Where do I start?

eBird · Dec 10, 2003, 12:42 AM

Planes:
GWS Slowstick, SoarStar, and Wingo are the most commonly used planes for AP.

For the SlowStick, you can get by with the stock 300 motor, but it won't last very long if you run it hard with 8 cells. A better bet is to upgrade to a speed 400 motor with an F or G gearbox, or a brushless motor.
You can buy the S400 and gearbox here:
http://www.allerc.com/EPS400C.htm

Best bang for your buck has to be the Slow Stick. $35 and needs very little modification. Can haul cameras up to 5 or 6 oz, although 3 ounces is a reasonable limit without a brushless motor and reinforced wings.

Cameras
Aiptek mini pencam (1.3 Mega)
Aiptek SD (1.3 Mega) accepts SD memory cards
Mustek GSmart mini3 is 2 megapixels
Pentax Optio S4 - 4 megapixel cam
Nikon 3700 - great for stills or smooth video

Check this thread for more about cams:
Great cams for aerial photog

Usually folks start off by fashioning a camera mount that allows the shutter to be pressed by a mini servo. Some simply glue a servo to the camera body.

A better and increasingly common solution is an electronic switch that is soldered into the camera and plugged into the receiver.
The Aiptek and Mustek can be fairly easily adapted to an electronic switch. Check these threads:
Prism
RC-CAM's switch
Michele switch
Switch by Smokey Rotor

(no longer available Wild Moose's SMT Backpack switch)

The Optio S4 can be triggered using an IR switch made by MX.

Camera mounting options: Check these threads...
Aiptek SD mount
Optio S4 mount
Mustek mini3 mount

This is a fresh start on THIS THREAD.

RMihara · Dec 10, 2003, 01:37 AM

Hi Steve,

Please add the following to the Aipteks Stats on your 'Great Cams' thread...

Mini 1.3
Dimensions:
1.3" x 1.22" x 3.54"

Image Capacity:
1248x960- up to 50 pictures
640x480- up to 160 pictures

Recycle time (time between shots):
approximately 2-3 seconds.

SD
Dimensions:
3.9" x 1.7" x 1.4"

Image Capacity:
1280x1024 - up to 10 pictures with built-in 8 MB memory
640x480 - up to 40 pictures with built-in 8 MB memory
200-300 with a 128 MB SD disk.

Recycle time (time between shots):
approximately 0.5 seconds.

Regards,
Roger

eBird · Dec 10, 2003, 09:19 AM

Difference between the Aiptek mini pencam and the pencam mega?

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...hreadid=179106

rikks · Dec 26, 2003, 04:35 PM

Should the camera be mounted away from the motor?

Will the motor mess up the signal?

Andy W · Jan 01, 2004, 10:06 AM

No, but the motor must be off when you take pictures (or severe image distortion will show up in your pictures)..
..a

Ralph_D · Jan 04, 2004, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andy W
No, but the motor must be off when you take pictures (or severe image distortion will show up in your pictures)..
..a

Not necessarily true. My first mount was made of foam and it did cause the distortion but my latest mount, below, is on solid and allows me to take shots at full power with no distortion.

-Dujara-

gustabmo · Jan 09, 2004, 08:01 AM

Make sure you get a camera with lots of memory, or at least one that takes memory cards so you can buy a larger card later.

It's very frustrating to be limited to 20 or 30 pics per sortie, as even the pros here admit that the secret behind AP is to take lots of pics and sort out the better ones.

Try to get enough memory to be able to hold at least 100 pics, and, obviously, use it! Take lots of pics... shoot several times aiming at each of your subjects to increase the chance of getting a really good pic of each one.

Gustavo

RacerPaul · Jan 21, 2004, 09:55 AM

Can you tell me what mods and setup you are using?

Thanks

Paul

Who is Scooter Motique?

tjr · Feb 23, 2004, 10:44 AM

Is anyone using gas power for AP or is there just too much vibration? What acft models work best? Mounting systems?

Medve · Apr 23, 2004, 12:47 AM

OK guys, I headed over to my LHS (Aeromicro) to get a Lite Stick. I am having trouble finding the mods for it on here though. Is it under foamies, AP, Park Fliers, or which?
Also, has anyone tried those pinhole video cams off ebay? Any good?

