Microlighters

What's a good way to mount a video camera on a microlight? I would like to put it on the wing tip but have no idea how to go about it.

Hi Skydiver

Lots of ideas out there and it all depends on what type of camera you want to mount.

Google "Hang glider camera mount" and you should be able to pick up some tips.

I am using bullet type cameras on my trike and I have made use of mostly RAM Mount components for my setup.

There are some "made for purpose" mounts out there as well as home made jobs - see below.

Regards

Sebastian

Thanks, Sebastian!

What is a bullet camera?

Walter

Small video camera that's a bit bigger than a tube of lipstick. Needs to feed to a video camera or other recording device but the beauty of it is you can have several bullet cams mounted all over the plane feeding to one video recorder through a switching matrix.

Bullet cams can be bought at any decent security shop. usually a square affair but much cheaper than the "sport cams" and are the same on the inside.

Thanks, Boys!
Now, what is a 'switching matrix' and where can I get one?

Also see here.

viewtopic.php?t=3716&start=0&postdays=0 ... ght=camera

A switch box allows you to switch between different feeds. All the equipment you will get at security/surveillance shops. There were a couple guys on the forum who have done this and others who are in the game and can supply the hardware. Stan was very clue'd up but he has left the forum, maybe he still reads it?

Thanks, RV4ker! I'm on to it.

Hi Walter

You can buy a relatively cheap switcher at the nearest Dick Smith or you can go upmarket with a better quality device like this one.

Regards

Sebastian

Sebastian, for some reason your photo of the switcher didn't come out.

Thanks, Sebastian. I see it now. One more question though. I've ordered a bullet cam on the net and I see that it requires 12v. Do you wire it to your circuit or do these cameras get their power from the video camera? I know that sounds naive, but believe me, I know little about electronics.

Nope - you normally buy a 12 v battery pack to run the individual camera - it should be supplied with two leads - one for power the other the video output to the video camera / recording device. You could also run it off your trike's onboard 12v supply but I prefer to keep that seperate from my video system.

Thanks, Sebastian. I'll set things up and let you know how it goes.

Thanks, Sebastian. I'll set things up and let you know how it goes.

Sebastian,

I've bought a bullet cam. It has video output lead that ends in a BCA connector. (I think that's the term). My Sony handycam has a fire wire input. How does one connect a video output lead of that kind to a firewire input? Or is there a bullet cam out there that connects via firewire?

I solved the mounting problem, thanks, with some Manfrotto clamps and ball heads.

Walter