Aiptek 3.1MP R/C Aerial Camera

[gdbontly]

Hi,

I'd like to try some aerial photography. I want something very simple (i.e., a small inexpensive camera that can take both still and video, already modified to plug directly into a receiver so I don't have to mess with servos). I found the Aiptek 3.1MP R/C Aerial Camera on rcdude.com and I think this would meet my needs. It looks like it holds a standard SD Memory Card. And since my laptop has a built-in SD card reader, I won't need any special software to transfer images. Anyone have any experience with this camera? I presume it creates standard .jpeg and .wmv files.

Glenn

[Randallhurd]

Are you talking about this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Aiptek-DV3100-3-1MP-Digital-Camcorder/dp/B00009W2GL

Don't know if this helps, but I shoot video the whole time then come back and clip the photos out through Movie Maker. Kind cheep but it works.
I had a pretty rough start with the Oregon Scientific to start with, But it was just my inexperiance that killed me for a couple days on that one,

Here's a couple that shot today from it.

[gdbontly]

No, it's this one: http://www.rcdude.com/servlet/the-512/Aiptek-3.1MP-Modified-RC/Detail. The instructions I got from RCDude says that I can start and stop video in flight. I can also take still photos by flipping a switch as well.

[Randallhurd]

Yeah that is a good Camera,,,
And the price is nice :thumbup:
I might order that one myself. At 3.1 those should turn out very nice.
It looks like the link for Channel 7 is already to go,,

[Randallhurd]

I've been seeing those cameras all over the place lately, The name of the Camera not this specific one. I use a Full chip Canon SLR Digital 12 Meg with all the buttons and whistles. Weighing the price of putting a $3,000.00 Camera on the Heli is why I haven't done it yet.

But $89.00 for a camera that is already wired for Helis, I don't think you can beat that. I like doing R&D on new products. I'll give that one a shot next month. :YeaBaby:

[PilotSmith]

Cool that the camera is already mod'd for RC. The camera I use on my airplane has a servo taped to it with an arm that presses the shutter release button!

[Randallhurd]

Yeah that Camera is pretty cool ..
I want one..

[PilotSmith]

I wanted a cheap camera that did not weigh as much as my old Canon 1.2MP camera I've been using on my airplane. I found this one just now and ordered it:

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=3835486

For some reason it gave me a $10 off coupon and free shipping so the cost was only $24! The reviews on the site were pretty good too. Don't know if i can wire in a servo wire to it but I have a very small servo I can attach to the camera to push the shutter button.

[cudaboy_71]

i'm using the emprex 7mp (http://shop4.outpost.com/product/5094405?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) from fry's. it's back at $130 now, but they put it on sale all the time for $70. i made 4 quick solders to the shutter circuit and use a $20 pico switch (http://www.dimensionengineering.com/PicoSwitch.htm) to trigger remotely for exactly what you're after. it also has video mode for movies as large as your SD card will support (i have a 2GB card and can get a 20 minute video...much longer than i can fly). so, for $90 all up, you get more than twice the resolution of the aiptek. the emprex also supports a video downlink via a USB output to RCA which works very well.