Kyle G. · Apr 23, 2004, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medve

OK guys, I headed over to my LHS (Aeromicro) to get a Lite Stick. I am having trouble finding the mods for it on here though. Is it under foamies, AP, Park Fliers, or which?
Also, has anyone tried those pinhole video cams off ebay? Any good?

pinhole cameras... i bought one, about $50 dont waste your money. image is ok, have to "retune" it ALOT which means loosing your picture and what not. my dad is thinking about maybe adding a resistor i think its called so there is a constant signal comming back and maybe it wouldnt have to tune it that often. needs a lot of light too so i wouldnt i would save up for a nice quality one from like black widow AV

skysthelimit · Apr 23, 2004, 12:56 PM

How do I adjust the resolution on the camera it self i am running 1280x1024 because i can get 10 pictures on the built in memory. i was flying the cammera on my 3d foamy but the battery I was running was light so the weigt didn't bother me sincei run a 4 oz lithium anyway 3s 2p but my apl battey went out after just a could flights no big thing because we build are own batteries. but I can't get another cell to go with the other. Long story short I can't get another cell to fix the bad one. The small batt. was used for ap but lost the light one. So i ahve to use the 3s 2p batts. used for 3d. anyway the plane is to heavy now. So my main questions are how do change the resolution on the camera and How would you like to possibly see som beach pics of my possibly new Ap plane.

newflyer · May 26, 2004, 01:31 PM

Hey E-Bird, what prop would I use with that GWS speed 400 setup you mentioned? The stock one that comes with the 300 motor?

eBird · May 26, 2004, 03:41 PM

Newflyer - depends on which gearbox you get. The "G" is 4.5:1, so an 11x8 would work fine. The "H" box will need a little larger prop, a 12 or 13".

Bill Harris · Jun 08, 2004, 11:21 AM

Steve--

With a GWS 400 and a "G" (4.5:1) box and 7-cell KANs, a GWS slowflyer prop 12x6 pulls 9A. and gives 11 oz thrust and a 13x6.5 prop pulls 11A. and gives 13 oz of thrust (all values measured and static). The higher current of the 13x6.5 prop is a tad over the recommended limit, but having extra thrust at takeoff is helpful and you can throttle back for cruising. The static "half throttle" current draw is about 2.5A. for either prop.

"YMMV", but this is what my SS does.

--Bill

Dec 10, 2003, 12:42 AM	#1
eBird Look! Up in the sky! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado Posts: 4,551	Where do I start? Planes: GWS Slowstick, SoarStar, and Wingo are the most commonly used planes for AP. For the SlowStick, you can get by with the stock 300 motor, but it won't last very long if you run it hard with 8 cells. A better bet is to upgrade to a speed 400 motor with an F or G gearbox, or a brushless motor. You can buy the S400 and gearbox here: http://www.allerc.com/EPS400C.htm Best bang for your buck has to be the Slow Stick. $35 and needs very little modification. Can haul cameras up to 5 or 6 oz, although 3 ounces is a reasonable limit without a brushless motor and reinforced wings. Cameras Aiptek mini pencam (1.3 Mega) Aiptek SD (1.3 Mega) accepts SD memory cards Mustek GSmart mini3 is 2 megapixels Pentax Optio S4 - 4 megapixel cam Nikon 3700 - great for stills or smooth video Check this thread for more about cams: Great cams for aerial photog Usually folks start off by fashioning a camera mount that allows the shutter to be pressed by a mini servo. Some simply glue a servo to the camera body. A better and increasingly common solution is an electronic switch that is soldered into the camera and plugged into the receiver. The Aiptek and Mustek can be fairly easily adapted to an electronic switch. Check these threads: Prism RC-CAM's switch Michele switch Switch by Smokey Rotor (no longer available Wild Moose's SMT Backpack switch) The Optio S4 can be triggered using an IR switch made by MX. Camera mounting options: Check these threads... Aiptek SD mount Optio S4 mount Mustek mini3 mount This is a fresh start on THIS THREAD. Last edited by RMihara; May 18, 2006 at 07:15 PM.

Dec 10, 2003, 09:19 AM	#3
eBird Look! Up in the sky! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado Posts: 4,551	Difference between the Aiptek mini pencam and the pencam mega? http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...hreadid=179106 Last edited by Steve Nolan (eBird); Dec 15, 2003 at 11:55 PM.

