Jacob Ferden
EF4
Yeah, I think my current setup is more straightforward: avoid hail.
What are you adding/upgrading for 2011?
- Thread starter Skip Talbot
- Start date
Yeah, I think my current setup is more straightforward: avoid hail.
JeffGonzales
EF2
Well for starters I got a new Chase vechicel, a 08 Mercury Mariner. I have been installing my stuff in that as of lately.
My major upgrades are moving into HD.
I will have a 360 degree camara dome on my roof rack that is controled by a small Wireless radio remote control. The Camcorder in the dome is a Sony HDV-HC3 full HD. It will be streaming live video and recording with it. I also have a small (gps like) screen inside the Car that will display the video from the roof dome cam at all times.
I will also have a Standard Def Canon ZR80 with will be my dash cam, mainly as a back up, which will also stream live and record. I will be able to switch camcorders while streaming as well based on if I need the zoom or not.
I also have a Panasonic HDC - HC250 full HD which will be my hand held cam.
I also upgraded to a Ram Mount for my laptop, I had some cheep one last year off ebay.
I also installed a Yaesu FT-7800 ham raido
These are my main upgrades this year, I have installed other things like inverters and stuff. Once I get it finished I will be posting pics on my site
My major upgrades are moving into HD.
I will have a 360 degree camara dome on my roof rack that is controled by a small Wireless radio remote control. The Camcorder in the dome is a Sony HDV-HC3 full HD. It will be streaming live video and recording with it. I also have a small (gps like) screen inside the Car that will display the video from the roof dome cam at all times.
I will also have a Standard Def Canon ZR80 with will be my dash cam, mainly as a back up, which will also stream live and record. I will be able to switch camcorders while streaming as well based on if I need the zoom or not.
I also have a Panasonic HDC - HC250 full HD which will be my hand held cam.
I also upgraded to a Ram Mount for my laptop, I had some cheep one last year off ebay.
I also installed a Yaesu FT-7800 ham raido
These are my main upgrades this year, I have installed other things like inverters and stuff. Once I get it finished I will be posting pics on my site
Scott Bennett
EF4
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2008
- Messages
- 472
I am moving to a "Record Everything" environment. Using a solid state DVR I am recording 4 cameras all the time, Dash, POV, Back and my handheld via wireless.
All will be recorded in H.264 Standard Dev with audio inside the car and each time I am in my garage the DVR will offload the video to a server in my house.
Streaming wise I can run all 4 cameras at once or select just one for the stream at the press of a button.
My intention is to make a DVD in a documentary format at the end of the season that will not only show the storms but the story of how I or (we) got there.
The cost of the entire setup is about $500 using off the shelf stuff. What I found last year was stories I wanted to tell and I was not recording.
It might sound a little crazy and overkill to some but "Tech Wise" that is what I am doing this year.
I want to make a DVD but I find watching just Funnel clouds followed by a few min of tornadoes gets a little boring... I want to generate my own "B roll" as I drive.
I will have more on my blog about it once spring rolls around and how to setup your own if you are interested.
All will be recorded in H.264 Standard Dev with audio inside the car and each time I am in my garage the DVR will offload the video to a server in my house.
Streaming wise I can run all 4 cameras at once or select just one for the stream at the press of a button.
My intention is to make a DVD in a documentary format at the end of the season that will not only show the storms but the story of how I or (we) got there.
The cost of the entire setup is about $500 using off the shelf stuff. What I found last year was stories I wanted to tell and I was not recording.
It might sound a little crazy and overkill to some but "Tech Wise" that is what I am doing this year.
I want to make a DVD but I find watching just Funnel clouds followed by a few min of tornadoes gets a little boring... I want to generate my own "B roll" as I drive.
I will have more on my blog about it once spring rolls around and how to setup your own if you are interested.
Ben Holcomb
EF5
I upgraded my location. No longer do I have a 1 day travel time before a chase as I'm living in Norman.
The move kind of put a kabosh on new equipment, however, I did reformat my Laptop with Windows 7 and it seems to be much much faster (thanks Scotty B)
The move kind of put a kabosh on new equipment, however, I did reformat my Laptop with Windows 7 and it seems to be much much faster (thanks Scotty B)
Wes Carter
EF5
That's the best upgrade I've seen yet. I'd like to make that one myself.
Rob H
EF5
Scott, that actually sounds really awesome. Some of my favorite moments had nothing to do with tornadoes or the stuff I normally capture on video. I wish I would have recorded things like the 100 miles of non-stop roadkill carnage that happened to us traveling between two nasty bow echoes. Extremely intense lightning ahead and behind, we had to swerve for about 20 deer, and there was literally nothing we could do other than keep driving. Good memories
Laura Duchesne
EF5
Gave in, went and ordered a new Canon lens from B&H because our exchange rate was great and it was way cheaper at B&H. I got a EF-S 10-22mm USM and love it. Can't wait to try it out on some big skies!
