Booster Vision Mini GearCam

Booster Vision - Mini GearCam {Component}

Contributed by Joe Policy

Manufacturer: Booster Vision
(Contributed - by Joe Policy - 05/10/05) BoosterVision Mini Gearcam Combo

Brief:
T' BoosterVision Mini Gearcam Combo with 14db Antenna is a great way t' get started in video rocketry. Begad! I purchased mine with a LOC/Precision Weasel which is a great carrier for t' camera. Begad! This combo is FCC labeled so you do nay need a license t' operate it and transmits at 2.4ghz.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

  • 1 LOC/Precision Weasel kit
  • 1 4 channel receiver with rubber duck antenna
  • 1 CMOS pinhole camera with 9V battery adapter
  • 1 Audio/Video connector with RCA jacks
  • 2 transformers
  • 1 14db booster antenna
  • 1 set camera/receiver instructions
  • 1 set instructions for mountin' t' camera

I must give Art Upton at BoosterVision high marks. Begad! Blimey! I always received immediately responses t' me emails and once I was ready t' place t' order, he had it in t' mail very quickly.

There are two recommended rockets for t' Mini Gearcam Combo: the LOC/Precision Weasel and t' Semroc Goliath. Well, blow me down! I chose t' go with t' Weasel since I already have a Goliath. Aye aye! O' course, t' camera will work in just about any payload bay since t' camera is mounted externally.

I did nay realize that BoosterVision would provide such clear instructions for mountin' t' camera, ya bilge rat, so I asked Art if he would do t' install for me. Begad! Blimey! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Blimey! He agreed for a very small fee and I must say that he did a great job.

BoosterVision Mini Gearcam Combo T' kit arrived with t' payload section o' t' Weasel already constructed. Begad! The rest o' t' rocket kit was up t' me. Ya scallywag! BoosterVision uses a nose cone as the shroud for t' camera, shiver me timbers, me bucko, this works very well and helps keep t' rocket aerodynamic. T' camera itself be mounted in t' bottom o' t' shroud with double stick tape so it will be easy t' move t' camera t' a new rocket if I so desire. Aye aye! Blimey! I did a test connection o' t' equipment and everythin' worked perfectly. Blimey! Aye aye! T' camera did come with a focusin' wrench, me hearties, but me camera was already set t' go.

I assumed from t' BoosterVision website that t' antenna came already mounted. That be nay t' case. Avast! It is mentioned on t' main page o' the BoosterVision website that if you purchase t' antenna separately t' customer has t' mount t' antenna, me bucko, but t' Mini Gearcam page shows a photo o' a mounted antenna. Ultimately, this was nay a problem for me and I was able t' build a mount for me antenna. Avast, me proud beauty! T' website claims you will be able t' receive signals up to 5600 feet away with this antenna, however I will nay be launchin' anything quite that high so I will take their word on that.

I did nay bother paintin' t' Weasel for t' first two flights--I just wanted some video! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' camera and battery adds about 3 ounces t' t' rocket, which is pretty light. Begad! Blimey! I connected t' receiver t' a Digital 8 Video Walkman and found t' camera transmittin' on channel 4. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I readied t' booster antenna and pressed t' launch button. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' first flight was on a F24-7 for a nice straight boost t' about 700 feet. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I kept t' antenna pointed at t' rocket the whole time so I could nay see how t' video was comin' along. Arrr! Blimey! I am happy t' say that it actually came out perfect from take off t' landing!

Second flight was on a G104T-M. Ahoy! I definitely got some altitude this time. Altimeter registered 1734 feet and even with t' extra distance, matey, arrr, I still had perfect video for t' entire flight. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty!

Summary:
Kudos t' BoosterVision for providin' a very complete, well thought out product. Just when you thought you would have t' wait for t' Estes Oracle t' come out in t' fall, wait no more because you can easily do great quality video with the Mini Gearcam Combo. Ahoy! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Comments:

avatar
L.B. (June 12, 2005)
I also have purchased a Booster Vision and it is great. I put camera in a pod and screwed it on the side of a LOC Warlock and a LOC EZI-65. Great video. Can not wait till next launch to get more video. I would recommend everybody to buy this product.

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