Category Archives: Gears
FireFly 6S Camera breakthrough
Firefly 6S WiFi 4K camera is an excellent entry into action camera sport DV camcorder. A relative unknown company that had the right ingredients to success. Hawk Eye is known to focus it’s effort on budget FPV action sports camera, has made this 4k version of the camera following the recent 1080p release. Similar to it’s sibling, it carries a Sony CMOS 12.0MP sensor, but with the addition of 4k and GYRO image stabilization. Since it is a camera, a video is worth a thousand words, here is a day wth this camera…
Our initial test tells us this is a keeper, regardless if it shoots at 4K, the 1080P 60 FPS is fantastically vibrant and with GYRO image stabilization. If you do not own a GoPro, this is definitely an alternate Action Sports HD camera designed ready for radio control first person view (FPV) flying. The menu system is simple and easy to use. Hawk Eye has a clear understanding of usability, keeping the functions organized and reachable when needed. We hope to get some personal footage of the 4k soon. We like that the fact everything worked out of the box…
GitUp Git1 Action Camera
Synopsis: 2015 year of the sports camera. GitUp series is one of those recent low cost 1080p breakthrough that caught the attention of casual photographers, enthusiasts and critics alike. Weighing only 64g, it successfully fitted a 1.5 inches LCD viewing screen and yet kept within the standard size for use on a GoPro gimbal. The LCD allows you to see what you are filming; at times you only get one chance on a shot, and not seeing what you are filming, can be a bummer if you missed half of it. Here is our day with this camera on a impossible mission or was that mission impossible…
The Git1 manages to find room to include Wi-Fi capabilities that can be set-up if you have a smartphone or tablet that supports wifi. In addition, you can connect your favorite 3.5mm Stereo external microphone, which means you don’t have to hear your heavy breathing or wind sound on a windy day…
Skyzone SKY-700D FPV Diversity Monitor DVR 32CH
If you are looking for a bright 7 inch perfect size FPV monitor in 2015, look no futher, the Skyzone SKY-700D monitor DVR has a built-in dual receiver that automatically adjust for the best reception aka Automatic Antenna Switching. No blue screen with a folding sunshade.
The AV in and AV out allows you to use additional accessories, such as a second monitor, FPV glasses or a different receiver. With 32 channels, it covers a wide range for video transmitter out in the market…
EKOO S090 vs Mobius Video Camera
Looks familiar? Our favorite lightweight FPV camera 808 or Mobius faces another match, the new EKOO S090. We will do a side by side comparison and load it up on a plane and take it for a flight. It cost less than a Mobius and has a time lapse function, photos with delays between images range from 0.25 to 60 sec. Loop recording the usual, useful for security cameras. Like the Mobius, the Power button has a delay to prevent premature activation while handling.
There are 3 versions of lenses: H 140 degrees, V 102 degrees, D 170 degrees…
Tarot TL300L OSD
TAROT OSD mini TL300L perfect for 250/300 quadcopter size, allows you to configure directly on your monitor/goggle. It is intended for a racing quad, but can be used on any FPV models. it uses barometer to determine the height and and GPS module for position.
INSIDE LOOK:
OSD video overlay system has the following features: VTx Voltage, Eng Voltage, Flight Time, Flight Speed, Flight Height (altitude), Home Direction, Home Distance, Total Voyage (duration), Lifting Speed (vertical), Longtitude Latitude (GPS), Satellite Number (Count), Azimuth (location of the plane in the sky from the perspective of the base station). HOME OK is set when 6 satellites count are met…
2-Axis Brushless Camera Gimbal CNC for GoPro
Synopsis: We have been looking for a quality gimbal for aerial filming, to allow us to survey an area with camera stabilization. There are probably over 20 selections of gimbals out in the market in 2014, notably the expensive Dji Zenmus and Tarot gimbals. We wanted a gimbal that has a motion processing unit to stabilize our camera while in flight. Working with Hobbywow.com, we have decided to test this unbranded but quality gimbal to see how it fair.
We selected the FPV 2-Axis Brushless Camera Gimbal w/ Motor & Controller for DJI Phantom Gopro 3. This selection is based on the budget price, it’s stand-alone built ready to use controller that can be installed on any aircraft with any light weight pocket camera, the GUI software SimpleBGC and performance…
Walkera iLook+ 1080p FPV Camera
Synopsis: This is the new and improved all-in-one FPV camera with built-in video transmitter – the iLook+. What makes the iLook+ camera different from other action cameras, it is FPV ready! No extra video transmitter to install. Some people call it a FPV backpack, and have been packing them into a box to make it swappable. You can change and reroute the antenna anywhere, but conveniently it has one attached, if you prefer not to have too many wires. It uses the same antenna as a Fatshark, so if you are pleased with a Fatshark setup, it is the same. The iLook and iLook+ are identical in size and shape, other than the lens and resolution.
The iLook+ has a wide angle 1080p lens for FPV, providing a more stabilized recording…
Remzibi Poor Man’s OSD for FPV
Synopsis: Remzibi OSD is a very versatile OSD that can be adapted on any FPV system, as it has a GPS integrated into the system! The OSD board uses the GPS module to capture information like heading, speed, altitude and lat/long coordinates. In addition, it uses an ATMEL processor to capture information like battery voltage (video and main/motor) and other functions like Variometer which shows up and down changes in altitude. The configuration software written by HappyKillmore is by far one the best one, complete with all functionality a pilot would need. For our tests, we plan to integrate Remzibi with Walkera QR x350. Even though you have to remember to click the button each time to save the home position, it is definite the easiest OSD to integrate on any FPV setup…
FrSky Taranis and APM 2.6 Camera Gimbal Flight Test
Storyline: A clear day on October 2013, out to test a completely new quadcopter we built, along with a fantastic combination of new gears. The first scene starts off with the Taranis and build-in Gimbal test, as that was new and a highlight to this flight (everything is new except the video camera). The gimbal was managed by Ardupilot (a flight controller, basically a computer) that kept the camera level at all times during accelerations and dives. We have never used the gimbal function (A10) before, so that was exciting to see how it handles video. Entering Pirate’s Cove (0:18), that was filmed at 60 frames per second with a Sony DSC-HX30V camera, and frame rate was reduced by 50% (30 fps) giving a smooth slow motion effect. A signature shot of the aircraft added to a moving car scene and then back to the sequence showing a couple taking photos of the big shark. At 0:45, we began the flight in first person view, another classic signature shot with the props spinning and the motors running (got to have that sound of the motors spinning up). The flight scenes were shot with a keychain camera #16 Lens D as that was the lightest and easiest way to video anything.
The control over this new quadcopter was excellent, maybe it was the Taranis or maybe the Opto ESC and DJI motors, or maybe just a combination of everything and the design…
Portable DVR Monitor Blackbox Ausek Dual Lens Car DVR
Synopsis: We have been looking for a portable, light weight monitor and recorder to go with any transmitter on the field. The Ausek AK-X3L designed for car video recorder is a H.264 Dual Lens Car DVR /G-Sensor HD1920x720P /2.7′ LCD/HDMI/External IR Rear Camera. It is low cost and does just the job. It records all of our flight data with a click of a button, which allows us to airborne within 2 minutes on the scene. It is our favorite choice because is so light and convenient and attaches to our flight goggle.
This DVR records at 720p high resolution videos, the purpose is to record all flight data, especially GPS co-ordinates…
