Building your own target cam

[Mikemontminy]

I had a couple people asking about building a target camera for the range so I figured I would try to post what I have for a setup and a parts list. To start off you will need a video camera. You can find these used on EBay for about $35.00 to $50.00. Be sure it includes battery and wires needed for charging and video output otherwise they will have to be purchased seperately. The monitor I use is a 7” lcd monitor designed for a backup camera. These are about $35.00. The image above is from the camera setup about 100 yards down range. It’s actually much clearer than what the picture shows. I usually have the setup 500 yards away. Next thing you will need is a video receiver and transmitter which are normally used for drones. These are usually less than $40.00 on eBay. You will also need two 12 volt batteries . One at the camera and one at the monitor. I use 8ah 12 volt lead acid batteries. You will also need a battery charger for the batteries. You could substitute power tool batteries or smaller battery packs. To start off you need to attach the video transmitter to the video output cable by splicing the wires or using connectors. My camera uses an RCA cable for video output so I added an RCA connector to the video transmitter . The red and black wires are for power. This is where you hookup one of your 12 volt batteries. This should complete the video camera end of the setup. At the receiving end you will need a monitor, video receiver and second 12 volt battery. If you check out wiring diagram for monitor it shows three RCA connections. The only one used is the yellow cable end for video. The receiver also has a red and black wire for power. This is where your second battery goes. I use wire connectors soldered on for my battery connections so they can be removed easier and also run the same connector on the charger. The receiver and transmitter already come with the cables needed for connection. I just cut off their power connector and put my own on.

 

[Mikemontminy]

View attachment 1060393 View attachment 1060389 View attachment 1060388 I had a couple people asking about building a target camera for the range so I figured I would try to post what I have for a setup and a parts list. To start off you will need a video camera. You can find these used on EBay for about $35.00 to $50.00. Be sure it includes battery and wires needed for charging and video output otherwise they will have to be purchased seperately. The monitor I use is a 7” lcd monitor designed for a backup camera. These are about $35.00. The image above is from the camera setup about 100 yards down range. It’s actually much clearer than what the picture shows. I usually have the setup 500 yards away. Next thing you will need is a video receiver and transmitter which are normally used for drones. These are usually less than $40.00 on eBay. You will also need two 12 volt batteries . One at the camera and one at the monitor. I use 8ah 12 volt lead acid batteries. You will also need a battery charger for the batteries. You could substitute power tool batteries or smaller battery packs. To start off you need to attach the video transmitter to the video output cable by splicing the wires or using connectors. My camera uses an RCA cable for video output so I added an RCA connector to the video transmitter . The red and black wires are for power. This is where you hookup one of your 12 volt batteries. This should complete the video camera end of the setup. At the receiving end you will need a monitor, video receiver and second 12 volt battery. If you check out wiring diagram for monitor it shows three RCA connections. The only one used is the yellow cable end for video. The receiver also has a red and black wire for power. This is where your second battery goes. I use wire connectors soldered on for my battery connections so they can be removed easier and also run the same connector on the charger. The receiver and transmitter already come with the cables needed for connection. I just cut off their power connector and put my own on.View attachment 1060394

This is a picture of my camera setup with transmitter attached. When it’s turned on I need to hit the record button or the camera will shut down from being idle. On record it will stay on till the camera battery dies. I don’t know if all cameras are setup this way. Also for some reason the receiver and transmitter put out a lot of heat. This is normal. Something else I added was an adjustable voltage regulator to feed power to the camera. I tested the camera battery voltage and it was 8.3 volts so this is what I adjusted the voltage regulator to. I just spliced into the supplied power cable for the camera. This will keep the setup running all day without having to go down range to change out the camera battery. Mine only lasted about two hours running on the camera battery.

 

[Mikemontminy]

Those of you that are worried about putting this down range especially a public range. The camera could be covered with a steel plate but the antenna needs to stick out. This will only work if there is nothing between the transmitter and receiver. No trees or brush in the way.

 

[22BRGUY]

WOW! Really helpful info for those of us on tight budgets. THANKS!!

 

[boltfluter]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing.

