Product Description
Most security cameras of any description need 240V power to function. CCTV cameras need to be cabled to a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and for remote access, well then the user needs Internet plus a modem or router and so it goes on. For home, office, buildings and factories etc, a DVR system makes sense but what if you need just one or a few cameras in remote locations where NO POWER is available, what's the solution? Pictured below is the Construction Cam. 8 x AA battery and/or mini solar powered (Solar Panel is optional) this could be just what you are looking for. The LED's pictured on top of the camera are Infra Red (IR) illuminators. By day, when motion is detected, the Construction Cam captures very high resolution colour time and date stamped pictures and saves them to a built in SD memory card anywhere from 2-16GB. On average the camera can record 2000 x 1.3MP images/gigabyte of memory. The larger the SD card, the more it can save and all password protected. No Power, No Cables, No Internet, No Lighting..........NO PROBLEM!
Construction Camera with built in GSM
So who can benefit from our Solar & Battery Camera?
How long is piece of string more to the point but a good question just the same? What about Construction Companies, Builders, Logging Companies, Farms, Ferral animals, Unattended Machinery vulnerable to vandalism, keeping a watch on your car at night, Trespassers, Property Owners, Driveway access, National Parks & Wildlife, Fuel Depots, Sheds, Storage areas, Vandalism and not forgetting of course discreetly identifying the common THIEF.
The list of applications is virtually endless and we haven't yet touched upon the problems faced by Federal, State and local Councils. Identifying illegal "bush dumping" in remote or non patrolled areas is just one of many concerns for rate and taxpayers alike. We all know theft, graffiti and vandalism is out of control and in many instances, the same culprit is doing it over and over again. So how can you identify these vandals and thieves at minimal cost and without the need to attend upon the camera daily?
Our 12MP Construction Cam hidden in a garbage bin, perhaps strapped to a tree trunk (belt provided) or mounted anywhere inconspicuous, will silently and discreetly record pictures and/or video whenever any person or vehicle moves within the camera zone and that can be up 20m away. The wide 80 degree angle lens will see any movement within that zone then save the time and date stamped pictures to the internal SD memory card.
Many of our customers need a security camera such as this to record high resolution colour images by day but also record at night. This is where our 12MP Construction Cam comes into its own. Not only can it record day and night but it can record in complete darkness using the built in IR (Infra red) Illumination. At night or in low light, the camera will auto switch to B/W mode meaning that it can see and record in complete darkness. B/W can see under IR but colour cannot so it needs the auto day/night feature to function. We are often asked the question, what if someone sees the camera or the IR?
The camera itself is quite small and will fit in one hand so it is quite easy to hide or conceal. With regard to the Infra Red, unlike the flash of a typical SLR camera, IR is basically a rather "dull red glow" which only lasts for a split second to allow the camera to record motion. If a person happened to be looking DIRECTLY at the camera, then the glow would be most likely seen however, if not looking directly at the camera, perhaps peripheral or side vision only, then the IR is NOT likely to be seen at all.
If on the other hand you are concerned that the camera will be detected, one of the latest features is IR "covert mode". In this mode the security surveillance camera enters into a more covert setting where the IR distance is reduced or limited to about 10m (20m in normal mode at night) but the IR is virtually invisible beyond 2m. The trade off of course is less viewing distance at night only, so depending on the need or application, it's a fantastic new feature and could make all the difference for those concerned that the camera could be stolen or vandalised. Please note we also have available an optional lockable steel box and the entire camera can be concealed and locked inside the steel box. Could be a handy theft and vanalism deterrent.
What are some of the other features?
We know that IR can be visible or virtually invisible but one of the new functions is the MOTION DETECTION zone. Other similar cameras have motion detection as well see our Portable Cam 2 although a person, animal or vehicle must move directly into the detection zone BEFORE the camera will record. Often when a moving object crosses the face of the camera and depending on speed, the camera may miss recording the movement as it was too quick. Our new 12MP Construction Cam has a selectable wide or narrow motion detection zone. In other words, if a person or animal were to move near the camera but not directly into the camera lens viewing zone, the camera will awaken from "energy conserving mode" then arm ready to take pictures. As the person, vehicle or animal moves into the camera range, pictures and/or video will be recorded the moment that person or thing is in line with the camera lens. Pretty smart technology we think!
Construction Cam mounted to a tree trunk and depicting the Mini Solar Panel
Time Lapse Recording
Motion Detection recording is just one of many feature but one of the latest functions is our new TIME LAPSE RECORDING feature. That's right time lapse recording! Users (Construction Companies are just one example hence the camera name) may not need motion detection recording at all but the option to do both is available. Any user but lets say a Construction Company or Builder could mount this camera basically anywhere (perhaps pole mount out of reach) take a nice wide view of the building site, view what the camera can see through the inbuilt 2.5" colour LCD monitor, maybe add the mini solar panel for long term recording and secure the camera against theft and vandalism with our optional and steel LOCK BOX (pictured below) then let it go.
Set the camera to Time Lapse Mode and capture 1.3 or 5 even 12 megapixel time and date stamped pictures. By pre programming the Construction Cam, users can set the Time Lapse Recording "capture rate" from several just seconds apart, to several minutes, hours or even days apart. The recording quality and time between the recording is totally selectable. Furthermore, using the SCHEDULED RECORDING feature, this camera can be programmed to arm and disarm at times you choose. For instance, a building site may only be operational between the hours of 5.30am and 4.00pm so the camera can be auto armed and disarmed only during that time slot. The result, no wasted recording. When the site is complete, simply move the camera to a new location. Again no cables, power or installer is required. This is easy DIY stuff and nothing difficult about it at all.
