Equipment security cameras

[Travezho]

I mounted a small cellular trail cam on a T‑post near my equipment, and it’s been solid because it sends pics even without Wi‑Fi. In one case it caught someone’s face clear enough that I used find someone's social media by picture to figure out who was messing around on the property. For lighting, a cheap solar motion flood helps the camera grab cleaner shots.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’d go with a cellular trail cam. They run on batteries, trigger fast, and send pics right to your phone. Mount it high and hidden so it’s harder for anyone to spot or damage.

Do they “swivel” to pickup and then focus on motion?
If I leave a piece of equipment in a field, a vandal could approach it from any angle.
I’d like to mount it in the cab, where it is protected, so an approaching person can be picked up and videoed

 

[2manyrocks]

Stealthcam makes a 360 degree revolving cellular trail cam.

I'd suggest testing the performance when it is parked at home to see if it captures video/images good enough to suit you when mounted inside the cab. Cameras can struggle to make photos when making pictures through glass. I don't know if being inside the cab will affect the detection or autofocus performance.

 

[gsganzer]

How about make a "dummy camera pole" sort of contraption, like you see in parking lots. Put a blue and red light on it. If it's obvious and looks like something that's monitored, maybe they leave it alone.

 

[2manyrocks]

One might actually want vandal/thieves to see that there's a cellular camera as a deterrent. Some will hide a second camera aimed at the first one.

There are some basic cellular trail cams on Az in the $50 price range...not that much investment if it gets damaged or stolen. The ones I've seen have built in batteries that have a pretty long run time. Probably could recharge them off the tractor during the day and not have to fool with any solar panel charging.