Mounting Video camera in DA-20?

[Rob Schaffer]

Took my RAM suction mount and video camera yesterday with me for my flight in the DA-20. Couldn't fnd a good way to mount the camera...

It looks like I'm going to have the suction mount on the left side, for my Airmap 500. I was trying to find a way to have the camera between the headrests looking forward, so it would be able to see the panel a little bit and out the front. Another option for me is to get another suction mount and place it on the passenger side, but I just didn't like the view it was having.

Any ideas out there?

 

[john smith]

See photos of my RAM setup under the title "Video Systems".

 

[Rob Schaffer]

John,. thanks for those pics and link to that thread. That is what I may end up with. Since the canopy comes down over top of you, it does keep it out of the way.

I'm thinking of trying to find another way,... we'll see and I'll post pics when I get something together.

Anyone have any other ideas or photos of there mounts?

 

[john smith]

I also used a Manfrotto quick release mount for the camera to RAM interface.

 

[jesse]

Check out this video:

I recorded that by just wrapping the seatbelts around a tri-pod in the passenger seat. It wasn't too hard--a $5 small tripod from Walmart.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Anyone have any other ideas or photos of there mounts?

This may not work in the DA20 due to the fuel tank in the back seat, and I'm not sure if those seats have pockets, but...

My mounting method is pretty simple. Take a tripod, put two of the legs into the seat back pockets of the front seats, and extend the third leg back to rest on the back seats or the floor. Camera is right in between the seats and has a great view of both the panel and the view outside.

Likewise, my audio system is simple and beats the "pro" versions: I get just a tiny bit of engine noise in addition to cockpit audio. What's the trick? A pair of iPod earbuds dropped into the cups of my headset and plugged into the mike port. Works like a charm!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64bOYdPMsZg

BTW, the "wobble" that can be seen there isn't the fault of the mounting system - It's an interaction between the vibration of the engine and the camera's image stabilization system (that I should have turned off, had I known that).

 

[Rob Schaffer]

Jesse:

Thanks, that will work if I'm solo, may make the passenger a little uncomfortable though

I think I'm going to get some RAM parts and mount one like John did to his car, so it comes down right between the headrests.

I may take a piece of lexan too, and just suction the mount I have to it, and set it on the baggage deck with a long tube sock filled with rice to weight it down so it doesn't side around. I tried to suction the RAM mount to the deck, but it wouldn't grab well since it isn't a very smooth surface.