More Astak dissection

In an attempt to try to lock the exposure of the Astak camera, opened up its optical block to search for some kind of shutter signal or offboard microprocessor. Sadly, it appears the exposure and conversion to composite video is done on the image sensor die itself. There's no way to lift a shutter pin and override it. So that leaves:

1) Get a really light, cheap, solid state, 320x240 camcorder to perfect the flying part and eventually get a Sanyo for HD.

2) Get a Sanyo now and hope there's no job loss or currency collapse.

3) Try aiming the Astak at the ground, debug the radio side, and wait for $700 to materialize before getting a Sanyo.

Mouthwash and toothpaste are getting mighty expensive in the Bermuda Trapezoid.

Speaking of the Bermuda Trapezoid, did the first complete discharge of both batteries since the rebuild and they both had less flight time than before the rebuild.

3300mAh: 23min
4000mAh: 28min

So clearly it isn't the battery but the country that's the problem.