DIY camera system

[Quinc]

Just need to find a 1000yard wireless baby monitor! Or a couple of smartphones using facetime or skype. ;D

 

[Quinc]

This looks like a great deal at only 550$ too.

Make sure and click on www.shop42a.com before ordering from amazon for gun rights.

http://www.amazon.com/Bullseye-Camera-Systems-1000-Yard/dp/B00CAG2MJE

 

[Ggmac]

That is a GREAT deal . I wonder if I could modify that to use the monitor I currently use . I know it's 2x the price of the DIY system but a lot of my age friends don't have a laptop . Sad to say that , but I'm not the only one in our shootin group .
In looking at the receiver on the commercial version , it looks like I could plug in the $25 ,7" monitor . I will not have the last shot spotting program though .

 

[jsthntn247]

We just put one of these together and used a tv screen from a car seat that we already had. Cost 85$ and worked fine yesterday at 1000 yards.

 

[Ggmac]

I've got a new list going , the least expensive 1000yd + system is about $170 .
That's only one camera , a manually adjusted 16 mm lens and 2 batteries .another $35 can be deducted if you have 2 12 v dc batteries or dry cell battery holders , think 8 "D" cell holders from radio shack or even electric screwdriver batteries .

 

[memilanuk]

In the interest of making it a little easier to run down the parts in the list above...

2 Pack of 25ft 25 Feet All-In-One Siamese CCTV Security Camera BNC Video and Power Cable for Surveillance System

CCTV Security Camera 16mm Focus Length IR Board Lens

Aweek® 1200TVL 1/3 SONY CCD Waterproof Digital CCTV Camera 24 LEDs Color IR Night Vision Surveillance Security Camera Home Outdoor Video Camera + AC/DC Adapter

Dragonpad 7" TFT LCD Color 2 Video Input Car RearView Headrest Monitor DVD VCR Monitor With Remote and Stand

RioRand Wireless 3W Audio Video AV 2.4GHz Transmitter Sender Receiver CCTV with 8 Channels

ExpertPower EXP1270 Black 12V 7 Amp Rechargeable Lead Acid Battery

Bluecell Pack of 20 2.1x5.5mm Female and Male DC Power Adapter Connector for CCTV Camera Use

I added a small battery charger ($9), as I figure that will be necessary at some point...

Sealed Lead Acid Battery Charger UPG D1724

Total cart cost shows as a little under $200.

 

[memilanuk]

I happen to have a few of the items (9" LCD monitor, 1 watt radios, etc.) already from a setup I attempted years ago. Back then, Amazon didn't carry these sorts of things yet, so you had to order directly from (somewhat shady) overseas suppliers, and take your chances - I didn't like that much. I had it plugged in to my digicam (10x optical zoom, plus recording) via an RCA cord; power was always the problem. Those power jacks alone would have made my life immensely easier, and I'd probably actually have used the dang thing more. Guess I'll have to dig out my camera parts box and see what I can still use.

More recently, I've been looking at something like using a Ubiquiti NanoStation with a PoE (power over ethernet) injector to power a small security bullet-style camera, and transmit back to the line, with a laptop and external yagi antenna on this end. The screen would be much larger and higher resolution, and I'd probably spring for a good camera if I could. I think one person (Jay Christopherson) has a very nice PTZ camera system so he can set up multiple targets and go from one to the next... but that camera alone, used on eBay, costs more than the Bullseye systems.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

More recently, I've been looking at something like using a Ubiquiti NanoStation with a PoE (power over ethernet) injector to power a small security bullet-style camera, and transmit back to the line, with a laptop and external yagi antenna on this end. The screen would be much larger and higher resolution, and I'd probably spring for a good camera if I could. I think one person (Jay Christopherson) has a very nice PTZ camera system so he can set up multiple targets and go from one to the next... but that camera alone, used on eBay, costs more than the Bullseye systems.

