If you’ve been looking for a cheap alternative to a GoPro HD, this is it. The 808 #11 keychain camera can record 720p video at 30fps (without dropping frames) using the H.264 video codec, and is small enough to simply velco onto most RC models (including helicopters) without having to bother building custom mounts etc. The best thing is the price. Depending on the eBay seller and the bundled accessories, the 808 #11 camera can be picked up for under $40 USD – which is an absolute bargain. Just make sure it’s the #11, and not any of the older inferior versions.

Multiplex have tweaked their legendary FunJet, and released the new FunJet Ultra – which will fly up to 125 mph/200 kph out of the box. Just like the original, the FunJet Ultra is made from Elapor foam, but they’ve made it higher density than in the original, and added a carbon fiber reinforced plastic main spar. At 200 kph, the FunJet Ultra is probably bordering on too fast for FPV use, but I’m sure someone will do it.

If you’re looking for an easy to fly RC plane that can also be used for FPV or aerial photography, then the first stop should be a Multiplex Easy Star. The Multiplex Easy Star is a pusher design, which means the propeller is pushing the plane, rather than pulling it through the air. This leaves the nose of the plane free to mount cameras on, and also means that you’re less likely to damage the motor in a crash. It’s also an excellent glider, so once you get up high enough, you can cut the throttle and save your battery.

• No painting required
• Made of tough ELAPOR foam
• Pusher motor is mounted above the wings for durability
• Easy to fly – perfect for beginners
• Simple elevator and rudder control
• Good “motor off” gliding properties
• Ideal for FPV or aerial photography

The nerds at GoPro are getting very close to release a firmware update for the GoPro Hero. Which is good news for most of us, but very good news for anyone using the GoPro Hero’s time lapse feature.

The current GoPro Hero firmware has a very serious bug that will brick the camera when it hits a filename counter of 9999, which is very easy to do if you’re taking time lapse photos. Currently the only solution is to remove the battery for 48 hours, which will apparently set the counter back to 9500, which re-enables the movie functions, but leaves it pretty much useless as a time lapse camera.

Although GoPro have announced that the firmware is 99.99% ready, many users who have returned their ‘bricked’ cameras to GoPro for a factory firmware reflash have received replacement cameras in return, instead of their own reflashed cameras – which has fuelled rumours that the GoPro firmware can not actually be flashed at all. Which leaves all current GoPro users in a very worrying position.

On a more positive note, there are vague reports that the new firmware will add a live AV output feature – which is what we’ve all been waiting for.

…Attention Friends of GoPro! We ask for your patience and understanding. The firmware update for the HD HERO Camera is 99.99% complete. We are tweaking the final settings at this very moment. Our engineering team is 100% fully focused on releasing the update as soon as possible, we promise you this! Several new features are included in this firmware update, along with the long awaited UP/UPd option. The reason for our delay pertains to one final round of refinements to this new feature set. Only the best will do, but this sometimes comes at the expense of an on-time release. Our sincerest apologies for the delay, but we are now only one small step from completion; we appreciate your ongoing patience and support!

GoPro have announced that they are working on adding a live output function (perfect for FPV) in a future firmware release. Although the current GoPro Hero can be hacked to output live AV, it would be much nicer to see the feature added in firmware.

Currently the HD HERO camera is set up to only allow playback of previously recorded files when connected. We are however working on a free downloadable firmware update, that will allow the camera to provide for a live video output when connected via the AV cables.

HK have finally announced a new plane especially designed for FPV. And yes it has ailerons! The new EPP pusher plane features a 1.6m wingspan, rear mounted servos for the elevator and rudder, a carbon fiber shaft, 2 carbon fiber spars on the main wing, a carbon fiber tail boom and elevator spar, and carbon fiber rods in the ailerons. Best of all, it has a big nose for mounting your camera gear on!

If you’ve just received a HobbyKing FPV bundle (and no instructions!), then you might be wondering how to power the receiver. The easiest way is to buy a DC extension from your local electronics store, or from DealExtreme (for $1.53), and make your own cable with a DC connector on one end, and a battery connector (e.g Deans) on the other, and power it using a 3S lipo. The DC connector doesn’t have to be an exact fit, as the FPV RX has a strong metal spring to hold the jack in place – so you should be able to get away with something “close enough”.

Cut the end of the DC extension off – then solder the pin/core wire to the POSITIVE end of a battery plug, and the shield to negative. You might want to double check which wire is connected to the pin using a multimeter. After soldering, insulate them with heat shrink, and you’re done. Just remember, THE PIN IS POSITIVE.

Contrary to popular belief, with a little work and the right software, even entry level netbooks (like the Eee PC 901 picture above) can make great little FPV ground stations, and are able to simultaneously view and record FPV flights. Other than a video receiver and battery, there are a few basic things you’ll need:

• EasyCAP USB capture device
• VirtualDub
• PICVideo M-JPEG or Huffyuv codec

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