DIY Raspberry Pi Target Camera

[itguy510]

I started this thread trying to figure out how to see my bullet hole better at 100+ yards

Overall everyone seems to suggest a good spotting scope with shoot-n-see. Which I will mostly end up buying, but the tinker in me is thinking there has to be a way to DIY one for relatively cheap. I know there are some already on the market like TargetVision and Bullseye and some other I probably don't know the name of. Which probably is a great product but I just can't spend that kind of money it, $500-$1000)

I have nothing working at this time all in the planning stages. So far I have this part list.

-Raspberry Pi B+ (~$40)
-Raspberry Camera Module (~$25)
-MicroSD Card (~$10, free I have this already)
-Ipad/Iphone to view image (free I have this already)

Stuff below I don't need yet, since I am still in the testing phrase
-Wireless Router with directional antenna (I already have a old router I could use, antenna might cost me $30 )
-Battery pack (not even sure about this one yet.)
-Some kind of case to hold it all together (not even sure about this one yet.)

For the one who do not know a Raspberry Pi is a low cost Linux computer, with build in USB, Video and Ethernet. PI camera is rate at 5mp, which should be enough to see target and bullet hole if places 5-10 feet away in good light.

So my plan is simple, Put the Pi with Camera module, wireless router, Battery pack down range 5-10 feet from the target. Pointing the wireless directional antenna toward where I will spotting from. Pi will be hard wired into the Wireless router with a static IP address. Pi and router will be plugged into backpack, bigger the pack longer the session can be.

From spotting area, I will have either my Ipad/Iphone and will join the network that is broadcast from the target. Then I will either setup streaming website (hosted on the PI) to just display the image to verify hits. Or set it up to take still image after every shot to verify hits also in website. There is also some IP cam apps I will lookingto

The Pi community is great and I am already eying some project, that might already do all this for me. Such as RPi-Cam-Web-Interfacehttp://elinux.org/RPi-Cam-Web-Interface or BerryCam

So for about 200-300 bucks I might have a working DIY Raspberry Pi Target Camera, minus the cost of a tablet/phone. I have the Pi and camera on order from Amazon so it will be here in about 2 days.

So what do you guys think? Am I crazy or is this doable? What challenge do you guys think I will come up against?

[ExtremeX]

I have thought of something like this before but never really started the project...

I was just thinking of using still I already had laying around.

IP Camera (which has a web accessible GUI I could access from an iPad or iPhone)
Batteries, from decommissioned or older APC units.
Ubiquity wireless APs (bridge mode / station and AP)
Couple old trendnet 5 port switches

The NS5 wireless APs I have are pretty impressive, they are decommissioned units I had on my roof to extend to a backup ISP/WAN source which was about 9 miles away.

What I have found impressive with some of the more commercial systems is the software frontend which does things like mark shot groups and other fancy things. Not sure how to do that on the DIY end.

[Corbin Dallas]

100yds you could use an old camcorder with a good optical zoom. 600+ yards, you'll need some high power rf.

[itguy510]

Shot marking would be difficult but not impossible the PI is a computer. Just need to figure out the code. PHP would be my guess. I will look into to it more once I get the camera to work.

600ft wouldn't be impossilbe for wireless to bridge. I tested wireless bridging from laptop to laptop with clear line of sight at a distance of 1mile. Getting portable power on both end would be the problem.

[TMcC]

I did something similar with a Pi and the camera module sometime last year. Can't recall if I used a version of 'motion' that was modifed to use the camera module, or if I just dumped raw video. H264. I did not try to stream anything, just wrote to a USB stick, though the streaming / networking bits should be simple.

A couple of points:
1. The Pi I used either overheated in the summer sun or one of us was just sloppy and nailed it with ESD. It was toast after the first trip. Easy fix, but @$35 I just tossed that unit in the pile. Keep it cool, out of direct sunlight and maybe put it in a case

2. If you head down the USB camera path, make sure you have sufficient power. x3.

I'll see if I can find some details on my test somtime in the next couple of weeks. Kind of lost interest due to too many other irons in the fire.

[hamster07]

For that price and work, why not just buy a gopro and make a sturdy mount/protective shield for it? You can even buy an old, used go-pro for around 150. Add an external usb battery for 30 dollars and have it work all afternoon continuously.

[Corbin Dallas]

Shot marking would be difficult but not impossible the PI is a computer. Just need to figure out the code. PHP would be my guess. I will look into to it more once I get the camera to work.

600ft wouldn't be impossilbe for wireless to bridge. I tested wireless bridging from laptop to laptop with clear line of sight at a distance of 1mile. Getting portable power on both end would be the problem.

600' yes

1800' no


There are options out there but for 300' I would say a video camera with good zoom would be your best bet.

A goPro with the wifi pack might work but could be spotty.

[DaveInOroValley]

I have also seen a DIY project with a digital camera attached to a spotting scope with the zoom cranked up. Looked like it worked well.

[itguy510]

Found this instructable article (http://www.instructables.com/id/Rasp...-Camera-Solar/) for something similar to my project. It's a good baseline for my needs. I am still working on the web frontend for it.

[Cheburashka]

Is there a reason you aren't just using a a GoPro with built-in WiFi that can stream to iPad/Android tablet?

[itguy510]

Mainly because I don't think I could get more that 100+ yards from the GoPro wireless. With the Pi would be able to run a server that will capture the image, process the image(ie shot marking), and I would add in a external antenna or router if need. Also just neat messing around with it.


Plus I am going to be using the Pi for other project when I am not using it at the range. (dog cam, photobooth, dashcam, xbmc etc.)

[Richt]

Perhaps you should be looking at the bullseye camera system. (www.bullseyecamera.com) They work great and I am a local dealer for them in San Jose. I will also include a 2 year replacement warranty for any unit purchased from me if they mention they saw this on the Calguns forum.

2-year Downrange Protection Plan Limited Warranty will replace
or repair any of the Bullseye Camera System down range equipment even
if the equipment is damaged during use, even if the damage is caused
by a projectile, for a period of 24 months after the date of your purchase.

Contact me at info@tekline.com