jmccorm

Tulsa, Oklahoma. The average high temperature is 94F during the summer. Typical highest temperature is around 100-105F for a year. All-time record high is 115F. I'm aiming for the typical high seen during a year. The average low temperature is 26F during the summer. Typical lowest temperature is around 0F for a year. All-time record low is -16F. I'm aiming for the typical low seen during a year. USDA Plant Hardiness Zones lists the area as a -5 to 0F (-17 to -20.5C) area. Those temperatures being the "average annual minimum temperature range." I think, back to my original question, am I putting too much emphasis on the temperature range of a camera? Can I cheat it to some degree and use a camera with a min 10F spec, and not worry about it acting strangely for the nights that are below 0F?

It seems that finding cameras in my temperature range really narrows my selection. I see something that looks interesting... http://www.ktnc.co.kr/product_01_04.asp ...only to find out it has a -10C to 50C range. I live in a -20C to 40C [-5F to 105F] environment. Am I putting too much emphasis on the temperature range of the camera and putting a false limit on my choices?

I'm starting to lean towards this camera. It is a mini-bullet with good specs, color, low-lux, wide operational temperature: CVC-637EX http://www.csi-speco.com/cart/products/productDetails.asp?prodID=568

Thanks for the tip on the bullets. I don't want to get too far off my intended topic, but I've fixed my eyes on Zoneminder. That failing, I'll hack MythTV into just recording 24x7 without all the special motion sensing features. I'm rather fearless in this aspect of it because I'm a UNIX systems administrator. Rolling my own solution under Linux is actually preferable, in my own unique case, than a black box.

Home application, want one camera for driveway, one for porch, one wide angle for whole front yard (mounted on second story eves). Pole lighting over property (although the far area of the yard is a bit dark). Medium traffic along front of property. Recently installed a very good monitored alarm system. Want further deterrence (and evidence on anyone attempting or successful). Major problem: Thieves who pull right up into the driveway and think they're going to rob the house with nobody home. (Luckily, every time, someone HAS been home.) 90% likelyhood of daytime. Minor problem: Miscellaneous and rare mischief by pedestrians. Usually children walking to/from school. Usually nothing serious. Some things I've got covered, some things I'm still wondering about. The whole wiring and recording I've got under control. Its my choice in cameras that I'm a bit clueless on. * I understand calculating camera field of view. * I do not understand why I'd want a particular shaped camera (bullet vs dome, for example) * Do not know if I need a heater (normal lowest temperature for a year is 0F, -10F would be a record event). 100F highs are common in summer. As far as selection in a camera... * No IR, but low lux wanted for driveway and yard camera. * Porch is always sufficiently lighted. * Dont want super-high resolution, but don't low-res / blurry / blooming crap * Exception: wide-angle yard camera should be higher res? * Color is preferred during daytime, but willing to sacrifice for a major cost savings * Visible camera are fine (covert not needed) * Static mounted cameras * Standard wired video output * Want best bang for my buck I know... a bit vague, but a bit specific all at the same time. Can anyone give me some pointers?