Comment by James F. on March 13, 2012 at 11:31am

We should keep it simple. Start with a very simple retracting turret for a specific camera size and scale up from there. We just need to have an idea that everyone can play around with and innovate off of or poke holes at.

Comment by Hein du Plessis on March 13, 2012 at 11:32am

To me, it's a no-brainer. There isn't a commercially (realistically priced) gimball available. We need it. Let's make it.

Comment by Grips on March 13, 2012 at 11:33am

I do not think that $150-200 is an open source product really. When you really look at the raw parts of the chassis, its no more than a single 12"x12" or 8"x8" sheet of G10. Max, $30 for the chassis. To me, the design should be freely available, get it cut however you like most likely 1/8" G10, add your own servo's etc. Maybe DIYDrones could stock a hardware kit of 'random' parts that, when combined, form the hardware component of a 'rotatable camera unit'.

Comment by Rick Stewart on March 13, 2012 at 11:38am

I found a source in Canada that sells a 1/4” Sony Super HAD CCD Sony Block cam for $149 with a 36x zoom, digital zoom, 0.1 Lux operation, Auto Focus and Bus control.  I am going to buy it eventually, when I do I will let you cats know how everything turns out.  My issue is I need to source a 6 - 9 circuit slip ring to make this all work.  Cheers,

Rick

Comment by Joseph on March 13, 2012 at 11:38am

$30 sounds even better..... I will also take a stab at making my own.

I red something small and my system will not need the retractable portion. my plane has landing gear. 

I can't wait to see what people come up with.

Comment by Andrew Adams on March 13, 2012 at 11:48am

@rick

Check this out https://www.adafruit.com/products/736

I just got this thing. Very nice slip ring. I haven't tested it on anything yet, but hope to put it through it's paces soon. I'm curious to see how well this little thing does.

Comment by james sowell on March 13, 2012 at 11:54am

do u have a link for the sony cam

Comment by Joseph on March 13, 2012 at 2:12pm

This is the sony cam I have on order for my set up.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/%5F%5F13434%5F%5F1%5F3%5Fi...

Comment by Joseph on March 13, 2012 at 2:13pm

@ andrew

Will this slip ring support video as well?

Comment by Todd Hill on March 13, 2012 at 4:40pm

I made a simple retractable 2 axis gimble for a buddies build.  Used a cheap hobby king servo retract and cut it down to length.  mounted the $13 2 axis gimble on the end.  Wasn't exactly pretty to look at when it was down, plus it produced a small amount of drag,  but it worked surprisingly well.  Used the BEV RC nano cam and two micro servos.  Used a cheap servo speed regulator to slow the retract servo down.  Made for a really light, but cheap system.  Sounds like an excellent project for the community though.  What grips said could be an issue, but then again there is more than one way to skin a cat! This is a very creative community.      

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