Raspberry PI night vision

[Def]

I have the latest version of the Raspberry Pi micro computer and ordered a 3.5" touch screen and case for it. I can get a camera for it that doesn't have an ir filter. I can power everything with a power bank that takes 4 18650 batteries. I would have to fabricate something to mount the camera to a scope and the computer and screen to the gun. I think this would be a simple diy ir system, but have not found anything on the web about anyone doing a system like this. I still need to get the camera. Before I go any further, can anyone think of anything I am overlooking?

[xtred1]

I want to hear how you do. 

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

I'll be interested in how all this works out too !         Best Wishes  -  Tom

[Def]

I ordered an ir camera. It comes with two small 850nm lights. I plan on replacing the lights with a zoomable 18650 ir flashlight.

[franz62]

I own the raspberry PI 2, for quite a while and use it with KODI like
multimedia tool. I would never have dreamed of using it as a night viewer.

let us know


Ciao

[superchikn]

sounds very interesting but a bit bulky.  LIPO packs are much more compact and cheaper if you already have the charger.  A pack is more convenient to charge than 4 cells.  We use them in heavily modified Nerf guns.

[Def]

That sounds doable. I have some lipos and a charger. I would need a board to get 5 volts.I am set up now for 18650s and can put the power pack in my pocket or Velcro it to the buttstock. The power pack is also a charger and would be able to charge from a vehicle.

[Mosin Marine]

I like the plan! are you going to use a strong ir light to see far out?

[SagaciousKJB]

This sounds amazing, especially as a computer nerd.  You realize you're essentially installing Linux on your gun right? 

I'm curious about what kind of software is on it for capturing and playback of the video.  I'm guessing the ffmpeg and v4l libraries?

[Def]

The 3.5" screen came in but I haven't been able to get it working yet. The camera should be in this week. I have been looking at the T67 IR flashlights for better illumination.

[shorty]

Posted to follow as I have a pi3 on the kitchen table waiting to get used

[Def]

Camera came in yesterday. I was able to get it working. I had enter code each time I wanted to use it and when the screen came up I couldn't minimize it to turn it off. Has to be a better way.
 On the positive side, the camera works and the screen resolution appears good. I was also able to see the red dot  from a Bushnell TRS25 on the lowest setting.
 I'm going to try to get the screen working next.

[franz62]

thanks for sharing

keep us informed

Ciao

[kbstingwing]

That sounds doable. I have some lipos and a charger. I would need a board to get 5 volts.I am set up now for 18650s and can put the power pack in my pocket or Velcro it to the buttstock. The power pack is also a charger and would be able to charge from a vehicle.

this little UBEC works great, I use these in some of my R/C Planes when I use a Lipo for a receiver battery and need to lower the voltage.
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/hxt-ubec-5-6v-output-5-5-23v-input.html

[kcatx]

I've did this a few years ago but the mount was always the hardest part to get right and work well.  You can find some screenshots here (user kcx):
https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=108563#p747559

I went and bought a LCD panel which worked, but never go around to putting it all together in a reasonable package. 
For my initial testing I was using a phone for a display via wifi which of course has latency issues that are resolved with a local LCD screen.

I also went and duct tape mounted the rPi and NoIR camera to my son's drone FPV goggles and powered it all via an external USB battery pack-- it worked very well, just was too bulky.

If somebody made a 3d printed case with some suitable scope mounting options I'd be more inclined to dig into it again.

When streaming via wifi I used RPi-Cam-WEb-Interface ( https://elinux.org/RPi-Cam-Web-Interface ).  I use that on several rpi security cameras now.
For local video I was using raspivid IIRC.

[HunterWhite]

I have a raspi3, it's a real power hog. It can take up to 2 amps, but the connector was only designed for half amp. My pi would reset when the hdmi video came up. I had to make a power supply with  my own wiring. If you run on batteries make sure you use 20 AWG or larger. If you want to run from wall wart they do make one that is 2.4 amps with 20 AWG wire.
I will be following. I may do the same thing. I also want the video recorder. I have found camera mounts on Amazon for about $30.
It looks like a bunch of us would like to take a shot on the dark.

[kcatx]

Best to use a Pi Zero rather than a rpi3--especially the latest pi 3 b+ which really not worthy the juice.   For power just get something like a Anker battery pack-- they'll last a long time.    I ended up losing interest just because I have a red light system in my small shooting area and don't get out into other areas much these days.

[Traum]

I am interested in how this goes great idea. wish I could help but that is a bit out of my wheel house