iCar from Minuteman Scale Models
#1
I've discovered yet another use for my iPhone - on car videos. This is pretty cool.

I found out about this car on the Model Rail Radio mailing list and podcast last year. Jason Reis from Des Moines, Iowa gave a sneak peak last autumn and I pestered him about it until Minuteman Scale Models finally released the design late last year. I went up to Trainfest in Milwaukee WI in November. Motrak models had a sample on display and was taking orders - so I ordered! Thanks Jeff! It finally arrived early this month.

It's a clever design that holds the iPhone (iPhone 4 or 4S will fit) on it's edge - an adjustable mirror then reflects down-track views into the camera on the back of the phone. The kit is laser cut and was pretty straight-forward to assemble, though I had to study the drawings a bit more than expected due to some unusual shapes related to the phone cradle being at an angle to the centerline of the car. It came with trucks, wheels and couplers - a nice addition. The kit was $27.95 - the manufactuers site is: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.minutemanscalemodels.com/product_p/87-10.htm">http://www.minutemanscalemodels.com/product_p/87-10.htm</a><!-- m -->.

This will probably replace my homemade carrier that I'd made to hold the phone for a level application (<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=541">viewtopic.php?f=25&t=541</a><!-- l -->). The phone not being inline with the track will introduce some error to the level indication, but not much.

My first video from the car and some photos:
Gallery:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://goodman312.zenfolio.com/p605670246">http://goodman312.zenfolio.com/p605670246</a><!-- m -->
Video:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl31IdwrH8s&list=UUuy8QJAsn4szEkIxh7jJ-aQ&index=1&feature=plcp">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl31Idwr ... ature=plcp</a><!-- m -->

[Image: p880319898-3.jpg]

Edits: added price and website links and some additional assembly information.
Matt Goodman
Columbus, Ohio
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