Long Range FPV Target Camera System

[B.C.]

I'm starting up a small (on the side) business. I build and assemble FPV long range capable target camera systems. These cameras are guaranteed to work at 1000 yards and are capable of transmitting a live 5.8gh video feed out to 2+km in the right conditions. See hits on steel at extreme ranges without a high dollar spotting scope and mirage. I provide a couple of options; view the video signal right on your Android cell phone with the receiver I provide or view the transmission on a stand alone handheld monitor. See below for a portion of my products "instruction manual". I regularly shoot out to 1000 yards and I'm on a budget like everyone else. This whole concept was born out of a personal need to find a long range camera system solution anyone can easily afford. I tinkered and made prototypes for about a year and my final product is the result of lots of R&D on this issue. A friend of mine and I went shooting one day and he watched me set up my camera and then our hits on steel 1K yards away - he said, "hey, that's pretty neat, you should try and sell those". So, here I am posting this a year later! I have five basic units ready to go now and more in production. 200.00 for the basic package and 250.00 for the premium package. I can customize the package to your needs and offer an Appleseed discount too! I'm gauging interest here so bear with me, PM me for more information or any questions.

WIZARD BRAND PRODUCTS
Long Range FPV Target Camera Systems

Please read the instructions below before powering on and operating your target camera.

Contents of basic camera unit package
•   Video transmission unit - contains camera, power supply, transmitter, OSD and cooling fan   
•   Android phone capable twin antenna receiver unit with connection cables for your cell phone                               
•   (4) clover leaf long-range antennas, one for transmitter and two for the receiver and (1) spare
•   (3) "rubber duck" style antennas, suitable for short range (Out to 400 yards)
•   Charging cable for transmitter power

Contents of premium camera unit package
•   Video transmission unit - contains camera, power supply, transmitter, OSD and cooling fan   
•   Android phone capable twin antenna receiver unit with connection cables for cell phone
•   (4) clover leaf long-range antennas, one for transmitter and two for the receiver and (1) spare
•   (3) "rubber duck" style antennas, suitable for short range (Out to 400 yards)
•   Charging cable for transmitter power supply battery pack 
•   Dedicated 4.3" standalone battery powered video signal monitor with charging cable
•   Tripod mount swivel ball
•   Extra angle and straight antenna connectors for the transmission unit

Additional items recommended for long range applications
We recommend acquiring two standard collapsible camera tripods. One tripod will be used to mount the camera down at the target line, the other can be used to mount and hold your cell phone receiving unit or standalone view screen / receiver at the firing line. For consumers of the basic unit, we recommend a swivel ball type camera mount for the transmission unit. We also recommend a cell phone type "squeeze" mount holder for the tripod at the firing line to hold the receiving unit off the bench. We suggest having a spare USB battery backup and a long cord to help power the provided monitor in the premium package for extended range time. These are all optional items that can be purchased anywhere.

How to set up and operate your Wizard Brand long-range target camera
Very important! Do not power on your camera unit without first installing the transmission antenna. Powering on the transmitter without the antenna will damage the chip set.

1.   Screw on a straight antenna to the threaded brass connection on the rear of the unit. The installed antenna should be in the upright position with the clover leaf above the lid of the unit and threaded on tightly making sure the connection is secure. The provided antennas are flexible and may need to be flexed slightly to the rear while opening and closing the case lid.  Remove the protective plastic cap from the camera objective lens. 
2.   Open the hinged lid of the camera box and plug in the 12V barrel connector into the battery power supply mounted on the underside of the lid. Turn the power switch, located on the power supply to the on position. The cooling fan and transmitter will immediately power up. Note the green lights on the power supply. All lights lit indicate a full charge. You will recharge the power supply using this same barrel connector with the provided charging cable. Fully close and latch the box after powering up. The camera unit is now transmitting a live video stream at 5.8gh. 
3.   For Android cell phone viewing of the video signal, please download (for free) and install "GO FPV" from the App Store. Open the app on your phone and follow the on-screen directions. Install the two remaining provided antennas on the receiver box using the threaded connectors. Using the provided cables, plug the receiver into your phone. GO FPV should recognize the receiver and you will be able to use the scan function to search for the camera signal. Long press the button on the right to scan for your camera's signal and GO FPV will automatically lock onto the strongest signal. Follow the app instructions for further directions.
4.   For viewing on a standalone FPV monitor / receiver, simply install the two provided antennas, power on the unit and select the search function. Auto search capable monitors will find and display automatically the nearest, strongest signal.
5.   Note the underside of the camera unit. You will find a standard 1/4" tri-pod capable camera mount insert. Screw in your desired tri-pod mounting accessory. We recommend a swivel ball mount and an adjustable height camera tripod.
6.   Take the camera and receiving unit with you to the target line. Set up the camera view via your desired mounting method. Use your video feed view screen to dial in the desired viewing picture. Common sense dictates you would want the camera off to the side, above or below your intended bullet flight path. For steel targets, please be aware of potential blow back shrapnel which may damage the unit.
7.   Go back to the firing line, set up your viewer and fire away. You'll see your hits clearly without a mirage or those high dollar spotting scopes.
8.   To use the camera software OSD (on screen display), look inside the transmission unit and find the small button mounted on the floor plate. In viewing mode while transmitting a signal, press this button to access the OSD menu on your view screen. Manipulate the control button up, down, right or left to move through the menu options. Press down to select. You can alter variables such as night viewing mode, resolution and many other options. All factory settings on a new unit are set as "auto". Remember to save your settings before exiting the OSD menu if you make adjustments.   

