thanks. Played with any more recently that have a more narrow focus (i.e. < 90 degress...more like 10-20)?
IR Illuminators in 2019
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bigredfish
Known around here
CMVision IR-200 is one commonly-available model with a very strong and very focused beam.
Also check out this thread: Automotive IR emitter You'll need to scrounge up your own sufficiently-potent 12V power brick. For my test, I hooked it up to a 6-amp brick I had laying around. With all spot optics, it's easily more powerful than a pair of IR-200s.
The three IR-200s I have are pretty focused. One sec, I'll do a quick demo with the idle one...
This video starts with a Hikvision camera at minimum IR output (can't be turned completely off in B/W mode), then at 50%, then at 100%. Then I throw on the CMvision IR-200, and last I switch to the Black Oak IR pod (4 x 15-degree spot optics). My own LPR is looking about 150-180 feet out and is using two IR-200s right now. Note that the IR-200 is only IP65-rated, they're not fully weatherproof as-is. Also they have a two-axis mount, not three-axis, so they're best bolted to a horizontal surface.
My other remark about the IR-200 is that they tend to switch on very late unless their photocell is obstructed with, say, a piece of masking tape or something to fool them into thinking it's darker than it really is.
This video starts with a Hikvision camera at minimum IR output (can't be turned completely off in B/W mode), then at 50%, then at 100%. Then I throw on the CMvision IR-200, and last I switch to the Black Oak IR pod (4 x 15-degree spot optics). My own LPR is looking about 150-180 feet out and is using two IR-200s right now. Note that the IR-200 is only IP65-rated, they're not fully weatherproof as-is. Also they have a two-axis mount, not three-axis, so they're best bolted to a horizontal surface.
My other remark about the IR-200 is that they tend to switch on very late unless their photocell is obstructed with, say, a piece of masking tape or something to fool them into thinking it's darker than it really is.
I was reminded of another advantage of external IR a couple of days ago. When it's raining or snowing, even lightly, the internal IR light reflects straight back from the precip to the camera, pretty much blinding it. If the IR light isn't directly in line with the lens, the reflection isn't there.
Super helpful. Thank you. The ir-200 is less floody than i thought. And 15degree pod is much more focused than i thought too.
edit: i think I’ll get the ir-200 to use with my lpr camera that is in the mail from Andy. At 100’-120’ it should be the ticket.
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I've actually bought 20mm optics, 5 degree, to swap out with one my the BI8-type clones. I'll let you know how it goes.
tibimakai
Known around here
I would like to improve my IR light for my LPR camera as well. I have one of those 15 LED ones from Ali and it does not light up the area that I want.
www.aliexpress.com
I have the 10 degree one.
I'm looking to replace it, with something more focused. I'm thinking about a flashlight, that has a lens in front of it. I have just purchased a 5W IR LED and a resistor for it. I will fabricate something. Most likely I will replace the original LED, with the IR 5W one, I will solder some wires to it and install a 25W resistor/8.2Ohm, that will be inside the flashlight. I may make some holes at the bottom, for ventilation. Install a 12V female plug. I have installed an exterior outlet for Christmas lights, so I can use that outlet to power this flashlight.
I was thinking about replacing those LEDs, with some that are 3W, or even 5W ones, but those lenses are glued to the pcb, dealing with desoldering all those LEDs, soldering new ones, re-glueing the lenses. Then finding an LED driver that can handle the high current, than dealing with extra heat. Things are getting to complicated.
25.85US $ 24% OFF|100m Ir Distance 15 Leds Ir Illuminators Ir Infrared Light Led Cctv Camera Night-vision Ir Fill Light For Cctv Security Camera - Cctv Fill Light - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
I'm looking to replace it, with something more focused. I'm thinking about a flashlight, that has a lens in front of it. I have just purchased a 5W IR LED and a resistor for it. I will fabricate something. Most likely I will replace the original LED, with the IR 5W one, I will solder some wires to it and install a 25W resistor/8.2Ohm, that will be inside the flashlight. I may make some holes at the bottom, for ventilation. Install a 12V female plug. I have installed an exterior outlet for Christmas lights, so I can use that outlet to power this flashlight.
I was thinking about replacing those LEDs, with some that are 3W, or even 5W ones, but those lenses are glued to the pcb, dealing with desoldering all those LEDs, soldering new ones, re-glueing the lenses. Then finding an LED driver that can handle the high current, than dealing with extra heat. Things are getting to complicated.
Actually you can find all sorts of IR LEDs on Aliexpress, and how to swap them around. I'm taking delivery of some IR lasers, set down to a small mw power, and put on beam expanders. I'll take them into work to measure the power to make sure before doing anything with them.I would like to improve my IR light for my LPR camera as well. I have one of those 15 LED ones from Ali and it does not light up the area that I want.
I have the 10 degree one.25.85US $ 24% OFF|100m Ir Distance 15 Leds Ir Illuminators Ir Infrared Light Led Cctv Camera Night-vision Ir Fill Light For Cctv Security Camera - Cctv Fill Light - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
I'm looking to replace it, with something more focused. I'm thinking about a flashlight, that has a lens in front of it. I have just purchased a 5W IR LED and a resistor for it. I will fabricate something. Most likely I will replace the original LED, with the IR 5W one, I will solder some wires to it and install a 25W resistor/8.2Ohm, that will be inside the flashlight. I may make some holes at the bottom, for ventilation. Install a 12V female plug. I have installed an exterior outlet for Christmas lights, so I can use that outlet to power this flashlight.
I was thinking about replacing those LEDs, with some that are 3W, or even 5W ones, but those lenses are glued to the pcb, dealing with desoldering all those LEDs, soldering new ones, re-glueing the lenses. Then finding an LED driver that can handle the high current, than dealing with extra heat. Things are getting to complicated.
Soldering the IR on there is fairly easy, but I'd just get another PCB board with them already on- there's tons of manufacturers on aliexpress. You can also swap out the optics (I'll let you know how that goes).