Power Kite Forum

GoPro Mounting Help

AviN - 30-4-2012 at 01:35 PM

Hi all,
First, sorry if this kind of topic was posted before....just couldn't find it.

So, FINALY, got my sweet sweet toy, the GoPro Hero HD :wee: .
I got some pretty cool videos with it (which soon I'll post my first edited one..) , but I really want to add another angle of filming, from above ! On an LEI kite, no problem, I know I can wrap it around the leading edge, but I'm looking for a way to mount it on a foil kite.
The Kite line mount will only give me self video up from close, so I really want to make one (or buy if necessary) that I can mount close to the kite, to get some aerial view.

Any idea how I can achieve this angel ? ANY way you can think of will be consider.....especially since I ran out of ideas...:puzzled:

Thanks in advance

Cerebite - 30-4-2012 at 02:09 PM

I think that if you have a filming angel your bases should be covered, a different angle is a bit harder to achieve [gottal love "spelling" mistakes that the checker misses].

I don't do GoPro yet so we will have to wait for more serious answers but I thought I remembered someone talking about a do hicky [technical term] that clipped between two bridle lines to hold a camera.

AviN - 30-4-2012 at 02:21 PM

Thanks for the heads up Cerebite , somehow I just knew I would put the wrong word :P ...
.
.
.
,,then again, if I wrote it in Hebrew, I think no one would understand what I wanted in the first place :P

indigo_wolf - 30-4-2012 at 02:50 PM

Which kite are you mounting the camera on?

If it is the Montana 3, was that still running 4 lines or a Y-Line set up like the current Montanas? A Y-Line would place the camera closer to the kite canopy than you.

If you are looking for alternative angles, you might also want to research picavet rigs. Check my response (#14) in this thread. The camera angle being referenced/discussed is the video Kober posted in post #12 of that thread.

ATB,
Sam

AviN - 30-4-2012 at 02:57 PM

I'm trying to mount it on the Montana, which set with 4 lines.
Don't really know what exactly is the 'Y-line' you mention, but regardless, it have 4 lines.
I'll check the post you mention, hopefully it will do the trick.
Tnx Sam



Edit : Looks like my next project (..if my patient hold..)
Gr8 idea :smug:

indigo_wolf - 30-4-2012 at 03:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AviN
Don't really know what exactly is the 'Y-line' you mention, but regardless, it have 4 lines.


A Y-Line is where a single power line runs from the bar to up by the kite. It then splits before connecting to the power leader lines on the kite.

You can see a diagram of it in the manual for the more recent generation of Montanas. Mounted above the split the Kitehero Line Mount would be closer to the kite than the rider.

The Y-Line configuration has been adopted in more recent kites to reduce parasitic drag and improve upwind performace.

Not sure if HQ sells the Y-Line segment as a seperate SKU, but it they did, it would seem like a fairly easy way for you to alter the mounting location.

You "local" HQ retailer or Chris :rolleyes: would be able to tell you for sure.

ATB,
Sam

zero gee - 30-4-2012 at 04:54 PM

How about mounting the Kitehero Line Mount in the bridle at a bridle split? There might be a spot in the bridle with a similar split to the 'Y' on the flying lines. However, avoiding tangles could be hell.

indigo_wolf - 30-4-2012 at 05:04 PM

I think there is a point of diminishing returns. The further you move the mounting point up the line, the more relative motion there is. In the bridle lines, in addition to tangles, the resulting video might only be viewable with a dose of dramamine. :lol:

This is some footage up in the bridle/frame of a stunt kite.



ATB,
Sam

AviN - 30-4-2012 at 06:37 PM

I think that the problem with the traditional line mount, is that the closer you bring it to the kite, you make the lines 'closer' to each other, less room to move, causing the kite kinda closing and depower / power up depending on the wind condition.
.
.
Sam, I never understand ppl flying kite that close to traffic roads and trees...it's like asking for accidents to happen :rolleyes:

beachrights - 30-4-2012 at 07:35 PM

I too have been struggling to mount my new Contour POV camera. Here is what i have tried and its outcome:

- ran the right power line through a kite spar slightly larger diameter than the line, ghetto attached it to the line with a piece of duct tape. Then velcroed the camera to the spar. It worked but the weight on the line did not work/ kept wanting to turn right.

-next- connected the 2 powers with a line running horizontially and used the same ghetto rig. well...that was 15 minutes of my life I'll never get back!

and thats as far as I got! Nowhere fast!

Someone out there needs to give us an idea!!!

