Veranda rail clamp ideas for time lapse/hyper lapse

[topkatz]

Hi -

We will be transiting the Panama Canal (second time) and want to take a time/hyper lapse from the veranda balcony using a GoPro with external power for the 14-ish hour transit. There is a a square wood cap at the top of the glass measuring 3 3/4"w x 1 7/8" thick. I was wondering if anyone successfully clamped a 1/4-20 clamp mount to the rail? If so how did you do it? Is there something commercially available for did you make your own?

 

I was thinking about a two-part wood clamp assembly (essentially two squared off "U" shaped parts to fit either side of the rail) joined by a couple of thumb screws. The camera mount would be a "Tee" nut that I can thread a male-male 1/4-20 mount to.

 

I've done other time lapse/hyper lapses and always had a round rail to clamp to. Putting the camera out in a public space for 14 hours risks having someone mess with the setup, thus ruining the time/hyper lapse. This setup is a bit different. Open to ideas and suggestions.

[topkatz]

Well, here is where I've landed as a solution. I felt that the Jobi Gorilla Pod was too flimsy to provide the necessary rigidity for a time lapse and it didn't feel safe.

 

I purchased an inexpensive adjustable 6" bar clamp (~$11 USD) that will fit the width of the rail. In one end is a hole that can fit a short 1/4-20 bolt. This attaches to a small ball mount that attaches to the camera. Very solid. Bonus is that It can clamp to other areas on the ship as necessary. And, I can use the clamp for other shop projects when I get home by removing the ball mount. A multi-tasker!

[donaldsc]

Regardless of how solid you mount may appear, I would also include a safety strap that you can separately attach to the railing just in case your mount doesn't hold.

 

DON

[topkatz]

Yup. Already in the plan.

[Fouremco]

From a 2014 Alaskan cruise:

 

[The Viking]

A stable in my camerabag is the Platypod which safely can be mounted to vertical posts as well as railing. Platypod.com

[bronzey214]

We used a suction mount + a gooseneck from GoPro but there's a new "Gumby" mount too.

Gumby Flexible Camera Mount | GoPro

(But the suction cup + gooseneck worked for many cruises)

[kbnovak]

I've used this for years for action cams.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjb-sejvfz6AhWtgVoFHddoBEoYABAJGgJ2dQ&ae=2&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESauD28w1RFb0lGC4j99Xjlt5Ho8C1unUeEkfA5wbrPD3nJa5lctw0U5p8c4Pz5SCQVOvLFVPoBBj0pMArUqQX6-ZX2ly8pw81TGdYL_nkaFBc27fSWnVbi3yLYMURtM_bpWAb-b4M0keIjks&sig=AOD64_1yXk6bsTVQRFsrHw3VLKmUKotifw&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiU2b6jvfz6AhUPTDABHT8rASwQ9aACKAB6BAgEEBA&adurl=

 

This is also a good alternative.

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjb-sejvfz6AhWtgVoFHddoBEoYABANGgJ2dQ&ae=2&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESauD28w1RFb0lGC4j99Xjlt5Ho8C1unUeEkfA5wbrPD3nJa5lctw0U5p8c4Pz5SCQVOvLFVPoBBj0pMArUqQX6-ZX2ly8pw81TGdYL_nkaFBc27fSWnVbi3yLYMURtM_bpWAb-b4M0keIjks&sig=AOD64_102woJbWJYoAPFN9i8HkfTULn1PA&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiU2b6jvfz6AhUPTDABHT8rASwQ9aACKAB6BAgEEEA&adurl=