Night Vision Camera and Sighting Help Needed - What to Buy?

[MarcSpaz]

Okay, some of you may remembers a few weeks ago I chased off a couple people in my yard at 1:30-2:00 in the morning. Well, a few days ago I kicked 3 kids out of my yard snooping around in the middle of the afternoon. Now this morning about 3:00 AM I had someone on my back deck It sounded like they tripped and fell. I gabbed my M4 and ran out to see what the hell was going on and they took off up the street on foot.

Well, needless to say I am getting pissed. This is happening pretty frequently and unfortunately the police are not able to do anything. Makes sense, as I have no idea who they are where they are from or where they are taking off too. So, I need to do something. I need some hardware advice.

I am looks for an inexpensive camera to shoot photos via infrared, UV, non-visible laser, whatever is going to work in total darkness without these guys knowing there picture is being taken. I would really like some of the hunting and wildlife cameras that are strapped to trees and have motion sensors to trigger the photo.

Anyone have first hand experience with these items that can make some recommendations on what would be good for my app and where to buy without spending $5k?

I am also thinking of some night vision security cameras to watch outside so I can do a quick inspection without walking blindly into the night.

No idea what I'm doing there. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I also want to get some night vision binoculars or a monocular. After walking around outside checking the property with a light on the AR, even at 300 lumens, it just isn't enough and I felt like it made me an easy target as well as easy to avoid. For the guys who use(d) them, I have a couple quick questions...

1.) would I be better off with a binocular or a monocular head set?
2.) I only need about 100 yards of range. Any particular brand/model you would recommend?
3.) Is there such as thing as gen 4 image quality at gen 1 prices if I don't need something combat ready? Throwing $5k on a gen 4 ATN isn't exactly in the budget.

Thanks!
Spaz

[Reverenddel]

I can only speak upon trailcams... After using them to catch poachers on camping property... I know SPEND the extra money for time-length, and camera quality...

A quick idea? Spiderwire braided line in green... you put that in a web pattern around the area they're traversing with "pull tab" personal alarms? Cheap, loud, and makes them scatter!

[jdonovan]

So, I need to do something. I need some hardware advice.

ok, news flash here. Unless you can ID the bad-guy, and tell the PD where to find them... they are not going to spend any time trying to find the guy unless the cop who shows up happens to know who they are.

At best you've got a trespassing complaint, but first you've got to interact with the trespasser and issue them a trespass warning, or put up sufficient signage. Then when you catch them a 2nd time you've got a complaint that can stick. However only if you know who they are, or you can catch them. And get them to stay around till the PD can show up and write them a citation for the trespass. Note, you can't detain them by force.

Anyone have first hand experience with these items that can make some recommendations on what would be good for my app and where to buy without spending $5k?

Unless you are willing to spend $3k + don't waste the money. The lower cost items won't give you good-enough vision at distance to do more than 'detect' that someone is there. I've got some good gen 2+ ex-military gear and at 150' I can see a person, but couldn't tell you if they were in a t-shirt, or wearing a jacket.

3.) Is there such as thing as gen 4 image quality at gen 1 prices if I don't need something combat ready? Throwing $5k on a gen 4 ATN isn't exactly in the budget.

no. low cost = low quality images.

another option for good night vision, at lower cost.... get a security camera system like this:
http://www.costco.com/Lorex-8-Channel-S ... 87431.html

the IR cam's should give you 50-100' ( some as much as 200') of 100% darkness night vision. Plus this will create recordings so you have a record of whats going on.

Get flood lights and keep the back and side yards lit up like the Nat's stadium.

[RWBlue01]

Sounds to me like you need a game camera. I bought one a couple years back. It is pretty good.

I would be careful of setting up traps. If they get hurt, you get sued.

True night vision is bad or expensive. There is no good cheap night vision.

I would also suggest setting up some solar led sidewalk lights. They are cheap and available. They don't require wiring or replacing batteries every night. They work better in summer because the battery life will die in the cold, but.....

[RWBlue01]

http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Creations- ... kway+light

[MarcSpaz]

jdonovan wrote:

ok, news flash here. Unless you can ID the bad-guy, and tell the PD where to find them... they are not going to spend any time trying to find the guy unless the cop who shows up happens to know who they are.

At best you've got a trespassing complaint, but first you've got to interact with the trespasser and issue them a trespass warning, or put up sufficient signage. Then when you catch them a 2nd time you've got a complaint that can stick. However only if you know who they are, or you can catch them. And get them to stay around till the PD can show up and write them a citation for the trespass. Note, you can't detain them by force.

Yea, I agree. I don't expect the police to do much of anything unless I can ID these guys. However, I do have much more than a trespassing complaint. I have "No Trespassing" signs all over the property edges. The people I have caught during the day have been warned a couple of times. Also, I have had over $5,000 in property damage committed during some of these trespassings over the past 4 months. I just didn't include the details of that in the stories I've shared.

I've had the police out here on every instance. When I talked to the police, they did say that because the trespassers are doing property damage, whoever I do ID (catch) will be charged with the property damage as well as the trespassing charges. That is why I am looking for cameras good enough to capture images of faces at night.

