GoPro Hero HD carried by the E Sky Big Lama RC helicopter, video
Today the weather started with some wind and rain, but around noon the wind calmed down and the clouds began to disappear. Perfect weather to try and find the best way to attach the GoPro Hero HD to the Big Lama RC helicopter. After making some test flights with different constructions we arrived at the conclusion that the vibrations coming from the helicopter were too violent for the camera to make a decent video. The first video below was made when the camera was attached directly to the helicopter:
After thinking about and testing different ways of suspending the camera below the helicopter we developed a construction that would absorb most of the vibrations. This allowed for the GoPro to shoot the following footage:
Unfortunately it was already getting dark, so the video quality is not optimal. If the weather allows for flying next weekend I will be posting new footage then.
Update: I made new videos!
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Comments (2)
Wessel Rossing
2010-07-13 16:25:28
In the first video above the camera is directly attached to the helicopter body. The video quality is not optimal, due to both the vibrations coming from the helicopter and the fading light.
I have tried flying without the body work, but it seems that the body work actually stabilizes the helicopter and without it the helicopter will shake violently. If I remember this correctly the bodywork only ways 37 grams so it does not save you a lot of weight either.
The Hero HD weighs exactly 100 grams and the Big Lama is still able to climb when carrying it, so your camera and transmitter + larger battery will probably not be a problem.
The vibrations however might be a problem, but this depends on the way you attach the camera to the helicopter. I used a rubber band to form an X between the skid, and attached the camera to the center of the X with a small piece of rope.
Sven Okonomi
2010-07-13 16:11:36
Is the Big Lama capable of doing reasonable FPV flying? I have a camera and transmitter setup that would weigh in at around 50 grams, so I was wondering if that, along with a slightly bigger battery, would still be flyable. I was hoping to do short trips around our warehouse. ;) Id be perfectly fine with stripping off all cosmetics to save (maybe) a bunch of weight, you think chopping the bodywork off would reduce weight alot?