Paul

 

[Legionnaire]

I agree; very cool! I'm curious, though. You are using a monitor for a backup camera. Why not just purchase a backup camera kit and mate it with the transmitter/receiver? The camcorder has unnecessary features for the application: sound, zoom, etc. Perhaps the backup cameras do not have sufficient resolution? Too wide an angle? Or perhaps a web cam?

 

[Mikemontminy]

I agree; very cool! I'm curious, though. You are using a monitor for a backup camera. Why not just purchase a backup camera kit and mate it with the transmitter/receiver? The camcorder has unnecessary features for the application: sound, zoom, etc. Perhaps the backup cameras do not have sufficient resolution? Too wide an angle? Or perhaps a web cam?

With the video camera you can zoom in on your target. The picture of the monitor at the top of the page is from the camera setup about 30 feet from the target and zoomed in so the target fills the screen. The results can be seen on the camera display without having to bring your monitor down range. Even at 30 feet away the camera isn’t zoomed in all the way. With the other cameras I don’t think you could zoom in close enough . I’m thinking you would have to place the camera too close to the target. You could place a target behind your vehicle (if equipped with a backup camera) and see how close you need to be to have the target fill the whole screen. I haven’t tried it but I think you would have to get pretty close.
Mike

 

[Legionnaire]

That makes sense. Thanks.

 

[mikecockcroft]

I built one a while back. Really not difficult.
Great info.

 

[Evlshnngns]

I bough a security camera with manual zoom for this same project. I still need to make it all work.

 

[Midnightmedic]

Do you think this will work out to 1000 yards? Is it just a matter of getting powerful enough transmitters?

 

[Mikemontminy]

Do you think this will work out to 1000 yards? Is it just a matter of getting powerful enough transmitters?

I haven’t tested past 500 yards yet so I’m not sure just how far it will work. I did upgrade the receiving antenna to one that is more directional and noticed the image was a little clearer.

 

[#40Fan]

There are some FPV transmitters that can reach miles!

 

[Mikemontminy]

There are some FPV transmitters that can reach miles!

Looking up the specs for the transmitter it says good to 3000 m in a wide open space. That would convert to 3280.84 yards.

 

[Mikemontminy]

Another option for a monitor is a computer monitor. You would need a 120 volt power supply along with a VGA to video converter as seen in the picture.

 

[Ggmac]

Do you think this will work out to 1000 yards? Is it just a matter of getting powerful enough transmitters?

They make 2 different power transmitters . I originally used a 1 watt and it went clearly to 800 yds , max I tested it at . I built another using the 3 watt . It's gone over 1200 yds ( line of sight )
If you use a security camera , separate adjustable lenses are available and are less than $40 if you happen to hit one .

 

[Legionnaire]

Got a recommendation for a 12v security cam? I am going to have to pursue this project, and there are too many options out there ...

 

[Ggmac]

Got a recommendation for a 12v security cam? I am going to have to pursue this project, and there are too many options out there ...

I've got a complete parts list that was posted here in August or September of 15 . I've got a pic of the sets I use to make . I use 7 amp hour lead acid batteries , long 25' or 50' cables and single channel transmitters . I use the automotive color 7-12" screens ( hi def ) used for rear seat tv screens .
I'll see if I can find the post but if not I can email the pics of boxes and the complete kit .
It'll be tomorrow.

 

[memilanuk]

Do you think this will work out to 1000 yards? Is it just a matter of getting powerful enough transmitters?

I think if you dig around there are actually FCC restrictions on transmitters in excess of 1500 mW. Mainly that you need to get an amateur radio operator license to be within the letter of the law, strictly speaking. Not that anyone seems to care, or that I've ever heard of anyone getting busted for it.

You can extend the range greatly by swapping out the rubber omni antenna for directional ones like a flat panel or yagi. Just have to be a little more careful aiming them at each other.

 

[#40Fan]

A lot of computer monitors are 12 volt. If they have a brick between the 110 plug and monitor plug, you could run it on a 12 volt battery. They aren't as efficient as newer monitors, but they'll get the job done.