Lo-budget Vanity Camera Mount

Wicked Dan (msgdan) made this nifty self-portrait camera mount

http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/community/showthread.php?t=61508&highlight=mount&page=4

and I said I was going to cobb together one of these in PVC. Well, I finally found one of those round tuits. Mine is made to fit in the Hobie mast hole, but it could easily be adapted to any rod mount.

 The first one I made out of short lengths of 1" pvc, two couplers, an elbow and a tee. The idea was to make it stowable.







I added a 1/4" bolt to one of the end caps to mount the camera, then decided to screw the camera mount from a cheap mini tripod to the cap (made it waay more adjustable) It worked ok, but it had too many parts.



Then, in a momentary lapse into brilliance, it occurred to me to string them together with a bungee. That keeps all the parts together and makes it practically self assembling. So I did, it worked.



The bungee is loose for the picture. For the final assembly, I took up all the slack plus a bit and tied it off to a hole drilled in the pipe where the loose end is.

http://www.youtube.com/v/TOUKMUEn1ow&hl=en&fs=1"
 
 I built another one in 1.25" pvc to make it a bit stiffer and I used the thinner pvc (sch 30?) to minimize weight. I found a small spider tripod and decided to leave it intact. Instead of screwing it to the cap I just shoved into the end of the pipe . Simpler and I can use it elsewhere.  $8 PVC and fittings+$8 mini tripod Total <$20   Add a wire and an SMA connector and you'd  have a cheap dipole to extend your handheld vhf's range too! ok, maybe not.



Here's a link to an earlier discussion with some picks of Dan using his mount. I'll post some better pics as soon as I get out and catch some more fish. 

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,1677.0.html

Beats the heck outta paying for Go Pro mounts.  Well done, man!  Good thinking!

Brilliant and cheap! Just what I'd expect from FFTW!! I love the bungee idea and the video is especially CUTE!! One question I do have. Is there a reason to have the pvc extending down into the water?

Z

One question I do have. Is there a reason to have the pvc extending down into the water?
Z

It floats a bit to better support the camera and puts less of a load on the pivot. I forgot to mention to stuff it with pool noodles or spray foam.

One question I do have. Is there a reason to have the pvc extending down into the water?
Z

It floats a bit to better support the camera and puts less of a load on the pivot. I forgot to mention to stuff it with pool noodles or spray foam.

Gotcha! I'm going to get to making one of those ASAP!

Z

Nice Wali, You got a new Hobie?

Nice Wali, You got a new Hobie?

Yep. The orange channel marker caught the drivewell leak. But you gotta love that Hobie customer service!

Love, love, love Hobie costumer service. 

So, stupid question, i take it you use the timer to take the pics? and it takes a little  practice to get the aim right i suppose.

Love, love, love Hobie costumer service. 

So, stupid question, i take it you use the timer to take the pics? and it takes a little  practice to get the aim right i suppose.

guess i am stupid too...i was going to ask the same questions...maybe a long stick to push the button?

Love, love, love Hobie costumer service. 

So, stupid question, i take it you use the timer to take the pics? and it takes a little  practice to get the aim right i suppose.

guess i am stupid too...i was going to ask the same questions...maybe a long stick to push the button?

Timer

Roy, I'm still working on some registration marks to line up the camera for one shot. But for now it still takes a bit of fiddling and a shot or two to get it lined up right.

Nicely done Wali!!

Does the camera float create much drag?

Does the camera float create much drag?

It really does not drag that much in the water as I'm usually stopped when I doing the vanity shots. Then it breaks down as quickly as it goes together and gets stowed in the tankwell.

FFTW

how long do you set the timer for?

Learning a lot of very cool stuff here

FFTW  

FTTW, I would like to award you the coverted MacGyver Award, however it would need to be awarded to nearly every member of the NWKA and I don't have that many mullet wigs. 

Very cool design.