Bartman
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Hi everyone,
With there being so many choices I thought I'd offer quick explanation on the basics of a 2D vs a 3D camera mount.
2D and 3D both refer to the number of axis that move and are stabilized. A 2D camera mount will provide roll and tilt movement and stabilization but the whole camera mount will yaw/pan with the helicopter as it moves. If the helicopter yaws to the left the camera will move with it. Ultimately the camera will appear to be stable in tilt and roll but will move with the helicopter in yaw as the helicopter moves.
A 3D camera mount will have roll and tilt movement/stabilization like a 2D mount but it will also be free to move and provide stabilization in pan as the helicopter yaws. The movement of the helicopter about the axis that runs vertically through the center is called Yaw, the motion of the camera about the same axis is called Pan. Similar but different. Depending on the controller that is stabilizing the camera mount there may be different features for the Pan control such as heading lock (the camera mount tries to maintain a fixed heading as the helicopter varies in Yaw) and POI (Point of Interest, the camera stays pointed at a fixed spot on the ground as the helicopter flies around it).
The main difference for a new pilot to keep in mind when comparing a 2D vs a 3D camera mount (aka 2-axis or 3-axis mounts) is that a 2D mount is much easier to monitor and control for a single operator than a 3D mount. In most cases a 3D mount will require that a second operator will be available to use a second radio/receiver to "fly" the mount while the helicopter is being flown by the pilot. If you're planning a build for yourself and don't think you'll have a second person available EVERY time you want to fly then you should seriously consider a 2D mount and learn to operate within its limitations. On the other hand if you know for sure you'll have a second person available and that you need the freedom that a 3-axis mount offers then by all means go for the 3 axis option.
It is usually required for a 3D camera mount that the helicopter have retractable landing gear (unless the gear is attached to and moves with the mount), maybe additional battery packs (depending on the requirements of the mount), a 2nd radio system (transmitter and receiver), and a second operator to "fly" the camera mount. If you understand the difference then the decision can be made more easily. I've been asked about stuff like this and so thought a quick explanation would be helpful.
FWIW, I've got something that I'll be posting later this week that might be helpful for some but I won't be able to post it until the end of the week as we're finishing up some well deserved time away from home. In the meantime, 2D and 3D gimbals are not entirely interchangeable so know what you're buying before submitting your order.
Regards,
Bart
With there being so many choices I thought I'd offer quick explanation on the basics of a 2D vs a 3D camera mount.
2D and 3D both refer to the number of axis that move and are stabilized. A 2D camera mount will provide roll and tilt movement and stabilization but the whole camera mount will yaw/pan with the helicopter as it moves. If the helicopter yaws to the left the camera will move with it. Ultimately the camera will appear to be stable in tilt and roll but will move with the helicopter in yaw as the helicopter moves.
A 3D camera mount will have roll and tilt movement/stabilization like a 2D mount but it will also be free to move and provide stabilization in pan as the helicopter yaws. The movement of the helicopter about the axis that runs vertically through the center is called Yaw, the motion of the camera about the same axis is called Pan. Similar but different. Depending on the controller that is stabilizing the camera mount there may be different features for the Pan control such as heading lock (the camera mount tries to maintain a fixed heading as the helicopter varies in Yaw) and POI (Point of Interest, the camera stays pointed at a fixed spot on the ground as the helicopter flies around it).
The main difference for a new pilot to keep in mind when comparing a 2D vs a 3D camera mount (aka 2-axis or 3-axis mounts) is that a 2D mount is much easier to monitor and control for a single operator than a 3D mount. In most cases a 3D mount will require that a second operator will be available to use a second radio/receiver to "fly" the mount while the helicopter is being flown by the pilot. If you're planning a build for yourself and don't think you'll have a second person available EVERY time you want to fly then you should seriously consider a 2D mount and learn to operate within its limitations. On the other hand if you know for sure you'll have a second person available and that you need the freedom that a 3-axis mount offers then by all means go for the 3 axis option.
It is usually required for a 3D camera mount that the helicopter have retractable landing gear (unless the gear is attached to and moves with the mount), maybe additional battery packs (depending on the requirements of the mount), a 2nd radio system (transmitter and receiver), and a second operator to "fly" the camera mount. If you understand the difference then the decision can be made more easily. I've been asked about stuff like this and so thought a quick explanation would be helpful.
FWIW, I've got something that I'll be posting later this week that might be helpful for some but I won't be able to post it until the end of the week as we're finishing up some well deserved time away from home. In the meantime, 2D and 3D gimbals are not entirely interchangeable so know what you're buying before submitting your order.
Regards,
Bart
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