Bow camera linked to Simrad EVO3 display via wifi link ?

[ohana]

Hi all,

A couple of near-miss experiences this year has got me thinking about a bow anchor camera, with a display at the wheel. I know there are dedicated waterproof marine cameras for this, but these are very expensive and more than I need.

I have been looking at a wifi camera which would talk to my ipad, but this has limitations as the ipad dayscreen view is limited. 

I have a Simrad EVO3 cockpit display which will take a direct video (RCA I think) input. So - am thinking, could I set up a digital camera on a temporary clamp with wifi output, connect this to a wifi receiver of some kind with RCA video output and connect this in turn to the EVO3 display?  

[Charlie-Bravo]

Near misses ! ........ everything tech is possible, a gopro will send pics to your ipad, but what help with the near misses do you hope to achieve with the ipad and camera? surely looking where you are going rather than a screen would be better?   ....  only asking as I obviously don't understand the delma, and the 'near misses' sounds interesting, do tell the tale.

Had a little sail from Ardrossan last year test driving a SO 35 over to Arron ,  lovely sailing area you are in, and just follow the ferry to get back in with fog, marvellous.
CB

[ohana]

Hi, just realising the way I worded my post implied near misses with other boats while underway! This is not the case, near misses were with the anchor in very windy conditions. The idea of the bow camera is to be able to view the anchor retrieval from the help position

the Clyde is indeed a great place to have a boat, although we try to keep we’ll clear of the ferries!

[Charlie-Bravo]

Ah, now I understand, but have not seen an anchor cam before, perhaps I just haven't been looking.

CB

[sailbleu]

For years now I have a camera on top of the mast ,angled up in a way it gives us a frontal overal horizon image whilst on long sail stretches .
In a later stage I’ve added a PTZ ( pan , tilt , zoom ) on the bow . 360 * view , x25 zoom . Not that it’s required , but on the hard I can read a license plate on 200 m distance , to give you an idea .
Both cameras are of the shelf waterproof outdoor units and worked their way through horrible weather and dito seas . Just to say they can handle the rough circumstances. No need for marine equipment that usually costs it’s weight in gold .
A dedicated lcd screen inside the saloon allows me to switch from camera and a joystick and zoom in/out buttons commands the PTZ .
Crossing the bay of Biscay , we’ve done it 5 times now , sailing from Malta to Crete/ Greece and vice versa ( 3 times ) , Sardinia to Gibraltar and last year the Canaries , all fairly long distance sailing permits us to have dinner together in the saloon , watching a movie on TV at the same time and keeping a eye on what’s in front of us with some assistance of AIS receiver/transmitter & radar . A luxury for sure .

I do realise that some people are against it , for different reasons , it’s their prerogative . For us it’s added value . I suppose you have to have it to know the benefit .

And NO , I don’t use it on anchorage to spy on people ,. In fact when not needed I pull a bag over the PTZ ( most certainly in marinas ) in order to respect peoples privacy and to avoid fanatic reactions . It takes all kinds .

Regards

[sailbleu]

I’ve received some questions regarding my setup via personal message , and although PM’s can be handy it also limits the sharing of information to the public . This is what boards are all about no .
Anyway , there are other people interested in installing a camera and my experience has taught me that if I would do it all over again , and I would , then i’d go for one mast camera , definitely a PTZ . On my bow I have a classic PTZ with transparant sphere , the kind you find everywhere in surveyed areas . Bought it in China , 300€ , and additionally sealed the joint between sphere and top housing with sikaflex for waterproof reasons .
It’s a fairly large sized camera and I soon rejected the idea of fixing such a well sized object in the mast out of fear one day the thing would come down with potentially dramatic consequences . Also not to compromise top navigation lights , antennas and sail halyards and stuff .
It’s mounted on the bow pulpit right above the bow step ( which we never use ) and therefor kind of protected for overshooting waves . Works great for 8 years now .

