Skype to view targets

[B4408]

I've been out this morning to a friends paddock that I can setup to shoot to 300m. Took the new range bench and usual gear plus some extras. In the past I generally shoot to 200m and can just see the holes with my 10 power scope but not always, especially if there in the black. I don't have a spotting scope.
The idea came after talking to the daughter, who is OS, on Skype. Could I setup a webcam or use the iphone and ipad to view my targets on Skype.
1. Didn't want to spend any/much $
2. Didn't want to shoot the iphone by accident , see 1 above.
3. I do have mobile phone service where I shoot but it is marginal in spots. 1-3 bars on phone. Skype video will stop at low reception.

I experimented at home and found that I had enough gear to make it work.
I had to put the iphone to close to the targets(see 2 above) to get a good image and couldn't zoom in so I hooked up our Logitech HD c 525 webcam(about $50) from the desktop computer to our notebook computer.
Hotspotted (wireless) the notebook to the iphone for my internet connection and used Skype between the iphone and ipad(with 3g). The software for the webcam lets you zoom in if needed but the image quality deteriorates.

See the photos below of how I set it up in the paddock. We had poor phone reception at 200m but at 300 we were on top of a ridge and it was OK. It saved us driving back and forth to check targets and we could spot most shots.

web cam setup

webcam setup 2.jpg

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.
This is ipad view.

skype and ipad.jpg

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Some would say just buy a spotting scope but that can be expensive for quality and still limited at longer ranges by what I have read. If there is no mobile coverage this whole exercise is irrelevant for you but it is getting better around here. We will have wireless broadband (NBN) in the next few months.

So it did work but is not perfect.
This has been a bit of an experiment and exercise in trial and error and not spending big $.
I haven't had much to do with webcams or videos etc, I use it not work with it. Does anyone have any suggestions for better cameras preferably with a narrower field of view , possibly security cameras, or any other ideas? Anyone else tried this?

Something too think about
regards
Bruce

[B4408]

As to the shooting, using the CZ 223 with Sightron S2 Bigsky 3.5x10, 55gn Sierra GK, 25gn BM2.
Should have gone home after the first group at 100m, 3 nearly touching....
........I then started shooting normally.

1oom & 200m

then 300m with 9" elevation dialled in.

223 at 300m.jpg

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Need to work on my consistency of sight picture and hold I think.
Its good fun though, also tried lobbing in some 22lr from 300m while the 223 cooled.
regards
Bruce

[Glenn]

Nice work Bruce.

I have been thinking about this sort of thing for a while.

You have inspired me Bruce.

Glenn

[James270]

Very cool Bruce

[Plowboy]

Bloody good idea! Although knowing my luck I would still shoot the bloody laptop!

[tom604]

great thinking out of the square, i will keep this in mind

[curan]

Well done Bruce.

[malcolm]

great stuff--- keep fiddlin'. A few boys tried to implement electronic target cams at some of the longer range shoots several years ago.
I've since gone on to purchase an $1,800.00 spotting scope. You can buy a lot of electronic goodies for that money.
Keep playing Cheers Malcolm

[kickinback]

If you have 2 iPhones you can use an app called remote live. It connects the phones via Bluetooth, using one as a camera and the other as a display. Not sure about the range separating them tho.

[B4408]

Thanks for the support guys, it gave me something to play and think about over Xmas.

great stuff--- keep fiddlin'. A few boys tried to implement electronic target cams at some of the longer range shoots several years ago.
I've since gone on to purchase an $1,800.00 spotting scope. You can buy a lot of electronic goodies for that money.
Keep playing Cheers Malcolm

I guess you need to spend that much to see small holes at long distance. What is the longest range you can see .224 holes and what magnification? $1800 is a new rifle for me.

If you have 2 iPhones you can use an app called remote live. It connects the phones via Bluetooth, using one as a camera and the other as a display. Not sure about the range separating them tho.

The kids tried that but you are limited to bluetooth range which is bugger all.

I think there will be new/affordable technology developed for other uses, we just have to see how we can use it to suit our purposes. I can't keep up with it, hopefully someone here is a tech guru.
Regards
Bruce

[Plowboy]

I suppose you could try a FaceTime for Mac. Same thing if you have iPhones and Mac stuff.

[MISSED]

Hmmm one problem though I reckon I would shoot the bloody camera.

But that is some good thinking there it would be good to set it up over a rabbit warren

[Camel]

Have been wondering how something set up like that would go on the bull bar of the work ute