Range camera, no more running back and forth

[Stugotz]

Tagged for future reference! (Good Stuff To Know!)

[Rip Van Winkle]

If a guy could build a functioning system in the $200-$300 range it would be worth it. More than that and I think it would be better just to buy a retail product like the Bullseye system.

[yuppiejr]

yuppiJR: explain for those of us who do not understand, how does the uplink work piece by piece. What each piece does and what you need to hook it up. I am sure interested. I have a Horizon MI-FI it works just about anywhere (Verizon has the best 4g coverage) Can I use that to send the signal out. Also you have to remember the cameras have to be as far away from the bullet strikes as possible. Wood splinters, dirt and bullet frags will destroy camera lenses. I plan to be at least 20 feet away and off to the side. I will still have an AR500 plate steel plow shaped case in front of it.

I like the idea of the AR500 plow/deflection wedge to protect items from errant direct hits - obviously you could not put a wedge between the target and camera but would want the camera in some sort of transparent waterproof and, ideally, vandalproof shroud that would deflect dirt/splinters and smaller bullet fragments.

The design I proposed is based on an off-grid IP security camera network mashed up with the sort of long range WiFi bridges that people use to pick up rural WiFi internet out in the sticks. The target "side" is where you put your single or network of IP cameras, the shooting position is where you provide a mechanism from which to access the video feed (laptop, smart phone, etc..) and the two are linked by the extended range wireless bridge.

An even simpler design would be:

Camera -> ethernet crossover cable -> Nano M (====================================== distance from target to shooting station ==========) Nano M <- crossover cable <- Windows laptop.

The laptop and camera need to be configured with static IP addresses on the same subnet, any laptop running Windows XP or newer should work as long as it can keep up with the video resolution and frame rate coming from the camera. Ideally you'd simply dedicate the laptop to the purpose and not mess with it once it's set-up. Create a shortcut on the desktop to open up the camera's web interface and start watching video once everything is powered up and aligned. Assuming you have or can obtain a working beater laptop at little or no cost this would be a $300ish solution that's relatively simple to set-up and tear-down.

If you don't have a spare laptop handy the router & battery will give you the ability to connect pretty much any device to the same network as the camera and view the feed (particularly cool if the camera includes a native iPhone/Android app for the purpose) but set you back the extra $100.

[yuppiejr]

If a guy could build a functioning system in the $200-$300 range it would be worth it. More than that and I think it would be better just to buy a retail product like the Bullseye system.

For anyone without a geek in their back pocket I totally agree, the packaged solution with the included software is designed to be non-techie friendly and has some features a DiY solution is not going to have (particularly the cool auto "last shot" display feature).

[solidgun]

I have built something like this in the past as well. Don't forget about heat being an issue while it is out there when it is encased in something to protect it from whatever is deflected. I had plexiglass and a toolbox mixture and when I checked on the unit after an hour of shooting, it was pretty darn hot inside of it. Placed more holes for airflow on the box, but the battery and the camera were still pretty hot. Thought about trying to use low voltage fans, but never got that far and started using the baby monitors for their intended purpose when my kids were born.

But as previously noted, the package offered on the market now also offers shot tracking on the target which can be stored to show groups as well. I think the software bundled with those items are getting to be worth the price.

[jp8775]

If a guy could build a functioning system in the $200-$300 range it would be worth it. More than that and I think it would be better just to buy a retail product like the Bullseye system.

I agree, but I got into solar power two years ago, I now run my hanger up at my lake home totally with solar. HP sodium lamps (6) completely runs not only the 30' garage door on the east side but computers and projector's and kitchen. I am capable of running classes there for PTC. It will not open the 42' bi-fold door yet but should with my new 10,000 watt inverter. I researched complete units ready to go. I was able to do it with the same size system, but blew it away with the quality of the system I built. Better inverters, better solar panels, bigger cables everything. All the package deals I looked at used the cheapest component's on the market. For instance I was able to use pure sine wave inverters instead of cheaper ones that came with the complete system. I have been building things all my life.

[LarryP]

How do you get enough sun to charge solar panels in this state? Seems like 80% of the time it's cloudy.

[jp8775]

How do you get enough sun to charge solar panels in this state? Seems like 80% of the time it's cloudy.

Good point. The new panels will charge even when the clouds are out. Not as much but they do charge.

[AFTERMATH]

yuppiJR: explain for those of us who do not understand, how does the uplink work piece by piece. What each piece does and what you need to hook it up. I am sure interested. I have a Horizon MI-FI it works just about anywhere (Verizon has the best 4g coverage) Can I use that to send the signal out. Also you have to remember the cameras have to be as far away from the bullet strikes as possible. Wood splinters, dirt and bullet frags will destroy camera lenses. I plan to be at least 20 feet away and off to the side. I will still have an AR500 plate steel plow shaped case in front of it.

Would a decent piece of polycarbonate in front of the lense distort the image too much? That ought to be adequate in stopping the majority of fragments - .50 bmg and steel targets may be an exception.

[jp8775]

It would, it does not take much to degrade the resolution of a camera. Every one I have talked to who uses a camera puts it off to the side. You are a lot less likely to shoot low and pull the shot then to just shoot low and hit the camera.

[jp8775]

I was able to buy 12 volt DC/24 volt AC color cameras with 6-120 zoom lenses used on Ebay for $20-40 each (take outs from security systems), less cost in numbers. That is the most expensive part, then get a 1 watt minimum transmitter and the paired receiver (should be good for at least 1000 meters). Along with a video cap converter and your set with your laptop. I have 2.4 ghz units. Use your battery source of choice. I use the http://www.feelworld.com FPV or "for private view" monitor that runs on 12 volts with RCA input direct. I hope this helps someone out there. I am building a bunch of these for my long range buddies, but not for sale on MN. This is just for info.

[20mm]

I want this to last forever. That is why I am looking at ebay component's.

You're a man of many talents! Have you tried standup yet?

[jp8775]

I want this to last forever. That is why I am looking at ebay component's.

You're a man of many talents! Have you tried standup yet?

Not sure what you meant, but I was able to buy cameras that sold new for over a thousand dollars retail, plus the lens (included) with the used that are 6-120mm also usually $150 extra, and in color and receivers/transmitters for less that the whole system that is sold on line. For a few buck extra I was able to have spare cameras in case I hit it or it was hit by somebody else who shoots it on purpose.

[jspace]

I've got some decent wireless bridges I'm not using at the moment. They could be used to try out yuppiejr's idea if someone has an IP cam. Should be good for a few miles, if they are aligned correctly.

[jp8775]

If it matters to anyone, I just won a bid on Ebay for a 1 watt video transmitters and receiver with battery packs and cables used guaranteed to work and in great shape . Good for easy 1500 meters. No one bid on it I got it for the opening bid $25. I looked it up at the site that sells them: $850. You really can build one of these cameras for cheap if you want one off ebay component's.