Introduction: Helmet-mount for a Micro-DV Camera
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About: I fly fixed wing, flex wing and rotary aircraft. Love designing and making in wood, metal and plastics. Currently building a cyclekart and researching a history PhD on the democratisation of flight.
This is my first ever instructable!
I wanted to be able to make films of my flights, filming whatever I looked at, as I looked at it....And of course, the conventional way is with helmet mount. But I wanted a way of doing it which did not mean modifying the helmet or using potentially damaging adhesives.
This solution uses suction and is easily made in only a few minutes using surplus meccano bits and a cheap suction cup, which I got on ebay. There are various types available, but I bought 47mm one with a screw-in threaded shaft and a brass nut. A 32mm one might also be suitable.
I tried mounting the camera in various places but ultimately decided that the side of my visor was best; you will need to settle on the best position on your own helmet.
I wanted to be able to make films of my flights, filming whatever I looked at, as I looked at it....And of course, the conventional way is with helmet mount. But I wanted a way of doing it which did not mean modifying the helmet or using potentially damaging adhesives.
This solution uses suction and is easily made in only a few minutes using surplus meccano bits and a cheap suction cup, which I got on ebay. There are various types available, but I bought 47mm one with a screw-in threaded shaft and a brass nut. A 32mm one might also be suitable.
I tried mounting the camera in various places but ultimately decided that the side of my visor was best; you will need to settle on the best position on your own helmet.
Step 1: You Will Need . . .
a 47mm suction cup with threaded shaft and brass nut
2 meccano strips (5 holes on flat/ one hole on each end)
several washers (I used only one here, but ought to have used three)
2 small nuts and bolts
a rubber meccano spacer
velcro
meccano allen key and spanner
2 meccano strips (5 holes on flat/ one hole on each end)
several washers (I used only one here, but ought to have used three)
2 small nuts and bolts
a rubber meccano spacer
velcro
meccano allen key and spanner
Step 2: Bolt the Two Meccano Strips Together at the Ends
Bolt the two meccano strips together (at right angles to each other).
For tidiness's sake, put the nuts on the inside.
For tidiness's sake, put the nuts on the inside.
Step 3: After Screwing the Shaft Into the Suction Cup, Put a Washer On
Some suction cups of this kind have the threaded shaft ready fitted. Mine came in two parts for easy posting). Once the threaded shaft has been screwed in, put a washer on.
Step 4: Add a Meccano Rubber Spacer
Add a rubber spacer. Without it, I found that my camera was forced up against the suction cup and this meant that the camera pointed off to the side rather than straight ahead.
Step 5: Put the Threaded Shaft Through the Middle of the 5 Holes
put the threaded shaft through the middle of the 5 holes on a meccano strip...
Step 6: Add a Washer and Secure It With the Brass Nut
add a washer and secure it with the brass nut
Step 7: Add Velcro
I put a strip of coarse velcro on the mount and the soft velcro on the back of the camera (a matter of personal taste). You might consider using 3M instead.
Step 8: Position the Mount on Your Helmet
The side of my visor was most suitable for my helmet's line of sight.
The camera can then be mounted with the helmet on or off, though, as I don't have a viewfinder on my camera, this is fairly hit or miss. Only through experimentation can you determine the actual field of view etc. It may then be worth putting framing marks on the visor.
A meccano hole can be used to fix a lanyard to secure the mount to the pilot, in case it comes unstuck. I plan to fix the camera lanyard to my flying suit.
The camera can then be mounted with the helmet on or off, though, as I don't have a viewfinder on my camera, this is fairly hit or miss. Only through experimentation can you determine the actual field of view etc. It may then be worth putting framing marks on the visor.
A meccano hole can be used to fix a lanyard to secure the mount to the pilot, in case it comes unstuck. I plan to fix the camera lanyard to my flying suit.
Step 9:
Here is the first film I took using the head-mount. You will see from the tags that I need to swivel the camera to point down a bit next time....but I don't think it is a bad first test.