Video Cams for Boating-gctid375385

[Guest]

While reading an article on using wireless headsets while docking I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations or info on wireless video cams that can be used with a smartphone or tablet?

Specifically I want to have a stern mounted camera so I can see how close to the dock I am, or to make sure the Admiral doesn't fall off. Lol

What I am thinking is a waterproof camera that can wirelessly (wifi or Bluetooth) connect to my iPad. It would be evn better if said camera had tilt/pan/zoom functions that would be controlled from the tablet.

I know there's got to be something out there.

[Guest]

I'm interested to see what you find. I've tried searching as well for my travel trailer, hooking up, etc. Didn't find any at the time. The only wireless cameras all needed a monitor.

[Guest]

You can get some cameras that have built in web server software. I use one for security in my work shop. So you would go to an http address in your web browser just like any other web page to view what the camera is seeing. There may be some limitations, they are generally 110v AC, but I suppose you could run them off a small inverter. I dont know about the Pan Zoom etc. but I believe one of the members here SwampNut has a lot of experiance in the realm of video cameras and perhaps he will comment.

[Guest]

I did find this one on Ebay, clearly not waterproof, but it seems to have most of the features I am interested in.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Hot-Wireless-WiFi-IP-Camera-Baby-monitor-CCTV-IR-LED-Security-Night-Vision-/160775340192?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256ef500a0

[Guest]

Foscam makes a good pan/tilt wireless camera. I have them at home and in my server facilities. Easily accessible on an iPad/iPhone/computer. However the pan/tilt types are not waterproof. I haven't seen a waterproof pan/tilt that isn't huge and expensive, because it's enclosed in a big plastic bubble to make it waterproof.

The one in the link above is a Foscam rip-off. There are dozens of them out there, most of them are awful. Be careful trying to apply Foscam software to them, you could turn them into a brick. The only brands I would consider are true Foscams and Apexis. And even then, some claim to be a Foscam but are a clone instead. I'd buy from Amazon which is more rigorous about vendor screening and easy on returns. You can expect to spend around $95 for the real thing.

[Guest]

SwampNut wrote:
Foscam makes a good pan/tilt wireless camera. I have them at home and in my server facilities. Easily accessible on an iPad/iPhone/computer. However the pan/tilt types are not waterproof. I haven't seen a waterproof pan/tilt that isn't huge and expensive, because it's enclosed in a big plastic bubble to make it waterproof.

The one in the link above is a Foscam rip-off. There are dozens of them out there, most of them are awful. Be careful trying to apply Foscam software to them, you could turn them into a brick. The only brands I would consider are true Foscams and Apexis. And even then, some claim to be a Foscam but are a clone instead. I'd buy from Amazon which is more rigorous about vendor screening and easy on returns. You can expect to spend around $95 for the real thing.

Thanks for the suggestions. The downside, and this probably applies to all "wireless" cams is that it appears you need a router and a connection to the Internet to use the mobile phone/tablet option. I was hoping to find something that would wifi directly to the iPhone/iPad with no internet connection required.

The pan/tilt is a nice to have option but mostly I just want to be able to see how close the stern is to the dock without having to leave the helm station so a fixed mount would work OK for that. Waterproofing is a higher priority although as you state you can enclose them in the bubble.

[Guest]

You could consider one of the dedicated automotive reversing cam systems, they're fairly low cost and the camera unit is water sealed and comes with wireless versions but it will have its own small dedicated screen so almost certainly won't work with a tablet.

If you have a mounting place for the screen you can have the camera image at the flick of a switch and leave it in the boat so it would be easier to use each time.

[Guest]

Tony

I'll try and do some research on this. I have been working on an alarm system for boats, that I'm nearly done with but I will check my vendors for this. I have thought about having something in the engine bay to watch what's going on in there while underway.

Give me a couple days.

[Guest]

rc42a wrote:
You could consider one of the dedicated automotive reversing cam systems, they're fairly low cost and the camera unit is water sealed and comes with wireless versions but it will have its own small dedicated screen so almost certainly won't work with a tablet.

If you have a mounting place for the screen you can have the camera image at the flick of a switch and leave it in the boat so it would be easier to use each time.

That's not a bad idea. I'll have to check around and see what's available.

[Guest]

Nehalennia wrote:
Tony

I'll try and do some research on this. I have been working on an alarm system for boats, that I'm nearly done with but I will check my vendors for this. I have thought about having something in the engine bay to watch what's going on in there while underway.

Give me a couple days.

Yeah, let me know what you find out. Not looking for anything fancy, although a permanent mount at the helm wouldn't be a bad idea. I think I have space for a small video display. Seems like the auto backup cams would work fine for this.