DIY Night Vision – Rolaids NV1.0
So here is my first DIY night vision build. Easily seeing to 150 yards with an 850nm Streamlight (pics show my Pulsar 940nm) and that’s thru a cheap Leapers scope. With some tweaks soon on IR – range should be further. All for under $350 for what I call Rolaids NV1.0 😀
I appreciate all who inspired me to get to here and I plan to continue with deeper research into IR illumination and cameras. Naturally many have built similar projects so my intent has been to make it simple to duplicate with ‘off the shelf’ parts for all those who didn’t want the cost and time of research. This version will definitely be more than enough for the air gun community for rat and pest hunting!
Here is a link to my demo and and detailed ‘How to build’ video.
More videos will follow that detail what I have learned on 1/3” Sony CCD cameras and OSD adjustments and also testing multiple IR illuminators for more ‘off the shelf’ solutions.
Here is a link to my Excel Spreadsheet that has parts lists and cost
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3835764/Rolaids%20NV%20Parts%20List.xlsx
And a few quick picks – This setup makes it very easy for the camera to be centered and in position. It can all be removed with one bolt.
Side mount
Weaver Rail setup for side mount
Easy to install mini bullet cam solution – very water resistant!
Rolaids NV1.1 – DVR version with a cool little mount called an iTrek!!
Can also easily move to a top mount or even an angle if preferred
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lifo2001 – I do plan an IR video soon. It will be some of what they are doing yet still focused more on what is “off the shelf” and “easy DIY” approach. I am one to love to custom build way beyond this yet am trying to focus on lessons that the general air gun / hunting community can say “thats easy enough for me to try” 😀
Great work on the your videos Rolaids, any plans to review some of those DIY IR iluminators the guys from UK forums putt together?
I just finished uploading the videos detailing the 3 bullet cameras that I narrowed my research down to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjIvcOQJYoY&feature=youtu.be and then the detail of the EJ230 (my top pick) and how I adjusted it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU4lktH4el0&feature=youtu.be
Hope this is helpful to anyone interested in this version of Night Vision Cameras 🙂
Interesting reply from tech support. When I get time I will have to look into the HD-SDI. It’s obvious the price will be considerably more and with the lens issue it just may be a no go.
1. How does this camera “KPC-HDB450” compare to the EJ230 (my top pick after test)? I see the resolution is a lot higher.
Answer = KPC-HDB450 is a HD-SDI camera, the quality of image is incomparable to EJ230 (which is analog camera). In order to use HDB450,
you will have to get a HD-SDI recording device.
2. Is it as sensitive as the Exview chip to IR light?
Answer = Not much difference in sensitivity.
3. Are there any other cameras you make more sensitive or as sensitive to IR that have a higher resolution that the EJ230?
Answer = Currently, as of analog cameras, EJ230 has the highest resolution (700TVL). If you want more sensitivity to light, you will have to get a lower resolution camera.
😕 😕 bummer …didn’t notice lens options when I scanned over the PDF. I already emailed my guy at tech support so when he gets back to me I’ll toss that to him 🙂
Darn You… You got me all fired up on this night vision and camera stuff in general now. 😆 😆
Well, upon thinking about things a bit, the camera I listed above is an hd unit, features higher resolution screen capture..But..and a big but..it is only available in a 3.6mm or 6mm lens. Which means with the 6mm about a 53 degree view angle..so a 1944×1092 pixel screen at a 53 degree view…aki a larger picture
The camera you picked was 976×494..it has a 28% view angle when used with the 12mm lens. So a 976×494 pixel screen at 28 degree ..a smaller picture.
So which is better 1944×1092 at 53 Degree with the 6mm lens
Or 976×494 at 28 degree view angle with 28 degree 12mm lens
?? 😕 😕 😕
Interesting stuff…
I’m greedy, I just want it all. I want both a Day vision and night vision setup at a decent resolution..this is a HD unit.
This seems to be a pretty good camera, but it is not listed as a sony, it is however listed as a day/night vision unit, and the same Panasonic is listed on several others in the night vision section.
2.1 Mega Pixel, 1/3” Panasonic CMOS
http://www.ktnc.co.kr/english/viewtopic.php?t=975
what you think?
