So...I got my new Drift camera, and the first one worked fine, but showed no picture! It was like the lense cap was on, all functions worked but you couldn't see anything, and after contacting Drift to make sure it wasn't operator error, I returned it for a full credit and got another one.

I also got the larger battery (offered by Drift, not an aftermarket) and I can't seem to figure out how to cram it in the battery holder. It is the same length and width, but thicker, and it sure doesn't seem to fit. Maybe I should force it? Anyone else have this problem?

I love the remote, it works through my lexan windows just fine, though the little LED light on the camera is sometimes hard to read depending on the glare etc, it tells you if you are in standby or recording. My first mount was on my wing tip, and it was quickly obvious that was not a good place as it exaggerates any wing moving, like when you roll. Now I have it on 5' piece of aluminum tube taped to my jury strut so it cantilevers out further in front in an effort to get the prop OUT of the picture. I don't like the super wide angle view, it seems to skew the perceived speed (speeds things up), I plan to play with that effect (getting rid of it) by maybe a little telephoto/zooming in, 0r shooting in SD, like this video. I'm not sure for me, with my slow computer, if the HD is a feature I'll use much, I'll see. The mike for sure has to be set at LOW sensitivity, otherwise the wind whistle is terrible, not unexpected.

I had a 100 mile one way lunch trip yesterday, up the Little Lost valley to May, with a detour up Sawmill Canyon, where the snow was so deep and "rotten" I didn't dare stop just turned around and got the hell out of there when I felt that sinking grabby feeling as I slowed! Too far out there to screw around, and I had neglected to properly laydown my tracks coming in in such a way as to get back in them easily on the way out. Coming back I stayed on the west side of the valley, the east has lost too much snow, already! It turned grey, too bad it was bright blue earlier. Another fun trip , but slow, near 6 hrs total for 200 miles, too much playing around on the way back!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypChdb-dr3g

Were you able to figure out the thicker battery by now as it took me a while. There is an insert in the camera with two retainers on the top that you manipulate and pull it out. It then has enough room for the thicker battery.
I like the drift just like you said as it has an excellent remote and you are able to turn the lens to orientate it on the airplane.
John

I think the video looks good. Much better than anything I have ever done. With the Drift shooting in SD (I assume that is 720P) what would you guess the frame rate is? Looking at the prop I would say 60.
The only video I have ever shot is from inside with my cell phone and I think the frame rate is about 24. The prop is very distracting. I guess its time for me to get an actual POV camera.

Desert Rat wrote:I think the video looks good. Much better than anything I have ever done. With the Drift shooting in SD (I assume that is 720P) what would you guess the frame rate is? Looking at the prop I would say 60.
The only video I have ever shot is from inside with my cell phone and I think the frame rate is about 24. The prop is very distracting. I guess its time for me to get an actual POV camera.

SD means SD, it's not HD. The frame rate is 30 FPS in all modes. Frame rate is not what determines if you see the prop effects. It has to do with the video sensor.

Depending on the propeller RPM, a frame rate of 60fps can help reduce the effects of prop artifacts.