The VR360 Carbon V2 camera mount allows you to shoot 360° spherical panorama images. Shooting spherical panorama images has been around for a long time, but shooting them in the air from an RC helicopter is rather new! Until now anyone who wanted to shoot an aerial spherical panorama had to either build their own panorama camera mount or modify other commercially available camera mounts.
Spherical 360° panoramas are typically assembled or "stitched" together from between 6-8 images shot in portrait orientation. PTGui is considered the standard software for stitching the images together into an equirectangular image. Then use a program like Pano2VR to convert the equirectangular image into a Flash or QuickTimeVR for web delivery.
Sample of stitched 360° equirectangular panorama from 7 photos
The VR360 was designed in 3D software to allow us to utilize a very strong and light interlocking modular design concept.
It has a fully adjustable camera gimbal to allow the camera's entrance pupil to be placed closely over the pan axis as well as allowing for center of gravity adjustment of the camera bracket to allow for level horizon
It has a fully adjustable camera gimbal to allow the camera's entrance pupil to be placed closely over the pan axis as well as allowing for center of gravity adjustment of the camera bracket to allow for level horizon
The roll axis on the VR360 is damped by an oil damper and allows the camera to self level up to about 15° on either side of center. The oil damper travel and damping force are fully adjustable.
It is equipped with a 100 oz/in torque pan servo. The VR360 includes an integral "pan-lock" device which locks the helicopter to the camera mount when the helicopter/mount is on the ground. Once the helicopter is in the air the camera mount is free to turn when shooting the panoramas, obliques or video. The "pan-lock" keeps the torque from helicopter spoolup from overdriving and burning out the pan servo of the VR360.
The pan gear ratio is adjustable with optional servo spur gears to allow precisely desired pan rates.
The pan gear ratio is adjustable with optional servo spur gears to allow precisely desired pan rates.
The most common cameras used are Nikon D40/40X/60X and Canon 30/40D with 8mm or 10mm fisheye lenses and the VR360 will accept those camera/lens combinations with no issues.
The VR360 Carbon V2 includes a VR Oblique conversion kit that will allow you to convert the VR360 from a panorama mount to a fully functional oblique photo mount. The conversion kit will replace the panorama gimbal with a roll and pitch leveling tilt gimbal. The conversion process involves loosening 3 screws and takes approx. 20 seconds to convert.
The VR360 Carbon V2 includes a VR Oblique conversion kit that will allow you to convert the VR360 from a panorama mount to a fully functional oblique photo mount. The conversion kit will replace the panorama gimbal with a roll and pitch leveling tilt gimbal. The conversion process involves loosening 3 screws and takes approx. 20 seconds to convert.
The VR360 is mounted to the helicopter via one of two methods.
One method uses vertical G10 plates that bolt to the helicopter side frames. The adapter plates incorporates 4 Lord vibration isolators. This method required removal of the helicopter landing skids. The adapter plates are NOT included with the VR360. We have mounting options available for the Trex 600, Trex 700, Logo 500/600, Maxi-Joker 2/3, Raptor E620 helicopters.
The second method is a more universal option for use on helicopters not listed above. it's called the Astro mount and allows you to place your helicopter (with landing skids attached) to the top of the VR360 and secure with O-rings or bungee straps. There are several holes in the Astro frames to allow for various helicopter skid lengths and also allows for center of gravity adjustment.
Here are some specifications on our VR360:
2.0mm Carbon Version
for 680-830 class electric helicopters (up to 20lb. helicopter weight)
* 475mm wide (at skids) x 310mm tall
* 822 grams - 1.8lb.
* 4 axis adjustable camera gimbal (x,y,z & pan)
* 360 rotation pan servo included
* One-way bearing in pan hub (for panorama shooting)
* Oil damped, adjustable roll axis
* Double bearing block pan axis w/ hollow10mm pan shaft
* Lord Isolated or O-ring/Bungee mounting system (not included)
* Adjustable pan gear ratio
2.0mm Carbon Version
for 680-830 class electric helicopters (up to 20lb. helicopter weight)
* 475mm wide (at skids) x 310mm tall
* 822 grams - 1.8lb.
* 4 axis adjustable camera gimbal (x,y,z & pan)
* 360 rotation pan servo included
* One-way bearing in pan hub (for panorama shooting)
* Oil damped, adjustable roll axis
* Double bearing block pan axis w/ hollow10mm pan shaft
* Lord Isolated or O-ring/Bungee mounting system (not included)
* Adjustable pan gear ratio
Have a look at our detailed instruction manual for the VR360 and adapters!
Shown with aluminum gear for reference. Gear does not come with Astro as it is included with the VR360