Sky High

Here are some detailed images of the new camera system for the SAVS helo. I will try to post new video of it at work this week!

laceycopter

Sky High,
Thanx for explaining all that, I want to be completely portable so I'm going with the mini dv camcorder. I thought you were kidding when you said long extension cord (guess not). I was looking for a good portable recorder/player deck but the only ones I saw cost as much as the Draganfly itself. I am very serous about getting involved in making Aerial video's and photo's. I'm going to be taking photo's and video's for (my mom's) Real Estate Development Company. I've been doing some still photos with my eco8 but the SAVS looks like it will be a much more stable base. I do know how to flight heli's but it looks like orientation in the sky could be a problem for me with this until i get use to it. I've been reading all the treads on the Draganfly and I'm checking into flight lights now.
Again any help with this would be appreciated. I can hook up a system, but I don't know how to build one from scratch. what is the best pre-wired system (brightest). I was watching some of your video's (very nice) and wondering what lighting system you are using now. I've already learned so much from your threads....I can't wait to get this thing and try it out.
Once again thank you and everyone else that is helping me out.
Lacey

Sky High

Well the power cord doesn't have to be that long. Just enough to reach out to the yard if at home or a few feet from the truck if you're on location. All DV decks and prosumer DV camcorders are going to cost around $2000+. There are plenty of other cheaper DV cameras around $500 or so that can do the job though. I buy all of my production gear from B&H.

www.bhphoto.com

Here are some aerial images from a few recent flights.

www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3845986/tm.htm

As far as nav lights, I am using the ones in the navigation lights thread. It is a turnkey (plug & play) system and you can order different intensity LEDs if you choose. Make sure to order that adapter cable that I mentioned in post #8.

Nav Lights
www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3675950/tm.htm

laceycopter

Thanx again Sky High
You are very helpful..I guess that is all the the questions I have...At less till I get this thing.
3 weeks and counting.

Sky High

Here is a video from a Discovery Channel show that shows the new helo system at work and briefly some of the new recording devices like the DVR hard drive system.

www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3990959

sonnie

I'm a new member that enjoy's reading everything that fit to print. Someone wrote about the Draganflyer was once the Roswell X4. Check this page out http://glebe.stanford.edu/~stevenlw/pubs/DASC_2004.pdf
and try this one, for keeping the cost down. If you notice the flight time isn't there, but with a few changes flight time can be longer.
http://hobby.keyence.co.jp/english/saucer.html
I'm sure you can add your camera too.

laceycopter

Sky High,
Do you have a SAVS already?....If ya do..do you work for them?....they told my dad 3 weeks till they deliver.

Sky High

The SAVS is just a standard DF V Ti Pro with the new AP system. I don't work for DFI but I am working with them. I bought a DF V Ti Pro several months ago to learn to fly before they decided to work with me. I had to prove that I could at least fly first which makes sense. I am working with them to develop this new helo AP system for a very specific and unique industry use and not just general testing. The AP unit that I have flown for a couple of months now is the unrefined prototype and I just received the newly finished camera mount this week which is what I posted images of. I wouldn't have posted any images of it if DFI hadn't already posted it on their site a couple of weeks earlier. I posted those detailed images of the camera mount so everyone could see what to expect instead of having to guess. I like to see images and video about something that is cool and not just read about it, don't you? All of that AP helo gear is on loan to me and the other production gear like the DV camera, monitor, etc. is mine. I don't post anything on this board just for DFI's benefit but for everyone who wants to use it. Too much information is never enough right?

laceycopter

Sky High,
Sowwy if that came out wrong...You have been Very helpful to me...and answered every question I've had...I was just wondering how ya got your SAVS so fast...is all
And Yes the pics...videos and info is Great...keep it coming...Please
Lacey

Sky High

Oh no problem, I meant what you knew. It's possible that others may think the same thing too so I just told you what's up. I'd like to see other DF pilots post their video too!

laceycopter

Does anybody when they may start shiping the SAVS?... Has anybody recieved theirs yet?.....I still waiting for mine...
Lacey

Greasetattoo

My Feedback: (3)

So, is D.F.I. going to just sell the AP system (camera mount)?
So I could mount it to my DF V Ti Pro.

Anyone have any ideas???

laceycopter

My dad called today and found out they are working on my SAVS today and it will be shipped later in the week....I can't wait!!!...I've been reading ALL the posts...watched All the video's...I have all my recording equipment and my Nav lights ready to go...Hope to be flying it soon.
Lacey

Sky High

What kind of nav lights did you get?

laceycopter

I got the whole Flight Lites system with the power converter and a set of the landing lights...the wires came 36" long (I asked for 12")..but oh well it gave me something to do...I cut them all down and resoldered the ends on... I tested everything with a 9 volt battery...works great...I also bought 2 of the aux camera plugs and made up 2 adapters, 1 for 5 volts and no converter and 1 for the Vbat side and the power converter...(just in case).
Lacey

Sky High

Why did you have to get the power converter with your lights? The power from the board is a regulated 5v. You have to contact the owner directly for custom wire lengths and not go through automated order system on the site. What are the aux camera plugs and a Vbat?

TheHindmost

Vbat is unregulated power directly from the battery. The AUX plugs are servo outputs...Can channel six be used to control the lights?

Will

Sky High

Yes, that's what the new landing lights controller will allow. Right now mine are powered constantly from the board. I am getting a landing light set and controller that will be controlled by that channel.

laceycopter

As hindmost stated...Vbat is unregulated power directly from the battery. The AUX plugs are servo outputs... and I'm going to run my landing lights on channel 6... I bought the regulator in case I decide to run the lights of a small aux battery.
My dad got me the plugs from spectrolutions.com and the wiring diagrams are posted on the site.
Lacey

Greasetattoo

My Feedback: (3)

Lacey,
Let me know how the soldering goes on them
plugs you bought from Spectrolutions!
Very tiny wires....
Post pictures when you are done!

laceycopter

Greasetattoo,
Sorry but I did them about a week ago and already put them together and have the heat shrink sleeves on. But it was very easy,I tinned the wires first them crimped the ends of and just heated it a little with a 25 watt iron...And slide the pins into the the plugs.. They are small but a have little fingers maybe that is an advantage. If I need to do any more I'll take pictures for ya.
I still have not received the SAVS....But my dad called and they said they are working on the order now and we should have it by the end on the week...we'll see.
Lacey

laceycopter

Well guess what?
the end of the week is here...and they still haven't shipped it.[&o]
Maybe next week...

laceycopter

I was just wondering if Anybody has recieved there SAVS.
I'm still waiting for mine. [&o]
Lacey

Sky High

laceycopter, I can just imagine how you feel. Hang in there though, it's worth the wait! I think they got caught off guard with all of those orders from the announcement. I saw on their site that they are offering 2-3 free batteries with pre-orders to make up for the delays. Did you get that deal? If not I would give them a call. Three more batteries means flying three times longer!

laceycopter

Sky High
I'm hangin in...and waiting, but I wish they would hurry up.
And yes we did get the battery deal, my dad pre-order the SAVS on March 1 and they offered that deal with all the pre-orders.
I was reading the posts about the problem you are having with yours. Did you find out what is causing it?
I hope I don't finally get mine to find out I have to resolder the connections on the board. [X(]
I think they are charging enough for these things, and for $2,500 I would expect them to be soldered right.
The thought of it falling out of the sky is starting to worry me.
Lacey