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HITEC/AEE MD10 ACTION CAMERA
Greg Gimlick reviewed the Hitec/AEE MD10 for us. Here is what he had to say:
The number of tiny video cameras on the market today is mind-boggling. How to decide which one is right for you depends on many things. How much do you want to spend? Do you want to take photos or just video? Do you want sound? Is Wi-Fi connectivity and remote control a factor? What do you want to mount it on? Is there a variety of mounts available? What is the capacity of the SD card or memory? How do you download and edit your files?
It is easy to become overwhelmed by features and requirements. Hitec and AEE have joined forces and entered the fray with a well-featured camera for a reasonable price with its MD10. I got the Lite package, but do yourself a favor and pay a bit more for the full package. That comes with a variety of mounts and options that make using it easier in the long run. I spent much time fabricating mounts when I could have just gotten the accessory package to begin with and been out playing with the camera instead.
Most of us buy a small camera because we want to mount it on an RC aircraft, so being small and lightweight is important, but so is image quality. We expect high definition in everything we do and the MD10 provides that.
At 1¾ ounces, this won’t be a burden on most aircraft and the variety of ways to mount it helps greatly. Because most devices do well with the MP4 format, this choice was a wise one by the Hitec/AEE designers. File sizes aren’t gargantuan, but HD video is supported.
The battery run time is more than enough for even the longest day at the field and it charges through a USB port. Micro SD cards are easy to find, inexpensive, and they hold plenty of video, voice, or photos. The various ways to configure the camera for your requirements is almost dizzying, but the manual clearly guides you through the steps.
A few things make the MD10 stand out. One feature I was happy to find was the 180° rollover function. This means that when the camera is mounted upside down, as it was on my quadcopter, I don’t need to do special post editing to right the images. The camera will automatically do that for me.
This is a huge time-saver in post editing because each video clip would require both flipping vertically and then again horizontally to get everything correct. Do this for dozens of clips, and time adds up.
Another feature I love is the ability to shoot video, and at the same time have the camera take stills at a predetermined interval. No more landing to change camera modes because I wanted to get some still shots, too. Be careful of the rate you set because at the maximum rate of 5-second intervals, you’ll take a lot of photos in a 10-minute flight.
Delayed start allows you to hit the shutter button to start the video, but it won’t really start for whatever time you select. You can have it wait up to 20 seconds before it begins filming, allowing you to taxi out and get ready for takeoff without runway or grass video to edit out.
The Wi-Fi and associated app is an interesting feature that still has a few bugs to work out, but it’s a nice start and provides an easy way to adjust the camera settings.
I’ll offer a word of caution, though. I was unable to find out on what frequency the Wi-Fi broadcasts, so I’d be leery of using Wi-Fi during a flight until that is determined. I simply turned it off before flying. The app also crashed frequently and had trouble connecting at times.
The good news is you don’t need the Wi-Fi to do anything you want with the camera; it’s merely an interesting option.
There is an option to turn the sound completely off while filming. If you’ve heard the loud drone of an engine or motor on an aerial video, you’ll appreciate that. Most editing software will allow you to adjust the level of the sound line, but if you don’t like doing that—or can’t—you can make the film silent.
I think the MD10 is a great choice for the money, but spend the extra $30 or so for the full kit when you order.
It’s relatively easy to learn the camera’s main features without spending a ton of time wading through pages of instructions. You’ll eventually want to do that to fully exploit its capabilities, but you can use it in the meantime without a lot of work.
There are multiple submenus to access the features and some of the icons can be slightly confusing, but a few minutes of study and messing around with the buttons will have you up and running in no time.
There is a digital manual available to download, so I keep a copy of it on my iPhone for reference. I really like this little camera and am glad to add it to my arsenal of video/photo equipment.
Hitec/AEE: 12115 Paine St., Poway CA 92064; Tel: (858) 748-6948; www.hitecrcd.com
Technical Specifications
Recording time:
Video: Approximately 210 minutes (maximum)
Audio: Approximately 240 minutes (maximum)
Recording media: Micro SD card (class 10)
Dimensions: 1.34 x 1.10 x 2.05 inches
Weight: 1.76 ounces
Available Models
MD10 full package, Stock #44550
Street price: $209.99
Includes: Camera, waterproof housing, quick-release mount, body clip mount, waterproof body clip mount, two flat adhesive mounts, two curved adhesive mounts, carrying pouch, USB cable, wrist strap, manual, and CD
MD10 Lite Package, Stock #44552
Street price: $179.99
Includes: Camera, body clip mount, USB cable, manual, and CD
Features
There are many reasons to choose the MD10, but here is a condensed list of its main features:
- Supports 1080P and 720P HD video recording.
- Takes 8 MB pictures in 3200 x 2400 resolution (three resolutions available).
- Performs 4X digital zooming (wide, narrow, medium, small).
- Wi-Fi function and an app for iOS or Android.
- Time-lapse video.
- Voice-activated video recording function.
- Multiple shooting modes (single shot, fast shot, and timed shooting).
- Fast-shot feature, capturing up to eight photos per second.
- Multiple video output modes (NTSC system): 1920 x 1080P 30 fps; 1280 x 720P 60 fps; or WVGA 120 fps.
- LCD screen displays battery power and free storage space.
- Small size.
- HDMI port for easy connection to an HD monitor or television to view recorded files.
- Records video in MP4 format.
- 180° photo rollover function.
- Optional function adds date and time to photos and videos.
- Supports micro SD cards for storage up to 64 GB capacity (card not provided).
