I've had mixed success using 808 "spy" video cameras for onboard video.
Pro
1. Inexpensive, $10-$20 depending on the vendor
2. Acceptable video quality. Not great, but not too bad, either
3. lens location makes it really easy to mount to a rocket
4. Common enough to have lots of 3d printer files for a shroud
Con
1. Hard to use... trying to be a "spy cam", without well written instructions makes it easy not to take video when you want
2. Shoddy workmanship made a whole SystemsGo launch set of videos useless (OK, I should have tested them ahead of time, but I wasn't expecting the lens to be covered up)
3. Other poor quality issues... video decides to stop recording after a few minutes, poor quality batteries on some devices, etc.
While there is a pretty good "you get what you pay for" argument regarding these cameras, I stuck with them because of their price.
However, I know tech marches on. Does anyone have a different "go to" video camera fro rocketry now? I'm looking at Mobius, and I might try to get some students to make a Raspberry Pi based camera... But for my own hobby stuff, I just want to strap it on and go.
What are your thoughts?
Pro
1. Inexpensive, $10-$20 depending on the vendor
2. Acceptable video quality. Not great, but not too bad, either
3. lens location makes it really easy to mount to a rocket
4. Common enough to have lots of 3d printer files for a shroud
Con
1. Hard to use... trying to be a "spy cam", without well written instructions makes it easy not to take video when you want
2. Shoddy workmanship made a whole SystemsGo launch set of videos useless (OK, I should have tested them ahead of time, but I wasn't expecting the lens to be covered up)
3. Other poor quality issues... video decides to stop recording after a few minutes, poor quality batteries on some devices, etc.
While there is a pretty good "you get what you pay for" argument regarding these cameras, I stuck with them because of their price.
However, I know tech marches on. Does anyone have a different "go to" video camera fro rocketry now? I'm looking at Mobius, and I might try to get some students to make a Raspberry Pi based camera... But for my own hobby stuff, I just want to strap it on and go.
What are your thoughts?