On last night's Gadget Show:
It is basically an anglepoise with a central gymbal and counterbalances made up of the battery and monitor. One of the presenters made a lashed up version out of standard parts likely to come with a good video camera and some clips and piping you might get from a cycle shop. (He attached his video phone as the monitor.)
They also compared a couple of cameras that have digital image centralising to help cure camera shake. All very impressive.
Now help me design something that could be used in the Arctic.
Where I would start is with a carved wooden (or cut out plywood) arch. The bottom of which would hold a pouch to take the battery and a spare. This would put the weight directly under the camera.
I'd have a ball and socket joint connecting the handle to the centre of the arch. This would also act as the gymbal. Is this too simple to work?
I'd thought about a simpler pin and cone fulcrum but it would be unworkable in sub-zero temperatures as the device would need bungie rubbers to steady it.
The ultimate do it yourself newsgroup tip: If using Google, copy and paste this ruler for marking line length:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It is not 100%, as Google has one or two more foibles that need working on but it certainly helps. Anyone know how use a macro or some such code to limit line length to 60 characters?
I am using Wind-up's XP and Open Office 2, which I gather is what Google may be supporting. (Yes, I do know you'd never guess.)