DIY Target Cam

[Diver160651]

Jummy thanks for starting the thread

Jummy thanks for starting the thread and sharing your system.

Maybe you can recap - your build list and performance findings?

This was my second system and didn't build if for shooting paper (although it works great) I want it for ELR ( 1mile +).

My build list costs more than some of the commercial systems as I needed a feature set NOT available. I am not sure other would want to duplicate my build, but your looks square in the wheelhouse for many -

 

[PlinkIt]

I Would like to thank everyone in the thread and especially jummy for getting it going! All of you guys helped me to finish mine without fear of putting money in the wrong places.. And some good further antenna upgrades to invest in as money permits.. Thanks to all of you guys!

 

[orion94us]

Can either of yours (Jummy and Diver) be ran with multiple cameras at once, so a guy could toggle between them? Or is that a whole new set of challenges, and much higher price? I honestly know nothing about this, so this thread has been waay helpful, thank you all for that. My thought is in addition to targets, a guy could set up a few of the remote cameras in a prairie dog town, to catch great up close shots of the carnage. Understanding that i would be limited by battery life and waiting on the little furry bastards to poke their heads back out after trouncing around the town.

 

[Diver160651]

Yes, the Monitorr/DVR has multiple channel bandwidths that is selectable from the menu.

I tested this in my first setup. The only cost increase is you must duplicate the sending side.. Power, tripod camera, sending unit and antenna. The range also becomes reduced the signal can interfere with each other when they are close together and the range long.





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[orion94us]

Thank you again!

 

[Diver160651]

DIY Target Cam

Not sure what happen to jummy but figured I 'd post my 2nd camera system build list-
Just in case there are other ELR guys on here were 1000yards is only part way there.

Again it isn't cheap and can be done cheaper- but I had goals that I learned I wanted from my first system:

Rough estimate: without tax and shipping over $1,000-

Most of this was/is overkill: But I want some features not included in commercial units-*

This is my second system, my first was destroyed when I dropped ALL the receiving stuff 15+ feet to the rocks below.*

Goals:
1- Everything including tripods to fit inside one small case
2- FPV and DVR functions to review miss when self-spotting
3- Control record function remotely
4- Clear image to 3,000yards*
5- Be able to work in the wind without having to stake down tripods (low and small antennas-no large tripods and guide wires to hold thing down)
7- Strong enough signal to over come multi-path interference caused by ground effects do to low tripods *rocks etc
8- Long 6+hr Battery life*(some places I set up can take me an hour to get back to the shooting area)
9- Easy fast set-up
10- Work prone or in a variety of situations and still not take up to much room if used on a bench-- did not want viewing the monitor while in the case

Build list:

$84 Sending antenna directional 12db gain
* * *http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...CP_Antenna_5_8GHz_Circular_Wireless_SMA_.html
$90 2000mw 5.8ghz transmitter
* * *http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/281296466135?lpid=82*
$210 for 4 tripods*
* * *1- Oben TT-1000 $34*
* * * * **http://www.amazon.com/Oben-TT-100-T...d=1403619817&sr=8-3&keywords=table+top+tripod
* * *3- Oben 17" TT-300 $63
* * * * **http://www.amazon.com/Oben-TT-300-T...=UTF8&qid=1403619962&sr=8-1&keywords=oben+300
$100*Camera 8mm lens 700TVL Weatherproof WDR Camera 1/3 Inch Sony Effio-p DSP
Array IR 40m

 

[PlinkIt]

Ok I need a networking gurus info on one question I have.. the antenna is referred to as being designed to function with the 5.8 GHz bandwidth systems.. now the transmitter I used is a 2.4GHz system just with a higher wattage output than the one you went with.. now I understand the wattage part of this but how will the two components work together given that the antenna was seemingly designed for a higher bandwidth?...

 

[awonder]

Tag

 

[Diver160651]

It should work but you will not get the rated efficiency. They make good 2.4 patch antennas (directional) and dual
Band





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[Diver160651]

Not sure what happen to jummy but figured I 'd post my 2nd camera system build list-
Just in case there are other ELR guys on here were 1000yards is only part way there.

Again it isn't cheap and can be done cheaper- but I had goals that I learned I wanted from my first system:

Rough estimate: without tax and shipping over $1,000-

Most of this was/is overkill: But I want some features not included in commercial units-*

This is my second system, my first was destroyed when I dropped ALL the receiving stuff 15+ feet to the rocks below.*

Goals:
1- Everything including tripods to fit inside one small case
2- FPV and DVR functions to review miss when self-spotting
3- Control record function remotely
4- Clear image to 3,000yards*
5- Be able to work in the wind without having to stake down tripods (low and small antennas-no large tripods and guide wires to hold thing down)
7- Strong enough signal to over come multi-path interference caused by ground effects do to low tripods *rocks etc
8- Long 6+hr Battery life*(some places I set up can take me an hour to get back to the shooting area)
9- Easy fast set-up
10- Work prone or in a variety of situations and still not take up to much room if used on a bench-- did not want viewing the monitor while in the case

