Camera to View a Beam Scale ?

[hoz53]

Hi Everyone-- I want to hook a cam up to a laptop to view an enlarged image of a beam scale pointer. I know people here have done this. What should I get? Thanks Hoz

 

[Big Mc]

Hi Everyone-- I want to hook a cam up to a laptop to view an enlarged image of a beam scale pointer. I know people here have done this. What should I get? Thanks Hoz

Cheap cam. from Amazon 5 to 8 bucks . and you are good to go.. Tommy Mc

 

[J-rod]

Got mine from eBay but same deal on Amazon, honestly like $5 shipped. Just make sure it's a manual adjustable focus so you can get fairly close to the scale. Mine did not require any software to run and I also used a full screen app on my laptop

 

[1066]

There's also an app now so you can run a webcam from an android tablet or phone:

See it in use HERE

Or you could just use your phone: HERE

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I don't get it.. Why? I can see my scale marks just fine

 

[hoz53]

I don't get it.. Why? I can see my scale marks just fine

Well the idea is to be able to see an enlarged view so you can more accurately see where the pointer is. It does work especially for people who's vision isn't perfect.(me for one). Lots of reloaders don't need this level of accuracy but some do.

 

[hoz53]

Cheap cam. from Amazon 5 to 8 bucks . and you are good to go.. Tommy Mc

Thanks BigM. I'll look for one. I guess I need to look for an inspection cam versus web cam.

Thanks J-rod for the tip about getting a focusing model. I wouldn't have thought of that

1066 thanks for that info. I'm an ios guy but I have tried free magnifier apps that work ok with the existing camera. Thought of building a little frame to get my phone in front of the scale. May do that yet. May hook up something separate using an old laptop I don't use anymore.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Well the idea is to be able to see an enlarged view so you can more accurately see where the pointer is. It does work especially for people who's vision isn't perfect.(me for one). Lots of reloaders don't need this level of accuracy but some do.

Hmm.. Maybe a top level competition shooter may need this. But I am under the impression that we use ladder testing etc to find the middle of the node.. So if you are off a smidgen in the powder weight you will still be in the node.. I do believe that I have read a few posts on this forum in that regard.. I am here to expand my knowledge and learn from those who are in the know..
Yes I weigh every load and remove or trickle a bit to get it right on.. I am not a competition shooter, but do like accurate and repeatative ammunition..

FWIW I did try using my phone today but I can see the marks just fine.. The enlargement doesn't seem to be an advantage to me. I am 68 and maybe one day it'll all make sense.. Thanx for replying .

 

[bdale]

I just bought a cheap web cam at Best Buy works great I can easily see 1 kernel deflection, use it on my lap top

 

[BoydAllen]

First step, tune the scale, or have it tuned. It makes a big difference, night and day. Second step, get one of these, http://www.midwayusa.com/product/117653/dandy-products-handy-view-beam-scale-prism
or do this.

I have a couple of inexpensive manual focus webcams that work just fine. The least expensive of these would probably be just fine. Just make sure that it focuses close enough. For this application, a manual focus would be preferable.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...ld-keywords=cheap+web+cam&tag=accuratescom-20

 

[hoz53]

Hmm.. Maybe a top level competition shooter may need this. But I am under the impression that we use ladder testing etc to find the middle of the node.. So if you are off a smidgen in the powder weight you will still be in the node.. I do believe that I have read a few posts on this forum in that regard.. I am here to expand my knowledge and learn from those who are in the know..
Yes I weigh every load and remove or trickle a bit to get it right on.. I am not a competition shooter, but do like accurate and repeatative ammunition..

FWIW I did try using my phone today but I can see the marks just fine.. The enlargement doesn't seem to be an advantage to me. I am 68 and maybe one day it'll all make sense.. Thanx for replying .

Hi Zilla Well I am 59, I see my scale markings well, and I'm no competive shooter either. I just want to have the capability to get the most accuracy and consistency out of my beam scale. I think this will help me do that.-- of coarse others mileage may vary.

Bdale Thanks for that info. Glad to hear this is working for others-- I may try bestbuy so I can ask them about it

Boyd- Thanks for all that info. I have been trying to figure out which cam to get .

 

[BoydAllen]

The point of the prism is that is allows you to have a good view of the pointer and scale with the scale on the bench, or desk. It bends your line of sight. I find that for most, less than super critical loading that it is all that I need, even though I have two web cams that work. If you can see response from a single grain of Varget, perhaps your scale is good to go as it is.

 

[hoz53]

The point of the prism is that is allows you to have a good view of the pointer and scale with the scale on the bench, or desk. It bends your line of sight. I find that for most, less than super critical loading that it is all that I need, even though I have two web cams that work. If you can see response from a single grain of Varget, perhaps your scale is good to go as it is.

Hi Boyd. I have my scale set at eye level so I dont think I need the prism. I have been wondering if it needs tuned and so I did the test. I just wonder how much better it would be after tuning and if it would be worth the $. I guess I'll have to try to find out. Thanks for your help. Hoz

 

[Thud]

What about a small magnifying glass on a small stand.
Guys keep it simple.

 

[Nvreloader]

IMHO,

If you add a needle pointer to the beam pointer end,
(the info on how to do this, is on the site somewhere, can't find right now),
you can define your grain amounts even better,
as compared against the thickness of the lines/beam pointer.

I would believe that with a camera and needle pointer,
your accuracy would greatly improve etc.

I checked some loads from before and after adding the needle pointer,
and the results were surprising, even thou I trickle every load shot.

Tia,
Don

 

[1066]

IMHO,

If you add a needle pointer to the beam pointer end,
(the info on how to do this, is on the site somewhere, can't find right now),
you can define your grain amounts even better,
as compared against the thickness of the lines/beam pointer.

I would believe that with a camera and needle pointer,
your accuracy would greatly improve etc.

I checked some loads from before and after adding the needle pointer,
and the results were surprising, even thou I trickle every load shot.

Tia,
Don

The biggest advantage of using a camera system, apart from it magnifying about 100 times, is that eliminates all possibility of parallax error.

This is my 502 scale:

 

[BoydAllen]

+1

 

[BoydAllen]

For those of you with a streak of Rube Goldberg....
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2014/04/tech-tip-use-mirror-and-magnifier-with-beam-scales/

 

[Webster]

First step, tune the scale, or have it tuned. It makes a big difference, night and day. Second step, get one of these, http://www.midwayusa.com/product/117653/dandy-products-handy-view-beam-scale-prism
or do this.

I have a couple of inexpensive manual focus webcams that work just fine. The least expensive of these would probably be just fine. Just make sure that it focuses close enough. For this application, a manual focus would be preferable.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=cheap+web+cam&tag=accuratescom-20

If you touch the pan so it starts moving several times will it return to the same place on the pointer? Does bearing friction and the magnetic dampener alter the stop location?

 

[hoz53]

If you touch the pan so it starts moving several times will it return to the same place on the pointer? Does bearing friction and the magnetic dampener alter the stop location?

I thought about using the magnifying glass but want more magnification

I sure do want the finer pointer I'll do a search for it.

The parallax is another reason I like the monitor idea.

I think the idea of tuning is (partly)so the pointer comes back to the same place every time (consistency). The other part of tuning I think is so the scale will move when a smaller weight is placed in the pan. (Sensitivity)-- It seems to me there aren't that many parts involved and I should be able to figure out how to tune one. That said I'd sure like to have a Scott Parker tuned one. I'll probably end up doing both-- Thanks Guys. Hoz