AviN - 30-4-2012 at 07:45 PM

I'd like to see those 15 minutes of 'glory' :lol::lol: beachrights ...
.
.
To me, everything that include duct tape, sounds as a way to fail ...
.
Let's keep hope someone with better idea will popup here

beachrights - 1-5-2012 at 04:40 AM

I know, I know.... so ghetto when duct tape is involved! It did work though:lol:

Kamikuza - 1-5-2012 at 04:57 AM

Someone velcro'd a GoPro onto an arc once ...

bigkid - 1-5-2012 at 01:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AviN
,,then again, if I wrote it in Hebrew, I think no one would understand what I wanted in the first place :P

Not true, It would be easier to understand.
I came up with 2 ways for the gopro to work,
1, velcro the camera to the trailing edge of the kite.(let the velcro cure on the camera and the kite ocer night before use).
2, I cut a small piece of plastic about 3x3 with a hole (just large enough for the power leader to pass through)on one edge and Velcroed the camera to the opposite side of the plastic. ran the power line through a washer and around and back through the washer again, run the line through another washer and then through the hole on the plastic with the camera. (the washer and the plastic had the edges sanded off to make it smooth)
this way the camera always hangs top side up to keep the view a bit more enjoyable. like hanging something on a hook, it swings free in all directions.

AviN - 1-5-2012 at 01:17 PM

Sam, are you taking about the Picavet mount ?

indigo_wolf - 1-5-2012 at 02:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AviN
Sam, are you taking about the Picavet mount ?


For alternative viewing perspectives, yes.

ATB,
Sam

AviN - 1-5-2012 at 02:16 PM

Then my only question will be on which line do I mount it on ?
I saw that option on one of your other posts (..or someone else), did a bit research about it, looks interesting, my only fear is that it will be a bit too heavy on the lines and again, on which one should I mount it on... ? :dunno:

indigo_wolf - 1-5-2012 at 02:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by beachrights
I too have been struggling to mount my new Contour POV camera. Here is what i have tried and its outcome:

- ran the right power line through a kite spar slightly larger diameter than the line, ghetto attached it to the line with a piece of duct tape. Then velcroed the camera to the spar. It worked but the weight on the line did not work/ kept wanting to turn right.

-next- connected the 2 powers with a line running horizontially and used the same ghetto rig. well...that was 15 minutes of my life I'll never get back!

and thats as far as I got! Nowhere fast!

Someone out there needs to give us an idea!!!


FWIW: KiteHero (now CamRig) does make a Contour specific mount. It works with the following cameras:
http://camrig.com/camrig/contour-line-mount/camrig-contour-l...

Product Videos:
http://vimeo.com/40617910
http://vimeo.com/40625005

ATB,
Sam

beachrights - 1-5-2012 at 03:09 PM

Forgot to mention I fly on handles!! Thanks Indigo for the links though! At least now i know if I get on the water with a bar I am good to go but the handles??...........


Bigkid- I thought of the velcro idea too but I'm worried a good loop would send my camera sailing in a nice 10 second arc through someones windshield in the beach p-lot!!:o

Man, that would make some cool video though!!!

have you actually had success with this? How hard did you push the kite?

beachrights - 1-5-2012 at 03:46 PM

http://vimeo.com/6013769

Found this and it turns out be from what else....one of us!!

AviN - 1-5-2012 at 03:53 PM

Beachrights, erase the "<iframe src=" from the begining of your link...
.
.
Cheers..

bigkid - 1-5-2012 at 04:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by beachrights
Bigkid- have you actually had success with this? How hard did you push the kite?

The key was to let the glue cure on the kite and the back of the camera from the velcro. over night worked for me. I used the extreme with the big hook-n-loop. it worked very well.
I liked the 2nd version the best, don't like turning my head to see the vid. I did the plastic and washers at the end of the line where the sleeve was sewn on to make it less abrasive on the line.

Edit- paint is a bit unsteady but it gets the point across

gopro mount (640x309) (2).jpg - 36kB

beachrights - 1-5-2012 at 06:09 PM

Quote:

Edit- paint is a bit unsteady but it gets the point across


One of my daughters came in the room and asked why I was drawing a pic of Utah!!?

I really do want to see how you did it- is the velcro setup different from the line/washer deal?

beachrights - 1-5-2012 at 06:11 PM

wait! I just looked at the drawing again and it clicked! Sort of like the "Magic Eye" drawings! Now, I see how you did it.

PHREERIDER - 2-5-2012 at 08:27 AM

easy line mount from stuff i already had.

a line winder, the" X " style

2 simple velcro wraps 1" wide about 8" long

1/8 bungee cord

stick on a mount(gopro or whatever)

this thing is kwick and simple AND safety works thru it no problems.

i'll get a pic of it

PHREERIDER - 2-5-2012 at 09:08 AM

just realized you wanted it ON the KITE, i did a tube couple years back ON the kite but that had alotta options and strait froward .

but the DIY line mount with a winder so easy and gives tighter ride view.

here's a look

SSPX0037.jpg - 38kB