Bullet Camera Advice Please

[SammieT 0]

Hi;

 

Can someone tell me if the only difference between the Speco CVC-870EX and CVC-6805EX is the auto-iris? If so, can you please tell me what the auto-iris will do for me? Yes, I am new to this.

 

I want the camera to monitor my front yard which is fairly well-lit by a street light that is not too far away ( ie. you'd be able to see that someone is there but not be able to make out any details). I would like a camera that would enable me to recognize vandals, vehicles, etc. so I would like it to be fairly high resolution and color (for daylight observation). Also, any advice in general on these or similar cameras would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[rory 0]

yes, auto iris lens on the 870ex.

 

If you are going to get the auto iris, then you may as well get a day night bullet, the 7706DNV: http://www.spytown.com/spcvcodaweca.html

Just $40 more.

 

The EX version like you mentioned, though they say day night on SpyTown for example, are just Exview Low Light Cameras, not Day Night. The ones with the DN extenstion on the name are Day Night (switches to BW in low light).

 

Rory

[SammieT 0]

I'm looking for something without IR leds unless they are in the 940nm range as I don't want the camera glowing red at night. I don't see the wavelength listed on the spytown site but it seems very few cameras have the IR's in this wavelength.

 

What will the auto-iris do for me?

 

Thanks

[rory 0]

Dont think you really need the auto iris, at least not in a bullet lens, but its up to you. Electronic Iris' built into cameras now adays are just as good, depending on the lens.

 

Also, all the Provideo Bullets with EX on the end, are the Heat Exview Cameras, which means they are low lux color.

 

Okay, if it were me, If I need to zoom the camera into a specific area when I install it, like to a front gate entrance, having say an 8mm focal view, then Id get the Varifocal Camera. If it is pointing at an area that will get alot of changing light like car lights, passing on the driveway or road, or direct sunlight, then auto iris. If neither of those, or you just want to save a couple dollars, the non auto iris fixed lens is all you need, for a home (670EX). I have BW fixed lens non auto iris, direct in the position of the sun and they still are okay, only at sun down they freak out for a little bit. but then so do all cameras unless you are buying wide dynamics and they cost plenty $$.

 

Basically, if I get the Varifocal Lens, I just get the Auto Iris one time. If I Dont need Varifical, then I get the fixed lens, I think its the 670EX.

 

Whether you need the IR or not, that 7706DNV is their best bullet camera. WHY? IT has an Ir Cut Filter, and it switches to B/W at night, meaning you get a great color image in the day, where as the other DN cameras they have, do not have IR Filters so the day time image can be off color or glary. (do a search on this forum for some threads on IR Cut Filters and you will find out more on that). With the 7706DNV you can just unplug the IR LED from the power inside the bullet camera itself if you dont need the IR, and plug it back in if you do want it ever again. This way you get B/W at night, which will always give you a better image at night than any low light color camera. If you have tons, i mean tons of lighting, then color can perform great at night, but 1 street light is not that. These EXview will work though, but like i said, BW will be the best at night.

 

Rory

[rory 0]

After going through several manufacturs specs and prices, and testing them, and some feedback on others from other techs, here is my latest catalog, carefully picked selection of cameras, from maybe 4 main camera manufacturers, Eclipse CCTV (Cheap), Provideo (Mid Range), Kalatel (Expensive), Extreme CCTV (Very Expensive). A camera for any budget or any application, but not too many.

 

It is a PDF file so right click save as to download and view (Ignore Pricing as it is local Bahamian Prices!) - Its just to give you an idea.

 

http://www.bahamassecurity.com/surevideo.pdf

[SammieT 0]

Rory-

 

Thanks that's some very good information. Looks like the D/N will fit the bill as long I can disconnect the power to the IR leds. Is this something that the average person with a little mechanical/electrical knowledge can accomplish without frigging up the camera?

 

I don't understand why there are not more (cheap) cameras out there with the 940nm leds. I bought a camera with an array of 56 840(?) leds that was nice except it looked like the setting sun on the front of my house ! Just to experiment I disconnected the leds and illuminated the area with a stand-alone array of 72 940 leds. Looked great! The camera cost me $150 and the array cost $35. I would be more than happy to pay $185 for a camera that would have incorporated everything in one package - I've looked around but haven't found one (and I don't have the time/talent/inclination to build one out of the parts I have). From what I've read the 840's do a better job of illuminating but there is definately a place for the invisible leds. Yes, I know of the Extreme cameras but cheap they are not. Have I missed something?

 

Thanks again!

[rory 0]

no thats about it! I havent seen any bullets at 940nm also. Like you said, probably it is because the cameras used, they may not perform well in the 940nm range. there are not many that do well in that range actually, but just about everything works in 840nm (BW anyway), and 750nm also. Sure that bright light ones you used werent the 750?? The IRs i use in the 840/850 are not that visible. The Extreme EX82s i have installed, as it is pitch dark, and the cameas and posts are black, you really cant even notice the LED lighting, uness you know where to look.

 

IRs on bullets arent really worth it anyway .. Unless they have a huge array..

 

Rory

[SammieT 0]

I'm not positive on the wavelength of the bright leds - just going by the advertised specs (which I know can be wrong).

 

Is disconnecting the leds on the Speco D/N camera an easy procedure?

[rory 0]

Yes, very easy.

 

Rory

[baywatch 1]

When we have used bullets with built in IR we have had big problems with spiders making websover the front.

This makes no difference in the day but makes it useless at night when the I.s switch on & refect back from the threads.

Anyone else had this problem?

We now usually use seperate IR lights & bullets which gets rid of the problem.

[rory 0]

same here, seperate IRs are always bettter

[SammieT 0]

Can anyone tell me if the dimensional specs on the spytown site are correct for the Speco CVC-7706DNV? It says it is 10" long! Not very discreet. Thank you!