The Mini Balloon Kit is based around [the 36 inch wide mylar foil balloons](/notes/patcoyle/09-07-2015/mobius-non-fish-eye-and-small-lifter-wrapup) found by contributor @patcoyle -- which are much cheaper (as little as $3 each!), and can stay inflated for over a week. They fit in the back seat of your car, or can be taken on the subway. Heck, unlike the big red rubber balloons, they fit through a doorway and can be stored indoors. They do lift much less than our standard rubber weather balloons, however -- see below for more! We carry this kit (and extra balloons) in the Public Lab store: > https://store.publiclab.org/products/mini-balloon-mapping-kit ### Materials * 2-3 [36 inch mylar balloon](https://www.brodys8004balloons.com/34_inch_36_inch_Round_Foil_s/770.htm) (or [from BallonsDirect](http://www.balloonsdirect.com/catalog/solid-color-foil-mylar-balloons/solid-color-round-foil-balloons/36-inch-round-foil-balloons)) * 1000 feet of 50-pound kite string * carabiners, zip-ties, other clips and such to attach it all together * a camera that [weighs less than 60 grams](/q/14219) [](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/023/669/original/IMG_20170610_174338_397_%281%29.jpg) ### Lightweight Each can lift about 50 grams -- vs. the classic kit’s 300+, and a little more if there’s perfectly calm weather. Instead of renting a helium tank, you can fill them at a florists’ shop or party store, and shuttle them to where you’ll do your mapping. They also hold up a bit better to sunlight and rough handling, although they’re still delicate. This kit includes everything from the [classic Balloon Mapping Kit](/wiki/balloon-mapping), but uses smaller mylar balloons, and uses lighter (50 lb test) weight string. We’ve [collected a list range of cameras](/q/14219) -- like the Mobius camera we already sell -- light enough to work with 2-3 of these. With a lighter option, that means you'll have a spare balloon. But there are remaining questions and refinements to make on this kit -- that’s why we’re calling it a **Prototyping Kit** -- and, just like the original Balloon Mapping Kit, we’re going to collaboratively work on these issues by sharing knowledge on the Public Lab website. Also see posts on #kite-balloon-hybrid for some interesting ideas! ## Questions [questions:mini-balloon-kit] [](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/024/818/original/IMG_20170930_165501_188.jpg) ## Activities [activities:mini-balloon-kit] ...
| Author | Comment | Last activity | Moderation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| warren | " " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "OK, i set it up so you can print it 2-sided on letter paper, then cut the whole stack in half, place the top stack over the bottom stack, then fold..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Modded illustration on p18: booklet-publiclab-1.pdf " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| liz | "oh yes if there's any way you could explain more about how i could build one too, so that i can help test your method, that would be awesome! " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi, this is also really cool. I'd love to see these written up more fully as activities. You can post activities at https://publiclab.org/w/mini-ba..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| detailreklame | "I can help with translation into Danish Best regards " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | " booklet-publiclab-1-bookletized.pdf Bookletized! " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| greg_george_Tufts | "We are working on another design in parallel to the magnus effect design described above. We are using principles of the Allsopp Helikites, but add..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | " booklet-publiclab-1.pdf " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Agreed! it's so cool to see spinning. " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| zengirl2 | "This looks awesome @Tufts_Jumbo! " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Final cover with CC-BY-SA, in negative and positive: balloon-mapping-booklet-cover-negative.pdf balloon-mapping-booklet-cover.pdf " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | " balloon-mapping-booklet-title-page.pdf " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | " balloon-mapping-booklet-cover.pdf " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Great! We'd love to see more photos and a video -- you can post it as an activity (you should be seeing a prompt to do this below your posts here) ..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| Tufts_Jumbo | "Warren, we have just completed some full-scale testing. Currently we are refining and collecting data before we make any claims. We will definitely..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| Tufts_Jumbo | "I couldn't directly upload the video so I uploaded it to my youtube account. The link is here: https://youtu.be/22KeKzuSlDI I apologize in advance..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| Tufts_Jumbo | "We came across a lot of design challenges and setbacks, but my team and I have just conducted some full scale tests and we are very happy with the ..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "And cover design coming together here! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ochr6gQm6JO-Eg0Nztu7Uu6tTci1vLDVc_6_eZ-yhDw/edit?usp=sharing " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | " booklet-publiclab.indd_2.zip " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | " images.zip booklet-publiclab.indd.zip " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| zengirl2 | "Would love to see this if it is posted yet! " | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi! The materials shipped in the mini balloon mapping kit are for prototyping -- there's not actually a finished "design" they're intended for, but..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Great -- see how, above, it is prompting you (it should, anyways) to make a step-by-step activity? You can also post one here, it's the same thing:..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago |