Affordable New Caldwell Long-Range Target Camera System
Over the past five years we’ve tested many target cams. Important qualities you’ll want in a target cam system are: ease of set-up, good video resolution, effective range (good signal quality/strength), and the ability to use WiFi-enabled devices for viewing. Caldwell’s new Long-Range Target Camera offers all these things, making it an impressive new product for the price — $357.02 at Midsouth Shooters Supply. If this target camera system proves rugged and reliable, then we predict it will be a big seller for Caldwell. (There are other target cam systems on the market that cost twice as much, yet lack key features of the Caldwell system). We recommend you watch the video — it shows the complete set-up process and how to use the free App.
This video shows system set-up and actual Target Cam output on a WiFi-enabled tablet:
The Ballistic Precision LR Target Camera by Caldwell is a complete kit with video camera, long-range trasmitter/antenna, base receiver, mounting stands, batteries, battery chargers, and fitted storage case. This system allows you to stream HD video to any WiFi-enabled smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Caldwell claims a range (in ideal conditions) of up to one mile. Based on our experience with similar systems, that may be a bit optimistic, but we see no reason why this could not be a solid 1000-yard system, given good line-of-sight from transmitter to receiver. This Caldwell system features both an elevated transmitter and an elevated receiver. That should provide good broadcast + reception capability over long range. An elevated transmitter works better in typical terrain than systems placed on the ground. The Caldwell LR Target Camera is so new that we have not yet tested it, so we can not verify range. But it appears that Caldwell did its engineering homework. We do wish, however, that Caldwell had shielded the camera in an armored housing.
The Caldwell LR Target Camera is very versatile, allowing you to both watch and record video and/or stills on any WiFi-enabled device. Rechargeable lithium ion batteries will run the target cam up to to 6 hours continuously. (For extended use there’s an external power jack). A free iOS/Android Mobile App allows you to record video, save still pictures, add notes, calculate group size, and save session info.
Caldwell LR Target Camera Features:
— High Definition (720p) camera delivers sharp image with good detail.
— WiFi output is compatible with Android, iPhone and most tablets.
— System can stream live HD video, record video, and save still images.
— Camera, transmitter, and receiver are contained in sturdy, waterproof housings.
— Breaks down into custom-fitted storage case for easy transport.
— Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries for extended use.
— External power jack for more permanent installation.
— Target Camera Mobile App for iOS and Android devices.
— Includes two collapsible, tripod-base Antenna/router stands.
— Positionable, spring-loaded camera clamp.
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Tags: Caldwell, HiDef Video, LR Target Camera, Target Camera, Video Camera, WiFi
All`s good till ya put one through the video camera
Has anyone tested this at 1,000 yards?
Editor: Terry, this is a brand new-for-2016 product … it hasn’t shipped to most vendors yet. We haven’t seen ANY 3rd-party tests of the unit yet.
All fun and games, but I would like to see a demo at 1 mile and not 100 yards, my “nannycam” would probably cover this distance.
What are the lens specifications of the camera? What is the resolution? How far from the target can the camera be set so as to view a 2’x2′ target area? How far can the camera and the antenna be separated?
It would probably be unwise to use any such system at a public range for there is usually some fool who will shoot anything down range.
Editor: The camera’s resolution is 720p which equals 1280 pixels wide by 720 pixels high. That’s plenty for a tablet. The camera is attached to the transmitter by a cable — look at the photo for the cable length — but I bet you could fit an extension cable to separate the camera farther away from the transmitter (not sure why you would want to), but then you’d need a second stand (one for camera, a second for transmitter). Your advice about not using the system in a public range is wise.
I dont understand the Editor’s reply to Jay Purdy about needing a second stand. The transmitter doesn’t have to stay by the target, so just move the transmitter and camera together as far away from the target as you need. My experience with cameras such as this would lead to me say that you could easily put the camera and the transmitter 15-20′ away and still have acceptable resolution on a 2′ x 2′ target.
I bet this image is just a stock image from Caldwell and they wanted to show the camera and transmitter with a target for easy comprehension. You can definitely set the stand farther away from the target with that kind of camera resolution.
Editor: Bill, I was responding to the question: “How far can the camera and the antenna be separated?”, which was distinct from the question “how far can the camera be placed from the target”. I agree that one can probably move the camera quite a bit farther away. However, we don’t know if the camera has any zoom capability. That is NOT mentioned in the specs.
My experience with 720P cameras for target viewing is that they need to be rather close to the target, like a few feet at the most (assuming no optical zoom).
If one wanted affordable, purchase an IP camera and power it with a battery (many run off 12 V). That’s it. All you need. I have found Alfa cameras to offer the most bang for your buck. Unfortunately, they are almost impossible to find in the USA.
http://www.alfa.com.tw/products_show.php?pc=55&ps=136
I am addressing this comment by the Editor :
“There are other target cam systems on the market that cost twice as much, yet lack key features of the Caldwell system”
I’d like to know what “key features” you are referring to – our Bullseye AmmoCam Long Range Edition works at a mile, here is a review showing that:
http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/bullseye-ammocam-review-1.php
We also show the last shot blinking, which the Caldwell system doesn’t, we mark shots, color shots, review shots, support iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows.
Our system doesn’t require two tripods which are dangerous downrange, and we have 12 hour batter life.
We also can set our camera back 10-12 feet from the target no problem.
I understand this is Caldwell, and we showed them our system last year at SHOT Show, so I am flattered they decided to do their own based on our system, but I don’t it’s quite fair to state that it has “key features” compared to other systems when you don’t have one in your hands to review (or do you?)