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Video Cameras & Mounts

mf_pilot

Member
Good morning fellow RVers,
I am looking for ideas and recommendations on acquiring, installing and operating video cameras. In particular, what camera brand/models to buy, mounting brackets, controlling apps to turn on/off video recording and lastly video editing apps you use. Adding voice to the recordings is also important, as I've seen many videos without sound.

Appreciate your insights. Best regards,
Mario
RV8 N151BL
 
Watching with interest. I can tell you that it’s hard to beat a Lightspeed Delta Zulu for sound.
 
I've moved from GoPros to Insta360...the Ace Pro for in-the-cockpit, or mount on the tail tie-down, and an X3 on the wing tip (I'm a generation behind). I use bluetooth remotes or iPhone to control them. Mounts are from Flightflix. I use an audio recording interface but can't remember where I got it, Amazon probably. That's hooked up to the Ace Pro, which is powered in the cockpit. For editing the Ace Pro, I use Premiere Elements and the Insta 360 app for the X3.
 
I've moved from GoPros to Insta360...the Ace Pro for in-the-cockpit, or mount on the tail tie-down, and an X3 on the wing tip (I'm a generation behind). I use bluetooth remotes or iPhone to control them. Mounts are from Flightflix. I use an audio recording interface but can't remember where I got it, Amazon probably. That's hooked up to the Ace Pro, which is powered in the cockpit. For editing the Ace Pro, I use Premiere Elements and the Insta 360 app for the X3.
Save your money on the Flightflix and roll your own mount. Easy peasy and all for a few dollars and a trip to the hardware store.

 
Save your money on the Flightflix and roll your own mount. Easy peasy and all for a few dollars and a trip to the hardware store.

I've seen a few people around here make there own , mostly with good results. FlightFlix sells nice stuff that's convenient and well-designed, however. I've used both them and MyPilotPro and I've been pleased.
 
Here is what I did. It would work for gopro or insta360. I get minimal shake but I am looking for one that is more rigid. I used a shower curtain rod, the end of an old broom, and some epoxy to glue it into the end. I think the space between the two mounts helps with the shake. The aluminum angle is much thicker than needed but I had it and it works. I also put a piece of foam insulation tape on the underside of the mounts so it doesnt scratch the wings.

Im still working on how to add sound tracks but I do record through an adapter on a second camera inside connected to the headsets. It gives good sound - I am just a crappy editor. Here are a few shots and a link to a video you can see the mount in a shadow as I take off.
 

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I've moved from GoPros to Insta360...the Ace Pro for in-the-cockpit, or mount on the tail tie-down, and an X3 on the wing tip (I'm a generation behind). I use bluetooth remotes or iPhone to control them. Mounts are from Flightflix. I use an audio recording interface but can't remember where I got it, Amazon probably. That's hooked up to the Ace Pro, which is powered in the cockpit. For editing the Ace Pro, I use Premiere Elements and the Insta 360 app for the X3.
Thanks so much for the tips, will check on these and post my findings after. Safe flying and Happy New Year!
 
Save your money on the Flightflix and roll your own mount. Easy peasy and all for a few dollars and a trip to the hardware store.

 
Erich, thanks for sharing, lot of good suggestions, nothing wrong about saving a few dollars on making brackets and attachments. I will post my decisions and help forward. Thanks, safe flying and Happy New Year!
 
Here is what I did. It would work for gopro or insta360. I get minimal shake but I am looking for one that is more rigid. I used a shower curtain rod, the end of an old broom, and some epoxy to glue it into the end. I think the space between the two mounts helps with the shake. The aluminum angle is much thicker than needed but I had it and it works. I also put a piece of foam insulation tape on the underside of the mounts so it doesnt scratch the wings.

Im still working on how to add sound tracks but I do record through an adapter on a second camera inside connected to the headsets. It gives good sound - I am just a crappy editor. Here are a few shots and a link to a video you can see the mount in a shadow as I take off.
That's amazing!!! the quality, zoom in/out and the sound is great! Do you use Bluetooth thru apps on your phone to control camera? what a great idea!!!
 
That's amazing!!! the quality, zoom in/out and the sound is great! Do you use Bluetooth thru apps on your phone to control camera? what a great idea!!!
I have been turning my camera on before I get in the plane and starting the video. Mr. New Zealand himself, planenutz has been giving me some tips and said I can control the gopro360 from the Quick app on my phone. I have a gopro remote but it didnt with the 360 so I just turned it on and then deleted what I didnt want. The problem is the battery goes out in about 45 minutes so I will give Quick a try.

The zooming is all done after you land. The camera records 360 degrees of video and you compose the shots on your computer in the gopro video program. It is crazy how it works. You can make as many videos out of the camera recorded video as you want. I am just learning editing and the amount of time needed to make a good video with different cameras and sound has been more than I have been willing to spend so I get half a$$ed videos that are good enough for me! Im getting a new video editing program so maybe that will give me a reason to do better! Ha!

Here is my new mount pole and gopro attachment. It is a little stiffer and bounces less. So far it is working good and maybe the chrome is easier for the software to delete it?

Have fun
 

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I have been turning my camera on before I get in the plane and starting the video. Mr. New Zealand himself, planenutz has been giving me some tips and said I can control the gopro360 from the Quick app on my phone. I have a gopro remote but it didnt with the 360 so I just turned it on and then deleted what I didnt want. The problem is the battery goes out in about 45 minutes so I will give Quick a try.

The zooming is all done after you land. The camera records 360 degrees of video and you compose the shots on your computer in the gopro video program. It is crazy how it works. You can make as many videos out of the camera recorded video as you want. I am just learning editing and the amount of time needed to make a good video with different cameras and sound has been more than I have been willing to spend so I get half a$$ed videos that are good enough for me! Im getting a new video editing program so maybe that will give me a reason to do better! Ha!

Here is my new mount pole and gopro attachment. It is a little stiffer and bounces less. So far it is working good and maybe the chrome is easier for the software to delete it?

Have fun
Awesome tips! Like you, I'm not looking to spend a great deal of time editing, the 360 recording capability sounds great as we can pick and choose certain portions of video... I fly a few different airplanes, my RV8 is where I get all the fun... friends and family keep asking me for videos, way behind on the requests. Just placed an order for the Insta 360 X3 camera along with a few mount options. Working on getting the other items now. Will have a post done with my findings and experience. BTW - are you New Zealand based also?
Best
 
Awesome tips! Like you, I'm not looking to spend a great deal of time editing, the 360 recording capability sounds great as we can pick and choose certain portions of video... I fly a few different airplanes, my RV8 is where I get all the fun... friends and family keep asking me for videos, way behind on the requests. Just placed an order for the Insta 360 X3 camera along with a few mount options. Working on getting the other items now. Will have a post done with my findings and experience. BTW - are you New Zealand based also?
Best
No, Im about as far away from NZ as can be in the coldest, crappiest flying weather place on earth - Michigan!!
We have a home in Colorado but work has me in Michigan now.
 
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