Affordable cam for weather watching

[Fountainguy97]

Hey everyone! New here! I am looking for a camera to capture video solely for weather.

Really just need something that works well in low light and can remain colored. And obviously good daytime image as well. Would possibly use as a livestream during snowstorms etc. it'll basically be a set FOV as nothing else at this location is worth the

Unfortunately I can't go buy the nicest $1000 camera and am pretty restrained. I'm looking in the $200 range. I'm sure there are much better options but for that range what's the best option? I've seen alot about the empire tech 5442t-ze. Would it be suitable?

needs:
good night quality
Ability for remote view



here is a view of what we are capturing. Sun sets just to the left of screen.
here is a view of what we are capturing. Sun sets just to the left of screen.

 

[wittaj]

While the 5442 will always be a great choice, many people use one of these which are the 4K cameras that would perform better for night time :

https://www.amazon.com/EmpireTech-Full-Color-Syarlight-Turret-IPC-Color4K-T/dp/B0BC18KVF7/ref=sr_1_10?imprToken=eNnu.Pmf5hsW5hcTVECAQg&linkCode=w61&m=A329YQ83EBQGJF&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&qid=1692190458&redirect=true&s=merchant-items&slotNum=0&sr=1-10

And some are going with this as well:

https://www.amazon.com/EmpireTech-Full-Color-Dual-Lens-Splicing-IPC-Color4K-T180/dp/B0BNN9DFFS/ref=sr_1_1?imprToken=eNnu.Pmf5hsW5hcTVECAQg&linkCode=w61&m=A329YQ83EBQGJF&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&qid=1692190458&redirect=true&s=merchant-items&slotNum=0&sr=1-1

 

[The Automation Guy]

If this is strictly for weather watching, you can get some very bright images in low/no light because you don't need to worry about motion blurring (like you do trying to capture human subjects you want to be able to identify). This allows you to set the camera with a slow shutter speed to allow the most amount of light into the sensor. Just about any camera will work well with this stated purpose/goal in mind. That being said, I still think the Color4k model (first link in wittaj's post) would be the best choice. It's full time color (which you said you wanted) and it's large sensor size will allow the brightest images possible. I bet you can set it to where if there is any moonlight at all, it would appear nearly as bright as a daytime image. It's also has 4k resolution, so the daytime images will be great too.

 

[Fountainguy97]

While the 5442 will always be a great choice, many people use one of these which are the 4K cameras that would perform better for night time :

https://www.amazon.com/EmpireTech-Full-Color-Syarlight-Turret-IPC-Color4K-T/dp/B0BC18KVF7/ref=sr_1_10?imprToken=eNnu.Pmf5hsW5hcTVECAQg&linkCode=w61&m=A329YQ83EBQGJF&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&qid=1692190458&redirect=true&s=merchant-items&slotNum=0&sr=1-10

And some are going with this as well:

https://www.amazon.com/EmpireTech-Full-Color-Dual-Lens-Splicing-IPC-Color4K-T180/dp/B0BNN9DFFS/ref=sr_1_1?imprToken=eNnu.Pmf5hsW5hcTVECAQg&linkCode=w61&m=A329YQ83EBQGJF&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&qid=1692190458&redirect=true&s=merchant-items&slotNum=0&sr=1-1

Thanks for the responses! I now see the threads about this one being good for weather. Not sure how I missed those.

I just checked this evening and this view has very little light. It's very very dark. No main sources of light. A couple of porch lights and decorative lighting but no guarantee they will be on. Do you think this would still be a good option to get a decent image? Here is a very poorly shot and blurry image of the lighting situation.

 

[TonyR]

Thanks for the responses! I now see the threads about this one being good for weather. Not sure how I missed those.

I just checked this evening and this view has very little light. It's very very dark. No main sources of light. A couple of porch lights and decorative lighting but no guarantee they will be on. Do you think this would still be a good option to get a decent image? Here is a very poorly shot and blurry image of the lighting situation.
View attachment 170274

Oh, the Color4K-T will make that look like VERY nice, I believe.

BTW, what make/model of cam is that made with?

 

[wittaj]

Yeah the 4K/T will be incredible - as someone said, you aren't concerned with freeze frame capture of a perp, so you can leave it on auto and get a great nighttime image.

Someone here posted theirs, let me see if I can find that thread.

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

Bullet IPC-Color4K-X
EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-X is an amazing weather cam | IP Cam Talk
Or turret IPC-Color4K-T
EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-T Weather Camera Day and night video - YouTube

 

[Fountainguy97]

Oh, the Color4K-T will make that look like VERY nice, I believe.

BTW, what make/model of cam is that made with?

iphone 14 pro. Here is a better shot to "show off" the night mode a bit better haha.

 

[Fountainguy97]

Yeah the 4K/T will be incredible - as someone said, you aren't concerned with freeze frame capture of a perp, so you can leave it on auto and get a great nighttime image.

Someone here posted theirs, let me see if I can find that thread.

awesome! I'll give it a try. I'll let you guys know how it turns out!

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

A weather camera turn into under water camera, crazy camera survived from crazy flood
(3) EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-X Survival from TX Flood 2022 - YouTube