Additional notes on the components included in our system and performance tips
Our camera units are capable of transmitting a 1500 TVL live video stream out to 1000 yards and further based on range and weather conditions. The transmitter is rated at a constant 600mw with a potential of 2+km in the right conditions. This signal best operates at long range via line of sight. Obstacles such as terrain, trees and structures may impact and reduce the range of clear transmission. For long range applications we recommend the camera be placed at the target line on top of a tall tripod. We extend ours up to about 5'-6' for the best possible transmission and reception at the firing line. All internal components in the transmission unit, including the battery pack, can be swapped out, replaced or upgraded at your discretion. We guarantee transmission to 1000 yards with the provided components. For maximum potential range transmission, a longer antenna can be purchased and installed on the transmission unit. Battery life powering the camera, cooling fan and transmitter can run 6+ hours before needing to be re-charged.

The video signal transmitter chip inside the camera housing 
In the event that two or more units need to operate on the same range, transmission channels and frequencies can be changed via the small buttons on the transmitter chip inside the camera housing. If these are changed, please set your viewing platform to re-scan for the newly selected channel(s). Please note that multiple viewers can monitor one single camera transmission feed.

The battery power source
Make sure your battery is fully charged each time the unit is used. Replacement batteries can be purchased online. Your battery can be removed at any time. It's affixed to the housing lid with Velcro for easy removal or replacement.

Standalone receiving view screens and cell phone receiver
Larger FPV capable receiving view screens with sunshades can be purchased online from many sources. If you buy one, make sure it has an auto scan feature. It will make finding your video signal much easier and very simple. At this time, we can only vouch for Android platform phones and the app "GO FPV" available (for free) on the app store regarding the cell phone receiver box we provide. We cannot guarantee this will work with Apple phones. We recommend having a USB battery bank for users of the view screen in the premium package; this will extend viewing time for longer range sessions. Because we do not assemble the view screens, we cannot guarantee a battery life time frame. Ours lasts a couple of hours without a battery backup plugged into it. Please note that standalone FPV monitors are likely to have a higher resolution view versus a cell phone app. 

The camera
The FPV cameras we use are rated at 1500 TVL. Our units are capable of seeing hits on steel plates at extreme ranges when placed at a proper safe distance from the intended targets. For shooters who are looking to see hits on paper, move the unit closer to the target. We recommend visual "splatter" type paper targets for the best view when looking for holes on paper. If there is no chance of blow back shrapnel from projectiles, the camera can be placed very close. The transmission unit is only 6"x3"x4" making it a very small footprint and less apt to take a hit from an errant round down range.

[scuzzy]

Would it be possible for multiple cameras to share bandwidth for the transmitter/receiver? In other words say you have a KD with 10 targets and not have to buy 10 units?

[B.C.]

Would it be possible for multiple cameras to share bandwidth for the transmitter/receiver? In other words, say you have a KD with 10 targets and not have to buy 10 units?

Great question indeed. An unlimited number of receivers can view one single video feed simultaneously. One camera stream can be shared amongst multiple viewing platforms within its range. The 600-watt transmitters I use have the capability to broadcast over 48 separate channels and frequencies; these channels and also frequencies can be changed via buttons and a digital display on the transmitter inside the camera housing. A good analogy is that the camera transmission unit is like its own tiny analog TV station broadcasting a video signal, all one has to do is to tune into the broadcasted signal on a receiving device to view the live stream. Attached is a picture of the available frequency table for the unit I provide.   

[B.C.]

Here is a quick YouTube video video overview of my camera system: https://youtu.be/yQbczjpgUeI

[Off_paper]

Would it be possible for multiple cameras to share bandwidth for the transmitter/receiver? In other words say you have a KD with 10 targets and not have to buy 10 units?

I love how compact you were able to get it!

I'm working on a similar project using network based cameras which would allow you to do what you're asking. I started off just running ethernet (my range is limited to 200 yards), but wrapping up that cable lead me to switch to a Ubiquiti point to point wireless bridge, which is in the mail. Theoretically this should have the bandwidth for many cameras, and if it works out, it might be something I test at a RKD next year. You'd just buy 10 network cameras, run them all to a switch then send that to the wireless bridge.

[scuzzy]

Theoretically this should have the bandwidth for many cameras, and if it works out, it might be something I test at a RKD next year. You'd just buy 10 network cameras, run them all to a switch then send that to the wireless bridge.

May work depending on video resolution.

But if live feed doesn't work - does it really need to be a live feed? Heck just need a quick snapshot every X seconds as needed. Maybe a snapshot every 1 second or so?

Yeah Ubiquiti is good stuff. Running an Edge RouterX at home. Only router to win a blackhat contest where it couldn't be hacked. Biggest security hole there is for most home users is the router. lol - people don't set a new admin password, don't disable remote access, and worse many routers seem to have built in backdoors.

[HenryBowman47]

I have one of these camera systems and it is awesome. Love the compact design and ingenuity of it. I have had the pleasure of getting to meet and shoot with B.C. After we met at an Appleseed event. As it turns out we live just minutes away from each other and that 1k yard range is about 20 mins from my house... needless to say I'm now a member and use this camera every time I go. The camera is more than capable of seeing hits on steel at 1k yards in real time with my 6.5 creedmoor and anything els we have sent down range. Don't waste your money on an expensive spotting scope that isn't going to work very well anyway. This camera is a must have for any long range shooter.