Build list:

$84 Sending antenna directional 12db gain
* * *http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...CP_Antenna_5_8GHz_Circular_Wireless_SMA_.html
$90 2000mw 5.8ghz transmitter
* * *http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/281296466135?lpid=82*
$210 for 4 tripods*
* * *1- Oben TT-1000 $34*
* * * * **http://www.amazon.com/Oben-TT-100-T...d=1403619817&sr=8-3&keywords=table+top+tripod
* * *3- Oben 17" TT-300 $63
* * * * **http://www.amazon.com/Oben-TT-300-T...=UTF8&qid=1403619962&sr=8-1&keywords=oben+300

Part 2--

$100*Camera 8mm lens 700TVL Weatherproof WDR Camera 1/3 Inch Sony Effio-p DSP
Array IR 40m <1.8watts with IR and controls**(way overkill)
* * *http://www.apexcctv.com/p-1148-weatherproof-ir-camera.aspx
$26 charger- can be left on even at full charge
* * *http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende...d_sim_e_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=11V4SQMD6WM3YC4S4E47
$50 in batteries
* * *1 - $29 Sending unit*Power-Sonic PS-12120 Battery; Sealed Lead Acid; Rechargeable; 12 V; 12 Ah; Spill-Proof; ABS Case; AGM
* * * * **http://www.amazon.com/Power-Sonic-P...621283&sr=1-5&keywords=power+sonic12v+battery
* * *2 - $17 receiving unit PS1250-F2 12V -5ah
* * * * **http://www.amazon.com/Powersonic-PS...81&sr=1-3&keywords=power+sonic12v+5ah+battery
$34 Direction 16db 5.8ghz receiving antenna*(also works to at least 2500 yards with a small omi- directional antenna).
* * **http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__21267__Antenna_for_5_8GHz_FPV_16dBi_Directional.html
$164 for RC800 5.8ghz monitor/receiver and DVR
* * **http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...eceiver_7inch_Monitor_With_DVR_Recorder.html*
$70 Case
* ***http://www.amazon.com/Plano-108021-...&qid=1403621006&sr=8-6&keywords=plano+aw+case
$20 hardware to extent to. 6' or just stick the sending unit into the ground or threading into the top of one of the tripods 1/4x20
$30 in connectors
$29 Molex connector tool
$50 in cables - video and power cable allows sending unit to be 40' from Target (when shooting into subsonic ranges, I wanted to make sure there was no risk to the unit- The camera will be covered with a Plate and much closer to the target)

about $100.00 in shipping and misc.*

Shot *it over a mile & tested to 4,000y - all works well. Make sure to have your antennas on before powering up transmitters

*





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[Diver160651]

DIY Target Cam

Update it's nice to have a record function -

Set out to do a few cold bore shots at 1100y on various rifles (338LM, 7mag, 223 and 3o8), so a traveling buddy could use mine to get out around 2k..

After my friend shoots 4 rounds on the upper right side of the target. (I shoot left handed and he shot right handed without making scope adjustments) a bird lands next to the target just after my cold bore on a 308.. Well, it's laying in the left shadow of the target you can see it's feather moving a bit in the wind.

I figured the 308 is shooting well so I hit record and try for the clay on the right. I was not the best hit.... But a hit. YouTube target can video below

http://youtu.be/jWlZbRAViZM

Below are how the sighting in impacts played out-

7mag 2 shots, Cold bore 11 o'clock above 3" center, 2nd in ornge
338 2 shots, Cold bore 6 O' clock below center, 2nd in orange
223 3 shots, Cold bore 2 misses, 3rd furthest left above center
308 1 Shot, Cold bore 1 shot 5" right of center

308 -on clay shown

Shooter JC -- on 7mag 4 shots vertical string right side of plate --



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[RJN]

Diver,
That's a great setup you have. How far is the camera from the steel? What's the size of the steel? Are you experiencing any ground clutter/multi-pathing interference at max range? Thanks RJN

 

[Diver160651]

Zero ground effects and I only have antennas about 12" from the ground so a don't need to worry about. 25mph winds etc


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[AI Shooter]

Tag. Awesome thread!

 

[stoopy]

I think this may need to be a project for me in the near future.

 

[CMAC1911]

Tag

 

[dentout]

tag

 

[ivanthesane]

I'm thinkin raspberry pi, a webcam, wireless and just sending an image stream back using VLC or similar. View it on cell phone.

