and actually, have never crash it once, and I have over 9 hours of time in the air doing FFF and such. So I think I feel ready to put a camera on it.

I modified an Exilim Casio EXS500 camera, its was available for free, lucky me...

I have a DX6, and 401, so I dont have an extra channel for the shutter, so I decided to make a timelapse switch, and I am very happy with it. I have an adjustable timing for the AF and for the shutter itself. I am thinking taking a picture ever 5-10 seconds will do. I plan to start without video reference, but would like to add it next. I do have a cable that plugs into the camera and gives me NTSC color video of the lense. So I think I am set.

My question for all you people: I am leaning toward the Askman mount... seems like the best for what I am doing. But since the trex mount is sold out, I was trying to find alternatives. I noticed that its total weight with the upgrade and oil is 160 grams, at about $175 with the upgrade. But the Coronamount is only $138, and 170 grams... and I cant imagine the the extra 10 grams would be an issue. And the mount seems a bit more robust. I cant afford two helis right now, and I would like to keep using my heli without the AP rig too, so I hope to leave the skids on, and make a strap on solution. I am just looking to start practicing AP, since I know I will need a bigger rig to 'do it right', I just want to get some portfolio going, and get comfy in the art. Is there any reason why NOT to get the corona mount of the trex mount?? Would there be some lighter weight simpler method that I am over looking?? I dont want pan to tilt remote, but I would like to be able to adjust the tilt on the ground.

Thanks everyone. I cant wait to get some photos!

[Bigdipper]

"Made @ Home"

[trireme]

"Made @ Home"

that looks great! Where did you get the tubes? Are they plastic or CF or metal? Would you be will to share some more photos? Thanks! I am totally inspired to build by own. Thats what I have wanted to do the entire time anyway.

And where does everyone get the insulating foam for the skids.

[hfgencollon]

his home-made landing gear looks like it is made out of ALIGN Aluminum tail booms.

The foam is swimming noodles. Have you ever been to a pool or a beach?

[Bigdipper]

Simple to make. I used fiberglass 'kite' rods for the supports. 2 blocks of balsa for cross beams, some screws with aircraft nuts. Drill some holes in the rods for the screws, hang the whole thing form the skids with small bungee cords for a vibration free mount. A servo to trip the shutter...I used a 'U' shaped piece of aluminum to mount the camera. It swivels to keep the camera level. A heli does not fly level due to the torque of the rotorblades.
I had 2 shoots this morning and made $700. It can be done.....if you're good at flying and shooting. It takes alot of practice. You will crash...I don't care how good you are. It's only a matter of time. It all comes down to how you handle it when it happens.

[trireme]

Thanks for your help and encouragement.
I live in Los angeles, the over the past few years every hobby shop has disappeared. I am having a hard time finding fiberglass rods anywhere local. I was able to find some aluminum tubes(dont tell condi), and they seem to be perfect. They wont weather impact as well as fiberglass would, but I bet bending would be better then snapping like the fiberglass would. So I will give it a try while I look for the fiberglass to compare. THANKS!

So you say you used a U shaped piece for the camera mount. Did you have to dampen its swing in anyway?

[trireme]

The foam is swimming noodles. Have you ever been to a pool or a beach?

HA, you might think not! I know the foam you are talking about, thanks!

[Bigdipper]

Thanks for your help and encouragement.
I live in Los angeles, the over the past few years every hobby shop has disappeared. I am having a hard time finding fiberglass rods anywhere local. I was able to find some aluminum tubes(dont tell condi), and they seem to be perfect. They wont weather impact as well as fiberglass would, but I bet bending would be better then snapping like the fiberglass would. So I will give it a try while I look for the fiberglass to compare. THANKS!

So you say you used a U shaped piece for the camera mount. Did you have to dampen its swing in anyway?

I use a small piece of gaffers tape on either end of the tube that the camera pivots on. The tape creates just enough friction to stop the swing.
My suggestion is to be creative and use whatever materials you have on hand. No need to spend all kinds of money for something you can make yourself...unless you're not good with our hands.

[Anson]

that rig is sweet! I too would like to some more pics of it. close-ups perhaps?

[trireme]

I use a small piece of gaffers tape on either end of the tube that the camera pivots on. The tape creates just enough friction to stop the swing.
My suggestion is to be creative and use whatever materials you have on hand. No need to spend all kinds of money for something you can make yourself...unless you're not good with our hands.

Not good with you hands + RC Helicopter = RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!

I think I can manage. I keep telling myself not to look to hard. Its always about the easy way.

When NASA realized that a standard ball point pen wouldnt work in 0 G, then spend 100's of thousands developing a pen that would work in any condition. Russia, used a pencil.

I have something to show off soon I hope. Thanks.

[trireme]

Well, the aluminum tubes are really more a pain then its worth I think. They are fairly hard to attatch to eachother without welding, which I dont do. They are just way to soft for screws.

So the fiberglass rods you used are looking like they might be the best way.

Did you just use screws to attach the skids to the legs? I would love if you would be willing to show off the details of "u" shaped aluminum camera holder.

I am thinking of using plastic in place of the balsa.

I am bummed the aluminum aint gonna do it, But the hunt for the 'kite' rods begins.

Thanks.

