(copied from Pat Coyle's entries in the Grassroots Mapping Wiki)

On March 5th, we did two plus balloon test flights in the front yard.

There were several observations.

• On the first test, the script/camera stopped after 12 images and the first few were at the ground as launched, so not good. I don't know if there is something about the Canon Elph SD400 that is the problem or if it is the script. Recall it shot about 40 on my walk-around test, then stopped.

A second launch gave much better results:

• We got 117 images before the script/camera stopped. The test included a pull down to add a second balloon with script interrupt and resume.

• The bungee cord and wrist strap attachment made it pretty easy to lower the camera from the soda-bottle to interrupt the script and later snug it back up for launch. I made a little more room in the strapping tape cradle so was able to access the camera controls better.

• It was pretty windy so there was fair amount of swinging but not so much spinning.

• After as we were stowing the rig minus the camera the first balloon brushed against something and popped.

• The full unedited photo set is at:

first test and second test

• I also have some video that I have not yet trimmed to post.

(copied from Pat Coyle's entries in the Grassroots Mapping Wiki) On March 5th, we did two plus balloon test flights in the front yard. There were several observations. * On the first test, the script/camera stopped after 12 images and the first few were at the ground as launched, so not good. I don't know if there is something about the Canon Elph SD400 that is the problem or if it is the script. Recall it shot about 40 on my walk-around test, then stopped. A second launch gave much better results: * We got 117 images before the script/camera stopped. The test included a pull down to add a second balloon with script interrupt and resume. * The bungee cord and wrist strap attachment made it pretty easy to lower the camera from the soda-bottle to interrupt the script and later snug it back up for launch. I made a little more room in the strapping tape cradle so was able to access the camera controls better. * It was pretty windy so there was fair amount of swinging but not so much spinning. * After as we were stowing the rig minus the camera the first balloon brushed against something and popped. * The full unedited photo set is at: [first test](http://picasaweb.google.com/coyle.patrick/FirstBAPTest3510?feat=directlink) and [second test](http://picasaweb.google.com/coyle.patrick/2ndBAPTest3510?feat=directlink) * I also have some video that I have not yet trimmed to post.