 

[lopann]

You guys should look at the FPV setups for commercial UAV's. Here is what I currently use for my range camera:

Mobius Action Cam (1080p, similar to gopro) on a tripod records to microusb
Immersion RC 5.8ghz 600mw transmitter
Blackpearl 5.8ghz Immersion compatable monitor with built in diversity receiver (allows to switch between two antennas for stronger signal)
All powered off of 3 cell lithium polymer batteries
Uses 3 custom made antennas, 2 circular and 1 directional. 1 on transmitter and 1 on monitor, and 1 helical directional antenna on transmitter (benefit of this is directional antenna goes out in a cone from the point of transmission, and the circular's throw out a big ball (more used for flying if you fly behind your monitor station)).

This setup will allow for about 2km if you have line of sight with the target (if your shooting at it, you should).

Using wifi routers and/or using a raspberrypi is overthinking/over doing it. Just extra stuff your going to be lugging back and forth.

 

[mkollman74]

You guys should look at the FPV setups for commercial UAV's. Here is what I currently use for my range camera:

Mobius Action Cam (1080p, similar to gopro) on a tripod records to microusb
Immersion RC 5.8ghz 600mw transmitter
Blackpearl 5.8ghz Immersion compatable monitor with built in diversity receiver (allows to switch between two antennas for stronger signal)
All powered off of 3 cell lithium polymer batteries
Uses 3 custom made antennas, 2 circular and 1 directional. 1 on transmitter and 1 on monitor, and 1 helical directional antenna on transmitter (benefit of this is directional antenna goes out in a cone from the point of transmission, and the circular's throw out a big ball (more used for flying if you fly behind your monitor station)).

This setup will allow for about 2km if you have line of sight with the target (if your shooting at it, you should).

Using wifi routers and/or using a raspberrypi is overthinking/over doing it. Just extra stuff your going to be lugging back and forth.

So, I am lazy... Any chance you could provide parts list/links??

 

[lobo56]

Boy, this thread sure moves slow.............

 

[Diver160651]

DIY Target Cam

Update it's nice to have a record function -

Set out to do a few cold bore shots at 1100y on various rifles (338LM, 7mag, 223 and 3o8), so a traveling buddy could use mine to get out around 2k..

After my friend shoots 4 rounds on the upper right side of the target. (I shoot left handed and he shot right handed without making scope adjustments) a bird lands next to the target just after my cold bore on a 308.. Well, it's laying in the left shadow of the target you can see it's feather moving a bit in the wind.

I figured the 308 is shooting well so I hit record and try for the clay on the right. I was not the best hit.... But a hit. YouTube target can video below

11oo yards on clay & cold bore sight in w/ 338, 7mm, 223 and 308 - YouTube

Below are how the sighting in impacts played out-

7mag 2 shots, Cold bore 11 o'clock above 3" center, 2nd in ornge
338 2 shots, Cold bore 6 O' clock below center, 2nd in orange
223 3 shots, Cold bore 2 misses, 3rd furthest left above center
308 1 Shot, Cold bore 1 shot 5" right of center

308 -on clay shown

Shooter JC -- on 7mag 4 shots vertical string right side of plate --



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Update:: (had camera working well to 1.5 miles)

Yesterday we drove out to one of our spots. Hiked a big steel plate, stand and camera case across and old lava field..set everything up and then...Damn transmitter failed!!!!!!!

Never realized just how important this thing has become to ELR shooting!!!

OK - we hiked the case back out to the car drove back about a mile.. Low across the desert the mirage was very bad. After a first round miss, we got the plate. Made 6 more hits and moved back to 2,050.

The wind was blowing in a direction that really messed up the ability to hear the ping -(if we could hear the ping it was over 8 seconds after the brake). The spotting scopes were no better than or rifle scopes to resolve hits on the 24" plate. After a first round (ping verified) hit, the wind then switched and our ability to hear an impact was gone.

We fired a few more rounds looking for the "plate hit signatures".. No dice… Well maybe it was a hit or maybe it wasn't type of thing, but mostly just a lost round. BTW the plate was already swinging due to the wind. After maybe 14-15 shots, looking for hit signatures, I pulled off target and fired 7 rounds into what looked like an area that should have provided a splash signature.. Realizing that we had no way to know were the rounds were going, we packed up, drove to the lava field to make the hike to revive our gear.

Great, what a waste of energy! We actually had 10 hits from that pulled back distance (9 we had no idea for sure) + 4 or so near miss rock impacts… If we would have had the cam we would not have wasted rounds, would have had more fun and not had to pack out and drive to another location 1.5hrs away.


7 hits from closer set up, the rest from 2050y -

There we finished the day shooting out to 2350 with very strong signatures.. but still a pain in the arse

Anyway - here is my newly ordered transmitter to replace the cheaper 2000mw one. This one looks higher quality and has it own case Boscam Thunderbolt 2000mW 5.8GHz FPV Transmitter




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[Diver160651]

Updated the build list and some video from the cam shooting out to 2.2 Kilometers 2,400yards while testing a much smaller receiving antenna -- the quality is far lower than my panel but it is doable.

I copied the thread to the new snipers hide site http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=541&f=5539&t=13236426&sto=MS_162334170