Video Camera Project about to begin!!!

[offshore]

Well as most of you know I have been tossing around mounting cameras on my boat. Needless to say for a good system your looking at some serious cash. I decided before Christmas that a hand held video camera would give me more options and better video in the long run. My wonderful wife bought me the Cannon HV20 which I had been talking about for months and I must say it takes fantastic HD video. It has SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization and 24p Cinema Mode which few smaller handhelds have.
The last trip we took I took it along for the ride but found it difficult to take video and fish at the same time even with three on the boat. Hence the question how to video hands free 90% of the time?? After a little research and much time dwelling on where to mount the camera and how to use it by remote I have decided how to get the most out of the camera.
I researched a lot of camera mounts and they range anywhere from 69$ up to as much as you wish to spend. The trick was trying to find a small 12v pan and tilt remote camera base to handle a video camera. I finally found one small enough yet stout enough to handle a video camera. So now I have the camera and the base. I now have to manufacture the mount.
I will be mounting the removable base on my removable Center rigger right above the T-top for a little extra height. The remote pan and tilt mount for the camera has a hard wired remote which will allow me to adjust the camera by remote. The camera will tilt 30degrees and pan 180 degrees so it will give me enough range for the entire cockpit and surrounding waters. I can use the camera remote to turn the camera on and off and to zoom in and out. Now I have to put it all together to make it work!!

As I do this project I will post some photos and let you know all of the + & - of the project.....Wish me luck!!! Mark.....

[Capt. Fred]

Sounds very cool Mark. Keep us posted. I've been thinking about video too and I don't know squat about them. The problem on a small boat is that I only have 3 people max at any given time and if there is a fish on everybody's busy!

[offshore]

Originally Posted by Capt. Fred

Sounds very cool Mark. Keep us posted. I've been thinking about video too and I don't know squat about them. The problem on a small boat is that I only have 3 people max at any given time and if there is a fish on everybody's busy!

Capt. Fred that is our problem I only like to fish 3 people and everyone is doing somthing all the time. This way I can hit record and still do what I have to do on the boat...Mark

[offshore]

Well with such a great day outside I finally was motivated to scrounge up all the parts today to make the prototype camera mount for my video camera. I have been sketching and thinking about how to make this mount for the video camera. The toughest part is where to mount the dang thing so it will be out of the way yet still be able to cover the entire cockpit area.
Last week I went into the boat and kept trying the camera in different places and determined that mounting it under the t-top in back of the life vest bag would be the place to place the mount. After about 4 hours of work I believe I have come up with a mount that is out of the way and yet easy to access if I want to remove the camera.
The camera and mounting system consist of 5 parts.
1. The camera itself with remote.
2. The camera quick disconnect so I can remove
the camera for handheld video when I have to.
3. The remote control pan and tilt base. This is the neat
part, the base will pan 180 degrees and tilt up and
down 30 degrees giving complete coverage of the
cockpit without having to touch the camera.
4. The frame that holds all this together.
5. The friction fit mounting system bracket. I borrowed
this idea from the birdsall seat back for my transom
mount bench seat.

The nice thing is that it is totally removable except for the low profile bracket. Now I can use the camera without having to touch the thing!! I only have to use the remote. And under the T_top it is very well protected from the element and I also have a sunbrella cover for extra protection. Hopefully I will be able to give it a try on a trip soon!! The entire piece weighs less than 5lbs and the outside dimensions are 10" X 10" X 6" deep.

Here are a few picks.... Tight lines Mark

Here is the friction fit mount. I made use of some holes that were already tapped in the aluminum frame to mount it.


Here is a port side view of the setup.


And a starboard view.

[Ironwoodtuna]

You may want to get a wetherproof camera housing to put the camera in and you may also want to mount the unit on the roof to get better angles on the action. Do you have a wireless remote control or just hard wire?

I am in the business and you made some nice aluminum mounts.

Did you TuffGell the screws and nuts before you assembled it? You will be suprised how fas they will start to electrolisis with just a little salt spray.

Nice Job...marty

[offshore]

Originally Posted by Ironwoodtuna

You may want to get a wetherproof camera housing to put the camera in and you may also want to mount the unit on the roof to get better angles on the action. Do you have a wireless remote control or just hard wire?

I am in the business and you made some nice aluminum mounts.

Did you TuffGell the screws and nuts before you assembled it? You will be suprised how fas they will start to electrolisis with just a little salt spray.

Nice Job...marty

Marty
Yes sir Tef-gel where ever metal hits metal Great stuff. Birdsall recommended it to me years ago. I have looked at the camera housings but are a little much for now.
My plan was to put it on the top but I actually get better coverage under the t-top. Because of the size of the T-Top I would have to raise the mount up 3 ft to clear the top.
The camera has a wireless remote but the turret is hard wire only. Mark

Montana applications will be available soon!!

[Ironwoodtuna]

Originally Posted by offshore

Mark

Montana applications will be available soon!!

You bet, I am doing a Spring Spot & Stalk in Northwest, Montana for Black Bears with my traditional bow the last week of April! Can't wait...SWWAACCCKKKK!!!!
Marty

[Robbie]

The remote control pan and tilt base. This is the neat
part, the base will pan 180 degrees and tilt up and
down 30 degrees giving complete coverage of the
cockpit without having to touch the camera.
Hi Marty, just wondering where you found the camera mount? I've been wanting to do that for a few years to give my anglers a copy of there fishig day with me.

Robbie.

[offshore]

Robbie,
The mount I am using is a 180 degree pan and tilt It came from 21Best the link is below. It is not a water proof mount but it is mounted in a dry place on the boat under the t-top. It works great. As soon as the weather breaks I will get some footage for you...Mark
Weatherproof Motorized Pan and Tilt Systems, Indoor-outdoor Motorized Heads, Wireless Remote Controls, Automatic Scanning, at 21best.com.

[CaptGorges]

I am going to do something similar on my new boat, I have some 12v color camera systems from police cars, so I am going to see if I can't hook it up to work and then sell the video of the trip to my charter clients.