Q:

Home made Night Vision for all!

This idea has been bouncing around in my head for quite some time, now its time for it to all fall out!

The idea, a super low cost and EFFECTIVE add-on NV system for all. This is no 500 yard system nor a scope less system

The requirements.

1) Cost is around $100 bucks, batteries included
2) Min range of 100 yards at 6x
3) Can be used DAY and Night
4) Must have a video out, so one could record with it
5 Small, simple to operate a single on/off switch, maybe separate switch for light or maybe even a small laser.
6) No rats nest of wires with plugs and connectors all over the place, all wires cut and then soldered together
7) Connects to gun with quick release mounts, no tools needed

I think it can be done.

Project started, parts ordered

Parts list

16mm lens $2.09
CCTV Security Camera 16mm Focus Length IR Board Lens SU
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CCTV-Security-Camera-16mm-Focus-Length-IR-Board-Lens-SU-/321533422981?pt=US_Surveillance_Accessories&hash=item4adce2ad85

Laser $16.30
New 808nm 35mW infrared ray Night vision Laser module
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271235118483?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Screen $16
640*480P 3.5″ TFT LCD Screen Car Rear View Monitor DVD DVR For Car Backup Camera
http://www.ebay.com/itm/640-480P-3-5-TFT-LCD-Screen-Car-Rear-View-Monitor-DVD-DVR-For-Car-Backup-Camera-/121386386586?pt=US_Rear_View_Monitors_Cams_Kits&hash=item1c4331449a

Rings.. 1″ $6.59
2X HUNT LASER HUNTING 1″ SCOPE QUICK RELEASE TORCH 25MM RING 20MM MOUNTS WEAVER
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-HUNT-LASER-HUNTING-1-SCOPE-QUICK-RELEASE-TORCH-25MM-RING-20MM-MOUNTS-WEAVER-/331311646909?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d23b688bd

Top ring covers GET 2..picantinny
If U have a 30mm scope $12
UTG One Slot Picatinny Top Cover to Upgrade 30mm Max Strength Ring w/4 Top Screw
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UTG-One-Slot-Picatinny-Top-Cover-to-Upgrade-30mm-Max-Strength-Ring-w-4-Top-Screw-/171282001465?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27e133ee39

For 1″ scope GET 2 $13.56
UTG One Slot Picatinny Top Cover to Upgrade 1″ Max Strength Ring w/4 Top Screws
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UTG-One-Slot-Picatinny-Top-Cover-to-Upgrade-1-Max-Strength-Ring-w-4-Top-Screws-/400775424623?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d5013aa6f

Batteries $9.19
4pcs UltraFire 5000mAh 3.7V 18650 Rechargeable Battery Li-ion + Battery Charger
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4pcs-UltraFire-5000mAh-3-7V-18650-Rechargeable-Battery-Li-ion-Battery-Charger-/291235563354?pt=US_Rechargeable_Batteries&hash=item43cefe075a

This whole project is highly dependent on the above cameras. If the cameras are turds, then this 100$ project is over.
I can then just add this camera to the home security system.

Don’t order or buy anything till I get to play with the cameras..
The camera and light will be the stumbling blocks.

Parts list subject to change!

All the above parts come to

Waiting on parts, assembly vid to come.

The general idea
http://youtu.be/-2EqB8JzhvY

Optics/Nightvision

All Replies

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)

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That sounds great I’ll have to give it a try. Thank You

Here’s some info on making cheap homemade nightvision.
http://www.predatormastersforums.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2529906&page=157
Look at 6mm06’s post. He didn’t come up with the idea. But has executed as well as anyone. The guy has really put some fur down with his setup.

YO!

For those of us challenged with minimal brain cells…could you post a picture of your rig? I’m curious to see how you view the picture…has the camera got a view screen on the back, or do you patch the leads directly to your earlobes?

Hoot:

quote cdegrassi:

I think you are doing pretty well there 🙂
Now look for the cheapest illuminator on the market!

I can’t wait to see the plans!

Cheers
Chris

I figure it costs around 100 bucks for all the above parts and then you still need a good T20 or T20 similar light.
If you can make your own light then it adds about 30-40 bucks..
If you just buy one, then it adds 75-100 bucks (I don’t know what a T20 goes for)

old thread…(2nd vid is the actual light used)
http://talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=28474

Sorry, but there are no more plans.
It just can’t be done for 100 bucks.

I think you are doing pretty well there 🙂
Now look for the cheapest illuminator on the market!

I can’t wait to see the plans!

Cheers
Chris

The tube/dowel rod method had a major problem, it worked on one scope, but not the other. The turrets stuck up to high.
Instead I would recommend just going with the slip on method, using pvc tube or whatever else fits on the eye piece of the scope.

