Using head mounted camera and PIP to watch aircraft during FPV piloting?

[grumpy42]

I am interested in putting together an FPV system, and I would just like some comments on the particular setup that I am considering. I will start out using the system on fixed wing aircraft, but I may try it out with helicopters too.

I just have a couple requirements. Firstly, I wear glasses so any video goggle will have to comfortably fit over my glasses (near sighted). Secondly, I do not like the notion of being “locked-in” to the FPV view. I would like some way of viewing the aircraft and the cockpit view simultaneously.

So far, I am considering the Headplay video goggles. They seem to be eyeglasses friendly (and wallet friendly), and the have good reviews here.

Originally, I was looking for either a monocular display that could attach to my glasses, or video goggles that were translucent (like to Sony Glastrons). The monocular displays are more expensive than I would like. Also, I am not entirely sure that I could train myself to use it effectively for FPV piloting (the consensus here seems that they are not well suited to FPV piloting). Finally, there do not seem to be any current video goggles that are see-through.

Sooooo…. I was thinking that I could use a second camera attached to the side of the video goggles and a picture-in-picture (PIP) video processor. The primary display would be the cockpit view, and the “windowed” view would be my view from the camera mounted on the video goggles.

Currently, I am looking at something like this for PIP
http://www.ambery.com/pivipr.html
I would prefer it to be a bit more compact, but since I don’t plan to mount it in the aircraft, it is just a minor inconvenience (and it is reasonably priced).

There has been some talk of using PIP with two onboard cameras, but there hasn’t been much talk about having one camera mounted on the aircraft, and the second camera mounted to your head so that you can follow the aircraft visually. I was wondering how effective this setup is compared to the alternatives (monocular displays, see-through goggles).

I’d appreciate any input.

[QUIKSILVER]

Opps!

i totaly missed the plot, i first thought you wanted to watch the out side of the aircraft from the aircraft! opps! silly me!

there is a mod on here somewhere, that one side of the screen has 1 picture and the other screen has another! ill look for the thread!

[gundamnitpete]

i think your best bet is to fly the airplane from the goggles....

[RENATOA]

Check the Nikon monocular borg style headset

http://www.gizmowatch.com/entry/nikon-media-port-up-multi-task-viewer-in-a-headset/

[rob10000]

I think it would be very hard and distracting, to try to track the airplane with the ground camera. A camera with a field of view small enough to reveal enough detail to enable flying the plane with it will be almost impossible to keep focused on the airplane. (imagine trying to fly while looking through a soda straw)

[grumpy42]

Check the Nikon monocular borg style headset

http://www.gizmowatch.com/entry/nikon-media-port-up-multi-task-viewer-in-a-headset/


That seems like a great device, unfortunately, it seems to only be available in Japan.


A camera with a field of view small enough to reveal enough detail to enable flying the plane with it will be almost impossible to keep focused on the airplane. (imagine trying to fly while looking through a soda straw)


I don't really want to fly the plane via the helmet cam. I would primarily use the cockpit view to fly but I thought that having the second camera pointed at the aircraft would eliminate the need for a spotter. I also thought that it may be helpful in judging distances during landing. Finally, I suppose the helmet cam idea may have limited usefulness for fixed wing aircraft, but I think that it could be invaluable for helicopter fying (especially during takeoffs and landings).

I guess that I am just a bit of a control freak, and I don't fancy the idea of not being aware of my surroundings.

[videocruzer]

thats a great looking product.
there are products that are see threw but they start at 3500 bucks.OLED organic light emitting diode. I cant find the link sorry. I will keep looking for the company for you.
that would also work great if you had a camcorder on your ground antenna tracking station. my 12 year old camera can see beyond the naked eye.

[RENATOA]

To judge distances well, not only landing, but during flight too, skip the so popular 3.6mm lens and use a 6mm instead. Is very close to human vision. The reduced FOV can be solved using a pan mechanism, similar with the human eye/head movement.
If nature want us to have wide angle camelen vision, will taylor us accordingly.