Comments on: POV.1 Progress

By: Maria Langer

Maria Langer — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:40:32 +0000

@Jeff Tobias
You might find a lot of vibration on that map light mount. I tried up there, as well as on my headset racks, and couldn’t get good video. The trick is to fix it to something really solid, like the aircraft frame. The bar between the front seats in an R44 works pretty well with a solid RAM mount.

I subsequently had an audio out cable run from my instrument panel to a Robinson GPS mount I had installed over my feet. I’d mount the DVR on that bar, then plug the audio directly into the DVR. This is the best solution.

Unfortunately, all this is moot since I’ve since switched to a GoPro Hero setup. Much better picture quality — true HD video — and it also does stills. I’ve been blogging about it a lot lately; search for “Hero” and you should find some posts about it. Drawback: no audio in.

By: Jeff Tobias

Jeff Tobias — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:58:58 +0000

Hey Maria,

This is a gem of a find. I just purchased a POV 1.5 and plan on mounting the lens on the R22 map light. Figured I would rest the dvr on my lap, mounted to my knee board. I think the lapel mic is a better idea, then the splice/tap av cable as ‘less is best’. I know your post is a couple of years old but better a bit late then never as I think I have the right idea insofar as camera-mic setup.
Thanks again and great job!
Jeff

By: Maria Langer

Maria Langer — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:56:48 +0000

I understand your concern. I was concerned, too — although not about anything getting sucked IN. I was worried about the whole thing breaking loose at my standard 110 knot cruise speed and bashing itself against the helicopter’s paint job.

But I tell you one thing: this camera isn’t going anywhere without the entire door going with it. It’s mounted very solidly with a clamp to the vent opening. There’s a small lip on the top of the vent opening and the clamp is tightened below that. So not only would it have to work loose from the door panel, but it would have to work loose enough to get over that lip.

Also, I covered the darn thing with electrical tape, making sure the lose ends were facing backwards. I did a 1.5 hour flight from E25 to PHX to SDL to E25, averaging at least 100 knots the whole way and the tape is still good as new.

So I’m confident that the camera is well attached.

I’m pretty paranoid about anything on the outside of the aircraft, so I really worked hard on this one. Since testing it, I’ve worked out a new audio connection and have secured all the loose wires to the inside door frame where there’s no chance of anything getting caught up in my feet. The last step is the Velcro I’ll be putting on the back of the recorder unit to further arrest any sliding around it might want to do in flight.

Where’d you fly Hueys?

By: Bob Lawrence

Bob Lawrence — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:39:41 +0000

Nice setup but was wondering if not better to mount on one of the skid braces?

Seems if rain or anything can be sucked into the PIC’s open vent there might be a problem.

Just a thought from an old 7300 hr Huey driver.