Saturday, March 7, 2015

Cheerson CX20 Camera mounting

Here we install the SJ4000 camera. It's a GoPro like camera and is an affordable alternative.

In this installment, we are using a combination of the camera mount that comes with the CX20 and part of the massive array of mounting options that come with the SJ4000.

First off, There is a fine steel cable that comes with the camera. I call this a 'no cry' cable. In case of various events, you should not lose the camera. I attach one end through the bolt for the landing skid.

The Cheerson camera plate (and the aftermarket units) come with rubber antivibration mounts. Connect the plates together BEFORE you try and attach the plates to the Quadcopter. The camera has to be mounted in the protective housing. There are no mounting points directly on the camera itself. Remove the mounting foot and use the CX20's mounting foot (the while plastic part attached below the camera).
Before you attach the plate to the CX20, attach the white mounting foot to the plate. Attach the plates to the bottom of the CX20. with the 2 screws.
Thread the 'no cry' cable through the plate furthest from the CX20. Loop the other end through the other landing skid mount. If the rubber grommets fail, the camera will not leave the quad, and you won't cry about losing the camera.


So now we are all set. We can take video from the air. You tell the camera to start filming, then take off. In this simple setup, you do not have control of the camera in flight. You also have to either take the camera out and hook it up to the computer or take the memory card out and put that in your computer. If you opted for the SJ5000, it has WiFi and you can transmit to your phone or tablet.
If you want to want total control of the camera from the air, you will be better off with a GoPro or a   gimbal mount. (stay tuned for our extended blog on that)




Now in case you are wondering why we did not use the rest of the camera mount that came with the CX20..........

The Cheerson camera holder is meant for a thinner camera. The SJ4000 is 4mm too thick to fit.

 
Update. Upon examining the screws that hold the foot to the anti vibration mount, the threads are barely touching the nylon inserts that keep the screws from loosening. A little thread lock compound resolved that, and just to hedge the bet, I took one end of the metal cable (the 'No cry' strap) and threaded it in the camera foot. This way if the plate were to pull from the grommets OR the foot came unscrewed from the plate, the cable would save all.

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