PZ0420 Camera $36
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RunCam-Mini-600TVL-Plastic-Housing-FPV-Camera-SONY-SUPER-HAD-CCD-Ship-from-USA-/261460546157?pt=US_Security_Cameras&hash=item3ce043526d

Here is a video comparison between the above camera and a real KCP-190 with a T20 ir 850nm light
The KCP looks like it performs a bit better, and it does.
The PZ0420 camera does however have a build in OSD menu…with all sorts of brightness/Gain/shutter adjustment.
I think with just a bit of tweaking it could get quite a bit better.
In this comparison, the PZ0420 camera is OUT OF THE BOX..no menu tweaking done. It does work out to 100yards

The shed in this vid is at 97 yards.. Fence and swing set 40’ish yards

A few minutes looking around with the PZ0420 then a side by side.. PZ0420 on the left, KCP 190 on the right

It works, but I can not figure out a way to stay within the $100 buck budget.
Camera 36
16mm lens 5
screen 15
battery 20
scope ring and miscellaneous little parts 15

It around 90 bucks already and a good IR light is still needed.
I’m done with this project.

Hi,

Well, I got the camera but never had a chance to try the nightvision project.

I am using the cam as a remote indoor target viewer. I am shooting 10m matches and when I train at home I have it connected to a monitor so I can see the target better 🙂

Looking forward to see what you come up with.
I am thinking: time and trail error = put money away and get an X-Sight

Cheers
Chris

Just an update..

I’m still on this.

To date I have tested 3 cheap cameras, all in the 25 buck range 2 of them stink, 1 is sort of marginal and works ok but not great.
In short, I’m not happy with any of them. I have ordered another camera that’s like 35 bucks. I have high hopes for this camera because its based on the Sony Exview HAD CCD II sensor. (The same main chip as the famous KCP190 & 230). We shall see.

Once all parts are here, expect a vid comparison of the above marginal camera, the test Sony CCD II, and a real kcp190 or 230.

Well guys I hate to say this, but the $26 buck camera was an absolute turd!

There is no way in hell that this is a Sony CCD EFFIO-E camera.. Just no way.
It performs just like a cmos camera, good for 30 yards with a big IR light.
As far as I am concerned the Chinese Ebay vendors lie, its no Sony CCD
When something sound too good to be true..? A Sony CCD for 26 bucks..
They got me for $26 bucks, But its not a bad little camera and I will add it to the home security setup.

I can see no point in ordering the cheaper $16 buck camera, coming from China its got to be a fake.

As far as I am concerned this $100 NV may be over. Thinking on it for a few days.. 😕 😕

great idea to hide batteries in the tube. that saves a lot of wiring work and space.
I’d like to see how 808nm 35mW infrared ray Night Laser works.

quote cdegrassi:

Hi,

look at his NV1.0 video (I think I posted the wrong one)
He made a setup for the scope that can be removed easely by unscrewing one bolt.

I just bought one of those cameras at AliExpress.com for $23.

Even though he mentions top $350 in parts, I think that it can be done with a lot less.
I am on the route to try a simplier build.

What’s your take?
Did you have something in mind already?

Cheers
Chris

Well this is all Rolands fault! Just like many, he just peaked my interest in such things back in 2012.
To date I have made 5 complete gun setups based on his 1.0 build, making tweaks and little improvements and changes on the way.
I even made the hat and goggles system and installed 4 of these type of cameras around the house for security reasons.

What’s your take?
Did you have something in mind already?

Well yes, this is very similar to the Rolaids v1.0 build.
In fact one could substitute the above cheap camera with a KCP 190 or KCP 230 and still be under 200 bucks.
Lets wait a week and see if the above camera is worth a darn.

Hi,

look at his NV1.0 video (I think I posted the wrong one)
He made a setup for the scope that can be removed easely by unscrewing one bolt.

I just bought one of those cameras at AliExpress.com for $23.

Even though he mentions top $350 in parts, I think that it can be done with a lot less.
I am on the route to try a simplier build.

What’s your take?
Did you have something in mind already?

Cheers
Chris

quote cdegrassi:

Or maybe not. Its Roland’s scope less system, a whole diff animal. The EJ230 camera itself is over our $100 buck budget, besides I’m not interested in a dedicated NV only system, I want to be able to use my guns in the day as well without looking through a screen. Of coarse the 200-300 buck system would be better for yote hunting at 150+ yards, ah, but it comes at a price. I don’t need it on any of my Talons or Edgun.

This is all about a GOOD..100 Yard system for us air gunners for around 100 bucks. Something everyone can afford, and have fun shooting possums or coons in there back yards at night.

Maybe this one:

Git R Done Newbe. I’m waiting…………. :8:

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)

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