Orientation cam

[Aerial RC Photog]

has anyone ever used this Cam to use for orientation on heli mounted cam
http://www.spooktech.com/prowirelesstransmitters/portablesurveillancesystem.shtml

[Tonystott]

Randall, I would imagine most AP operators use some kind of downlink camera. I certainly do, with one on my hot air balloon, mast, heli and as soon as it arrives, KAP set up. I use a 7" LCD inside a beer icebox on a tripod, as well asthe option of a tiny eyepiece in a spectacle frame for better mobility.

While you can do it by quesswork, it is so much easier when you can see what the camera is pointing at.

There are a zillion cheap alternatives on eBay.

[Wbird]

I have a one of these.

http://www.rctoys.com/rc-toys-and-parts/DF-Eyecam/RC-PARTS-WIRELESS-VIDEO-KITS.html

Great little camera for a downlink, but it is on 2.4 so it picks up a lot of interference from my DX7 and I haven't used it beyond a bit of testing. Likely would be great on 900 MHZ if I could find one. I recently bought the 900mhz transmitter & reciever from Range Video and way better but it connects right into the video feed on the digital camera. If you switched to a camera without a live feed it would be useless. Range Video does sell the micro cameras to work with this but they are seperate from the transmitter and not as compact or convenient. The upside is that they probably have a better transmitter and range/pic quality.

Too many options! No right answers! All costs money! But isn't testing the fun part.

[Tonystott]

Conway, I have not heard of any downlink camera having a better quality picture than available from the AV output of a digital camera, and the transmitter/range is not changed if you use a separaste cameras instead of the AV output.

[Aerial RC Photog]

the Cam that I'm using is a XTI Rebel DSLR 8.0
I want to fly that one for awhile until I get use to it.
Then maybe drop the D40 on there

[bullaculla]

XTi is 10.1 MP. XT is 8.0

[Aerial RC Photog]

Oppss, My Bad,,
It's a XT...
May the Force be with me,,, !!!!:YeaBaby:

Naw,, I'll leave my wife at Home. My Debit card works better when she's not around for some reason, :smokin:

[bullaculla]

BTW, the soon to be released Rebel XSi will be 12MP :D

[Aerial RC Photog]

That would mean that the XTI should drop in price a little more,.
I'll watch for it,,