[Bigdipper]

The kite rods are from a store in Boulder Colorado called 'Into the Wind'....which does mail order. The aluminum came from a file cabinet. It's used to hang the files onto in the drawers. I pounded out the aluminum to the shape of the rod, wrapped a bicycle innertube around the rod and held it in place with tie wraps. Actually the rod supporting the camera is an aluminium rod. Besides building with screws...I also glued everthing with thick CA.
Depending on what camera you are going to use will determine the shape of the aluminium. I drilled a hole for a 1/4x20 nylon screw...just small eoungh for a sug fit to hold the camera. The aluminium can be bent for different angles according to what you are shooting. It's about as simple of a setup as can be. It works for me and only cost about $10.

[trireme]

Awesome thanks!

Ya, I am really having no luck finding a local shop... so I guess mail order is gonna have to be the way. I will look for it.

Thanks!

[Bigdipper]

yeah...IntotheWind.com...look under Kite repairs for the rods. (fiberglass or carbon)

[aramsdell]

This was the beginnings of my current T450 mount. The cam gimbal has changed but the aluminum frames and CF legs haven't. The skids have 1/2" I.D. pipe insul. on them now. The thin alum. frames I bent myself. There are tabs that crimp around the CF legs. The whole thing mounts with same holes as original gear. This is the simple beginnings. The gimbal now is a light ply box holding a shutter servo on the side and the cross frame at the top is a piece of cf tube epoxied into the ply at both sides. the mount to the bottom of the heli is simple. I wrapped the CF tube at the top of the gimbal with pipe insul. then a couple of ty-wraps around it . Not too tight, not too loose.
Manual tilt.
Now you said 6 channel radio and you need to fire the shutter. I started this way. If you can ajust the gyro in flight your golden. I set my first ship up with the shutter servo Y-cabled to the gyro gain. It's better if you have 2 idle ups + hover mode but not necessary.
You must set up your flight modes all the same so the heli doesn't jump when you switch into idle up. My Optic 6 radio has hover,I1 and I2. I set hover to be the normal mode on the camera....waiting. I1 was prefocus and I2 snapped the picture. The key is setting you gyro gain low at hover. Set it near as high as you can to take picture. You must cut a servo wheel to use this amount of travel on the shutter button without killing your camera or stalliing the servo.
The picture shows an Olympus cam. It was replaced with a 9 oz. Fuji E900.

[trireme]

Ok, got it built, and did some tests, and its looking good, I am pretty happy with it. Thanks again for your help.

[Bigdipper]

..nice job. Now put some spongy material between the skids and the mount, wrap with bungees that girls use for their ponytails and you're set to go.
I'm using a 640 shutter with with f5.6 on the camera. It gives me sharp shots.

[trireme]

..nice job. Now put some spongy material between the skids and the mount, wrap with bungees that girls use for their ponytails and you're set to go.
I'm using a 640 shutter with with f5.6 on the camera. It gives me sharp shots.

I have the gorrilla gear, and it seems to add some spring to it, but foam does sound like a good idea... the hair ties on the other hand, scare me, I got some, but they just seem like they could break in flight. I was scared to lift off with them. But they would be a lot easier then using new cable ties each time. I guess since u have had success with them I should give them a try. Thanks

I havent had a chance to fly it much, hopefully today, I can get it in the air a bit.

I wish I could set exposure with this POS camera. Its 5 mp, but no RAW, and all settings are auto. I can set the ISO, and manual focus. Thats it. Its called Best Shot. Horrible. Its unclear what it changes the settings for... I have it set to sports. It has been shooting ISO 50 at about 250 or 400. Whatever it decides. It seems a little over exposed, so I think I am gonna start messing with the exposure settings.

[Bigdipper]

oops....I mislead you with the picture of the 'bungees'. That was an old shot. I now wrap the bungees around the skid and the mount 4 times. I've also wrapped foam '1st aid' tape around the tube on the mount where the skid contacts it. The hanging bungee is definatelly 'scary' and I found out the hard way when one side came loose.......yep......crash!...It just fell over! Don't do it that way. I wouldn't use zip ties....it's way too firm that way. You need some cushion.....unless you have the most vibration free heli goin'.

[trireme]

Got this one today, still just practicing flying with it, its a whole new heli. CG isnt that good, I need about -20 trim pulling back on the heli. But it flys ok. I am able to do circuits, and 8s

[Bigdipper]

...do you have a 9650 on the tail. It balances the CG perfectly. Make sure the camera ends up being right under the main mast.
I fly mostly with 4S when using the camera.
Medusa 28-32-3400.....12T
325 Mavrik blades.

[Bigdipper]

nice shootin'.......Do you have a 9650 on the tail. With it the balance comes out perfect with very little trim adjustment. I fly with 4s when using the camera.
Medusa 28-32-3400 ...12 Tooth
TP2100 prolites
Park BEC 6volt
325 Mavrrik blades
Gorilla gear (small in the front and large in the rear)
" " (tail blades and paddles with weights)
CC45

[trireme]

Ya, I have the 9650.

Just Go Fly 450 F 10T
CC35
Sport BEC 5/6v (depends on my mood ;))
TP 2170 EVO25's
325 Pro Wood
Gear Gear ( tall )
Programmable Paddles
Align CF Tail blades
CF Boom
DX6 ( for now )

[Bigdipper]

..sounds like the right stuff.......shootem' up!!

[iflynething]

Geez,

I think something is wrong with the e-mail notifications. Those look really good. I have got some great footage with my set-up I have. Pretty unstable to it gets the job done.

I did a 7 minute video and then came down and fell confident in the batteries at that long of a flight.

I was finally able to get out to a construction site and actually fly around and not just up and down, which is what I was doing in front of my house.

My next thing I want to do is add that extra servo on there and get still shots.

Thaks for all the input and the videos are great

~Michael~