The last camera I bought was a Vivotek (new) for $492 from B&H photo. I don't see that it's offered anymore, but in general, the Vivotek PTZ network cameras are pretty reasonably priced (IMO) and worked well out of the box. Probably even cheaper on Ebay, if you don't mind going that route.

 

[skiutah02]

I built a wireless camera system using a Raspberry Pi with a camera and mounted it to a cheap scope on a tripod. I place the tripod 20 ft or so off center and as close to the target that allows the lowest power (20x) of my scope to focus (50 ft or so). This gives me a live feed and the ability to record the session for later viewing, plus I should not hit the camera (even with 223 and 25 mph winds). The black on black can be an issue, but not because of the cameras resolution, rather the cheap optics of my scope ($25), I like to place butcher paper over the target and the white contrast really helps.

I have made some modifications to make the system even better than I described. A basic system (less a scope/tripod) might be about $200 but will involve some programming skills.


Shooting is my new hobby, and in years past wifi, video and solar energy were also hobbies. As with many on this site who like to tinker, I built my own camera system that works beyond 1 mile based upon this webpage Wireless Target Camera | Project Savage. One difference is that mine charges with some small solar panels. Works great, but for those who value time and do not want to be fussing around, a commercial product is probably a better option. Mine works to give the video/picture to my android phone, ipad, tablet or laptop - really any device that can get a wireless signal and can play video. Got tired of driving down to the 600 yd target to see how the prior 5 shots did as no optic I own can see that far. It would be great to have software that tracks each shot, but I'd rather have more trigger time to help get better than invest in writing code.


Here is a pretty good thread on how it was done (not mine but elements I followed). DIY Wireless Target Thread Part Deux http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?28716-DIY-Wireless-Target-Thread-Part-Deux&

Here is a quick list of what I used.

Raspberry Pi with clear case
16 G SD card
micro USB power cord
6V, 10Ah SLA battery
UBEC: New RC 3A UBEC Plane Input 5-23V Output 5V3A Continuous: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DRB6EY0/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Powered USB hub: Dynex Powered Hub bought at BestBuy
Webcamera: Microsoft LifeCam Amazon.com: Microsoft LifeCam Cinema 720p HD Webcam - Black: Computers & Accessories http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009CPC6QA/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Cheap 20-60X spotting scope on tripod (if you what to place camera out of harms way by having camera "look" through spotting scope 20-50 yds away and 20+ yds off center)
High gain Wifi USB Antenna:Amazon.com : Alfa 2000mw 2W Waterproof Marine high power Long Range Outdoor 802.11 B, G, N, USB wireless network Wifi Adaptor with Integrated 12dBi Antenna - Up to 150mps : Usb Network Adapters : Computers & Accessories http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ILWRLI/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
50 cal ammo can
Toggle power switch
optional solar panels, RadioShack 1.5W Solar Panel 6V : Solar Panels | RadioShack.com

As implied above to do this will require knowledge of batteries/voltage/soldering, etc and intermediate/advanced computer programming in linux. This is not a plug and play system. If you want one of those, Bullseye and TargetCam seem to be the best options

Battery > UBEC > Power toggle switch> USB HUB power-in> This gets you to 5V at hub which powers everything and allows everything to talk
Hub > Camera
Hub > Antenna
Hub > Pi

A couple important things to know:

To RECEIVE: I have found that you have several options. My phone can pick up the wireless signal without any modification to about +-100 yds. The least complicated way to get more distance without much computer programming background is to by a second wireless antenna (Amazon.com : Alfa 2000mw 2W Waterproof Marine high power Long Range Outdoor 802.11 B, G, N, USB wireless network Wifi Adaptor with Integrated 12dBi Antenna - Up to 150mps : Usb Network Adapters : Computers & Accessories) plug it into a laptop (Win 7 worked for me) and use that antenna to connect to the camera's wireless network (SSID: rangecam) to stream the video. My laptop can "see" the wireless rangecam network to 300 yd without the more powerful antenna (i.e. unmodified) but the signal is weak and therefore slow to update. With the more powerful antenna and line-of-sight between the two antennas I did 1 mile without any problem. Did not shoot at that range (maybe this summer) but could see the target with about a "realtime" 5 sec delay.

