I recently installed a 16 channel DVR from carwashcameras.com. I need some input on some reasonably priced cameras to capture license plates. My DVR had excellent resolution so that won't be an issue. I would also like some input on the best way to monitor the changers. I have wide angle pictures of everything but was wondering if it would be good to install cameras in the face of the changers or maybe above the changers with a tight zoom. I figure most people who are trying to break into changers won't be in a car but on foot.
Security Cameras
- Thread starter sparkey
- Start date
Whale of a Wash
5 Washes 36Bays 2Vectors
I have a camera in the ws2 and nothing like a good close up. If possible get both. At the changers the cameras in my entry are at 8' i think and with a wider angle, i sometimes think up close i am looking at bald spots, but get much better look at the people about 6 feet back. I will probably sound like a broken MP3, but am not too worried about the changer with tokens only.
Cameras
Well the key here is what does ... reasonably priced ... mean?
I've seen license plate cams that run as high as $12,000 and some at $2,000. Lots of claims made-- they look great on the demos-- but I've never used one so I can't comment on their performance.
I *have* recently upgraded my camera which attempts to capture license plates. It has been a big improvement compared to the previous camera, and I am still in the process of tweaking it. I am using a Bosch LTC0630 with a 7.5-50mm lens. Approx $600 for camera, lens, and mount. It captures almost everything really nicely during the day, but is not 100% at night.
Out of the box, it did much better than my old cam, but still had some issues at night, with lots of snow around, with a fast moving vehicle. Some of those plates I still cannot capture, but I have the percentage of non-capture fairly low right now. I was advised to change the shutter setting on the camera from its default of 1/60 to a new speed of 1/250 or even 1/500. I did make the change to 1/250 and it's yet another improvement-- again, not perfect but I am inching in that direction. Next trip to the wash I am going to config it at 1/500.
If you get the Bosch, also get the bilinx cable and software. With it, you can configure every parameter on the camera using a laptop while in the equipment room-- instead of being out in the elements or up on a ladder. The only thing you can't set with Bilinx is the zoom and focus.
Good luck on this ... some of it depends on how much you want to spend, and the other part is how much time you want to invest to monkey around with it.
Well the key here is what does ... reasonably priced ... mean?
I've seen license plate cams that run as high as $12,000 and some at $2,000. Lots of claims made-- they look great on the demos-- but I've never used one so I can't comment on their performance.
I *have* recently upgraded my camera which attempts to capture license plates. It has been a big improvement compared to the previous camera, and I am still in the process of tweaking it. I am using a Bosch LTC0630 with a 7.5-50mm lens. Approx $600 for camera, lens, and mount. It captures almost everything really nicely during the day, but is not 100% at night.
Out of the box, it did much better than my old cam, but still had some issues at night, with lots of snow around, with a fast moving vehicle. Some of those plates I still cannot capture, but I have the percentage of non-capture fairly low right now. I was advised to change the shutter setting on the camera from its default of 1/60 to a new speed of 1/250 or even 1/500. I did make the change to 1/250 and it's yet another improvement-- again, not perfect but I am inching in that direction. Next trip to the wash I am going to config it at 1/500.
If you get the Bosch, also get the bilinx cable and software. With it, you can configure every parameter on the camera using a laptop while in the equipment room-- instead of being out in the elements or up on a ladder. The only thing you can't set with Bilinx is the zoom and focus.
Good luck on this ... some of it depends on how much you want to spend, and the other part is how much time you want to invest to monkey around with it.
MEP001
Well-known member
I mounted a tag camera just above a wall-pack light facing at the entrance - since it automatically shortens the shutter speed when headlights shine into it they tend to be pretty clear unless the car is moving very fast, and the reflectivity of the plate makes them bright and legible. The camera is a $600 Sony with 520 lines of resolution, and it lar exceeds the recording ability of the DVR.
Tags
Just to report back-- the bosch cam is working great for capturing license plates. I'm well above 90% capture now.
If you use one of these cams be sure to adjust the shutter setting to improve the performance at night. When I went from 1/60 to 1/250 it helped-- then helped once again when I set it to 1/500.
Just to report back-- the bosch cam is working great for capturing license plates. I'm well above 90% capture now.
If you use one of these cams be sure to adjust the shutter setting to improve the performance at night. When I went from 1/60 to 1/250 it helped-- then helped once again when I set it to 1/500.
Red Baron
Active member
I think my 2 tag cameras were $300 ea. I'd guess that between the 2 (one out front, one at rear exist), and being able to get a tag with my regular cameras above the IBA entries sometimes, I can get a guy's tag 90% of the time.
http://www.icruvss.com/html/products3.html
http://www.icruvss.com/html/products3.html
