Range camera, no more running back and forth

[jp8775]

I have put together a range camera; it is a high definition camera and lens (12volt) from Super circuits that sends a signal via 2.4GHZ video transmitter to a receiver (6volts) then through a Video cap converter to a lap top or directly to my 12 volt FPV monitor. Radio and monitor purchased from Range video. It will be set up to 30 feet from the target with AR 500 steel snow plow “V: shielding it off to the side. It has a range of 1500 meters and will see a .22 bullet on the target. I am using it for my .50 BMG practice saving me having to drive back and forth with a 4 wheeler. Not cheap but less than a scope capable for seeing the same and the mirage is not a factor. I have it all set up and the camera can tell the difference between a Phillips head screw or a straight screw from 20 feet away. I will when I get around to it put up the actual parts required. With numbers.
http://www.rangevideo.com/
http://www.supercircuits.com/?gclid=CL2 ... MgodHFgA9w

[OldmanFCSA]

Thanks Joe.

I'm very interested.

[jp8775]

I purchased 10 used CC cameras with telephoto lenses. If these work as well as the expensive one I purchased, then I will be able to drastically reduce the cost of this project for those who want build them. I am doing the same for the transmitters and receivers. I have purchased some cheaper units not here yet, and I will run them side by side. I will hopefully just put the specs needed to build the system for each component. Then you just need to look on ebay for the individual parts that meet the requirements. More to come at some point. The extra cameras I end up with I am going to use in my cc security system at home and up north so it is not a waste for me to do this. I have a few people who already want me to build them a system but I am not going into this as a business. I am after all retired.

[JJ]

Out of curiosity, how much do you have invested? Its hard to not just buy a used GoPro, get the remote backpac, and view it real time from your phone.

[jp8775]

That's another way to go, I do not know what the resolution is on that. I wanted something that I could record and with a wide enough view to see several targets at once. The screen I have is 8 inches and also high resolution. It has solar charge for the camera batteries and can stay down range all day if needed. If that does work let every one know. What is the range? That was a problem to get 1500 meters or more along the ground.

[Rip Van Winkle]

I'd be interested in seeing how much it costs to put something together.

Dave R from P435 has the Bullseye Target camera, I see they're selling for $550 for the 1000yd model.

[jp8775]

Mine is not a good example as I am using top quality parts. I want this to last forever. That is why I am looking at ebay component's. The one I put together is so far $225 for the camera/lens and $140 for the trans/rec. $140 for the FPV 12 volt monitor with sunscreen hood witch is optional as you could use a laptop and a video cap software and converter for $60. I know that when you go into something to make money quality usually is cut. I have never seen in person that unit but I did look at them on line as I did others. I also know no one who has one. I think that using ebay for component source it could be done for a lot cheaper. I purchased 10 high resolution Sony cc color cameras with telephoto lenses for $100, used security take outs. As I said I do not know if they are as good as what I have but the specs said they should be. If someone gets that unit be sure to post it. One FCSA member I talked to said he spent $1000 to get a set up that had the resolution he needed to see .22 cal holes at 1000 yards.

[RAGGED]

I made one of these 5-6 years ago, before anyone was selling one, used all high end stuff, mostly from the world of First Person Flying (RC planes flown with HD goggles) Worked pretty good, burnt up a few super spendy micro transmitters. I was trying to keep the entire kit super small and light, micro transmitters, custom lithium packs, micro HD cams, weatherproof. I was actually designing it as a product, not just a bunch of components hooked together, had nice CNC machined aluminum housings. I found I absolutely had to run a high gain panel type antenna to come anywhere near close to the range stated on the components. plenty of powerful transmitters out there but they are energy hogs and larger in size, would need one big ass battery if you were going to try and leave it on for 8-10 hours like I was. I ended up sidelining the rig after it burnt up another $150 transmitter, the company made it swears they can be left of for extended periods of times but my field tests proved otherwise, longest one lasted 6 hours, 2 others let go before that, was so pissed I gave up on the entire thing. I ultimately would conclude it can not be done with super small components, but the cheap big stuff seems to work just fine, just not as sexy as the unit I made. The GoPro wireless would never work at any sort of long range distance, have used the HERO 3 and 3+ and both Wifi signals have pretty limited range, even in places like the BWCA with no chatter and good line of sight.