The most useful, powerful options that allows any device to "see" the target (but involves significant linux programming background), it to convert an old Linksys router into a DD-WRT router, equipped with a omnidirectional or directional antenna and can act as a bridge to the range cam that allows any device (aka ipad/tablet/etc) to "see' the video.

Hope this helps, Drew

 

[Ggmac]

Memilunak, thanks for posting the parts list . It a lot easier than me emailing to each that ask .

 

[Brians356]

This is one of the better threads going, kudos to all and carry on!

It suddenly occurs to me (as an R/C flier) that one of the readily-available and FPV systems for R/C aircraft would work very well, and for a reasonable price, depending on the signal LOS range and video quality. Here are some sources in a variety of radio frequencies:

http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_320&products_id=2068

http://www.helipal.com/storm-all-in-one-fpv-combo-deluxe.html

http://hobbywireless.com/ZEN154/fpv-systems-cameras-goggles-a-c-179/

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__543__172__FPV_Aerial_Video_Telemetry-FPV_Accessories.html

 

[memilanuk]

I built a wireless camera system using a Raspberry Pi with a camera and mounted it to a cheap scope on a tripod.

I'm a little surprised that worked for you. I mounted a RPi + camera module behind a not-so-cheap spotting scope (Kowa TSN821M w/ 27x LER eyepiece) and was underwhelmed with the results.

I have RPi setup with an industrial hard case and fitted with a 6-60mm lens so it should focus at decent distances much better than the stock camera module lens. Just need to crack the OEM lens loose, preferably without breaking the rest of the module.

All in my spare time... yeah, right. Maybe next month; )

 

[skiutah02]

memilanuk,
Before I put it away awhile back, I ended up much like you abandoning the spotting scope and putting the Pi with camera in a Commercial metal case and placed it offset from the target. This helped with image quality. I also became much more confident as a shooter and felt I was not likely to hit it at "reasonable" distances/conditions. I very much like that I can observe in real time the target on a phone, tablet or computer. Really anything that does wireless and has a video screen. I also like that I can toggle on and off from the firing line the video recording and take a snapshot for retrieval/viewing later.

I've randomly grabbed an example that a friend and I did while doing some load testing at 600 yards. The center sticker is 3 in and the others 1 in. The holes are .224 for those curious. You can also see how the wind blows in North Dakota.

The signal strength is good line of sight for at least 1 mile, but the video stream is delayed in "real time" a few seconds as you get past 1500 yds.

I'm uploading the video and it might take some time to complete, but you can see it here when its complete.

Here is the raw video. If you play it within this website, you do not get the detail available. If you download it to your computer, then play it. You will get a much better idea of the image quality on the screen at the range.

http://faculty.cord.edu/rutherf/12/223testing600.mp4

I find that it works for me.

Hope this helps,

Drew

 

[skiutah02]

Here is a zoomed version that was processed on the laptop once I got home from the range

http://faculty.cord.edu/rutherf/12/223testing600-zoom.mpg


I find that it works for me.

Hope this helps,

Drew

 

[memilanuk]

FWIW, the embedded video player wasn't working with Chrome or Firefox on Linux or Android. Just showed a black box with unresponsive player controls. Coming to the reply screen showed the URLs... the first video worked by clicking on it and opening in a new tab, but the second one gives a 404 File Not Found error.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

FWIW, the embedded video player wasn't working with Chrome or Firefox on Linux or Android. Just showed a black box with unresponsive player controls. Coming to the reply screen showed the URLs... the first video worked by clicking on it and opening in a new tab, but the second one gives a 404 File Not Found error.

I was trying a plugin that supposedly allowed embedding video. It doesn't work... Youtube is the only (good) option for embedding videos in SMF.

 

[skiutah02]

OK, I think I've fixed it. If not, I will upload to youtube. Drew