3 hour pond build

/ 3 hour pond build #21  
Nice, We take many deer off out small place every year. (3 deer with just going out 6 times and I passed on a smaller buck another time) But we do not have the deer of your size! Those are nice big deer.
 
/ 3 hour pond build
  • Thread Starter
#22  
Trying out a new trail cam today. Gardepro long range wireless. No cell plan, strictly wireless. I was skeptical that I could get any range out of these but really impressed so far. I have the wifi hub in my living room at the moment. Trail cam is at the little pond 850 feet away. It is down a hill from the hub so signal is going through an interior and exterior wall at the house with some earth between the two as well. Signal is bouncing between 1 and 2 bars out of 5 but no connection issues. The ratings show 3000ft open are, 1600 feet real world use. Will have to get the hub outside to see how my signal improves and how far these will go.

Here's a few of the first pics that popped up this evening. Went to live view and recorded a short clip as well.


D6A22A8F6CC0_20260202203157_1028_M_o (1).JPG

D6A22A8F6CC0_20260202203627_1029_M_o.JPG
 
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/ 3 hour pond build #23  
That's impressive. I never heard of them. We're paying a monthly fee to get cellular pics from Spypoint. Please keep us updated on the camera. I think it's something I might like to switch to!!!
 
/ 3 hour pond build #24  
Agree with Eddie, where did you buy it from? Jon
 
/ 3 hour pond build
  • Thread Starter
#25  
Agree with Eddie, where did you buy it from? Jon

They have a lot of different camera options from this one that uses a central hub. They have wireless where you have to get within so many feet of camera and download to phone, to standard and cellular cams. I like this one given I hunt very close to home and wanted to see if I could make it work without a cell plan. They are pricey, about $160 each but quality is so much better than any other cams I've tried so far. I ordered 2 more today. This one at the pond is probably going to be the toughest placement due to there being a hillside blocking signal. Right now it connects ok. Will have to see if that is still the case when trees leaf out. Once I get the other 2 going I'll update again on what my thoughts are, battery life, etc.

Right now each camera has to reach the hub. I'm hoping at some point they will start offering a mesh network to extend range. That would make these perfect. They advertise 3000 ft open air 1600 feet normal use range. I've seen one other review getting connection at 1500 feet but was spotty. That was through timber. I'm borderline at 800 feet but again I have earth blocking signal. A mesh network would really open the range. Will post some daylight pics and video soon.
 
/ 3 hour pond build
  • Thread Starter
#27  
Daytime pics look really good as well. Instant notification. Pictures pop up withing a couple seconds. At that point you can pull up a live view and record if you choose. Video saves direct to your phone. You can take extra pics anytime on demand as well

D6A22A8F6CC0_20260205170605_1132_M_o.JPG
Screenshot_20260205_172557.jpg
D6A22A8F6CC0_20260205171219_1141_M_o.JPG
Screenshot_20260205_172712.jpg

 
/ 3 hour pond build
  • Thread Starter
#28  
I should add live view and true video recording is not included as part of the free app. There is a $3/month charge or $30/year. Each additional camera is $1.50/$15. So 4 cameras would be $75/year. The paid app also gets you HD pictures on demand to your phone. Free app gives you a lower quality, still very good pics and HD pics to the camera SD card only.

Motion triggered video recording can be done on the free app however both paid and non paid is not true live video. It is a series of stitched frames put together. Probably to save battery life. For 540p videos like I've posted you have to click the live view in the app.
 
/ 3 hour pond build #29  
Thanks for the update and details. I'm thinking this is the future of game cameras!!!!
 
/ 3 hour pond build
  • Thread Starter
#30  
Thanks for the update and details. I'm thinking this is the future of game cameras!!!!
At least for those that hunt close enough to home where power and internet are an option. These are shipping out of Hong Kong so my next two will probably be a couple weeks to get here. I'll update again once I get all 3 going and have a better idea on range in different types of locations.
 
