Cheapy pan/tilt and pod set-up

[skunkworks2006]

I haven't seen anyone use aluminum stock for a pan/tilt set-up, so I thought I'd show mine. I am still flying my el-cheapo 900mhz 50mw integrated cmos camera/tx, but I bet the same would work for a better camera too. I thought this might inspire someone to improve on my quick and dirty build.
The pod is made from 1/8" basswood to keep it simple and strong. Then I drilled it some increase airflow and to lighten a bit. It is simply Velcro-ed in place. I think I spent about $4 not including glue and servos.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/flycastfortrout_2006/FPVBaseStation006.jpghttp://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/flycastfortrout_2006/FPVBaseStation007.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/flycastfortrout_2006/FPVBaseStation008-1.jpg

[scrtsqrl]

Hei!
Where did you get your camera/Tx? Do you have any videos from this set-up to share?
Thanks!!!

[skunkworks2006]

I honestly don't remember where I got them. It was someone who was selling them here on RCG about a year ago. The paperwork says 50mw but who knows how accurate it is. The camera case seems to be the same as those listed all over ebay, but in 2.4 Ghz.
I don't have any video posted as most of mine are pretty dull, but I'll see if I can get one up soon. I have hours of video on Digital 8 tapes.

[pajo1981]

Is there anyone running an IF OSC off of an EZ POD?
Begorrah...

[wyldryce]

Is there anyone running an IF OSC off of an EZ POD?
Begorrah...

Yes.

How may I assist you? :)

[tvdude310]

Yes.

How may I assist you? :)

You're supposed to say "Sure and Begorrah!!!"
Then, "how may I assist you?":D
He's a Shamrock, for Criminey's sake!

[pajo1981]

Yes.

How may I assist you? :)

Any pictures?

[randall1959]

Here's my pan and tilt setup. It doesn't get much cheaper than this....... :D

[skunkworks2006]

Wow, that looks fragile. Doesn't it wobble?
You certainly win the el-cheapo contest though.

[skunkworks2006]

okay, here's a link to a video of the cheapy set-up in action. It would be better with a pan servo modified to 180 deg, but I'll get there soon enough.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10575434&postcount=1

[randall1959]

Here's a sample video
http://www.vimeo.com/1679425

[wyldryce]

Any pictures?

Here you go. This wont win any beauty contests. But its fairly robust so far. The original EZpod balsa frame for the camera met an untimely death when my esc shutdown on takeoff due to a failing BEC, causing the plane to nosedive in from 60ft. This is much stronger though, and was easy to make. The way I have the camera mounted is the same as what I did for the original ezpod though, as I wanted to have access to the back of the camera to make adjustments. So I kept the balsa piece that the camera was supposed to pivot on and just took a piece of aluminum stock and cut a piece and drilled a whole using a step bit (greatest tool ever for a hobbiest!) until the lens would pass through. Then I just used some strong double sided 3m tape to tape the camera to the aluminum and used some more to tape the aluminum to the balsa pivot. I then used some tin snips and cut a 90* angle piece out of alumuinum and attached it with screws to the camera fram that came with the IF OSC camera. This gives the servo arm a place to lever off of. Works pretty well. I can say, I really like having the camera up for a higher perspective. The nose need not be in your picture at all if you dont want it, and yet you still get a nice view of the horizon without too much sky. Plus you have the ability to tilt and look over the side of the plane.

[pajo1981]

That looks great. I like the way the camera sits up high...

[thomasscherrer]

yes and then it can even see down to the ground out the side of the plane,
so that is cool, but how about wind load ?
I guess you fly nice and slow,
the bottom servo needs to be with out too much slip, else the whole thing will be a little bit loose or prone to vibrate ?

[skunkworks2006]

Randall, I still would question the long-term durability, but that doesn't look too bad.
Nice flying site too. It got me thinking of using a drop module for RC FPV Golf!

[wyldryce]

yes and then it can even see down to the ground out the side of the plane,
so that is cool, but how about wind load ?
I guess you fly nice and slow,
the bottom servo needs to be with out too much slip, else the whole thing will be a little bit loose or prone to vibrate ?

So far no real issues with it. I have flown in some steady 20+knot winds at the beach;. windy enough where I'll only fly visually, as I have no ailerons yet, but lots have people have taken rides with me there, and it does find with the extra camera height.

-R

[BlueAngel2000]

here my very cheap Pan/Tilt System.
520TVL board cam in an balsa wood and epoxi.
Pan servo HS81 180 modded
Tilt servo hxt900

[ROSSMANS]

Are you taking the :censored: You got that in a fire sale! :p

[skunkworks2006]

LOL, good thing we only care about what the lens sees ;)
Function over form, right?

[scrtsqrl]

Here's mine (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2002015)...No other hardware other than the stuff that came with the cameras or the servos...

[wyldryce]

Here's mine (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2002015)...No other hardware other than the stuff that came with the cameras or the servos...

Yeah, I probably would have done something similar to that if I hadn't needed to have access to the back of the camera to make adjustments to it. That said, I have discovered I really enjoy having the perspective up a little higher. The stock ez pod is ok, just fragile, or at least the camera mount part is. The raft is fine I suppose. the aluminum doesnt seem to add much weight, as i didn't need to add any more counterweight to the tail to get it to balance vs. what it was with the original ezpod setup.

-R

[ROSSMANS]

Neat..very neat.

[skunkworks2006]

Here's mine (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2002015)...No other hardware other than the stuff that came with the cameras or the servos...

Yeah, I like that. Nice and clean/simple and I know from your vids that it works great.
I unfortunately had to deal with a cam that won't mount on the tilt axis so well. So I had to get a little creative.
Part of what makes all this fun is tinkering with stuff 'till you find what works.