In-Flight Video Camera

J

Jonathanf4

Filing Flight Plan
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Jonathanf4
Greetings Everyone -

New to the forum. I was wondering if you anyone can recommend a in-flight video camera system that has a great pic quality (HD 1080), compact, includes Cockpit recording, most importantly does not show prop blur.

I was looking at the Countour + and the NFlightCam + from Sportys. They both look the same but one is about 100.00 more. Does anyone have any experience with either one of these cameras or any others that fit the bill?

Thanks in advance.

Jonathan
 
I haven't tried it yet, but GoPro usually comes highly recommended and I believe is a little cheaper than the NFlightCam from Sportys. Not sure if the GoPro distorts the prop, but I have heard that NFlightCam does distort.
 
The main reason I was leaning towards the NflightCam + was their claim that the use a "Special Aviator" Lens that eliminates Prop blurr.

I dont know what to believe because the Countour + looks as the same exact camera as the NflightCam +

I tried calling support at Countour without any luck.

I heard good things about the GoPro but its just a little too bulky.

Thanks for your reply.
 
Cool, Ryan,

I watched the one w/ the student doing a turn around a point in 21kt wind... how did you get the inset w/ the track and elevation ?

J
 
Someone posted here a set of YouTube videos showing that a standard Neutral Density filter on any of the "rotating shutter" cameras, usually makes the iris open up in daylight conditions enough to remove the prop effect. The "special aviator lens" sounds like a way to sell a grey filter lens for about 100X what it cost them.
 
Jeanie said:
Cool, Ryan,

I watched the one w/ the student doing a turn around a point in 21kt wind... how did you get the inset w/ the track and elevation ?

J
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The Nflightcam that I have has a built in GPS, and if you have the GPS turned on, and upload it to Contour, it automatically geotags the video. It works nicely for some things. It's useful to show students what their patterns looked like, how straight they are keeping the airplane, and how their ground reference maneuver tracks really looked...

Ryan
 
denverpilot said:
Anyone messed with the FlyVie system for iPhone lately?
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Extremely expensive. I belive its like $2000.00 or something like that.

Dont know of anyone having used FlyVie before. Like to see how it compares with the other cheaper versions.
 
Jonathanf4 said:
The main reason I was leaning towards the NflightCam + was their claim that the use a "Special Aviator" Lens that eliminates Prop blurr.

I dont know what to believe because the Countour + looks as the same exact camera as the NflightCam +

I tried calling support at Countour without any luck.

I heard good things about the GoPro but its just a little too bulky.

Thanks for your reply.
Click to expand...
That "special aviator" lens is likely just a neutral density filter that forces the camera's auto exposure system to increase the exposure time.
 
I like the GoPro Hero HD, but I haven't messed with getting the audio onto it.
 
Dean said:
Gopro Hero is the only way to go! Look no further, just buy it!
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This was shot with a GoPro HD, the footage did not upload HD because I didn't know what I was doing as far as editing goes. LOL.

http://youtu.be/Tm2noCXoh8c

However, if I were in the market for a camera today, I'd give a long hard look to the Contour. You can activate it wirelessly. If you mount the GoPro externally, you have to start/stop it before/after flying.
 
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I'm going to give the Nflight + cam a try. Will post my findings after I try it out.

Thanks to all for your feedback.

J
 
Fearless Tower said:
If you could find out in the next 48 hrs, that would help alot :D
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I found this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYhEl9t8zCM

He doesn't add a 3.5mm jack, he just moves the mic. You'd want the jack. Depending on how your solder skills are, instead of running a mic extension, you could just add in a 3.5mm jack.

I've asked a friend of mine who has done all sorts of crazy stuff with his GP, remote on/off/etc and am waiting to hear from him.
 
This is what you want:


OPEN the video on YouTube, and expand the initial video comments. Full list of the pinouts and a link to a forum post about how to do it.
 
Of note - the GoPro suction mount is NOT suitable for warbirds with flat paint....I just learned this the hard way trying to mount mine on a DC-3 this weekend (fortunately the camera kept falling off on the ground). It wouldn't even stick to the zinc chromate green paint on the interior. It needs a very smooth surface.

Sticks just fine to the belly of a Duchess at 155 KTAS though!
 
I took one of the GP mounts and drilled a hole in it, so I could remove a screw from random spots on the plane, put the screw through the mount and then mount the GP onto the mount..

Here it is mounted on the vert stab.

roll2.jpg
 
BellyUpFish said:
I took one of the GP mounts and drilled a hole in it, so I could remove a screw from random spots on the plane, put the screw through the mount and then mount the GP onto the mount..
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That sounds like a great idea....have you had any issues with the camera shaking/vibrating while flying?

I recently used the single suction mount on the belly of the duchess for my flight through Monument Valley. The mount held well, but the picture is a little shaky
 
Fearless Tower said:
That sounds like a great idea....have you had any issues with the camera shaking/vibrating while flying?

I recently used the single suction mount on the belly of the duchess for my flight through Monument Valley. The mount held well, but the picture is a little shaky
Click to expand...

It depends on where I mount it. On the vert stab I get some pretty good "jello" wobbles. With it on the wing or mounting in a tie down hole, it doesn't seem to wobble as bad.

I really like the look of it mounted to my headset though. Seems to really do better.
 
Trying to shoot video in the cockpit really shows one how much vibration we all subject ourselves to.

Also makes one think a dynamic prop balance is probably worth the money. ;)
 
Nice video! Just curious -- and no Cub experience here -- but what's the pilot flying doing when he twice reaches up by your right leg, in front of the open lower door?
 
BrianR said:
Nice video! Just curious -- and no Cub experience here -- but what's the pilot flying doing when he twice reaches up by your right leg, in front of the open lower door?
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That's the Carburetor Heat control - very important in a Cub, especially in the winter.

Ryan
 
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Are any of these head-mounted cams? (didn't have time to see them all)
If not, would head motion make such a video too nauseating?
Just thought it would help bring the entire story together if you could see the scenery, the instrument panel, throttle quadrant as the pilot does, using a head mounted camera.
 
Ryan, are you wearing a helmet? Nice vids everyone
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Are any of these head-mounted cams? (didn't have time to see them all)
If not, would head motion make such a video too nauseating?
Just thought it would help bring the entire story together if you could see the scenery, the instrument panel, throttle quadrant as the pilot does, using a head mounted camera.
Click to expand...

Mine is a GoPro mounted to the ear piece of a set of DC's. Works really well in both closed and open cockpits.
 
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