First field test: "Orbit" panoramic time lapse timer

I introduced the "Orbit" panoramic time lapse timer in my last blog post. The obvious follow up question is "Does it work?" After the first field test my enthusiastic answer is "It works well. Very well." Same time lapse deliciousness as my other time lapse timers at a slower rate of rotation because the "Orbit" is a two-hour timer rather than a one-hour timer (see "Related Resources," below). I think slower is better in this case.

A panoramic time lapse video was taken using my GoPro HERO4 Black action camera mounted on the "Orbit" rig. The camera was set for "Video" mode / "Time Lapse Video" submode at a resolution of 4K and an interval of two (2) seconds. Approximately 36 minutes of actual recording time resulted in 36 seconds of "raw" time lapse video, given the recording settings I use.

22 January 2026.

A variety of cloud types (mostly cirroform) were streaming across the sky from southwest to northeast. Notice the bird perching on top of the light tower beginning approximately 11 seconds into the video.

Afterward, the following panoramic composite images were taken using the "Camera" app on my Apple iPad mini 6, set for "Pano" mode.

The first image shows a nearly 360-degree view from my vantage point on the roof of the parking garage for the building where I live.

22 January 2026. Wider panoramic view. (16109 x 3754 pixels)

Sometimes I like my "misfires" as much as the wider panoramic composite images such as the one shown above.

22 January 2026. Narrower panoramic view. (8930 x 3778 pixels)

Related Resources 

• Panoramic time lapse rig using "Orbit" two-hour mechanical hose watering timer - a blog post by Walter Sanford
• Post update: Minor modifications of "Orbit" panoramic time lapse rig - another blog post by Walter Sanford
• Sky Lapse 360 © 2025 - and another blog post by Walter Sanford (using a one-hour kitchen timer)
• Sky Lapse 360 © 2025 - 22 November 2025 - yet another blog post by Walter Sanford (using a one-hour generic mechanical timer)

Copyright © 2026 by Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.