Technology

[Gloersen]

the '03 SN 196 slowly becoming the training boat. Motor revision & ZO strong thus far.

 

using a dash mounted tablet with direct wi-fi to the camcorder for operation of the video recording, zoom, then subsequent post-set viewing to see how poorly one actually skis; video self-coaching, quite humbling. Obviates the need for a mirror. Revision of the tracking mount or a better product needed.

 

My hunch is on-board video review with a decent screen is commonplace by season's end. End goal; more buoys....

[SkiJay]

@Gloersen Nice setup with the tablet! Interesting what you've done to your Trakker, no doubt to reduce shaking. Is the grey block between the mount and the camera, high density foam? I'm also curious to know why you have the elongated "eye" of the boom twisted off at an angle? Maybe you've tried this, but I found there was less shake when I attached the short shock tube behind the boom as shown below:

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1530989/Waterskiing/BOS/Trakker%204.jpg

[Gloersen]

@skijay - still need to modify the trakker, if it can improved will post photos. The foam block has 4 compression springs arranged in a square within and thin stainless cable running through each to pins on the camera mount base plate. Not sure it helps. Now the carabiner rattles the tracking arm too much.

 

Haven't tried your modification with the shock tube, will have to give that a try.

[Ed_Johnson]

What I did with mine is move the shock tube forward about one foot in that picture and attach the Arm to the Shock Tube...Use tie wraps to attach the Arm to the side of the Shock Tube and a small rope extension to connect the bridle on the shock tube to the pylon...The rope passes through the shock tube like normal and not the Arm.

 

The Shock Tube moves the Arm side to side with less vibration and less effect from slack than the rope by itself would....Have been doing it this way over 12 years with no problems and excellent video.

[SkiJay]

@Ed_Johnson Neat idea. Two questions:

1) Did you use a full length shock tube or a shorty?

2) Do you lose a bit of the tracking i.e., ski up to or out of the side of the shot if the rope goes slack?

[Ed_Johnson]

@SkiJay:

 

1) I have used both over the years but currently use a Masterline Shorty.

 

2) You gain tracking ability and it is not prone to slack as much...You will have to slightly realign the centerline of the camera, since the Arm is fixed to the side of the Shock Tube. Three tie wraps work fine for attaching..Also make sure you have a little slack in the line you attach the Shock Tube briddle to the pylon with....It has to be free to move up and down...I believe I used a 41 to 43 off rope section from an old rope.

[A_B]

@Ed_Johnson, would velcro straps work for the tie wraps? That way, it could be easily removed when you don't want to watch. Just a thought.

[Ed_Johnson]

@AB: That should work fine since there really is no force on the shock tube...It is held in place by the camera arm and should have slack to be able to move up and down, not just side to side, with NO resistance.

[Texas6]

For what it's worth, the creator of GoPro cameras is 37 years old and worth am estimated $1.25 billion dollars. This ingenuity has to be worth a few hundred to somebody right?