Reg Tyson

Have a look at my "Before and after altering focus" video on   http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1235410   For the sake of a few minutes work you can make an amazing difference to the quality from these tiny cameras.   I was amazed by the difference in the sharpness after rotating the lens a bit.   If you like the results, shown in the video, then you will find a description of the method of adjustment under a different post.   The only problem I encountered was the tiny size of the screws, 2 holding the case together and 2 holding the circuit board inside. I needed the help of a magnifying glass. Edited By Chris Card - Moderator on 09/05/2010 06:03:59

Haven't seen the ones with silver buttons. I have seen comments about a mark 4 version of the keychain camera, supposedly you can turn off the time and date display. I wonder if it is one of these ?  Haven't really seen any comments on the mark 4 - just an odd mention somewhere.

Posted by John Horsfield on 16/04/2010 22:53:29: Reg and John, can you confirm that this is a version 3  ebay linkIt has no internal memory and req an sd card as Reg mentions.    Certainly looks like one. The advert, including photos, is just the same as the one I bought.    Posted by John Privett on 16/04/2010 23:08:21:The other factor suggesting it's a version 3 is the video resolution of 720x480. Lots more info on these here including info on how to set the date/time.   That is a brilliant site. Everything you ever wanted to know about the different versions of these cameras.

I have had a Gum Camera for awhile now - and they are darned good for the price. My latest "toy" is a keychain camera. These give a bit better result. There is a great loooooong series of posts on the A.P forum at RC-Groups. These cameras have attracted quite a following ! Found on Ebay there are various versions. The best one - so far - is version 3. This one displays the date and time in yellow and needs a seperate micro SD card, it has no internal storage. The previous version had internal storage but there is a noticeable difference in image quality.  Compared to the Gum Camera it is smaller, gives a crisper image and the colours are much better. Takes still photos or video. It is more convenient to velcro to a wing or fuselage as the lens is in the end of the camera and is looking forward when the camera is laid flat.  This version 3 camera is the best one so far and does a pretty good job. Be carefull when buying a card for it as there appears to be a lot of "fake" micro SD cards around on Ebay. Get a well know brand from a reputable source. Camera costs approx £7-50 (including postage from Hong Kong), a decent card will be about the same price.

Had one of these for awhile now. They are very good, especially considering the price.I bought one with a 4 Gb memory already fitted. One issue that may arise - it appears that some of the cameras come with a USB cable that is not very good. This can cause charging problems. Just swap it for a normal digital camera USB lead if there is a problem.  Reg 

Hi,I have just looked at the website you quoted. WOW! Are they pricey !  Have a look on the well known auction website and you will get one for a LOT less than that. You are looking for   "Spy Gum Camera" - so called because it is about the same size as a packet of chewing gum. Look for one that has 4 or 8 Gb of memory built in then you don't have to get a seperate memory card.  Also check that it can do 30 frames as some of the earlier versions were slower. I have one off Eb*y and it is not bad quality for the price. From what I have seen they do a better job than the Flycam versions.   Approx. 18 grams and around £20 or so. There are also "key fob cameras" , even smaller but don't have an on/off switch as far as I know.  Reg

A bench drill press will aid getting the shaft pushed out and fitted back again. It's easy if you have access to one.... otherwise gentle application of a big hammer, judiciously placed blocks of wood to prevent damage and a brass (or similar) piece of bar to use as a drift . If the drill press is available then fit something like a nail, or short piece of piano wire into the chuck. Support motor on wood pieces and then press down as though drilling - but don't switch the drill on !  Fit the shaft into the chuck and then press it back into place.  This is the subtle method... the other method uses a big hammer !

Hi Eric.  I like the idea of the car bulb and a battery to power it I have a small 12 volt sealed battery so could give it a try. Another method I have read about, and there are many, put a small bag of rice or wheat in the microwave, heat up and use to keep the battery container warm. This winter is shaping up to being a really cold one so keeping batteries warm is going to be necessary. Reg

I made a container for keeping lipos warm. Leaving them in a warm car is not an option as I wander off onto the moors to fly.  I just used a  plastic food container, the type where the lid has "clamps" to hold it shut. Cheap in most supermarkets. This was lined with polystyrene so the lipos are fully cocooned inside. The lipos are cherged in the house, put into the box and next emerge in the middle of a crisp and cold area of high moorland.  Seems to work O.K, it was tried out today and the lipos performed very well. I normally fly electric gliders where there is a brief burst of motor use and long periods of idling. I don't fancy this in cold weather as the lipos will get cold and stay cold. I use a small electric powered model which needs the motor running all the time. This way the lipos warm up a little and stay warm untill removed. Temperature was somewhere around 2 degrees today and the lipos performed the same as they did in warmer weather.  Reg

I'm in it to win it

Hi, I have several GWS receivers. They are the 8 channel type and I have never had any problems with them. They are in slope soarers and large thermal gliders and the models are flown to the limit of my eyesight. I have found them to be both cheap and dependable.

I reckon it's my turn . There again.... I could be wrong ! 

More chance of this than winning the Lottery.... hopefully 

'ere it could be mine  

Hi, From my limited knowledge, and unfortunate experience....  There are 2 different types of Emax ESC. I think the original type, which works with the programme card was made by Hobby Wing and badged as Emax. These ESC's are very good and very easy to programme. I have two at 25 Amps and ! at 60 Amps. Emax got a different type of ESC, looks the same and didn't mention it ! This does not work with the programme card, nor can it be programmed via the throttle stick.... believe me I tried ! Contacting Giant Cod, from where I bought the ESC, he was not happy, having found out the ESC's he had just got in where different to what he thought he was getting. He kindly exchanged the ESC as it was not as advertised and couldn't be programmed as described. The ESC worked well, it just couldn't be programmed (although there may be a different card available for it). The above is assuming that the programming card,ESC and battery are all connected up correctly.  Hope this helps, Reg 

Hi Jimbo, The battery may be showing 11 volts when charged but is that under load, or just measuring the battery voltage after removing from the charger ?  It gives the impression that the ESC is cutting out as the voltage has gone too low, I don't know that ESC so am guessing a bit here. If you can measure the voltage of the pack as the throttle is advanced then all may be revealed.... hopefully ! Reg 

PUFF, PANT, GASP...... not too late am I ? Seen one of these flying.... pretty !!! 

I live close to the sea so it should be mine

Put my name in the hat.... and take the others out. Thank you. 

Oh let it be me !   

Hi Alan, I must live very close to you indeed. I am also on Walney. I fly alone usually on the moors above Kirby, but other local spots as well, I am not in thelocal club but I do know their flying field location.  I have a Flair Albatross glider, 100 inch wingspan and just lately converted to electric power. It is heavier than standard at about 7lbs when using a 10 cell nimh pack. The wings were modified a while ago to be fully sheeted with balsa,  that resists the tough heather on the moors better than film covering.   To cut to the chase...... 10 cell nimh at 3,700 mAh and all up weight of 7 lbs and a total power of 300 Watts turning a 13 * 8Graupner folding prop. The model launches easily on the flat,and climbs readily. It will go up at approaching 80 degrees... but not straight up, more like a series of steps allowing it to level off a bit after climbing and then pointing it uo again.  A 30 second motor run is enough to get it as high as I can see. I have some lipo packs to test which will give 50 watts more power and save 1lb 3oz in weight. As you have noticed it has been pretty windy lately so haven't tried them yet.  I reckon if you can get 50W/lb then it is worth trying the model out. There is a nice slope at the western edge of the club field. That would be ideal to give it a preliminary try when there is also a bit of wind to assist a test flight.  Reg