That video setup looks pretty bad! I am going to look into picking one of those up for sure. I appreciate the info and the link.

http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Creations- ... kway+light

I have those all over the driveway and walkways. They are good for decoration. Unfortunately they don't produce much light.

Definitely not setting up tripwire alarms. That stuff is great for the movies, but in the real world, it gets you in legal trouble.

[Reverenddel]

To Counter, NOOOO BOOBY TRAPS are legal problems!

You put braided Spiderwire along a property line about knee/shin height, it blends in real well, doesn't break easily, put those personal pull alarms rigged with an eye screw in a pop can...

they walk along, pull the small pin, that can screams at 110 dB's... alerts you to their prescences...

No more so than an motion sensor alarm. Doesn't go boom, doesn't injure then, just lets you know you have company, might pucker their tucker, but ain't gonna be anything serious.

I've used them for doors, camping, sheds, etc, etc. Cost hardly anything, but easy to rig.

[RWBlue01]

http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Creations- ... kway+light

I have those all over the driveway and walkways. They are good for decoration. Unfortunately they don't produce much light.

I have some also.
Maybe my eyes are better than yours.
Maybe my camera is better than yours.

They are not a spot light.
If you have someone with other big lights they can over shadow yours.

On the other hand, with my eye, I can see people well enough to know that they are people. At that point you can either light them up with a spot light OR shoot them with a camera with flash.

If you want to mount spot lights on the house you can go that route also, but that is more money and then you have to power them.

[SHMIV]

I installed a night vision video surveillance system for my former bosses a couple of years ago. Nite Owl, I think, was the brand. It was something with an owl.

The system came as a kit. Four cams, a DVR (That was capable of either 8 or 16 cams. I forget which) and four lengths of prefitted 50' coax.

The picture was great, by security cam standards. Btw, you'll want b&w, not color. Greater detail.

You'll likely find that video surveillance will better suit your purposes; you can cover more area, and gain more incriminating evidence, for less cash.

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[Rualert]

How about these two items, first wireless motion sensor alerting:
http://www.harborfreight.com/household/ ... 93068.html
About $18.00 at Harbor Freight
And 8 Channel Surveillance DVR with 4 Cameras and Mobile Monitoring Capabilities $300.00
http://www.harborfreight.com/household/ ... 61229.html
This comes with 4 cameras, with the option of adding 4 more, plus from the description you can monitor it from the web or a mobile "smart" phone.

Just some thoughts, and as for something to mount on a rifle, here's a link to a guy who has done several night vision setups using inexpensive "lipstick" type cameras, a small lcd screen, and an IR light:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjIvcOQJYoY

Yeah, sometime I'm a cheap bastard, but this stuff does work, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to purchase and setup.

Casey

[Jakeiscrazy]

I agree with others, IR camera and additionly lighting offer the most bang per buck.

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[TallEd]

I used to sell/design/install video monitoring systems. Any good quality, high resolution IP camera should do what you want it to. IQEye and Axis were the brands I usually used, but I was doing commercial applications in harsh environments. You could probably get away with soemthing cheaper. Most cameras come with software or there are loads of free versions you can download. There is no need to buy a DVR if you have a computer you can leave on.

The best company I found to buy from was Kintronics. Good prices and outstanding service. http://www.kintronics.com/neteye/networ ... ameras.htm

[DCJon]

Dude, BE CAREFUL. Grabbing your M4 and running out to the yard may be a recipe for legal disaster. Virginia is common law castle doctrine but I don't think it extends to your yard. Check out the VCDL web site for additional information and be careful. Don't give the anti's something to cheer about.

[MarcSpaz]

I appreciate the advice. The M4 is more in the case of it being a 200 lbs bear, more so than a trespasser. I have had bears in my driveway at night 3 time in the last 10 years.

In VA you can not defend property with lethal force, but that doesn't mean you can't defend your property. Now, if it is a trespasser I find, I ask them to leave, it is escalated physically by them and they intend to do me harm, I will match force. Its no different if I have my M4 than if I have my pistol; in my house, in my yard or at the gas station.

[j1mmyd]

In VA you can not defend property with lethal force...

What happened to "in the protection of his life or property"? Has something changed?

[MarcSpaz]

"18.2-280. Willfully discharging firearms in public places" does state just that... but if you like... I can quote half a dozen case law examples were the judge disagreed with the statutory law and property owners went to jail for brandishing and/or attempted murder.

[0ne5hot]

"18.2-280. Willfully discharging firearms in public places" does state just that... but if you like... I can quote half a dozen case law examples were the judge disagreed with the statutory law and property owners went to jail for brandishing and/or attempted murder.

I don't listen to rap/hip-hop but sometimes they know how to articulate the situation

NSFW

[MarcSpaz]

I have no idea what that was about... but that female is sexy as hell. Nice! LOL

[meadmkr]

In addition to the cameras I'd be looking at a few of these to mark the trespassers :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reusable-Paintb ... 1055504322

Then again if it was me I'd be adding the juice of a few scotch bonnets or habanero's to the marking paint

[jdonovan]

Hmmm do I hear paint gun with pepper ball?