Comments on: Affordable New Caldwell Long-Range Target Camera System

By: Nick Skrepetos

Nick Skrepetos — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 22:23:17 +0000

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?)

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 17:00:49 +0000

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

By: Bill Ryan

Bill Ryan — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 16:26:11 +0000

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.

By: Jay Purdy

Jay Purdy — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 15:53:01 +0000

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.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 22:31:35 +0000

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.

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 22:10:13 +0000

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.

By: Guy

Guy — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 17:58:54 +0000

All`s good till ya put one through the video camera