Problem with Top Mounting the Sony PC-1000?

[RedKite 1]

I'm just starting out camera flying. I've bought a new carbon fibre flat top helmet . I like the spec of the PC 1000 but an experienced camera flyer has advised me that there is a problem top-mounting this camera as it has a 'docking station'.

From the way he describes it, it sounds as if the docking station cannot be mounted easily which means removing the camera from the helmet to download each time and then resighting for the next jump.

Before I write off the PC 1000 as my first camera, does anyone know the problem and a solution please?

Thanks

Red Kite

[dragon2 2]

I'm afraid you can't/shouldn't mount a docking station, top- or otherwise, and most smaller Sony's come with a docking station these days. All the people I know with these cameras do indeed have to take it off the camera each time Sighting is not a problem of course, since they use either a quick release or a screw to hold it in place. It IS a hassle.

You can always try ebay or similar and find a 2nd hand non-docking station camera, I hate docking stations

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[freeflydrew 0]

Dude if you want to top mount the camera, buy a box for it... it's much safer for the camera anyway (especially on a top mount), and it'll make taking the camera out much easier!

[jurgencamps 0]

You don't need the dockingstation to charge the battery and to plug in the videocable.
You can leave it mounted on your helmet.

Jurgen

[Fuzzy 0]

My PC1000 is top mounted beside my TRV17. The only issue is it sticks up a little higher than the TRV (Cessna can get a bit cramped). Other than that it doesn't seem to be a problem at all.

Can still charge the battery, and plug in video jacks without removing it.

The only reason to remove it from the helmet would be to attach firewire, or change battery. Removing it only takes a few seconds, putting it back on is the same. No D-Box, tripod thumb screw and strap has worked for me for quite a while. To make sure the camera(s) are lined up I just have a couple of lines marking where the corners of the camera should be.

Fuzzy
Ambition / Ability: Know the difference.