[DoxaPar]

Mine is not a good example as I am using top quality parts. I want this to last forever.

Never build electronics "to last forever". They will be "junk quality" before they are broken.

[jp8775]

I have run my unit for two days non stop in the house. The camera has been running for two weeks on ac adapter. The transmitter has a heat sink built in to it. I am going to put a muffin fan on it anyway. I have a solar panel with a charge controller ($30 on sale at northern) this will keep the batteries charged on the transmitter at the range. I have a 8 ah gel cell on the transmitter and a 6 ah gel on the receiver to run the unit and the FPV monitor. Seem to run for over 10 hours on its own. I did not think the go-pro would work either. Certainly not range wise on the ground.

[67camaro]

I'm interested in this also, although I definitely would not need a 1500 meter transmit range so maybe I could go a little cheaper on those parts. Maybe the gopro would work for me.

ETA: The GoPro unit says max range is 180m I would like more range than that.

[RAGGED]

ETA: The GoPro unit says max range is 180m I would like more range than that.

I have struggled to get 1/3 of that

I should note that I tried a bunch of $5-10 USB/video in adapters off Amazon and Ebay, they all seemed to work great, came with software. even lets you record the video that is coming in.

http://www.amazon.com/EASYCAP-Audio-Vid ... eo+adapter

Just got to make sure you set it up correctly on the computer, there are directions posted in the comments on Amazon

[yuppiejr]

You could use a pair of Ubiquiti Airmax Nanobridge M's ($80 a pop shipped at Amazon) which would give you a network connection capable of supporting one (or more with a POE switch) SD or HD ethernet cameras at the target end out to 1.5 miles+ with an inexpensive wireless access point providing access to view the camera's web interface from pretty much any laptop/tablet/smartphone.

Camera -> crossover cable -> Nanobridge M (line of sight from Target to shooting position) <- Nanobridge M <- wireless router <- laptop(s) or smartphone/tablet via wireless connection to the router.

$160 for the 2 Nanobridges
$60 for 2 pair of 12v 8ah batteries (series for 24v) to run the Nanobridges (should be good for 16 hours if you run them down to 50%)
$100 for an outdoor / ethernet security camera (preferably with a 24v DC input so it can share batteries with the Nano)
$40 for a Netgear N300 router (12v DC powered)
$55 for a 35 ah / 12v battery to run the router (router draws 1a @ 12v so should match up with the run time of the Nanobridges)

$415 total - I'd probably figure $500 with mounts/wiring/etc..

Should make a nice portable solution or could be scaled up for a permanent install and additional capability to support numerous lanes and/or shooters plus a scorekeeper/match director position. Since everything is 12 or 24v DC powered it could be easily set up for solar charging of the batteries as well.

http://www.amazon.com/NanoBridge-Cost-E ... B0055PKSCK

http://www.amazon.com/Foscam-FI8904W-Ou ... B00426FEL8

http://www.hhgregg.com/netgear-wireless ... WNR2000100

[jp8775]

All right a guy that really seems to know about this. You know way more than I do. I like the up link idea. The cheap cameras that come with security systems will not have the resolution needed though. If you have a guy in the business come out to you house for a quote it will be 5-6 grand just for a few cameras and a system plus installation. Or a crap system that will just let you see a human is at the door. The reason is the cameras are a grand apiece, plus the lenses, if you want to be able to make out who it is. Have you see the cop shows and the video on them, that's the quality you get. You can see it is a human and that's about it. The cameras I have adjustable or automatic iris, zoom and focus. This will be needed to see .22 holes. I love the up load idea, do tell more. Ebay I think will be the way to go, used surveillance cameras from a hi definition system. If my ebay system works I will share it and let people know what to look for. But I have to test it so I know what I am talking about. Great info thanks.

[jp8775]

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.