Seduced by the camera hype

I have two YouTube channels, this one a record of traveling in the south west of Western Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/@meanderinglight/videos

Also this one, an introspective journey:

https://www.youtube.com/@explore-sadhana/videos

...ok, that last one not everyone's cup of tea!

I started off by using my Moto G75 phone, held in a bracket, convertible to a tripod. Works OK, but jerkiness when panning, and a lot of waviness while walking. Got the idea that to fix these issues, need to have a gimbal camera; this is where I got seduced by the hype.

Yes, watched lots of YouTube videos, decided that needed a DJI Osmo Pocket gimbal camera. Bought the Pocket 3, not the latest (Pocket 4); this one:

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/dji-osmo-pocket-3-4k-3-axis-gimbal-camera-combo

...yes, AU$789!!!

It's OK, still has waviness, up and down motion while walking, that the 3-axis gimbal cannot fix. Apart from that, there is one big problem; it is very delicate. Can't just stuff it in a trouser pocket, nor throw into my carryon travel bag.

So, watched more YouTube videos, also viewed the excellent videos produced by other vloggers, such as Wayne:

https://www.youtube.com/@fiascodagama1

...he has a GoPro action camera.

I had previously shied away from action cameras, as they are fixed focus. I had fixated on the need for auto-focus, as my phone has. Fixed focus requires a fairly small lens aperture, so as to get sufficient depth of focus. Also, cannot get up close, needs a macro-lens for close-up focus. I also imagined that the small aperture meant poor low-light performance.

A point about auto-focus; while vlogging, the auto-focus can sometimes be seen shifting what it is locked onto, which can be disconcerting in the resultant video.

Then I saw an advert for a DJI Action 4 action camera, on sale for only AU$278. That is remarkably cheap, and watching YouTube videos convinced me that this is the one to have for vlogging. Here are some of those videos:

"Is The DJI Osmo Action 4 Still Worth Buying in 2025?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPSnzjxpr2E

"DJI Action 4 Is The Most Underrated Camera In 2026!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqS64_3DxYE

"DJI Osmo Action 4: Is It Still Worth Buying in 2026?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo8kGySN6cA

"DJI Osmo Action 4: Is It Still Worth Buying?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlicbMl1d3w

"Everyone Is Buying the Wrong Action Camera in 2026... Why I Bought the DJI Osmo Action 4"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCnNu92qVUA

The Action 4 came out in 2023, and now superseded by the 5 and 6; at considerably higher prices. But I was convinced that for my vlogging needs, the 4 is excellent. So bought it, just before the sale-price ended:

https://www.harveynorman.com.au/dji-osmo-action-4-standard-combo.html

Also bought a stick/tripod thingy:

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/dji-osmo-action-mini-extension-rod-action-5-pro-action-4-action-3

I have been playing with it, amazed how good the videos are turning out. Also surprised how sharp images are up-close, less than a foot away.

Might sometimes still use the Pocket 3. Not a complete waste of money though, as the external microphone (DJI Mic2) that came with the Pocket 3 combo, pairs with the Action 4; that on its own is sold for about AU$120.   

Tags: nomad

The end of living in a tent

Well, have certainly "scratched that itch", been on the road for about 2 months, car and tent. Posted videos to YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@meanderinglight/videos

I have been closely watching others who are permanently on the road; they have camper-van/motor-home/caravan, certainly much better than a tent. But I'm not convinced they are all happy being constantly on the move. There is of course the underlying worry about a breakdown.

Might consider a van in the future, but for now, moving back to the city of Perth.

Rather like the idea of reducing belongings to just about nothing. Wayne is an example of that; he has a backpack with all of his possessions. He grew up in Perth and has a sister here, where he stays when back in Perth. His YouTube channel is "Fiasco da Gama":

https://www.youtube.com/@fiascodagama1/videos

Wayne was in Perth recently, for medical treatment, but has just gone back to India. Chennai; I like his $10 per day hotel room!    

There is a catch for an Australian age pensioner to live overseas; more than 6 weeks, lose the Pensioner Concession Card. If permanently overseas, lose the Pension Supplement. That leaves a base pension, which is still pretty good in many Asian countries. Lots of Aussie seniors doing it.