Steel Camera Lockbox
Built in Colour Monitor
Construction Cam is actually divided into two sections Part A & B.
Part A can function quite independently from the other. Part A has the concealed SD card compartment (lockable) and 4 x AA internal batteries. Part A also has a built in colour 2.5" LCD monitor used for setting up the camera, changing camera settings and playing back recordings etc.
Part B on the other hand houses the GSM SIM Card and another 4 x AA batteries (note the SIM card slot in the battery compartment). If using the GSM feature or the camera is exposed to weather, the LCD monitor is not weatherproof alone and needs to be covered when outdoors. So part B & A need to be clipped together then the entire unit becomes one weatherproof IP64 rated secure camera. The image below depicts the two sections A & B. The white LED's in the upper section of Part A is the visible or invisible IR's for night vision recording. Below that is the actual camera lens, followed by 3 wide angle motion sensors. The opposite side of Part A is the LCD colour monitor.
Part B also pictured below reveals the battery compartment and the SIM card slot. Both parts clip together to form a common weatherproof seal.
Construction Cam Parts A & B
MMS and Email Function
This is perhaps one of the main reasons for needing a camera such as this. So how does it work and what do I need to pay?
This security surveillance camera will function with or without GSM feature. Assuming that you like the idea of the camera motion detection feature (or time lapse function) auto sending those recorded pictures to your receiving mobile phone maybe just what you are looking for. As mentioned, Part B contains the SIM card slot. No you don't have to enter into a monthly mobile phone plan. What you will need to do is call your preferred communications Carrier an that could be Telstra, Optus, Vodafone or even Virgin Mobile and purchase a PRE PAID SIM CARD. We prefer to use Telstra for the wider coverage area but its important that you order a card with say a renewable $30.00 balance NO PASSWORD, NO PUK CODE, but MMS & DATA MUST BE ENABLED.
If the SIM card has a password or PIN code activated then the camera has no means of deactivating that code so its very important when ordering that all PINS, PASSWORDS AND/OR CODES are deactivated by default. When setting up the camera to send MMS pictures from the camera direct to your mobile phone (can be more than one receiving number by the way) users must be aware that MMS costs can be 50c/image. If using a higher paid or pre paid plan, then the MMS costs could be much lower so always check with your preferred carrier as to the actual cost of MMS. In any event, the Solar Construction Cam can be programmed to send UNLIMITED PICTURES or set and limit the number of images from 1 to 99 per day. This keeps the SIM card carrier costs under control with no cost blowout. Remember, the camera SD card is saving the recording internally so no matter what, so you won't miss anything.
SIM cards are available with MMS and DATA. The data option is equally important in terms of remote access as well. It is not necessary to program the camera to use MMS ONLY. It can also be programmed to send motion activated or time lapse event images to your email address or multiple email addresses. Email uses data rather than MMS and in this regard it is is significantly cheaper and faster. Construction Cam will automatically reduce the image size and quality (still excellent quality) and therefore send motion or time lapse pictures in larger volume without the MMS expense. This security camera can do both MMS & Email and to more than one account simultaneously, or users can simply choose one or the other.
We provide software with each camera to enable the remote access functions. There is no need to set up communications carrier APN, Gateway or Port forwarding etc. It has all been done for you. Simply select your preferred carrier from a drop down list and that's it. Provided your receiving mobile phone can accept MMS (good idea to have someone send a picture to your mobile phone first) you are good to go.
Software Screenshot of MMS and Email setup 
Can this camera also take video?
Absolutely! As mentioned previusly, this is another new feature where as you can see below, the camera can be programmed (via the supplied software or directly from the camera monitor) under the heading MODE. There are 3 camera mode options. Camera only, Video only or Camera & Video. So how does it work? If selecting the Camera and Video option, once motion is detected, the camera will record 1-3 pictures with an interval or several seconds apart. Once all 3 pictures are taken, the camera will automatically take 10-60 seconds (selectable) of video all of which is saved to the internal SD memory card. Video cannot be sent via GSM to your mobile phone or email address. The camera can only send still pictures however, the camera will retain the video recording to internal SD memory.
How do I playback recordings from the camera?
There are so many options from which to choose but just to explain, the camera has several methods
Using the built in LCD monitor or direct from the camera
Connecting the camera directly to any TV using the supplied RCA lead
Connecting the camera to your PC using the supplied USB cable interface
Removing the SD card from the camera and viewing on any Windows or MAC computer (USB SD card reader required) if the PC does not have an SD card reader.
Do I need any special software or program in order to view and save pictures and video from the camera?
In a word no. The images are simple JPEG albeit super high resolution megapixel type. All computers can see JPEG images so this camera is no different in many respects to any other still or video recording camera. Any JPEG Image can be saved to a folder in your PC. Images can be deleted one by one as you choose either from the software or the camera, delete all or reformat the SD card direct from the camera.
Video is a little different however the video is basically an AVI file which can be viewed by programmes such as Windows Media Player and the player we prefer available free at www.vlc.com
To playback and save an AVI or video file, simply drag the file from the SD card to your PC desktop. OPEN WITH choose VLC or your preferred media player. It's quite simple really and you can always call our office for support and advice if not clear. Don't forget you can always playback recordings directly from the camera as well.
Additional Information
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