Cheap camera swivel mount

[BensonWdby]

I am working up a prototype for a replacement for the Trakker pylon camera mount for tracking a skier using the rope movement to move the camera. This is actually a concept I came up with in 1987, but never did anything about. Eventually someone else came up with the idea and the result is Trakker - which runs about $250.

My design is hand made from some simple parts - about $25 max.

If there is interest I can post photos.

Not actually tried it yet, so could have some vibration issues that the expensive ones have resolved - we'll see.

[langmotorsports]

I would like to see it!

[KSmith]

I would very much like to see it as well!

[scoot_gt]

I'm in for some testing!

[deafgoose]

VERY interested to say the least.

I am tired of using my tripod everytime we go wakeboarding.

[BensonWdby]

Unfortunately the current design would not work very well for tower mount - but I am pretty sure it coudl be adapted. I will try it out on the pylon this weekend now that it is basically complete and try to get some photos posted next week.

[KSmith]

Unfortunately the current design would not work very well for tower mount - but I am pretty sure it coudl be adapted. I will try it out on the pylon this weekend now that it is basically complete and try to get some photos posted next week.

Sounds good!! I am sure after you post the pictures if there are modifications needed to adapt the design to the tower we have plenty of talented folks here on the forum that will offer advise and options.

I am very interested to see the design and parts list when you get them posted.

[Ian Brantford]

Does anyone know of the opposite -- computer controlled motion tracking for watersports? Ideally, it would be pylon-mounted. Presumeably this would be many hundreds of dollars or even a couple thousand. I know that there is at least one commercial one (for sea rescue) that's over $10,000.

[BensonWdby]

Maybe the sensor for an Xbox Kinect could be adapted?
Pylon mounting is easy - I think the real challenge will be vibration damping...

[BensonWdby]

Test drive for the swivel mount - worked great. Will try to get some photos in the next day or so.

[BensonWdby]

The critical piece that I happened to alreadyy have was a tripod mount device from 8mm to video converter kit. It was basically a threaded shoulder bolt that screws into the bottom of the camera, plus it has a upside-down tophat threaded on the end. This is the attachment point to the camera plus provide the swivel function. It could be a standard shoulder bolt with a few large washers or something clever like that.

Constructin and Assembly instructions will follow.

So here is the parts list. All from Menards (not sure if SKU is universal?).

Qty SKU $/pc Description
1 ? 3" ID x 16" PVC pipe, I had a piece laying around so used that, ASTM F81-93
http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipes-tubing-fittings/pipes/pvc/3inch-x-10-schd-40-pvc-pipe/p-1332259-c-8571.htm

1 6891983 3.63 3" PVC cap
http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipes-tubing-fittings/fittings/pvc/schedule-40/3inch-pvc-cap/p-210340-c-9384.htm

2 6790623 0.78 2 3/4 hose clamp, combine with 1 3/4 clamp to make one 4.5 inch clamp
http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipes-tubing-fittings/pipe-support/hose-clamps/1-34inch-2-34inch-hose-clamp/p-1365241-c-9422.htm

2 6790616 0.78 1 3/4 hose clamp - combine with 2 3/4 clamp to make one 4.5 inch clamp
http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipes-tubing-fittings/pipe-support/hose-clamps/1-34inch-2-34inch-hose-clamp/p-1365241-c-9422.htm

2 6934471 1.45 1" split ring hanger, 3/8 female thread on one side. This one appears to be copper, but mine was powder coated.
http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipes-tubing-fittings/pipe-support/pipe-hangers/copper-plated-split-ring-hanger/p-1340613-c-9424.htm

1 2289254 1.78 3/8 x 16" threaded rod - cut down to 7 inches.
Similar to this, but available in shorter lengths
http://www.menards.com/main/p-1628619-c-9538.htm

1 6874214 1.99 12-19" SliderTM Adjustable Support Bracket - only used the female half cut down to about 3.75 inches with the spike end flattened to make a 90 degree spike,
http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipes-tubing-fittings/pipe-support/pipe-hangers/slidertm-adjustable-support-bracket/p-1340619.htm

12 6932542 1.49 1/2 x 6 " Copper Pipe Hanger - only used 1 but they came in packs of 6, cut off the bent ends so the legs are straight.
http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipes-tubing-fittings/pipe-support/pipe-hangers/copper-plated-steel-wire-pipe-hook/p-1340592-c-9424.htm

1 na ? 3/16 x 4 x 12 hard rubber pad. I used remnants of an old Connelly Super Wrap front boot, so no cost there. You might be able to use something like this:
http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipes-tubing-fittings/tubing-hoses/general-purpose/general-purpose-red-rubber-gasket-material/p-1362863-c-8578.htm

[ian ashton]

This is a cool idea, I'd definitely like to see how all of those pieces come together!

[BensonWdby]

Seemed easier to make it's own web page:

http://bensonwdby.home.comcast.net/~bensonwdby/pylon_swivel/Pylon_Swivel_Tracking_Camera_Mount.htm

Not liable for injuries related to design, fabrication, nor uasge. No guarantees on function.

Hope you have luck with it.

Dave

[scoot_gt]

Nice design Dave!

Any pics of the tophat doo-hickey separate from the tracking arm? Any issues with the camera tipping or leaning?

[BensonWdby]

I got lazy and did not take the pivot with the tophat out of the tracking arm. Sorry . If you click on the images you will get a very large image that might help. It is similar to the ones in this photo, obvioulsy just the camera attachment point of these.

http://www.naturalpoint.com/optitrack/images/products/large-facialmountingkit.jpg

except that the the 'knob' on mine was not a cylinder, but rather a 1 inch cylinder with a wider flat top.

I had some problems with tipping of the pivot inside the hole in the cap. That is where the duct tape came in, to tighten the fit. That is also where the Axel Stabilizer shim came in. Have the pivot go through two holes (separated by some space) instead of one made the difference.

[BensonWdby]

http://bensonwdby.home.comcast.net/~bensonwdby/pylon_swivel/Tracker_15_34.mp4

This is not high quality footage. The point here is to observe the framing and tracking. Note toward the end of the clip we started losing the starboard side (drivers side). This is due to some rotation on the tracking arm at the pivot point. I currently do not have thread sealant at that point - but probably will.

[TimothyCole]

very nice pictures.
I took some photograph with my toshiba camera. It's very beautiful and clear.

[Inliner]

It looks like it has the same thing happen that the Trakker does. Is there a way Benson to get it to track closer to the skier so you can zoom in and better evaluate technique? I had that issue with both Trakkers and is the reason I no longer use them. I use a monopod with someone who can actually use a video camera in the boat now. But when I am skiing/riding with only one or two other people I don't get video. Since I have to self-diagnose this can be a little inconvenient.

BTW, the tower mount Trakker was the worst of the two. Trying to get the video camera properly zoomed and turning it on and off with the rider was a royal PIB with the bimini top up. With no top it was an inconvenience. I am sure it would be more convenient in a boat with a lower tower, but the Outback tower is one of the highest out there.

[BensonWdby]

The problem on the drivers side was the result of the threaded rod rotating at the pivot becasue I did not have the threads locked. I think if I locked the threads that would be better. I have not tried to do any tweeks to the framing. The video you see is the second attempt ever with this rig.

[Inliner]

As you refine it keep posting up video. I am bringing my video camera this weekend but it will be back on the monopod! Your set up wouldn't work for me since most of what I ride is on the tower. But it may help me get an idea to solve some of my video issues I have had.