DIGITAL SURVEILLANCE UNTS
Setting up a stand-alone video recording unit for use in the wilderness can be difficult at best. We ran into mulitple problems that needed to be solved. What camera could we use that would be weather-resistant and able to film at night? How could we record for a long enough time period to leave a bait station untouched? How would we sufficiently power an array of technology in order to maximize our record time?
THE CAMERAS
The cameras were first on the agenda. While Sony handycams offer nightshot (IR) capabilities, we knew that the standby mode powers the camera off within minutes. They are not at all weather resistant and, in record mode, the tapes only last an hour. So we turned to Ocean Systems, Inc., an outfitter of marine products in Everett, Washington. There, we found what we were looking for - the DeckScan 20/20.
The DeckScan 20/20 is a robust harsh environment color day/night video camera. The camera provides a vivid color image in lighted areas. When no light is available the DeckScan switches to an I/R camera that can see up to 60 feet in complete darkness.
Each of the six cameras came with 100 feet of cable, enabling us to set them up far away from the recording unit. Ocean Systems, Inc.customized the units with a manual IR on/off switch for more flexibility.
The picture, both day and night, was surprisingly clear, with 480 lines TV resolution. Powered by a 12V adapter, it was easy to connect the camera directly to our power source (a deep-cycle marine battery) with a simple female cigarette-lighter adapter. Even with the IR LED's on, the power draw on the battery was minimal - 600 milliamps.
THE RECORDING UNITS
VCRs simply weren't an option for this endeavor. Not only is the recording quality poor, but having to trek to multiple camera locations to change tapes every 8 hours was out of the question. I knew that digital video recorders were the way to go, but most units I found were thousands of dollars EACH.
I examined the option of using first generation TIVOs for the project. While this most likely would have worked (unlike second-gen TIVOs, the old ones don't have to be activated in order to record a local signal), they were difficult to find in working condition - even on Ebay - and were rather expensive.
After much searching, I contacted Strategic Vista and found what I was looking for. The Lorex DXR 1180-A. It's a single-channel digital video recorder with audio and an 80GB harddrive.
With these units on normal quality record mode, we got approximately 15 hours of record time. Since the deep-cyle marine battery lasted about that long as well, we could set the unit to record in the evening and leave it alone all night long and well into the morning.
POWERING THE UNITS
For each unit, the camera and DVR power was supplied by a 12V deep-cycle marine battery. A 400-watt PowerBright voltage inverter from VoltageConverters.com enabled us to plug the DVR in and draw current from the marine battery. (These are incredibly handy to have in your vehicle... just plug it into your vehicle's cigarette lighter adapter and charge your Sony Handycam or other electronic equipment, just like you do at home, while you're on the go!)
THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA
While true nightvision technology (i.e. starlight scope) is handy to have in the field, a creature's natural camoflauge tends to work almost as well as it does in daylight. That's why we opted to track down a thermal imaging camera instead. You can't hide a heat signature!
We received an Argus 3 thermal imaging unit on loan from E2V Technologies. I'd used a thermal imager before and had been disappointed with the battery life. Not with this one! It came with 3 batteries, each of which lasted nearly 2 hours.
This camera is most often used in firefighting applications. The case was robust, the images clear, especially in grayscale, though the unit offers multiple color settings as well. With a small LNB to RCA adapter, we were able to input the video signal to a Sony Handycam, recording everything the camera saw.
The price of this unit is THOUSANDS less than most - in the $10k-$14k range, rather than $30k. It's on my Christmas wish list, though I imagine I'll have to keep wishing for a while. <grin> According to the manufacturer, it's not readily available to the general public, but if you're interested in acquiring one and have the good fortune to be able to afford it, email me and I'll get you to the right people. :)
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