The “FlyCamOne” self contained onboard video camera. PART 1

Whilst browsing the “Robotbirds” electric flight website last week, I happened upon a promotion offer for this little gadget, and at a shade under £35 thought it had to be worth a try :)
Delivery was quick - as usual from these suppliers, ( other retailers also stock the device - West London Models being one ) and I eagerly unpacked my box and found the FlyCamOne nestling between the LiPos , connectors, and other assorted fruits within my order. Quickly hiding the contents from my accountant ( wifey ) I smuggled the cam into the workshop for a play……
In the box ? – well not much really, but all you need :-)
The camera itself, well packed in a hard plastic blister pack, together with a short USB extension lead, a simple and clear ENGLISH manual, a webcam driver disk and a small “cradle with a shiny mirror on it - more on this later.....
The device itself is completely self contained, and has a USB plug at one end, together with a slot for an optional ( but recommended ) memory card of either MMC or SD type chip. Either are available these days for a few pounds, I elected to get a MMC 1 gigabyte card at a cost of £8 from another online supplier. In use, the camera is first charged by simply plugging into a USB port on your computer / laptop, and an indicator lamp glows red to show charging is taking place. After a short while, the lamp extinguishes to indicate that it is ready for use. Holding one of the 4 silver buttons on the device switches from auto standby into “ON” mode. The remaining 3 buttons then activate one of the following functions
1) A Still photograph
2) Audio recorder
3) Video and Audio recorder.
There is a small crude foldaway viewfinder which does help to get the thing pointed in generally the right direction, and a built in microphone gives surprisingly good audio results.
The tiny wide angle lens is at the front corner face, and in use, simply “point and shoot”.
Stills and audio, and a short clip of video can be stored straight into the cameras built-in 6 M/B
Memory chip, but for longer videos ( up to approx 1.5 hours on a 1 gigabyte version) get a card as discussed earlier. Software is included ( I elected not to bother with this function ) to enable the device to be used as a webcam too!
In use on your airplane, firstly decide whether you want a “straight down” aerial view, or a “from the cockpit” ahead view. The former requires you to simply secure the device UNDERNEATH your plane, with the supplied hook and loop fastening strip. To get the “ahead view” ( which I think is way better ) you slip the camera into the supplied “mirror cradle” – this then converts the image view, but the downside is the image is “reversed” left with right…. IYSWIM.
Still, that aside, it is still my favoured MO.
I firstly tried it out on an electric powered “supafly” holy cow delta wing affair. Unfortunately, this has no undercarriage, relying instead on a hand launch, and simple belly flop landing – not a good idea for delicate camera devices me thinks ! So….I simply strapped it onto the top instead, and flew inverted for most of the flight.