Live video for the range

[jcouto20]

Was at the rifle range this weekend, squinting into a spotting scope and struggling to see where the rounds were landing when it occurred to me that with all the technology out there, there must be a battery powered camera with live streaming that I could pop on the ground 10' in front of my target that would send video back to my phone. This way, even when there is significant heat haze, it would be easy to see where the rounds are going back at the bench. Problem is, I'm not sure where to start? I hear GoPro does something like this, but that its range is 200 meters in "optimal" conditions. Which means 100 meters probably and I need something to go about 300 meters. Any recommendations on where to start looking?

[Merc1138]

https://www.bullseyecamera.com/

http://www.6mmbr.com/targetcam.html

http://www.targetcam.net/

[jpm804]

http://bullseyecamera.com/

[bkk6869]

holy crap. first thing i see on the link is "only $549!!" if you have the extra money to spend, more power to you. i'd rather walk my butt down range to see where i'm hitting and save the $549 for ammo, or another rifle.

[RTE]

All fun and games till someone takes out the camera

[chop shop]

you can buy any cheap wifi equipped point and shoot camera that has video and use an app on your smart phone to watch the video live.

you can also use a go pro as well.

[ocabj]

you can buy any cheap wifi equipped point and shoot camera that has video and use an app on your smart phone to watch the video live.

you can also use a go pro as well.

The radios in a wifi equipped camera and a smartphone or tablet will be too weak to reach other at even 100yards line of sight. Even with high gain antennas, the power draw necessary to push signal will drain batteries quick.

The best solution for target spotting: go to a range with functional pits and have someone pull and mark targets for you. If you don't have access to that kind of range, then your next best solution is to just shoot at reactive targets (e.g. Steel).

[jeremyy]

look up the cameras used for FPV (first person video) that is used on multicopters, they go out about 2500ft or 800yards. Decent quality for flying so it would be fine for your needs and super cheap.

this might work but if in heavy wind... its going to take it away.

I have about 550 in my quadcopter but i dont do FPV and i can get about 3600ft with line of sight.

[mrboma]

My Hack

Was at the rifle range this weekend, squinting into a spotting scope and struggling to see where the rounds were landing when it occurred to me that with all the technology out there, there must be a battery powered camera with live streaming that I could pop on the ground 10' in front of my target that would send video back to my phone. This way, even when there is significant heat haze, it would be easy to see where the rounds are going back at the bench. Problem is, I'm not sure where to start? I hear GoPro does something like this, but that its range is 200 meters in "optimal" conditions. Which means 100 meters probably and I need something to go about 300 meters. Any recommendations on where to start looking?

This is how I got around having a buddy squint into my spotting scope from the lane next to me.

You will need:

• Spotting Scope
• Smart Phone
• Smart Phone Case
• Prescription Pill Bottle
• Hot Glue
• Razor Blade

Find a pill bottle or similar item that fits snug around your spotting scopes eye piece.

Now cut it in half.

Snap your smart phone case around your phone and mark where the camera lens is located.

Cut a hole where your marks are to let the lens look through your case.

Hot glue your phone case to the half pill bottle.

Snap phone into case (with cutout) and secure to the eye piece of your spotting scope.

Instant "Spotting Scope Digital Monitor". Works amazing.

Sorry the picture is blurry, I only took one real quick when I made this.



Hope this helps!
Regards,
Mike

[navin r]

Mrboma, that is awesome, post some more pics of that if you have any.

Jcouto, my solution was to order some prescription glasses with laminated safety glass. I also bought some "over the glass" polycarbonate shooting glasses to go over those to be extra safe.

FWIW last Friday with my prescription glasses and shooting glasses on looking through my bushnell 3-9x40 scope set at 9 I could see my 223 impacts fairly clearly at 400 and 500 yards.

[jcouto20]

A lot of great info! Thanks everyone. I also agree that if I have an extra $500 lying around I'll put it into a rifle instead. The pill bottle idea is great, I'm going to have to try that!

[mrboma]

My Hack

The other reason I built this contraption was to be able to not only take pictures of my groups (and label the pictures with the load data) but to also capture video. It comes out amazingly clean and allows me to see where my shots are/were going in real time (after the fact anyways).

My set up is a Galaxy III with the Otter Box Defender Model, but I see no reason why you cant use any smart phone with a rigid plastic case.

Regards,
Mike

[ElDub1950]

This is how I got around having a buddy squint into my spotting scope from the lane next to me.




Hope this helps!
Regards,
Mike

^Genius! I'll have to try that.

[Dano3467]

Last Big Reno gun show a guy there was selling the solution to your problem.

Don't remember the outfit though.

[L84CABO]

holy crap. first thing i see on the link is "only $549!!" if you have the extra money to spend, more power to you. i'd rather walk my butt down range to see where i'm hitting and save the $549 for ammo, or another rifle.

How much do you think a HIGH QUALITY spotting scope costs? I'm not saying there aren't cheap ones out there. But $549 is actually pretty cheap compared to the high quality scopes. But yes, $549 is a lot of money.