FPV racing

[boilo56]

Ho hum....

While the idea of FPV racing is interesting...I doubt its practical.

Lack of peripheral vision, spray on the cameras etc...can't see it working.

Isn't it the same in 1:1 scale boat races? Pilots can't see much in these conditions.

[kevinpratt823]

Isn't it the same in 1:1 scale boat races? Pilots can't see much in these conditions.

The windshield/field of vision in full scale is much larger and farther from the eyes, the FPV setup is much smaller, but the water droplets are not. For example, if there is no windshield, a single drop covers the entire little lens. Not to mention the speeds aren't exactly scale, a 1/10 scale boat doing 50mph would have the full scale at 500mph lol. Maybe I'm wrong though, I'd love to see it work, but my confidence in it just isn't there yet.

[boilo56]

I know it will be hard to drive at first, but i think it could be done. I did drive my Summit with FPV this winter, it was cool, but i was not running 50mhp... i was pushing a 20'' snow plow!

[kevinpratt823]

I think it might be kind of like trying to fly a 50mph FPV drone in the rain.......

[boilo56]

The aerodynamic of the boat, allow the water to slip through the windshield at speed over 30mph... so i think it may be ok. But i need to find a second canopy for my Pursuit to continue on experimenting.

[runzwithsizorz]

With gimbel, image stabilization, no gimbel, video is bouncing and tilting, much less enjoyable to watch.

I have never, EVER! seen anyone mount a gimbal on a boat. You would have a waterproofing, mounting, and powering nightmare. IMO, *I* want to see bouncing, and tilting, it brings more realism to FPV, or video.
Ever watch a video of a plane flying though a canyon with stabilization? Of coarse not, it would be BORING. I want to sit in my office chair and be forced to lean into the turns while watching that video. Heck, I don't even use a gimbal on my Phantom, even though it was pre-equipt to do so. Why would I add nearly 300grams, and a HUGE battery draw on such a small platform? To be able to tilt? Heck, I'll just land, and aim the camera down, then re-launch. Flight time is limited even with my dual battery set-up. If you think you can double your flight time by doubling your MAH, you are sadly mistaken. At first, I used a GoPro on the Phantom, and still do on my boats, (suction cup waterproof housing, with floatation, and a leash). On the Phantom, I originally used the stock mount for a GoPro, got some descent vids, believe it or not, just turn the camera on, and send her up. To shave some weight I used a step-down device to feed the GoPro from the main batteries, 3s to 5volt, so now I could remove the GoPro battery, 76grams down to 54grams. Draw on the main packs was minimal. Sense my video was pretty decent, when I decided to go FPV, I just added a CF anti-jello plate with an extended platform to mount a VXT. OK, so far so good, UNTIL I fried my monitor with a reverse polarity connection, oops. While shopping for a new monitor I came across one that was high resolution, brightness, and contrast, AND it has a built in DVR, which I can turn on/off, and take screen shots, on the fly, how cool is that? So now, why would I send a $300 camera aloft when I can buy a high resolution, low light camera that does not need a step-down voltage regulator, can take various lenses, the default one is 3.6mm 67degees vs the GoPros non interchangeable WIDE angle 170degree fisheye lens, and only weighs 18grams,and is half the size. The price of this camera is $35.
Just my 2 cents, YMMV. IF you really want professional results, then by all means, invest a few grand, AND learn to fly, unlike this pilot,---- wait for it,wait for it, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-0MA6QNj6g

[boilo56]

I have never, EVER! seen anyone mount a gimbal on a boat. You would have a waterproofing, mounting, and powering nightmare. IMO, *I* want to see bouncing, and tilting, it brings more realism to FPV, or video.
Ever watch a video of a plane flying though a canyon with stabilization? Of coarse not, it would be BORING. I want to sit in my office chair and be forced to lean into the turns while watching that video. Heck, I don't even use a gimbal on my Phantom, even though it was pre-equipt to do so. Why would I add nearly 300grams, and a HUGE battery draw on such a small platform? To be able to tilt? Heck, I'll just land, and aim the camera down, then re-launch. Flight time is limited even with my dual battery set-up. If you think you can double your flight time by doubling your MAH, you are sadly mistaken. At first, I used a GoPro on the Phantom, and still do on my boats, (suction cup waterproof housing, with floatation, and a leash). On the Phantom, I originally used the stock mount for a GoPro, got some descent vids, believe it or not, just turn the camera on, and send her up. To shave some weight I used a step-down device to feed the GoPro from the main batteries, 3s to 5volt, so now I could remove the GoPro battery, 76grams down to 54grams. Draw on the main packs was minimal. Sense my video was pretty decent, when I decided to go FPV, I just added a CF anti-jello plate with an extended platform to mount a VXT. OK, so far so good, UNTIL I fried my monitor with a reverse polarity connection, oops. While shopping for a new monitor I came across one that was high resolution, brightness, and contrast, AND it has a built in DVR, which I can turn on/off, and take screen shots, on the fly, how cool is that? So now, why would I send a $300 camera aloft when I can buy a high resolution, low light camera that does not need a step-down voltage regulator, can take various lenses, the default one is 3.6mm 67degees vs the GoPros non interchangeable WIDE angle 170degree fisheye lens. The price of this camera is $35.
Just my 2 cents, YMMV.

I was thinking the same, for FPV, you need to be able to feel the behaviour of the boat to be able to correct it and keep running.

[daveives]

So where do you get this $35 camera? WEB site?

[boilo56]

So where do you get this $35 camera? WEB site?

Hobbyking, a lot of stuff for FPV!

[runzwithsizorz]

So where do you get this $35 camera? WEB site?

http://www.securitycamera2000.com/products/SKY-%252d-RunCam-650TVL-Mini-Metal-Casing-FPV-camera%252dUS.html

[razzle]

It would look something like this, I recorded some footage on my Rc boats with a gopro not fpv but next time I will mount the gopro further forward to avoid the water spray on the hydro https://youtu.be/Po_fhwq0jAc https://youtu.be/zD6C9xeclcc

[ls1fst98]

it is doable i think. the lack of peripheral vision is no different than any other form of fpv racing. i wouldnt do it in an actual race, but for messing about it would be pretty cool. this is how i would have mine mounted. yea you get a little water spray, but it clears up. plus this was in some rough water.

[f1rogers]

Good Question. I too would like too know.

[f1rogers]

"If" you were able to run a gimbel on a boat, And you were using goggles (not a monitor), which ever direction you turn your head, the camera will do the same, so, if you wanted to know what is beside you as your going down the straightaway, turn your head to the left or right, up or down. Also, you would have a lot of info available in real time, mph, mah, temp, ect, never having to take off your goggles, some even have a button on them that changes from the view from FPV to straight thru, so you can pick up your soda pop while driving, and not have to take off goggles, ha ha.

[lt130th]

FPV multi-rotor racing is getting pretty big. It only takes practice to get a feel for the depth perception / spatial awareness.

http://thechive.com/2015/06/26/australia-is-racing-drones-and-it-looks-epic-video/

http://www.helipal.com/storm-racing-drone-rtf-type-a.html?gclid=CJDes__AsMYCFYckgQodklINIg

The lense stays fairly clear on a boat, as long as you stay in first place, LOL. Also, your only source of feedback from the vehicle is sight. The best way to "feel" what the craft is experiencing (where response time is important) will be a non-damped fixture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTkW-Qx8MQI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhw87WXxQJc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

There are already methods developed for automatic lense wipes. Typically you have a cylindrical drum that rotates across the lense, which passes through a wiper. Watch any onboard video of a racecar, raceboat, etc, & get creative.

nascar-in-car-camera1.jpg