wireless, portable and remote video system needed

MBAtarga · 01-15-2013, 05:14 PM

I am looking for suggestions for some sort of remote video system that would allow monitoring of a rifle target board that is 900 yards downrange from the shooting position. There is no AC power at the target location, so the camera portion would have to be battery powered (or perhaps operation from an auto battery with inverter for 120AC). It would likely have to operate via wifi and would be monitored from a laptop or smartphone at the shooting position.

Does anyone have any suggestion as to what I should be looking for? I've looked on line and can't quite narrow down what I should be shopping for.

slodave · slodave's Garage

I have a setup for my glider which works well. In my case, the camera is powered by a 12V LiPo battery. I'm not at home, so can't look up the model number, but here is a link to something similar.

900MHz Mini Wireless Color Camera w/Built-in Microphone

Camera is powered by a 9V battery. Receiver would probably be powered by a UPS backup battery, also 12V. Because the receiver has RCA connectors, it can be hooked up to a portable TV or video camera.

id10t · 01-16-2013, 04:20 AM

Cheap USB webcam, Rasberry Pi board, USB wireless, solar power to power it. You'll need a high gain directional antenna... but you can make one with a coffee can and $15 in other parts. Or just use a wok spider as a "dish".

stealthn · 01-16-2013, 05:49 AM

Budget?

LeeH · 01-16-2013, 10:09 AM

If you have cell coverage at the location, it seems like you could just set up a video chat, Facetime, etc using two cell phones. Of course, the downside is that you risk taking out a cell phone unless it's well protected!

MBAtarga · 01-16-2013, 02:48 PM

Budget is about $500, less leaves more money for ammo!

Dave - I'm not sure that product fits the bill. I can't tell from that site how that product would work, but I'm interested in more info if you can explain/provide what you use for your glider.

My idea of the perfect solution would be a simple wireless camera at the target (preferably would have wireless remote capability for focus, movement, etc.) that we would be able to control from a laptop located at the shooter position. This was somewhat a short notice as a request from the host -the event is early Feb, so there isn't much time to design and build something from scratch.

slodave · slodave's Garage

On my phone again. In short. The camera contains a 900Mhz transmitter that sends the video to the receiver - the box under the camera in the link.

Camera is powered by a 9V battery or you can modify the power cable that would go into the wall and just use the portion that plugs into the camera and connect it to a small UPS 12V battery (about the size of a motorcycle battery.

The receiver can be powered by a second UPS battery. The receiver could be plugged into a small display or video camera.

The only downside to the product I linked. Is that you cannot focus or move the camera remotely.

slodave · slodave's Garage

I could actually make a remotely moveable camera mount. It would pan up/down/left/right. I have an old 3 channel remote control for an old glider. Use that with a couple of servos. No problem. Now, trying to remotely focus... I'm trying to Google a system that would work for you and cost under $500.

Here's a link to my old glider thread. It has some pix of my setup.
My RC glider now has wirless video... With a 2 mile range

These are the batteries I use for the receiver. I plug it into a spare UPS that is not use to charge.
http://www.wholesalebatteriesdirect.com/45938-7612-thickbox/centralion-blazer-600-blazer-vista-600-ups-battery.jpg