I have not tried any Panasonic chips. I have been working with tech support from KT&C so I’ll ask them.
I am uploading some videos now that show my top 3 cameras that KT&C helped pick out. My choice that I used in my Rolaids NV1.0 is the EJ230NUWX and it is Day and Night – color/BW.
I’ll post links when finished to vids and let you know what tech support says.
Hello Rolaids, I need your expertise.
I’m greedy, I just want it all. I want both a Day vision and night vision setup at a decent resolution..this is a HD unit.
This seems to be a pretty good camera, but it is not listed as a sony, it is however listed as a day/night vision unit, and the same Panasonic is listed on several others in the night vision section.
2.1 Mega Pixel, 1/3” Panasonic CMOS
http://www.ktnc.co.kr/english/viewtopic.php?t=975
what you think?
But not sure if that will work, just a suggestion.
This is to convert your white flashlight into an IR by filtering out all the other light spectrum and only letting the IR range thru. You still need to be able to ‘see’ IR light, which we can’t 😉 ….so we use a camera or Night Vision scope to turn that IR light into what we can see 🙂
Most people that have used a filter on a white light and then tried a dedicated IR LED light finds the filter to be very dim!!! So put the $$$ into a dedicated IR illuminator.
I hope to get some videos up in 3-4 weeks that will detail multiple IR illuminators
You clearly have been doing your homework on this project.
Just wondering if you had played around with a Laser Designator, such as the one below. I guess what it is a laser light, with a focus on the beam, you can make it like a laser dot..or a flashlight.
Just wondered if you had looked at them..and your thoughts
I haven’t used these yet but have came across them and the idea in research. In general they can be an entry level “night vision” but think “colored bright light” instead.
Now all depending on what you hunt – some animals will freeze when you hit them with the light giving you enough time to shoot. This works for the PB guys who make lots of noise – so the shot will spook the animals. Then there is the argument of what color of light doesn’t bother the game. Naturally red has been the choice for a long time if using light. In my own experience and reading of others – red light still can spook some animals and especially those who have been ‘trained’ by other hunter run-ins. I put a green laser on for close range this summer and I have not yet been able to get a shot off at starlings, pigeons, or sparrows as they react so quick to being hit with the green dot.
This being the case and since my night focus is mostly roosting starlings and pigeons who DO NOT like red light either, along with rats and some Coyote – I choose to not follow the ‘visible light’ route but try to stay as ‘invisible’ as possible. No one really knows how much the 850nm / 940nm IR can be seen by different animals – yet they are less effected. I am working on testing multiple IR’s and hope to stay mostly in the 940nm.
Rolaids,
You clearly have been doing your homework on this project.
Just wondering if you had played around with a Laser Designator, such as the one below. I guess what it is a laser light, with a focus on the beam, you can make it like a laser dot..or a flashlight.
Just wondered if you had looked at them..and your thoughts
Got a friend who makes regular trips to Japan, he’s going to hit Akibara and see if there any “Japan Only” offerings int he camera department with better specs
Cool – I know the Watec 902H2 with 1/2″ CCD is supposedly the best in the lower cost range $350ish without lens. – http://genwac.com/products.php?prod_id=194 This is made in Japan. Guys in UK are using the older model of this with very good results.
Manufacturers really can skew the lux rating by things like ‘Sense up’ or slowing the shutter speed down. Not good at all for shooting as video becomes very stuttered. Astronomers like this for cool star / galaxy shots…. so make sure thats not used in their ratings!!
Keep me posted 😀
Excellent write up Rolaids,
Got a friend who makes regular trips to Japan, he’s going to hit Akibara and see if there any “Japan Only” offerings int he camera department with better specs
Also one more question, have you tried a IR lens covers for scope? So you won’t need a camera and LCD. Just a IR flashlight and lens IR filter?
That filter idea is new to me. Do you have any links to more info on that?
I mean stuff like this – http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-75027-Infrared-Stinger-PolyStinger/dp/B00166PS9K/ref=sr_1_55?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1353782758&sr=1-55&keywords=ir+covers
But not sure if that will work, just a suggestion.
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Looking forward to it. 😀