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Post by salguod on Feb 16, 2021 23:23:22 GMT
I do not have access to electricity on the allotment and would like to observe blue-tits nesting etc. Has anyone ever tried using a cheap endoscope inspection camera (about 10 pounds) connected to a USB extension and then plugged in to a laptop? The LED lights of the endoscope and the camera would be powered by the laptop. There is a video on Youtube showing this -
I wondered whether it had been successful and also wondered whether the birds would be disturbed by the LED lighting which would only be on for short periods during daytime hours. Thank you for any advice..
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Post by matt on Feb 18, 2021 17:54:34 GMT
What's the plan? Is to leave the camera in there full time, but only connect it occasionally to a laptop when you visit? In general, the bluetits seem to tolerate LED lights very well - I would say that most of us on here are using them, because it makes the picture (and colours) so much better. I guess my only concern would be if they are not used to it, how would they react if it is turned on occassionally? I don't know the answer to that. Otherwise though, I think the endoscope camera solution could be a good one - and really easy to set up. Let us know how you go!
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Post by salguod on Feb 23, 2021 11:57:56 GMT
Hi Matt thank you for your reply. I will leave the endoscope permanently in the hole but will turn the lights on just occasionally when visiting the allotment in the daytime. I would observe the reaction to the lights being switched on and if they seem to disturb the birds I will just forget it. The guy in the video says 25 pounds for an endoscope but I bought mine in the Netherlands where I live for 10 euros (delivered).
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Post by pete11 on Mar 8, 2021 11:41:22 GMT
I've got one of those endoscopes - I bought it for inspecting a ceiling void to check for a leak from a shower. Whilst the image it produces is ok for a basic check, the detail and resolution are pretty low, and the lens is only really focused in the centre of the image. And it definitely needs the leds turned up brightly to give any picture at all in a dark environment. It might be worth a try if it's the only option, though!
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Post by salguod on Mar 10, 2021 9:32:49 GMT
Thank you Pete11 - yes I agree. I tried it with an empty white box at home first and the image was great but now I have it set up at garden I realize that the light is not enough and I just get a vague image of the beginnings of a nest being built. It may also be that I am losing some detail by using 5 meters of USB extension. I will now wait till next year and figure out a better system.
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Post by pete11 on Mar 10, 2021 18:54:42 GMT
salguod At least you're lucky enough to have a nest being built Power supply is your main hurdle I guess. Something suitable might be quite expensive (I'm thinking of those camping power sources that enable you to charge USB devices etc). Good luck with it!
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Post by petesbox on Mar 12, 2021 17:56:06 GMT
I don't think USB cables are made for long runs you will probably be losing a lot of the signal over 2 or 3 metres so no good if you have got a nest box at the end of a reasonable size garden. You might be able to get boosters between lengths of USB cables but i dont know how effective they are. You will be better off using an analogue setup.
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Post by salguod on Mar 24, 2021 22:32:59 GMT
thank you all for your replies
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