Cam pointed at the setting sun ?

Sparkey

Pulling my weight
Joined
Apr 3, 2015
Messages
237
Reaction score
159
Looking to replace mt driveway cam which is about 8 years old with a newer better more full featured model. Several I've looked at say "Don not expose to direct sunlight". My present has absolutely no problem with this. Every evening when the sun is setting the picture gets quite hazy and motion detect doesn't work as well but as soon as the sun drops behind the trees all returns to normal. There has been no deterioration of the image over the years and the cam mounting hasn't been touched.

So my question is - Are all modern cams designed such that they are damaged by direct sunlight? Do cams exist that are designed for such an environment?

This is the only unresolved issue keeping me from replacing the cam.

P.S. - I'd rather not angle the cam down to avoid the sun for a number of reasons.
 

catcamstar

Known around here
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,659
Reaction score
1,193
Looking to replace mt driveway cam which is about 8 years old with a newer better more full featured model. Several I've looked at say "Don not expose to direct sunlight". My present has absolutely no problem with this. Every evening when the sun is setting the picture gets quite hazy and motion detect doesn't work as well but as soon as the sun drops behind the trees all returns to normal. There has been no deterioration of the image over the years and the cam mounting hasn't been touched.

So my question is - Are all modern cams designed such that they are damaged by direct sunlight? Do cams exist that are designed for such an environment?

This is the only unresolved issue keeping me from replacing the cam.

P.S. - I'd rather not angle the cam down to avoid the sun for a number of reasons.
Not that the sun will kill your sensor at a glance, but it's more about the reflections you'll get: especially with domes! Not only will the glass get dirty (outside from rain, dust, little cracks, bugs, but also (hopefully not) condensation etc). If sunlight is coming in bright and shiney, you'll get nothing but white "smog" on your feeds.
 

Sparkey

Pulling my weight
Joined
Apr 3, 2015
Messages
237
Reaction score
159
For a couple hours or so a day I can stand the smog. I just don't want to get a cam that will be permanently damaged by exposure to direct sunlight.

Has anyone ever seen this happen?
 

looney2ns

IPCT Contributor
Joined
Sep 25, 2016
Messages
15,521
Reaction score
22,657
Location
Evansville, In. USA
Looking to replace mt driveway cam which is about 8 years old with a newer better more full featured model. Several I've looked at say "Don not expose to direct sunlight". My present has absolutely no problem with this. Every evening when the sun is setting the picture gets quite hazy and motion detect doesn't work as well but as soon as the sun drops behind the trees all returns to normal. There has been no deterioration of the image over the years and the cam mounting hasn't been touched.

So my question is - Are all modern cams designed such that they are damaged by direct sunlight? Do cams exist that are designed for such an environment?

This is the only unresolved issue keeping me from replacing the cam.

P.S. - I'd rather not angle the cam down to avoid the sun for a number of reasons.
Just don't use a dome cam.
Review-Dahua Starlight IPC-HDW5231R-ZE 800 meter capable ePOE
 

Fastb

Known around here
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
934
Location
Seattle, Wa
Use a cam with glass lens cover.
Domes plastic, and the UV will degrade the plastic over time (when in direct lit location)
Hence, another reason to avoid domes, as looney2ns said.....
 

Sparkey

Pulling my weight
Joined
Apr 3, 2015
Messages
237
Reaction score
159
Thanks all. I was going to replace it with a dome. Didn't think about UV eating the plastic. Will be going with a bullet cam. Most likely a startlight cam.
Now off to do my homework.

Thanks again.
 
Top