Making homebrews
 

How hard is it to make a homebrew camera? The pics look 10 times better than a regular trail cam. I think they look better than cuddebacks, and you guys know how expensive they are.

RE: Making homebrews
 

They are not that difficult to build if you have some basic mechanical skills. I've built six so far and I didn't really have any problems.

Check out the forums at:

http://www.hagshouse.com

http://realdealhuntingchat.invisionzone.com/index.php?

http://www.chasingame.com

You will find all the information you need to know about building homebrew game cameras.

RE: Making homebrews
 

Arcus,

From start to finish how much does it cost you to build one of yours.

Thanks,
Dan

RE: Making homebrews
 

The cameras I've built have been in the $130 range. They are 3.2 MP white flash cameras. The cost will change depending on what camera you use and what features you want. For example it will cost more to build a IR camera than it does to build a white flash camera. Also you can save some money if you are able to get a good deal on the camera. Recently I was able to pick up one of the cameras I use at a rummage sale for $5. I will be able to build a unit for about $85 using that camera.

RE: Making homebrews
 

Here are some more links, including a several page tutorial on building one.
http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=618170&referrerid=93708
http://www.d.umn.edu/~shall/Homebrews.htm

This particular cam was $160.00 including the build. It is a Sony S600 whiteflash/Yeti control board

RE: Making homebrews
 

Those are pics are unbelievable

RE: Making homebrews
 

Michigan Bowbender,

I have a couple questions about the camera you have shown.
1. What is the trigger speed?
2. What is the range, day and night?
3. What can you set for delay settings?

Thanks,
Dan

RE: Making homebrews
 

1. 2-2.5 seconds. Trigger speed ontrail cams is over-rated. Proper setup can compensate for trigger speed, I have never set a cam perpendicular to a trail anyway.
2. flash range is 35-40 feet. Yeti board can sense movement far beyond that, probably up to 80 90 feet.
3. delay can be set to 15s, 30s, 60, 1m, 2m, 5m, 10m

RE: Making homebrews
 

I pretty much agree with everything here with the exception of the trigger. I almost always put mine at a right angle to the trails I am watching. With a 4 wire fast mod and a wide angle lens, the trigger can be much faster. Mine is faster than all 4 of my P41's with wide angle lenses. Here's a pic. Duplicated the same test with my 41's and they missed the dog entirely.;) The time/date was not set correctly. Did this about 3 weeks ago.

RE: Making homebrews
 

anyone be interested in making me one of these cams??

RE: Making homebrews
 

I can't believe how much of a more clear picture those produce. I might also be interested in 1 of those. I don't even come close to knowing how I would make 1 of those. Great job M B !

RE: Making homebrews
 

Great Job man. If someone was to supply you wiht a camera would you make one for someone???

RE: Making homebrews
 

Cool bowbender, maybe I need to look into the 4 wire hack a little more, never thought it would improve things that much. Bummer I just built two s600 yetis(but they already had the 3 wire hacks done. Then last night I did a 5 wire to put some extra batteries in a 1020 with an xlp board for a good 4-5 weeks in the backcountry here. I still have 1 s600 to hack, maybe I will do the 4 wire hack and pair it with a yeti or SSS to try and really get what you are getting.

RE: Making homebrews
 

Actually, I think all I have to do is extend the lens, take the batts out and add a jumper in the cam, isn't it? I can order the fast chip from Mark and put it in the board.

RE: Making homebrews
 

Sorry fellas, I do not have the time required to get into homebrew building for others, much as I would like to. Here are some links to check out where you might find one already built, or have a build done for you.

This guy does excellent work, he's built a cam for me, and I was very pleased.Here is a tutorial on building your own which he has authored.His name is buckshot164. You can pm him about building a cam for you perhaps. I talked to him today and he said the prices on cams used in hombrews are beginning to rise now that season is drawing near. It happens every year about this time. Then in January or so the price usually starts to come down. http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=618170


Often there are homebrews for saleon these sites.They usually don't last long as there is a great demand for some of them.Or you can ask if anyone would be willing to do a build for you.The popular cams are Sony S600's,P41's,S32's and S40's. All take great pics.

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=133
http://realdealhuntingchat.invisionzone.com/index.php?showforum=141
http://www.chasingame.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=20&sid=3a3b088eb8746d966eb9c91 e4d878a4e

RE: Making homebrews
 

on the s40 camera where do you take the camera apart to hook up the 4 wires? also does a hack mean?

RE: Making homebrews
 

I do my own homebrews also, mostly Sony P32's with Yeticam boards. They make a really good basic camera for about 130 bucks or so. I add 2 external C cells to mine andcan leave them out 6-8 weeks if need be. I also have one built on an Olympus D-380, and that baby is FAST. Kind of a battery hog though, I use it for very specific applications when speed matters. In all I have built 4 cams, one of my p-32's I have converted to IR. If I was going to do another IR I would probably go with the P41 instead.

Hags house is a great place to learn about homebrews. Everything I learned I learned there.