/ 3 hour pond build #31  

They have a lot of different camera options from this one that uses a central hub. They have wireless where you have to get within so many feet of camera and download to phone, to standard and cellular cams. I like this one given I hunt very close to home and wanted to see if I could make it work without a cell plan. They are pricey, about $160 each but quality is so much better than any other cams I've tried so far. I ordered 2 more today. This one at the pond is probably going to be the toughest placement due to there being a hillside blocking signal. Right now it connects ok. Will have to see if that is still the case when trees leaf out. Once I get the other 2 going I'll update again on what my thoughts are, battery life, etc.

Right now each camera has to reach the hub. I'm hoping at some point they will start offering a mesh network to extend range. That would make these perfect. They advertise 3000 ft open air 1600 feet normal use range. I've seen one other review getting connection at 1500 feet but was spotty baixar mvvmhabit. That was through timber. I'm borderline at 800 feet but again I have earth blocking signal. A mesh network would really open the range. Will post some daylight pics and video soon.
Thanks in advance of any help.
 
/ 3 hour pond build #32  
Those look like they would make GREAT property security camaras.

The clarity and zoom looks like you could read license plate numbers with no difficulty.
 
/ 3 hour pond build
  • Thread Starter
#33  
Those look like they would make GREAT property security camaras.

The clarity and zoom looks like you could read license plate numbers with no difficulty.
I have several firework storage magazines for my business. If these continue to test well Ill be adding a system at work for notification and monitoring the access points. Main entrance sits about 1300 feet from my office building.

On another note I replaced the hub antenna with this one. My signal strength (RSSI) improved from -90 to -83. Noise/Signal quality (EVN) improved from -11 to -18. Signal is still low but pretty solid for live video now. I have yet to try moving to the roof of the house to check improvement. Will only do that if needed once trees leaf out.

 
/ 3 hour pond build
  • Thread Starter
#34  
Quick update. Super nice here today almost 70 degrees so I ran a temp ethernet cable to the chimney on the roof to check signal from up there. Huge increase in signal strength. -85 inside today and -71 at the chimney. I have confidence at this location I can reach anywhere I want with the cameras so looks like I just added a project to my list getting a permanent cable up there.
 
/ 3 hour pond build #35  
Quick update. Super nice here today almost 70 degrees so I ran a temp ethernet cable to the chimney on the roof to check signal from up there. Huge increase in signal strength. -85 inside today and -71 at the chimney. I have confidence at this location I can reach anywhere I want with the cameras so looks like I just added a project to my list getting a permanent cable up there.
There are also directional antennas (parabolic and Yagi) that make a big difference, especially with leaves.

All the best, Peter
 
/ 3 hour pond build
  • Thread Starter
#36  
There are also directional antennas (parabolic and Yagi) that make a big difference, especially with leaves.

All the best, Peter
Cameras on the property will not all be in one direction, maybe an option for the camera side but dont think I'll need it.
 
/ 3 hour pond build
  • Thread Starter
#37  
Wrapped up the hub move today. Signal is solid now. Final numbers Signal RSSI: -68dBm EVM: -30dB. No hiccups or drops during live video now. Can watch as long as you want with a solid link. I don't think I will have any problem pushing these to 1500 feet which would be the furthest point needed on my property.

20260211_120846.jpg


Also here's a video of some does from yesterday. Super fun being able to pull live feed up anytime I get a picture alert and see what's going on.

 
/ 3 hour pond build #38  
Amazingly clear video, and fun to watch!

Nice job on the antenna.

All the best, Peter
 
/ 3 hour pond build
  • Thread Starter
#40  
Amazingly clear video, and fun to watch!

Nice job on the antenna.

All the best, Peter
Thanks. I will say shimmying around that chimney on a 10/12 roof was not fun. Could have put it on the close side but wanted to get it on the east side of the chimney so it wasn't catching the afternoons west sun all day. I'm finding as I get older I am much more cautious and risk averse than I used to be. Watched Alex Honnold free solo Tapai 101 and enjoyed his documentary free solo up El Cap. A little embarrassing after watching that and I couldn't move around the downhill side of the chimney without my heart rate going up.
 

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