Not that I will, just thinking of options.

Oh yeah, regarding those "MeanderingLight" videos; had the idea of combining inner-contemplation-journey with an outer journey, but decided that doesn't really work. So have deleted some of the inner-contemplation videos.   

Tags: nomad

EIS, OIS, gimbal, or post-process video

In my YouTube "Nomad" series, I record a lot of videos while walking. When I purchased my Moto G75, the OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) feature was one of the deciding factors. There is some jerkiness when walking, and I suppose the OIS helps; however, when panning, which I do a lot, there is a jerkiness that is actually caused by the OIS.

I asked Google about this:

Panning shots: Sometimes internal stabilization fights a smooth pan and creates a jerky snap at the end of the movement.

Well, no, not at the end of the pan, I get it 2 or 3 times during a large pan. Google AI also stated this:

Using a tripod: Keeping stabilization on while the camera is completely still can cause small, unwanted floating or jumping motions. Turn it off for tripod shots.

I have been experimenting with video post-processing stabilization apps, but they don't make the videos better.

Watching YouTube videos, it seems that top-brand action cameras can track an object, such as a face, and record very un-jerky videos. Or, use a 3-axis gimbal, either a camera with integrated gimbal, or one to which a phone can be attached. Latter example:

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/zero-x-3-axis-gimbal-with-power-bank

...main problem is they are large. When I travel, want recording to be as discrete as possible.

Or, combined camera and gimbal, such as the DJI Osmo Pocket:

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/dji-osmo-pocket-3-4k-3-axis-gimbal-camera-combo

...AU$789!!!

No, not ready to throw money at something like that. Not yet anyway. Still one more thing to try with my phone; record with OIS turned off, then post-process.  Will give that a go tomorrow.

To follow the progress, here is my "Nomad" video series:

https://www.youtube.com/@meanderinglight/videos   

Tags: nomad

Phone signal in tent

Ha ha, this is funny. I have been camping here for two weeks, at a campground on the south coast of Western Australia, and had to walk about 5 minutes to the beach to get a phone signal.

Wasn't getting a signal in my tent; however, today discovered if raise my phone, and get it into just the right spot, there is a weak 4G signal:

It is weak, some websites timeout, but can do basic browsing with phone a wifi hotspot; gmail and forum access ok. The signal may be dependent on the weather, we shall see.  

Tags: nomad

YouTube Nomad-series adventure underway

See parts 2, 3 and 4, checking out an old house and inexpensive Shire-run caravan parks:

https://www.youtube.com/@meanderinglight/videos

Right now, I'm at Ravensthorpe, at a free RV overnight stop. Toilet across the road, petrol station that sells food. Nice little place to stopover, maximum allowed 48 hours.

It is not permitted to erect a tent here; anyway, for one night I will just sleep in the car.

So, how do I use my laptop in this tiny little Kia Picanto hatchback? Did consider a tray to hook onto the steering wheel; however, not enough room. Instead, the plywood from the folding table serves as a nice surface, placed on the passenger-side:

...have to twist to the side to use it, but OK.

As my videos are mostly going to be taken while walking, have seen the limitations of the phones. They have EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization), but can see its limitations. Seriously considering buying a DJI Osmo Pocket4, with 3-axis gimbal:

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/dji-osmo-pocket-4-standard-combo

...well, that will have to wait, as booked in at the campsite for 4 weeks. Maybe after that will locate the closest JB-HiFi store.

As on-the-go for the last few days, have ignored EasyOS and the forum; however, once settled at the campsite on the coast, will get back to it.    

Tags: nomad

Simple solution to boil water while camping

Fine-tuning the gear for upcoming "grey nomad" adventures. I have an alcohol stove, also a small gas cylinder with screw-on burner; these are for "one pot" cooking, probably twice a day.

But also want to make two cups of tea and one coffee per day, and it might turn out to be a chore to boil water 3 times per day in addition to cooking 2 meals. Had a think about it, and decided why not purchase a tiny electric kettle.