However in a later stage i found some smaller sphere-shape observation cameras that could serve the purpose . But by that time a simple wide angle fixed camera was mounted in my mast . This one deliverers a wide angle image starting 10 meters in front of the boat and also covers the horizon . No night vision .
To combine two worlds i think i would now spend some extra money on a more professional surveillance camera , just one in the mast , the non sphere type , but absolutely go for PTZ of some sort .
Both my cameras are wired for power and video output to a designated 15” display
I know of people that use a waterresistant gopro and get the footage via wifi . Only downside of the gopro is , when the battery is dead so is the footage.
But of course the power supply can be dealt with , run and extra cable through the mast for supply . Not sure of the wifi radius of these gopro’s though . After all , distance masttop to salon or cockpit is around 20 meters
I contemplated on the use of a IR camera aswel , .....until I looked at the prices .
If you can afford it’s beyond a doubt an interesting concept .

Regards

[Tafika II]

I was looking at placing a PTZ camera under the radar dome, but then ran across the SIONYX Aurora Sport night vision for $599 + clamping hardware that I can mount on the bow, under the radar SS supports, handrails, etc. when needed. There are several YouTube movies on the subject. Most are very positive.
I haven’t purchased it yet…still thinking.

[sailbleu]

Brent ,

the problem with cameras in locations other than mast top or bow is that once the head- storm sail or gennaker/ spinnaker is out , so is the front view .

Regards


EDIT:

Night vision cameras that work with infra red leds do not work , the emitted light only goes that far . My mast camera is such a type , the image on the display is dark during the night .
Heat cameras - FLIR thermal imaging - on the other hand are the real deal , unfortunately only for the more wealthy among us .

[Tafika II]

Sailbleu, I agree with you that some of the older technology with infrared LEDs do not work properly. I also agree that as mast top is ideal, but not practical from a maintenance/troubleshooting scope. I would anticipate the use of a more portable version would be for getting on & off the anchor single-handed and motoring in dark areas; thus the mounting on the pulpit rail...no sails.

Here is a YouTube video that I thought was very impressive and my reasoning for thinking of the SIONYX Aurora Sport. There are also several on SIONYX's website. Again, haven't made up my mind yet.
SIONYX Aurora Sport

[sailbleu]

Brent ,

i looked it up yesterday , the Sionix I mean . If the commercial videos are representative for what they promise , wow man this is asome stuff .
Sadly they don’t seem to come in PTZ , or atleast zoom function . I believe they work on residual light , navigation lights on a far distance should be picked up I guess .
I’m sure there’s a market for these cameras , but they should work on a PTZ of some sort . But then why not mount them on a remote controlled searchlight .
In my case it would fit on the mount of my digital antenna that we never use anymore .
I believe it’s a new product is it not ?
Maybe wait until they introduce features like PTZ , by that time you’ll get more value for the money .

Any members here with Sionix camera ??

Regards

[Tafika II]

SIONYX started as an electronics firm in 2006 and entered the camera market in 2017, so they are pretty new. I spoke with them today and they have Fall sale on for all models, so I may buy one & try it out. There’s a no problem returning it if I don’t like it within 30 days + freight back.

I keep you posted if I move forward! Also going to ask if anyone is using it on the two Jeanneau FB groups.

[sailbleu]

Sept 1, 2020 23:50:24 GMT Tafika II said:

SIONYX started as an electronics firm in 2006 and entered the camera market in 2017, so they are pretty new. I spoke with them today and they have Fall sale on for all models, so I may buy one & try it out. There’s a no problem returning it if I don’t like it within 30 days + freight back.

I keep you posted if I move forward! Also going to ask if anyone is using it on the two Jeanneau FB groups.

Please do keep us informed Brent .
Comments and evaluations from real users have more value than commercials for sure .

Regards

[Tafika II]

Heard from one owner on FB. He stated "I have one, it is pretty nice for the money. I connected it to my tablet and mounted it on the bow and it works OK, but it was a bit laggy. I haven't used it underway. It is handy if you want a cheap night vision monocle" I asked him if he used an internal to the boat WiFi router or just device-to-device. He uses the later so he suspects that may be the reason for the lag.
I'll keep the Forum updated