Bescor MP-101 Pan and Tilt head was very useful addition to my photography equipment which allow me to photograph things remotely, but it had one big limitation, well 20ft limitation – extension cord, yes exactly it was remotely controlled with 20ft or upgradable to 50′ piece of wire. It was very clunky and unmanageable, imagine coiling and uncoiling 50ft of cable?! So I tasked myself with noble challenge to get rid of cable and make control of the Bescor MP-101 completely wireless! In this article I will show you how it is done.
Obvious choices Adruino and Bluetooth! I have quite a lot of experience and success with Bluetooth SPP and decided this will be my goto solution for wireless control. Well Arduino pick is no brainer ๐
See full video here explaining how it works:
Hardware:
So for this project you would need:
- Bescor MP-101
- Arduino Pro Mini or any other small as possible Arduino clone which can provide at least 5 digital I/Os, I used ebay clone
- Small serial Bluetooth module, I used one from CRIUS mainly because of the thin design and connector instead of header to save some space.
Arduino uses the power from the main controller board, Bluetooth module powered via Arduino
Arduino connected essentially to the pins of the DIN connector ( Bescor remote control connector) on the main controller board. All features of the original Bescor head remains, nothing is removed, you still can connect wire remote.
Here are image illustration how Arduino wired to the Bescor controller board, I think it is pretty straightforward:
Overall look of the wiring
Overall look of the wiring
Numbers are used digital pins on Arduino Pro Mini.
Wiring between Arduino and Bescor, Numbers are digital pins on Arduino Pro Mini.
Challenge will be putting Arduino board and Bluetooth module inside of the Bescor Head ๐ See my video how I did that ๐
Software:
Software consist of 2 pieces, Arduino code and Remote code,
Arduino code is very simple reads commands from the serial port and sets appropriate pins to LOW or HIGH
Remote Code is a QT Application which theoretically can be run as Native app on Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, I tried only on Android. But I believe if you laptop has BT it just should work !
Application is super simple just to have job done.
Both can be obtained from github: https://github.com/riahut-dot-com/btremote
sharing and modification welcomed
Notes: Arduino sketch should be uploaded only via USB-to-Serial before connecting to BT and putting all together, Via Bluetooth it usually pain in the ass ๐
Trigger wires can be used to trigger different things with TTL levels.
Hello, superb DIY! Thank you very much first of all.
http://bit.ly/28UMrvx
http://bit.ly/28TRL1W
Are these ok for this project? And another question is, arduino is 3.3v. Is there a proper voltage inside the Bescor? I might think about to making an external remote adapter which will be plugged to the remote control 9 pin port.
Many thanks in advance…
Thank you!
I would use 5V version of Arduino in this case, I think Bescor is 5V oriented
I took mine apart recently to see how the connectors on the internals were wired up. The angle sensor board is quite simple and only really senses to each 30deg segment. I hope these pics are useful to anybody else – https://imgur.com/a/DSZNT
hi! Thank you this is very helpful, I had suspicion it will be pretty simple ! Now I have few ideas how to improve it !
Wondering if you could build one for me. I am disabled . I would certainly pay you.
Hi Shawn,
Sorry for long reply, I can build you one, but I need Bescor MO-101 for the modification, do you have one?
Hello We have a Bescor MO-101 that we use to record our football games. Can we get you to build us one with the BT capability Misha.
Thanks
Elvin
Sure I can build one for you. Where are you located?
Hi can you build one for me I have bescor 101
Sure! Can you send me one and I rebuild it for you ?
Hi Misha,
Can you build one for me as well? I just don’t have the technical skills to do so.
Thanks,
Randy
Sure I can, do you have Bescor pan tilt head?
Any schematic? it looks like spaghetti bolognese
Yummy! ๐
I don’t have schematic for the Bescor! Would be nice to get one… connection to Arduino is pretty simple ๐
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Some one Please show me how to program CRIUS MWC Multiwii SE Naza32 CC3D FC Bluetooth Module and Arduino Pro Mini Atmega168 Module 5V 16M. Thanks
Super simple: need a FTDI USB to Serial TTL Converter, And then use Arduino IDE to Program Pro Mega. You cannot re-program Bluetooth Module, why would you need that ?
If you want to Use ProMini with Bluetooth module, you can just use my Arduino sketch code from here….
What would change to build one for me and what app would I need?
I already have the Bescor 101
Charge – all I need is the boards programmed – I can solder them to the board or to a cable to the 7 pin DIN connecter cable –
Hi, do you have an Arduino and Bluetiith Dongle already ?
App and sources for board available on github.
I can make APK available for download but you would have to figure out how to sideload it on you phone.
Have the Arduino and know how to program – waiting on dongle.
I need to know how to program the dongle and with which app as many files under remoteapp
As for sidloading – I think I can figure that out.
Thanking you in advance.
Misha – I have it all ready – just need an APK or load an app to control the bescor via an app.
Hi Misha,
Great video! I do not need wireless but how would I slow the pan down using the remote? Is there a simple way to do that?
By the way, the remote will work with three of the 20 footer cables daisy chained together.
Anthony
Hi Anthony, I dont think you can, It either slow down the motor by lowering voltage on it, or PWM the motor controls via Arduino, or changing gears in the motor ๐
But this gave me some food for thoughts!
I live in Australia if I was to send you this unit and a smart phone can you BT itfor me
What sort of cost can you do it for
Thanking you
Chris
Hi Chris,
I didn’t think about this, lets me see what would it cost.
Also please check shipping cost to Ottawa, ON if it not to crazy.
And I have an idea of improvement over initial design.
Hi Misha, Thanks for sharing this amazing information. Can we get in contact via email, please email me at ezsosa(at)outlook(dot)com. I have some questions about your project.
Email sent
Hi Misha,
Great tutorial. Thanks for putting it together. Do you have the list of specific parts and places where you bought them from that you can share here? There’s a lot of different options out there, and its getting quite confusing as to which specific parts to buy.
Thank you much
Misha,
I am very impressed with your project… I am now 70 years old and my eye sight is not as good and my ability to solder in tight spots is now poor – I just bought a MP-101 and would like you to install the system for me. – What will it cost? – I’ll send it to you… Also can you make it work on an iphone or ipad?