Jan 09, 2004, 08:01 AM	#7
gustabmo Gustavo Exel Join Date: May 2003 Location: Brazil - Sao Paulo Posts: 1,763	Camera memory Make sure you get a camera with lots of memory, or at least one that takes memory cards so you can buy a larger card later. It's very frustrating to be limited to 20 or 30 pics per sortie, as even the pros here admit that the secret behind AP is to take lots of pics and sort out the better ones. Try to get enough memory to be able to hold at least 100 pics, and, obviously, use it! Take lots of pics... shoot several times aiming at each of your subjects to increase the chance of getting a really good pic of each one. Gustavo

Jan 21, 2004, 09:55 AM	#8
RacerPaul Thanks Dad! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Bellport, NY, USA Posts: 79	Mods? Can you tell me what mods and setup you are using? Thanks Paul Who is Scooter Motique?

Jun 08, 2004, 11:21 AM	#15
Bill Harris Shrug... Join Date: May 2000 Location: Backwoods Alabama Posts: 2,924	Steve-- With a GWS 400 and a "G" (4.5:1) box and 7-cell KANs, a GWS slowflyer prop 12x6 pulls 9A. and gives 11 oz thrust and a 13x6.5 prop pulls 11A. and gives 13 oz of thrust (all values measured and static). The higher current of the 13x6.5 prop is a tad over the recommended limit, but having extra thrust at takeoff is helpful and you can throttle back for cruising. The static "half throttle" current draw is about 2.5A. for either prop. "YMMV", but this is what my SS does. --Bill Last edited by Bill Harris; Jun 09, 2004 at 08:40 AM. Reason: corrected a number

Dec 10, 2003, 01:37 AM	#2
RMihara Aerial Shutterbug Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: San Mateo, California, United States Posts: 4,912	Hi Steve, Please add the following to the Aipteks Stats on your 'Great Cams' thread... Mini 1.3 Dimensions: 1.3" x 1.22" x 3.54" Image Capacity: 1248x960- up to 50 pictures 640x480- up to 160 pictures Recycle time (time between shots): approximately 2-3 seconds. SD Dimensions: 3.9" x 1.7" x 1.4" Image Capacity: 1280x1024 - up to 10 pictures with built-in 8 MB memory 640x480 - up to 40 pictures with built-in 8 MB memory 200-300 with a 128 MB SD disk. Recycle time (time between shots): approximately 0.5 seconds. Regards, Roger

Dec 26, 2003, 04:35 PM	#4
rikks Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 487	Should the camera be mounted away from the motor? Will the motor mess up the signal?

Jan 01, 2004, 10:06 AM	#5
Andy W That sickening crunch.. Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 39,774	No, but the motor must be off when you take pictures (or severe image distortion will show up in your pictures).. ..a

Feb 23, 2004, 10:44 AM	#9
tjr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Gautier, MS Posts: 27	Is anyone using gas power for AP or is there just too much vibration? What acft models work best? Mounting systems?

Apr 23, 2004, 12:47 AM	#10
Medve Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 316	OK guys, I headed over to my LHS (Aeromicro) to get a Lite Stick. I am having trouble finding the mods for it on here though. Is it under foamies, AP, Park Fliers, or which? Also, has anyone tried those pinhole video cams off ebay? Any good?

Apr 23, 2004, 12:56 PM	#12
skysthelimit 3D Flyer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: pensacola Posts: 238	How do I adjust the resolution on the camera it self i am running 1280x1024 because i can get 10 pictures on the built in memory. i was flying the cammera on my 3d foamy but the battery I was running was light so the weigt didn't bother me sincei run a 4 oz lithium anyway 3s 2p but my apl battey went out after just a could flights no big thing because we build are own batteries. but I can't get another cell to go with the other. Long story short I can't get another cell to fix the bad one. The small batt. was used for ap but lost the light one. So i ahve to use the 3s 2p batts. used for 3d. anyway the plane is to heavy now. So my main questions are how do change the resolution on the camera and How would you like to possibly see som beach pics of my possibly new Ap plane.

May 26, 2004, 01:31 PM	#13
newflyer Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Crowley, TX, USA Posts: 551	Hey E-Bird, what prop would I use with that GWS speed 400 setup you mentioned? The stock one that comes with the 300 motor?

May 26, 2004, 03:41 PM	#14
eBird Look! Up in the sky! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado Posts: 4,551	Newflyer - depends on which gearbox you get. The "G" is 4.5:1, so an 11x8 would work fine. The "H" box will need a little larger prop, a 12 or 13".

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