Okay just thinking out loud here, but I was discussing game cameras and was wondering if it would be possible/feasible to rig up some sort of camera that was:

• Rechargeable (solar powered?)
• Motion activated (surveillance cam? game camera?)
• Could send (via wireless signal) updates online (post to an album/server) or to a cell phone?

The big thing here would be to get a still camera that was within range of a cell tower and also wireless (to extend its reach beyond say, a house or any other power on the grid). Not sure how you would rig that- maybe it would require circuitry/programming written to tell the camera that if a pic is capture then send to 'xx' via this connection (cell phone). I guess some sort of charging unit would need to be employed for the cell phone as well. And the whole contraption should be water proof and fairly hidden as to not attract unnecessary attention.

I have no idea how much the whole set up would cost, but I would think that if possible it wouldn't be too expensive. Thoughts? Or is this sort of thing commercially available?

Here's one that's solar powered and operates when it senses motion. When motion is sensed it transmits Video and Audio to it's receiver. All you'd have to do then is figure out some sort of interface between the receiver and a laptop you could secret someplace close and then figure a way to transmit the signal to the Internet. A costly but possible way is via Satellite.

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20060807/so...ecurity-camera/

Heres a site where you can check in live on deer.I dont know how its setup,but it does broadcast to the internet.

http://www.watchthedeer.com/photos_live.shtml

Awesome thanks for the info guys!

That watchthedeer.com site is really great- i think they've got generally what I was talking about, albeit a little more expensive. I'm sure it can be done for much cheaper though

Yes, this is something I've often thought about. Cell phone/camera, solar charging, motion activated camera, that emails the photos after triggering. Your inbox would receive the photos PDQ. Mount the unit relatively high in a tree with good sun exposure. I guess the real issue would be how limiting your cell phone coverage would be. It would be useful to have a phone that could run macro code to carry out instructions. Phone in new instructions, etc. But then, who would leave their iPhone up in a tree? Maybe more attention should go into somehow securing the system.

But the materials shouldn't make the unit overly expensive, which they seem to be. This is something you could build yourself and put together in an inexpensive conversion kit. Just pop in a cell phone. Hmm..

The watch the deer site is cool at night too.They have some sort of night vision/lighting setup,and you can see well.Most animals,tend to move at night or are nocturnal,so seeing in dark is helpful

I rigged up a Nokia N95 to stream video over the Internet, powered by a solar panel as an office project - it worked very well, audio too, but the problem is going to be cell reception, and in particular, a lack of 3G or EDGE out in the woods.

But, if you have a bigfoot visiting your local Starbucks, I'm your man!

The Madness
There is a camera for you to check. It is called "Smartscouter". A glorified cell phone, with camera, IR flash at night(not much range). Accessories like multi-month external battery and security enclosure are available. It has internal storage media capability when placed out of cell phone range. The owner receives images via email shortly after they are taken.

I have not seen a unit up close, just advertisements. Cost is around $650 USD. Many fee$; access, image fees.

I have not looked here, but have a peek: www.smartscouter.com

Ah ha! I knew that there must have been something readily available on the market. Awesome I will check out the site!

I suspect the range on that would be very limited. However, the 2.4 Ghz antenna could possibly be extended (they often use standard TNC or SMA connectors) using a homebuilt or commercial parabolic or 'can' type antenna, which would potentially give a range of several miles if a clear line of sight was possible. That might be hard in the brush though..

Assuming cell data networks were available, the biggest issue (aside from the engineering required to build a working system) would be power. It probably makes more sense to have the transmission system power up once or twice a day, and send the contents of the camera's flash memory, rather than a system that transmits photos as they are taken...

Just some thoughts, anyway.

By winter 2008 I hope to be testing a Remote Camera and sound box attached to a tree. Solar powered with a Microwave data System 900mhz radio in the free band. With 1 watt output and a yagi antenna it should reach 10+ miles to a base station. It operates like the remote DOT weather and camera sites. Stores the full size and can be transfered but will allow the thumb's to be gathered right away. Sound can be transfered also by the radio link. It's like a slow speed modem to usb adapter for a game cam. I may have this watching a Tent placed out for the winter.

as far as connectivity there are several blackberry esque devices that can function as a celluar modem/bluetooth connection or usb, but it's not cheap. So possible, yes, cheap, hell no...




not sure how practical, but as a gear geek, I am forced to bookmark that site. thanks for the link mon ami.




it says satcam, so I would guess satelitte

details on the antenae and like equipment, that sounds like a fun project.

Hey Willie,

If you do get this setup working this winter please keep us posted on it. I too would love to see pics of the set up and equip used. I'm more of a visual person, and your microwave system and yagi antenna talk had me scratching my head

From where I was thinking on placing the cam we have a 'home base' approx 5 miles away so this setup might work quite well.

Thanks for pointing that out Robo. I too am thinking that keeping the juice up for this system would be a challenge, therefore batch transmission would be a more feasible option. I know places like Canadian Tire carry small wind turbines- this might be a good option as the location I am thinking about is up on a hill that gets some good cross wind on a consistent basis. Would have to then also include a storage battery and probably inverter...

Yes, I will keep everyone posted. Life always serves me a unknown and when time permits I will get at least one of these in the woods by winter. The place selected has 99% LOS to a reported semi hot area about 8-9 miles away in the AZ Mogollon Monster / RIM lakes area @7700 feet. Elk migrate to a lower elev. after the snow starts building up so this would be a good test. Gotta get my tree spikes out of storage for the tree climb ahead!

I guess the answer to the self reporting camera is just throw money at it.

The first - ever long - range wireless camera system.