What's new
By:
Filters
  • Forums will go offline Wednesday Dec 4th at 10AM CST for updates. It's a big update, so the site may be offline for a few hours.

Learn me about trail cams

Lbhsbz

Toyota Fag
Joined
May 20, 2020
Member Number
586
Messages
248
Loc
Long Beach
I'm in the market for a trail cam or 2. Lots of vehicle thefts and break ins in my area lately, and lots of sketchy looking vehicles driving around at all hours of the night. I can't get any licence plate shots with my house mounted cameras, so want to put a trail cam or 2 in the trees out near the street so I can catch them coming and going. Don't need video, simple stills would be fine. Can't have a flash, because someone will see that and steal them most likely.

Infrared? Does anyone have any decent ones laying around they can experiment with taking photos at night of license plates with headlights or brake lights on from about a 10° angle? Trying to avoid spending money on 10 different ones only to find out none will do what I'm looking for.
 
I have one I haven't mounted I want to put it out on the gate post to see what sets off the driveway alarm
 
Pretty sure this is the one I have:

https://www.amazon.com/Campark-Wate...ng-Activated/dp/B07BHLVXF7?tag=91812054244-20

DSCF0040.JPG


DSCF0036.JPG


Does alright I guess. I tried rechargeable batteries and they lasted about a day. Lithium batteries last a solid month if not more.
 
Depending on what state you live in you can legally kill said car thief. Much more effective than cameras or useless police officers that don’t give a fuck about you or your stuff.
 
Not much input on what to buy, but I will say don't bother with a cheapo. I've got a cheap one and at night it will only get a picture of a deer if it's standing perfectly still. Every time I'd check it I'd have a couple of pictures of blurry tails, and hundreds of pictures of leaves.
 
They all suck. I run 12-15 a year over multiple properties and have for the last 5 years. I have 4 or 5 different brands now. My most reliable year after year are Primos $49 bucks. The $200-$300 cameras are no more reliable. Most will last 2-3 years. The last one I had that took bad pics required a roll of film.

the first cell camera was just added to the fleet’. It’s fun and ok

the Cheepos seem to be the best or I feel the best about them.
 
Last edited:
Whatever cameras fArtisan uses to spy on the neighborhood girls. :flipoff2:
 
Lbhsbz said:
Infrared? Does anyone have any decent ones laying around they can experiment with taking photos at night of license plates with headlights or brake lights on from about a 10° angle? Trying to avoid spending money on 10 different ones only to find out none will do what I'm looking for.
Click to expand...

if I can find time I might be willing to go strap a few different ones off my driveway. What speed are the cars going?
 
I have these and am quite impressed with the features, quality and reliability. Most are out in the woods right now but I have 1 at home that I will put out at the end of the driveway tonight and try to get some licence plate pics for you.
ive bought way too many trail cams over the years and these are by far the best of them all. They upgraded the firmware in 2020 which took a good cam and really made it excellent.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B0744JB986?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

Description


Max. Pixel Size: 4608x3456
Waterproof: IP66
Lens: F=2.0; FOV=105°; Auto IR-Cut
IR: 70ft/21m with 36pcs no glow & no flash 940nm IR LEDs
LCD Screen: 2.31" TFT color screen
Keypad: 6 Keys, 1 Switch
Memory: SD Card (8MB~128GB not included)
Picture Size: 20MP;16MP; 12MP; 8MP; 5MP; 3MP; 1MP
Video Size: 1920×1080: 25fps; 1280x720: 30fps; 720x480: 30fps; 640x480: 30fps; 320x240: 30fps
PIR Sensitivity: High/Normal/Low
PIR Sensing Distance: 70ft/21m (Below 77°F/25°C at the Normal Level)
PIR Sensing Angle: 70° under side motion sensors enabled.
Operation Mode: Day/Night
Trigger Time: 0.5 Second
Trigger Interval: 0sec. - 60min; Programmable
Shooting Numbers: 1-5
Video Length: 3sec-5min.; Programmable
Camera + Video: Take picture firstly then video
Playback Zoom In: 1~8 Times
Time Stamp: On/Off
Timer: On/Off; Timer Set
Password: 4-Digit Numbers
Device Serial No. : 4-Digit Numbers
Time Lapse: 1 Second~24 Hours
Language: English
Power Supply: 8xAA(not included)
Stand-by Current: 0.15mA
Stand-by Time: 8Months
Auto Power Off: Auto power off in 5 minutes while no keypad controlling
Low Battery Alarm: 4.2V
Interface: USB; SD Card Slot; 12V DC External (12V/2A input with 4.0x1.7mm male end)
Mounting: Strap; Tripod Nail (Thread: UNC 1/4-20)
Operation Temperature: -4~+140°F/-20 ~+60°C
Operation Humidity: 5% ~ 95%
Certificate: FCC & CE & RoHS
Package list: Digital camera, Strap, USB cable, User Manual


51jBcDgGR6L._AC_SY400_.jpg
 
Things to consider

1) speed of object and trigger delay of camera
2) distance of object and if other objects between camera and target are being illuminated by the ir light
3) get no glow ir. Normal ir will be a red glow to it and visible to human eyes
4) photo quality at night is DRASTICALLY different than day
5) other sources of light that will effect the dynamic range.


i run browning dark ops and browning strike force cameras. They work well for game and are a pricier camera, but not sure if they, or any camera, will work well for your intended purpose.

Www.trailcampro.com has some good comparisons and info. They are who I purchase through and would start there for info.
 
I'm right on a corner, so slow/stop. My house is 30 feet from the street so I can't get a good angle at a distance less than 100 feet or so away. Distance from the trail cam to the plate would be about 10-25 feet, 10 degrees should do it.

My problem is the reflective paint and the lights.

Just thought about it...maybe I should try and track down some second hand decommisioned red light cameras
 
Serious question - Does it even matter if you get a clear picture of them? I had them all over my property and have plenty of great pictures of people vandalizing and stealing my stuff, but none led to an arrest or return of any property. Even had video clear as day of a girl identified by her family through my posting of it on Facebook and the popo couldn't locate her.
 
Yes...something "could" be done if I can identify them...nothing can be done if I can't. Had an incident around the block the other night and after hearing the alarm I ran out and saw a truck drive off after a break in. My cameras caught the truck coming by my house and stopping at the corner, but couldn't ID because no plate.
 
I set up one of the cams that I mentioned and absolutely zero chance of identifying a plate. Headlights totally wash out the pic and still can't make anything out when the car leaves. I think some funky stuff goes on when it is in IR mode and there is visible light as well, because it takes really good wildlife pics in pitch black
 
I fly radio control aircraft via first person view and the tech that has gone into those cameras in recent years is nothing short of incredible, even for night flying. If you are handy with electronics you could prob make your own security cam. I have something on the worktable right now but it is more sinister. Have big probs with thieves prowling around at night and I am rigging up a motion activated lawn sprinkler that will spray them with plumbing antifreeze (because winter in the north). It could easily be used to trigger one of the flight cams instead of sprinkler. Check out the caddx ratel starlight. I have one and will set something up to see how this would work but might take me some time. No affiliation to readymaderc.com but I have bought from them and am pleased with service and quality
https://www.readymaderc.com/products/details/caddx-ratel-starlight-camera-red-21lens
 
The main problem is that this is like trying to see through night vision goggles with a flashlight pointed at them. I'm not sure if it can work, unless I can get it high enough so that the light doesn't affect the camera. Which I might be able to do....I've got a big tree out front that overhangs the street. I might give that a shot with one or my WYZE cams....my wifi might make it out there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Back Refresh