Made with impressively durable steel gears and robust EMI-shielded cases, the servos are IP-67 rated for maximum underwater protection—meaning they are dust tight, with complete protection against contact, and protected in immersion up to 1 meter. The HS-1100WP servos include Hitec’s unrivaled non-programmable, industrial digital circuitry and engineering.
The HS-1100WP Giant Scale servos have a 14.8-volt two-cell LiPo battery capability and feature a five-pole carbon brushed motor.
RC Flite Lighting Systems @ $139-$189 + S&H from Redwing RC, Tel.: (636) 675-0047; website: www.redwingrc.com
Along with the CNC-machined X-pattern hubs, the complete installation hardware includes Deans flush-mount exterior plugs, brass 4-40 hardware, and presoldered wiring. The lights run off of any 2S LiFe receiver battery.
The RC Flite Lighting System is available in two models. The Knight, for aircraft with wingspans up to 75 inches, requires a minimum of 7 inches of wingtip ground clearance, and uses four 5-watt high-power daylight-balanced LEDs per wing. The Duke was developed for 30% to 35% aircraft and uses four 10-watt high-power daylight-balanced LEDs per wing.
2315XF Brushless Motors Series @ $60.95 + S&H from KDE Direct, email: sales@kdedirect.com; website: www.kdedirect.com
Rotational-matched, color-coded (black/blue/red) motor exit wires are provided for simple installation to existing electronics and provide drop-in fit and clean operation. Expect higher efficiency across the board and top-end thrust, achieving upward of 20% longer flight times compared with stock components.
These motors incorporate the same technology as the larger KDE commercial series, including triple bearings (ABEC-7), ultrahigh temperature and military specification windings, and Japanese 0.2mm lamination stators for maximum performance.
All three motor versions include 200°C 18 AWG 255mm silicone-wire leads and Φ3.5mm 24k bullet connectors that are presoldered to the motor leads with included ESC female bullets.
SuperStarlight ALES/F5J Glider @ $1,599 + S&H from ICARE/ICARUS, 890 ch. D’Anjou, Unit #1, Boucherville, Quebec, J4B 5E4, Canada; Tel.: (450) 449-9094; website: www.icare-icarus.com
The Drela airfoil offers great wind penetration and excellent climb rate in a thermal for a lightweight aircraft. A cross tail gives crisp and accurate control, while the complete tail assembly is prebuilt and assembled. A ball-bearing bellcrank, rudder post, the rudder, and pushrods are already installed. The airframe is completely molded. The slim, low-drag fuselage is full Kevlar/carbon and the wings are of sturdy carbon D-box construction, ready for servo installation.
Micro servos and a standard receiver are recommended. The option for a custom paint scheme is available, as are servo packages, a wing servo wire harness, and protective carrying bags. Complete power packages with the motor, controller, folding propeller, and batteries are also available and sold separately.
Brushless 700-800 Heli Motor 5830-490 FAI F3C @ $399.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Ste. #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.osengines.com
Ideal for FAI F3C competition, it features a newly developed stator that minimizes heat generation, offering an optimum balance of power output and consumption. Paired with a 12S LiPo battery for power, the rated voltage is 44.4, while the rated current (amps) is 100. The maximum current (amps) is 150 (5 seconds), with a 490 kV rating.
Jeti Duplex REX Receivers @ $79-$120 + S&H from Esprit, 1240 Clearmont St. NE, Unit #12, Palm Bay FL 32905; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
New features include internal data telemetry logging (black box), multiple integrated input/output telemetry and EX Bus expander ports, and a 32-bit microprocessor that ensures compatibility with all future firmware upgrades. All Jeti receivers feature wireless, programmable failsafe and integrated digital telemetry for receiver voltage and signal quality.
As with all of the Duplex 2.4 GHz line of products, the REX receivers can be fully integrated with all Duplex telemetry sensors. Easily observe up to 40 parameters in real time directly on the transmitter. Using the JetiBox Profi (sold separately), see your data in parallel mode, giving you valuable, real-time information.
The REX Receivers are available for seven, 10, or 12 channels.
Futaba 6K Six-Channel Computer Radio System @ $199.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Ste. #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.futaba-rc.com
Telemetry sensors keep pilots up-to-date on critical flight data such as temperature, rpm, altitude, voltage levels, and more. S.Bus servos can be programmed through the transmitter, with controls positioned within easy reach. Program navigation is easy and intuitive using the jog dial, +/- pads, and the end pad, while four assignable (three 3-position and one 2-position) switches offer maximum flexibility.
S-FHSS and T-FHSS selectable, the 6K has a 30-model memory and programmable mixing for airplanes, helicopters, gliders, and multirotors. The variable-rate dial can be programmed to perform different functions, while a speaker allows for telemetry voice feedback and audio alarms. Alarms can be preset to vibration mode. For safety and handling convenience, the antenna is located inside the transmitter’s case.
The Futaba 6K is available in both airplane and helicopter versions. Each includes an R3006SB receiver.
Fortitude V2 Gas Tanks @ $21.99-$24.99 + S&H from Redwing RC, Tel.: (636) 675-0047; website: www.redwingrc.com
The Fortitude V2 gas tanks are made of high-quality, crystal-clear plastic using aerospace-grade adhesives to ensure a long life. They feature an injection-molded, single-piece, glass-filled, nylon-fitting manifold, dual-static O-ring seals, and are plumbed with a filtered clunk and extended fill/drain tube. A true ready-to-use product, the V2 gas tank also includes a 3-D diagram to take the guesswork out of installation and how to properly plumb your fuel system.
The Fortitude V2 gas tank is available in three sizes: 12 ounce, 16 ounce, and 32 ounce. Foam, Velcro, and extra tubing are included with the tank.