Well it seams that my chasing plans are different day to day. but if i do end up chasing on my own this is really all that i have left to get.
car: this one seams kind of important(if you have a cheap vehicle for sale let me know
)
Laptop mount
Laptop for the laptop mount: or at least window for my mac
grlevel3
webcam: hey everybodys streaming, why souldn't I?
radio: ok i doubt i will get one right now considering I have never even looked into it and have know idea how to operate one, but hey, it could happen
spotter training
partner: might come in handy
camera: I no nothing about photography, but a $100 camera from target is good enough for me.
Knowledge: knowing how to use all this stuff might be good.
gps
All the other little things that i have over looked
Actually, right now i think i will be lucky if i can even get out to chase on my own at the moment. but if i do this would be an ideal list for a newb like myself (as you can probably tell just by reading that list).
car: this one seams kind of important(if you have a cheap vehicle for sale let me know
)Laptop mount
Laptop for the laptop mount: or at least window for my mac
grlevel3
webcam: hey everybodys streaming, why souldn't I?
radio: ok i doubt i will get one right now considering I have never even looked into it and have know idea how to operate one, but hey, it could happen
spotter training
partner: might come in handy
camera: I no nothing about photography, but a $100 camera from target is good enough for me.
Knowledge: knowing how to use all this stuff might be good.
gps
All the other little things that i have over looked
Actually, right now i think i will be lucky if i can even get out to chase on my own at the moment. but if i do this would be an ideal list for a newb like myself (as you can probably tell just by reading that list).
Last edited by a moderator:
Mike Weiss
EF1
Upgrades in 2011 for me include:
Newer engine and rebuilt transmission for the chase car
Garmin GPS
Sigma 10-24mm lens
Cyberlink Powerdirector Software
Some type of HD Camcorder yet to be purchased
Samsung Epic Phone
Thats it so far...
I have the Samsung Epic..It is a very good phone and it can double as a wifi hotspot..Havent tried the 4g, but 3g is slow though...
Mike Weiss
EF1
Upgraded my headlights to HID, getting new tires, and dropping Barons this year for just a data card with GR3. No money for anything else...
Jay Bell
EF0
Wes,
I can HIGHLY recommend the Tokina 11-16! Outstanding piece of glass especially for the price. I use it on a D90 and have NO complaints.
Jay
I can HIGHLY recommend the Tokina 11-16! Outstanding piece of glass especially for the price. I use it on a D90 and have NO complaints.
Jay
Josh VandenTop
EF2
I've made a few changes this year, first is I've upgraded my computer to a dell e6510 which should be more than I need by far. My dad built me a new console for my radios and inverter out of diamond tread aluminum, it's about 8 inches narrower and it makes everythig easier to reach(and it looks good!). I've made some modifications to my windshield camera mount, it now has the head from a tripod on it to make it a) easier to use and b) easier to switch from there to the tripod. And no more magnetic lightbar, that thing was useless and just took up space, my flashers will have to do this year.
Sean Ramsey
EF4
My upgrades include a Canon Rebel DSLR, which I bought last fall and I've been dying to take it out on a chase. I received an HP110 mini netbook from my wife for Christmas and will be using a Verizon data card that I just recently purchased. I'm also looking at purchasing a Microsoft Lifecam Cinema webcam for streaming.
I've also upgraded my vacation schedule to be able to get more chases in.
I've also upgraded my vacation schedule to be able to get more chases in.
Verne Carlson
EF5
I just posted plans for chasing in 2011: http://stormchaserco.blogspot.com/2011/02/dream-stream.html
I bought my wife a Pentax Kx for Christmas and will be adding a telephoto lens this weekend at Chasercon, which will be on top of the stock lens it came with and a UWA I purchased at the time I bought the camera.
I am also pondering the idea of upgrading the hard drive in my laptop to a SSD and then doing a clean install of Windows 7 Pro. Windows 7 offers advantages such as the TRIM command for SSDs and the bumps in the road are also a consideration for the life of a mechanical drive. 120 Gigs seems to be the sweet spot for SSDs right now, although they are still quite expensive.
The new wireless amp from Maximum Signal has piqued my curiosity as well to say the least.
I am also pondering the idea of upgrading the hard drive in my laptop to a SSD and then doing a clean install of Windows 7 Pro. Windows 7 offers advantages such as the TRIM command for SSDs and the bumps in the road are also a consideration for the life of a mechanical drive. 120 Gigs seems to be the sweet spot for SSDs right now, although they are still quite expensive.
The new wireless amp from Maximum Signal has piqued my curiosity as well to say the least.
