Video Camera holder for T-Rex 600

[staale]

Hi folks

This is my first tread here as a member in this brilliant forum. I've used CAD and rapid prototyping to make a video cam holder for my bird. (see attached pictures) I hope you like it. It works great, and I will post some flight recordings when I figure out how do upload videos here :thumbup:. Any tips?

Regards from freezy Nothern Norway.

[iflybyu77]

Boy, if I had access to rapid prototyping, I'd be my own superhero! Neat use of available technology, staale. Can you tell I'm jealous you have access to something like that?? :D

I'd be curious to see how much of your skids get into the picture. I bet that thing will fly like nothing was even attached - very tidy and close to the CG.

[franky92]

Man, i'm jealous!

What cam are you using?

[bullaculla]

Very nice work! Hows the vibes?
Dont squash the camera! Maybe put some pool noodle around the skids.

[staale]

Thanks, I'm lucky to have design and rapid prototyping as a part of my job :lol: The skids are not seen in the picture, and I have balanced out both the CG for the cam and the mount to get them as close to the helicopters main CG as possible. I have just been hovering around a bit so far, so I don't know how the vibes will be during speed. But the video picture is sharp and good at hover, so I cross my fingers... I will take it for a spin around the block as soon as possible.

The cam is a Sony HDR-CX6 Handycam.

[mymax]

Hey! that's my camera! ...and my bird (well, almost)

That's a Sony CX-7 HD weighing in at 1lbs. The most difficult thing is in having the video editing software to deal with the AVCHD compression. Also investing in the memory cards.

I'm working on a way to mount mine. Haven't figured it out just yet. I know I do want a safer cusion for the $1000 camera!

[bullaculla]

I know I do want a safer cusion for the $1000 camera!

I agree. The housing might be strong, but the stock curved gear is really soft.
Like I said above, id put some pool noodle on it and maybe wire the skids together to keep them from spreading too much.

Or get some Vario gear :D
http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/heli/websize/kongs.jpg
Much taller, wider, and stiffer than the stock gear ;)

[staale]

Good idea! I have put some cusion around the skids and underneath the cam mount, and this will hopefully do the job as a bump guard. I will try it, and maybe also wire the skid legs too. :cheers

[j_kookboy]

Post some video footage when you get the chance.

Would be interesting to see. :)

Jesse

[meflyjeep]

Yeeeouch, that is nice! You should talk your firm into going into production ... where is the waiting list???

[staale]

Here is a video from the first test flights. Don't laugh abuot my flying, because I've just been practicing RC flying for 3 months. :o.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UuyqtIKGjg

[bullaculla]

Not bad :thumbup:
I cant tell with the youtube quality, but are you getting any wavy-ness or "pulsing"?
If you do, then the vibes are getting to the camera. Try putting some rubber grommets between the mount and the heli, and under the bolt heads.

[staale]

Not bad :thumbup:
I cant tell with the youtube quality, but are you getting any wavy-ness or "pulsing"?
If you do, then the vibes are getting to the camera. Try putting some rubber grommets between the mount and the heli, and under the bolt heads.

I have not noticed wavy-ness or "pulsing" so far, but I will adopt your tip and put on rubber grommets to get the picture as steady as possible. :noteworthy

I have been receiving several questions about making a small production of these mounts for trade, and thats nice :). The big question is then: What kind/size/type of videocamera is commonly most used for this purpose? Any suggestions :dontknow

[corvette321]

yep im the one whos trading :)

we are producing some autonav / telemetry / OSD everything boards :)

small 2"x2.5" with full 6 DOF / GPS / servo controller 8 / usb / xbee comms (xbee xcite dongle to go upto 20 miles!!! / OSD / 40 mips dsPIC

full source code provided for developers....

www.thesiliconhorizon.com (http://www.thesiliconhorizon.com) if you wanna keep track of it....

waiting on final revision boards from china, should have in 2 weeks.

then watch out!!

yes i will personally take trades for helo hardware!!!

:banana:banana:banana:banana:banana


test helo is gonna be a trex 600 with staales video on it :)

i checked out that sony handy cam you mentioned...

i find it for $550 online, but with an 8 gig SD stick then yah its 1000 LOL

okay that was an ebay price.... prolly end up over 1000........ then the dv tapes.. hmmm

pricey!!!

:clappp:clappp:clappp


but very nice camera!!

obviously cant use a hard drive based camera.....

:noteworthy:noteworthy

[corvette321]

for video suggestions i think alot use the hdr-hc5 which can use tapes or mem sticks...

dunno if they are still producing it however..??

[corvette321]

great video :)

mmmmm snow....

whats that??? hahahahahah


none here in florida :smokin::smokin::smokin::smokin::smokin::smokin:

[corvette321]

staale,

picked up a broken HCR S60 sony from ebay... supposedly the hard drive is bad...

probably the whole thing is toasted but i can always sell it again if i cant fix it...

yah hard drives arent good in the air, but if i can fix this one im gonna sell it and buy a good one for my helo :)

gotta love ebay!!

:clappp:clappp:clappp