Quadrocopter + GoPro 3.

[addkerr]

Any thoughts on using these quadrocopters and hero 3 for some pretty cool shots

Quadrocopter: http://www.quadrocopter.com

 

 

[rwskier]

#addkerr here is a video I did just yesterday showing my rig that I plan on using this year for my ski videos.

 

[klindy]

Awesome....can the quadrocopter swim? I'd hate to see that kind of investment sink to the bottom of the lake.

[addkerr]

@rwskier keep us posted when you do. Should make for some amazing shots.

[addkerr]

@klindy haha good point. i know the AR drones just hover on there own if connection is lost, maybe something you can do with these.

[rwskier]

@addkerr will do and I am looking forward to some cool Aerials.

[jcamp]

@rwskier is the copter a kit you buy or do you buy it already complete? I'd be interested in getting one.

[rwskier]

@jcamp you can get them several ways, kit that you assemble or you can get them ready to fly.

here is a link to the supplier for my product.

http://www.uavproducts.com/category.php?id_category=10

[thager]

Might want to rig some floats for it!

[DW]

Just saw the CEO / founder of GoPro joined the billionaire list.

[rwskier]

Well the secret to not putting it at the bottom of the lake is to learn how to fly it then pray for no failures in the air. I am pretty sure I won't fly over open water, I think I will just stick to the private sites that I know where the bottom is.

[thager]

@rwskier I think my friend TinkerManRC said that once just before he crashed one of his Leerjets. Seems to me Tim was messing with the Quad also a while back. Is also a good source of RC parts. Lives in MCO though. Maybe not.

[gregy]

One of my relative uses a similar rig to make a living. His website: camerawings.com. If you can get him to slow down for a minute he'll tell you all about it. He builds his own and has one of the longest flying multi-rotors in the world.

 

Here's one he did of the San Marcos river near next years nationals at San Marcos River Ranch.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uANduVgMDYU

 

 

[kmenard]

such a neat place...I wish they still had the gondola's working!

 

[SkiJay]

What we need are the coordinate-programmable quadcoptors. Program in the skier's path, the lake, whatever you want, then let it fly itself and film. Some of these things are stupid fast and maneuverable.

 

[JeffSwain]

I just ordered a Drift HD Ghost camera, with the hope of making an awesome ski video at my friend's new perfect ski lake in N FL. The Ghost seemed to offer some advantages over the GoPro -- we'll see! I have been looking for a RC helicopter that can handle the weight of the camera (0.4 lbs) and fly up to 34/36 mph even in winds up to say 10 mph. Being able to program in a set speed (and, ideally, the elevation over the lake level) would be great!

[igkya]

@jeffswain, what are the advantages you expect/hope to see?

[JeffSwain]

According to my research on-line (not verified yet...) the "base" Ghost camera is waterproof down to 10' (my friend's ski lake is 7' deep) and includes a 2" LCD screen; the GoPro needs additional add-ons for those features. The Ghost lens can rotate, for flexibility when mounting (yet still keep the horizon horizontal). And I think the Ghost remote (on/off from a waterproof wrist strap) will be good for a skier to wear and control the camera.

[E_T]

@skijay GPS would not be very hard to do. You could even make it track the skiier cross course if need be talk about POV

[MattP]

@E_T you know this is already on my list of projects. After the other two of course.

[E_T]

@rwskier how much do these 'copters cost?

[JeffSwain]

One more thing I liked about the Ghost is that it has a standard 1/4" mount built-in, where I believe the Hero has it's own proprietary mounting systems you have to buy separately. I am also interested in costs of 'copters. You can get a RC 'copter cheap, but the ones I have seen would not have the key abilities we skiers will need for great shots (ability to handle some wind, speed up to 36mph (carring camera payload up to 1/2 lb), range of RC control up to 2000' to pilot from one end of the course if desired).

[rwskier]

@E_T The one that I have was about $650.00 be fore the transmitter. Transmitters are anywhere from $125 to $450 depending on what you what. they are certainly not cheap and have a learning curve as how to fly them.

The range is there to fly all the way down the lake but you would never be able to see which way it is flying that far away with having first person view camera on board.

[JeffSwain]

RW- how fast can your rig fly? 34mph?

[Jibbo]

The best RC multirotors are Droidworx. If you have the money these will easily keep up with skiers and handle wind conditions http://www.droidworx.co.nz/

[rwskier]

I agree with @Jibbo those machines are amazing and certainly can keep up with the boat but this is not an inexpensive toy either.

 

Here is a showreel for some locals guys, amazing what can be done with these things.

 

 

[WBLskier]

I thought about trying a cheap tethered weather balloon for some aerial shots...maybe one from far above the course looking down and one a few feet above the skier ball. Haven't actually tried it yet though.

[otisg]

Addkerr -Couldn't help but notice that the first half of your video was filmed on the "Really" Big Mountain. I used to live there and we just got back the middle of February. Who do you soft water ski with around there?

Mike Gwiazdon, Doug Reid & Duke Collins are good friends...

[addkerr]

@otisg sorry to dissapoint but its not my video, and im actually from the UK.

[WBLskier]

Just saw a story in our local paper about a new company you can hire to take video or photos with one I'd these. Paper said max flight time is 6 mins per charge. Better get the shots quickly.