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Scarlet config for remote controlled helicopter

C

chris gonzalez

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My first post. Be nice.

I am building my 3rd aerial photography helicopter and have either the Scarlet or Canon xD in mind. My last experimental heli weighed 12 lbs and had an AUW (all "up" weight) of 20 lbs. which included a DSLR or small Sony HDR SR7, pan/tilt mechanism and electronic gyros, video downlink and batteries.

This one will be about 12% larger and should be capable of lifting 12-15 lbs.

When I saw the RED in 07 in Las Vegas, I thought it may be possible, but then I realized with all the accessories it would probably be at least double my lifting capacity. I didn't have $40k anyway, but I knew all I had to do was wait (Moore's Law).

aka Scarlet (hopefully). Almost pulled the trigger on a 7D but I still have to finish the heli build and it will take a few months to shake it down.

So my question is what is the lightest configuration for the Scarlet (feel free to hypothesize). I will need a recording capacity of 8-10 minutes and a 24mm equivalent prime. I can rig up light weight lipos (lithium polymer batts) in any voltage to save weight as well.

A 10 lb. rig would be very doable.

Thanks for reading.
 
10 lbs is quite heavy by video camera standards - I think Scarlet is a serious contender for you and will have some advantages compared to the others, such as the REDMote. I would like to know more about your helis if you have a web page, although my interest is based on curiosity rather than commercial possibility.
 
Yeah, definitely. When people started talking about the prototypes they said it was like 3 pounds. Idk if it can be that light with a lens but you gotta figure that many Red One users (a 10 pound brain) have rigs that are about 21 pounds, and you don't even need a lot of stuff on there like the LCD, you can easily do it.
 
Eddy Robinson said:
I would like to know more about your helis if you have a web page, although my interest is based on curiosity rather than commercial possibility.
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My website is www.spinshot.com. there are some aerial pictures there, but no video, as I am not ready for prime time. Video is another order of magnitude more difficult than stills.

I found an old pic of version 1 of my aerial helicopter.

eFalconAP.jpg
 
Sam Knecht said:
Idk if it can be that light with a lens but you gotta figure that many Red One users (a 10 pound brain) have rigs that are about 21 pounds, and you don't even need a lot of stuff on there like the LCD, you can easily do it.
Click to expand...

The camera carrier rig itself will be between 2-4 lbs, so I'm hoping a minimal scarlet will be between 5-7 lbs. It would have been nice if the Scarlet was cast in magnesium like SLR bodies (lighter, stronger).
 
Oh cool! After looking at your site, I see we're neighbors - I'm in SF. Really like your work!
 
Eddy Robinson said:
Oh cool! After looking at your site, I see we're neighbors - I'm in SF. Really like your work!
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Much appreciated!

I live in San Mateo, but am often in the city. You are more than welcome to check out the heli once it is airworthy.

Here is V2 of the cameraship, part of which was sold to finance the latest project.

xleCam.jpg
 
Cool stuff all. I'm also in the RC video/Still game. Been doing it with a business partner for a year now. Fly a HMC150 and an SD9 currently but looking into a getting a 7D and a Red cam for a few things. Here's our rough website: www.skycamchoppers.com
 
Probably best Scarlet for you would be Fixed lens all auto 3K.
I am also interested in areal with remote flying thing, but I believe that a blimp with
motor is the best choice.
Best of luck!
 
A blimp would be the safest and most stable, but not as versatile. Indoors, or over a crowd of people, a blimp hands down.
 
Blimps are completely useless outside if there's any wind at all. They are also usually very large in order to fly a decent sized camera and even then you are very limited in the range and the functionality. Now, that said.. they are really a decent choice for indoors at a sporting event, but that's of limited use. There's a reason that people use choppers, and it's the relatively quick set-up time, the long range, speed and altitude. A blimp has some good options but more detractors.
 
Lauri Kettunen said:
Chris, nice website.

Do you have any experince of HeliCommand Profi,
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Thanks, and I am familiar with the Profi stabilization system. I am currently using the first generation Helicommand 3A on my cameraship. It works well and helps to fly the helicopter smoothly. The Profi is a higher performance version of the 3A and has received good reviews from users that I know.

However, the Profi has competition from other GPS enabled devices (DJI XP3.1) and I would expect the technology to advance to the point where no technical expertise is needed to fly a helicopter.
 
chris gonzalez said:
I am currently using the first generation Helicommand 3A on my cameraship. It works well and helps to fly the helicopter smoothly. The Profi is a higher performance version of the 3A and has received good reviews from users that I know.

However, the Profi has competition from other GPS enabled devices (DJI XP3.1) and I would expect the technology to advance to the point where no technical expertise is needed to fly a helicopter.
Click to expand...

Chris, the reason to ask was that I don't have any experience of Helicommand and you are the first who can tell more about the details.

Do I understand well that the Helicommand autopilot keeps the blades horizontal and thus it is less stresful to the pilot to control the heli? And what about if the pilot wants to fly forward rather slowly. Does the autopilot help significantly in maintaning the speed, direction and altitude?

Have you seen this:

http://aerialpan.blogspot.com/2008/12/5dmk2-first-test-flight-on-rc-helicam.html?

Get the feeling there might be some kind of autopilot in the heli.
 
Yes, I know of the helicopter and pilot (he is very good). You are correct, the helicommand will keep the helicopter level, which relieves a lot of stress from the pilot so he can focus on the subject being shot. The profi is the only model that will maintain a specific altitude, but that is not as important as the main function, which is to keep the helicopter level. Note that it does not mean that the helicopter will stay motionless in one position, only that it will not accelerate toward the ground. The helicopter will drift in the sky like a marble on a table. It is the pilots job to guide it and that is definitely a hard-earned skill.
 
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