This is my lithium power box:

https://bkhome.org/news/202601/bluetti-ac70-power-box.html

It has a 1,000W sine-wave inverter, rated at 2,000W surge. Little mains-powered portable kettles that draw only 300W are available.

There are 12V kettles, that run off the cigarette-lighter socket in a car; however, I think that they overly stress the current limit of the fuse, socket and cabling in the car.

Checked them out; those 12V kettles. To limit current draw to something safe, they are very low power. Looked at one, just 96W ...how long is the user expected to wait for the water to boil?! Found another that boils fast, but draws 31.5 amps!!!!

I bought this, Balabulala 500ml 240V 300W:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/257394510124

...the phone wide-angle lens distorts the image somewhat, giving the false impression that the diameter tapers out toward the top.

I was going to buy two kettles, one other type for a comparison report. This one, Focustar brand, 400ml 300W:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Focustar-Portable-Electric-Temperature-Protection/dp/B0BFHYHY1L/?th=1

...not from those particular vendors. I ordered it on eBay, then canceled the order after discovering their misleading postage details.

A thumbs-up to the Balabulala vendor; they shipped it by Australia Post tracked parcel, and it arrived 6 days after ordering, shipped from the other side of Australia.

The Focustar is considerably cheaper, but reviews are very mixed. The 400ml for example; some reviewers say that you should put in less than 300ml -- one reviewer said 275ml -- if intend to bring it to the boil. Also, there is no digital temperature display.

The Balabulala does hold 500ml, with a marking at 400ml; no more than 400ml must be put in if the water is to be boiled. I don't have a measuring jug, but do have a Toaks 450ml titanium mug, and was able to judge approximately that the Balabulala claimed capacity is correct.

400ml took about 6 minutes to boil. So, three cups of tea and coffee per day, that is about 30Wh per cup, 90Wh per day. The Bluetti battery is rated at 768Wh, so happy with that.

Bearing in mind though, will be running a 12V fridge, LED lights and laptop. Solar panel puts out about 150W, so should be OK.

An interesting point to note: the Balabulala has a diameter of 80mm, same as the Focustar, and is 215mm high, 15mm higher than the Focustar -- which is to be expected, given its larger water capacity. But the Balabulala is still pleasingly small, easy to pack away somewhere in the car.    

Tags: nomad

Printing while tent-camping

My life is taking a radical new direction; soon will be semi-permanently a "grey nomad'. Not in a RV though; just car and tent.

Will be leaving my apartment, and want only to keep what will fit in the car. This is radical; heaps of gear and furniture has already gone. Advertising things, getting rid of it day by day.

Currently reduced to two laptops and one desktop system. The latter includes a Brother HL2040 laser printer and UPS. Decided to give it to the Lion's Club. They give computers to poor people, both in Australia and third-world countries.

But, still want to be able to print sometimes. There are places to go, such as OfficeWorks, that offer low cost printing. But, still, would be nice to have my own printer.

There are really tiny A4 thermal printers, and cheap, such as this one at Kmart; however, they require thermal paper, that fades. One requirement is that I will be doing online booking at some campsites that require the booking confirmation to be left on the car dashboard so the park ranger can see it. A printout on thermal paper, in sunlight, will very quickly turn completely black. Even out of the light, in a warm car, will quickly turn black. I read that even keeping the printout in a relatively cool house, it will only last 6 months.

There is another possibility, what is called a "thermal transfer" printer, that has a ribbon. These print onto normal paper, and the result is permanent. They are very small. So, have ordered one, a Phomemo P831:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/126202984702?var=427216256520

A good thing about this printer, is there is a Linux driver:

https://pages.phomemo.com/#/p831

There is one downside; the ribbon is only good for about 45 pages. I bought two spare ribbons, at AU$10 each; that works out to 22 cents (15 US cents) per page. That's OK. I don't do much printing, maybe 20 - 30 pages per year.

Another thing, while on the road; although I don't use optical media at all, not for the last several years, there may still be a need to test with EasyOS. Neither of my laptops have builtin cd/dvd drives, so ordered this:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/397758162064

So, in the tent will have a small collection of computer hardware, enough to continue with EasyOS development.  

Tags: nomad