Night Vision

[Bwalton]

I am very interested in night Vision, So I began to do some research into what to buy, being an Optical Thin Film Engineer, along with the many items at my disposal here at work I thought why not just build a custom one myself? So I bought a Sony DSC-W150 point and shoot camera, $45, then took the filter that it comes with off and replaced it with my own Infrared filter that I coated here at work. I made the IR coating @ 800nm, bought a IR light that has a wavelength of 850nm. Infrared starts @ 800nm-1400nm after that you are getting into the Radiation spectrum.... Light was $90, and the Camera holder for the scope was $49, So total is $184.
I went this rout because I wanted some thing that I could transfer to another rifle, and I could record all without having to re-zero my scope.
Later if this gives me the results I want I will go with a more expensive camera.
I am just waiting on the light to get here.
items used:
IR850 Detachable Long Range Infrared Illuminator
Sony DSC W150 camera
Orion 5338 SteadyPix Deluxe Camera Mount

[QVTom]

Interesting.  How will your setup compare to 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation units in terms of sensitivity and resolution?

Tom

[Bwalton]

Interesting.  How will your setup compare to 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation units in terms of sensitivity and resolution?

Tom

Tom I think that it will do quite well, we are doing some thing very similar for the military now... Cant go into detail, but our camera optics were used on scopes.Thats all I can say. its simple for air guns and such. There are a lot of ppl doing the exact same thing infact if you want to buy a camera that is already set up for it  , and then would only have to buy the Infrared Illuminator and the camera holder to put in on the scope. You should be able to shoot far enough for an Airgun no problem. Here is a great site for that.
http://www.ghoststop.com/Infrared-IR-Digital-Camera-for-Night-Vision-p/camera-ircam-black-infrared.htm

[Bwalton]

Taking out some more Infrared lenses that I coated in a few different wavelengths...

[IFDRizz]

I just made a night vision add on for my scope.  Turned out great.  I can easily see and track rabbits at 150 yards.

[Bwalton]

I just made a night vision add on for my scope.  Turned out great.  I can easily see and track rabbits at 150 yards.

Cool let me check it out....

[Bwalton]

Oh Ok your using the pin camera and dvd monitor right?

[Bwalton]

Thats all you need for airguns, beats paying $350-$1000 for one with the same results.

[Bwalton]

I got the mount today, here is a view @ 15yards, with the light and filter it will be the same. I put the camera in black and white mode that would be best for clarity. Note this is without the light and filter, but the filter that came with the camera is off, thats why the pictures look like that, this camera is not of any use for regular day time shots...

[QVTom]

video is set as private

[Bwalton]

video is set as private

oops let me redo that

[Bwalton]

Here is a test shot to show that the rifle holds zero very well, which is what I was hoping with all the stuff mounted on it. Sorry that I am taking baby steps, but I am testing as I get the parts in the mail. I also ordered a rubber lens cover that will go from the scope to the camera. Its too bad that the Light will not be here until next week well I will let the rats starve till then lol
Here is a pic of the cover, and a pick of the target shot, and a video of the 20yard shot with very little light, the IR light will light it up like day time.

[IFDRizz]

Oh Ok your using the pin camera and dvd monitor right?

Yes, I am using the E700 camera (I removed the IR filter, so it is of limited use in daylight), along with a pulsar IR light, and a 4" lcd monitor.  I am at the firehouse so I can't load my recent pics of the completed setup, but it looks and works very similar to this youtube.com/watch?v=iHeMDBbj6EI

[Bwalton]

Oh Ok your using the pin camera and dvd monitor right?

Yes, I am using the E700 camera (I removed the IR filter, so it is of limited use in daylight), along with a pulsar IR light, and a 4" lcd monitor.  I am at the firehouse so I can't load my recent pics of the completed setup, but it looks and works very similar to this youtube.com/watch?v=iHeMDBbj6EI

Yes  Rolaids I did ponder that set up, but this was the ez way to go. with that set you have to have a battery source mount a monitor and with the camera its all in one. I am going to look into a more expensive camera that will give me a wider range of options. I just got this cheap $45 Sony to test with. But I do love  Rolaids set up its nice.

[grhouse]

Nice set up. Gene

[Bwalton]

I have all my parts in place for a infrared 850nm wireless nightvision set-up, its going to be awesome. It will just clamp onto your weaver mount with the quick release for the monitor, it will come in 3.5" or 5" monitor.. The camera itself will attach right to the scope very smooth and slick like. I have to do some cnc work now, but will be ready soon.
That parts that you see will be all that you need NO wires! NO battery packs!

[Hanabata808]

Looks like it'll be an awesome setup. I'm watching this thread closely

[Bwalton]

I now have the monitor section done.....

[Bwalton]

Ok just got the material in to do the scope to camera mount, its going to slide right on and right off.

[Bwalton]

Today I got a chance to make the Camera mount, it will slide right onto the scope and be adjustable for fine tuning via four nylon thumb screws. Very simple very easy to take on and off. You do not have to change your zero on the scope. comes in two pieces, one quick release monitor and IR light mount and one camera mount. I should be done in two weeks. I also had to machine the camera sensor mount to fit into the camera tube that holds the camera lens. Here are some pics...