Hand adjustable suction mounted truck spotter

[Dave-G]

Having amended the parts and slightly reduced the price I have started this new thread rather than mess around editing the older one.

Spotter Lamping is becoming the new black because you can covertly locate the quarry before using more visible light with a lamp equipped rifle:

I tried a newly acquired DVR for this video, I'm not impressed with the recording quality but what is seen in real life on the 5" HD monitor is many times better than the processes and compressed image you see here:

 

They are now available to order and are designed to be used when stationary or travelling quite slowly because they sometimes resonate when used at higher speeds on uneven ground - which results in a 'wobbly image'

 

It's essentially a 12v cigar socket powered in car HD monitor with an external camera, lens and IR holder fitted to a heavy duty camera suction mount. It will attach to almost any smooth fairly flat surface such as the roof:

 

windscreen,

bonnet, etc:

Also fits to a Deben/LF remote handle with an optional extra adaptor, and can be mounted with the user supplied 25mm tube illuminator to the left or right of the camera. It can even be fitted to the window sill of your house with a 12v power power feed. A DVR can be used in place of or in addition to the 5" HD monitor if optional extra cables are ordered with it.

The body and lid have been CNC machined from a tough engineering plastic block to accept the proven performance E700 camera - some of the cheaper cams may possibly be made to fit at a later date - but we'll see about that as and when.

Adjustable lenses and their fixing adaptors are not waterproof. Because this is specifically intended to be used outside of a vehicle I have included a light rain shelter that can be fitted as needed.

The 4 self able tidies can be fitted where needed so you only need to remove the external camera assembly to stow under a seat or wherever, nothing needs to be taken indoors to be charged up. Power is turned on or off by pushing the accessory plug in or out.

What you get in the box:

E700 camera - modified with the neck milled back… set to black and white - installed and lid fitted.

50mm F1.4 C mount lens - will be supplied by default as best option for mixed fox and rabbit spotting.

5" HD LCD monitor with modified cable and plug: can be positioned where preferred with velcro or blutac etc

Torch saddle clamp.

4x M4x40 cap head screws.

4x cable tidies to permanently leave cable in place.

3x 1 meter extension cable to facilitate all mounting preferences.

12 volt car accessory plug with soldered cabling and plugs.

Suction mount assembly with a replacement stainless steel pivot ball stud and wing nut.

Rain shelter and fixing bolt because adjustable lenses are not waterproof.

This is how you pan and tilt it - or adjust the focus, or switch the illuminator on or off, you basically fit it within easy reach:

This is what you can expect to see with it - look at my other videos on youtube to see more:

Price is currently £210 including RMSD to UK addresses.

Edited September 1, 2015 by Dave-G

[Dave-G]

Anyone interested in seeing this can come out with me after dark tonight or tomorrow night if they can get to the Eastern Leicester city border.

 

I've been up all night and am off to bed now so don't expect any reply till late afternoon at least.

Edited September 6, 2015 by Dave-G

[Dave-G]

As this spotter is strictly truck powered it never needs to be taken indoors for charging, changing batteries etc. So it - nor its accessories need ever be accidentally left at home. I leave the cabling in position with 4 supplied self adhesive cable tidies.

Consequently it is very quick to remove the camera assembly from out of sight under the seat and fit it to the windscreen or wherever when I'm ready to use it. I'm only using one of the three 1 meter cable extensions that are supplied for larger trucks or extended mounting requirements.

https://youtu.be/-ovyD1ZC3YM