Wraith POV Camera Experiments

[FauxMako]

I got a Replay XD video camera and mounted it to my Wraith. This is to record, hopefully, the process and improvements.

1st Attempt

Camera mounted to passenger side of the hood. Very little of the Wraith is in the shot so it's kind of hard to relate to what's going on. Sound is horrendous and I'm definitely still learning about editing.

Vickery Creek 1 - YouTube

I've got about 1.5 hours more of that. I won't punish you with it. The camera is easy to use, pretty solid and the battery lasts longer than the ~2 hours of video the 16GB card can hold.

Test #2 - B-Pillar mount

After seeing that I decided to move the camera back further. I mounted it to the driver side B-Pillar. And went for a short trip, out the garage, around the driveway, through the flower box and back. It's dark but at least you can see some of the front wheel. I did figure out how to get the sound off so at least you don't have that finger nail on a blackboard feeling any more. And title! (OK, a really sorry attempt at a title)

B-Pillar Test - YouTube

I'll try to figure out a mount that can attach to the C-Pillar or close to it and try again.

[wheelstoo]

Thats not bad,can see more of the wheel travel.That little camera is nice.

[stanmondz]

why not put it in the drivers seat? true POV then and your camera will be safe

[FauxMako]

Originally Posted by stanmondz

why not put it in the drivers seat? true POV then and your camera will be safe

You'd see even less than you saw in the first video. Yes, it would be more like you were in the Wraith, but when "you" are in a car you can move your head around, change your focus and change the POV. Can't do that with a solidly mounted camera.

The camera is a solid alloy case. It's splash proof. It's designed to be used mounted to the outside of a helmet, motorcycle, bike, skateboard or car. I'm using it the way it was designed to be used. If I was using my regular digital camera or something like that I'd definitely want it to be more protected. On Sunday my Wraith rolled down a 20' hill a couple of times with no negative effects to the camera. I forgot to look for those tumbles on the videos -- would definitely be interesting to watch but I got too bored to watch that long.

For Test #3 I've got an "arm" mounted above the C pillar so the camera is above the driver side rear tire. It's hanging off the side about 2" outside the frame so it's directly above the tire both front to back and side to side. Got about 2" clearance between the tire and the wheel at full flex. I didn't have a chance to take it for a spin yet. Maybe tomorrow night.

If that doesn't work out my next idea is further up and back, but that would need to be easily removable. Was thinking about getting one of the alloy roof panels and trying to use that as the start of a base.

[FauxMako]

Got some time to give the C-Pillar mount a go. Definitely the best yet, but I think maybe if I aimed it a little lower it would be better. Opinions welcome.

C-Pillar Test - YouTube

[Grimreeper]

is there anyway to mount it in the rear of the front seats. Almost like what it would look like if there was a back seat. Maybe just something where you could see the windshield bars and the hood. Just what I was thinking. Looks pretty cool though.

[FauxMako]

Got around to editing the remaining 1.5 hours of video I took at Vickery Creek.

Here's all 4 parts:
Vickery Creek 1 - YouTube
Vickery Creek 2 - YouTube
Vickery Creek 3 - YouTube
Vickery Creek 4 - YouTube

#3 at about 1:40 is the start of a hill climb with a couple of rollovers.

[wheelstoo]

Looks good,I need to get out this weekend.Got some new 4.18 Baja Claws with stock foams.They work better on my little course than the Rip Saws.Maybe not as well on super slick stuff but grab any little crumb and walks up it.

[FauxMako]

Move the camera to above the back wheel and took some video of a trail run in Harrison Park today. It's definitely better. I was going too fast for it to actually look good but I was hoping to get to the rock bowl/mud pit that is in the back. Turns out it's been graded, turned into a retention pond and fenced in. Video is compiling and uploading now, but it's not much to look at more as proof that the new mount works better and you have a better idea of what is going on. I'll post a link later.

[FauxMako]

Harrison Park/C-Pillar Test

Harrison Park 1 - YouTube

Not much spectacular happens in the video. But the POV I think is about as good as it's going to get. I just need to get better at editing and how to do things in the editor.

[wheelstoo]

That looks good.

[Grimreeper]

Thats a good view point. Now I just need to see this thing in person. Are you planning on coming to the Last Man Standing scale comp this month? It is going to be fun hope everyone can make it out.

[jeremyfowler33]

check out ferndogg310 on youtube hes been doing some awesome scale videos with his wraith it may give you some good ideas about camera placement.

[Colby]

My latest video
WOD R/C Blower Buggy Hill Climbing - YouTube

[FauxMako]

Originally Posted by Grimreeper

Thats a good view point. Now I just need to see this thing in person. Are you planning on coming to the Last Man Standing scale comp this month? It is going to be fun hope everyone can make it out.

Just depends on the when and where.

[Colby]

September 29th in Dallas GA. Its not just a comp, infact you dont even have to compete. We will trail ride to the comp obstacles and time whoever wants to compete up the obstacles

[FauxMako]

Originally Posted by Colby

September 29th in Dallas GA. Its not just a comp, infact you dont even have to compete. We will trail ride to the comp obstacles and time whoever wants to compete up the obstacles

About how long to they typically last?

[Colby]

Dont know, comp is the first of its kind. Hopefully all day? You can stay as long as youd like

[FauxMako]

It's more a "I'd rather not start something I can't finish" thing.

[FauxMako]

Video I took, or tired to take, at Pigeon Hill today was a bust. According to the files, I've got like 14 hours of nothing. 28 30 minute video of black nothing. Not sure what that means, especially since we were out there less than 3 hours. Maybe it got turned on while it was sitting in the bag at home or something. I dunno, next time I won't put the card into it until I'm ready to mount it up.

Sucks because there was some cool trucks out today and I think I would have actually gotten some cool video. The tow out of a SCX10 with a dead battery might have been good.

Oh well, there is always next week.