Subtle LPR camera in an urban/suburban area?

[EvanVanVan]

I have three IPC-T5442T-ZE cameras on the front of my house. They must be impressive enough that I've had 2 neighbors come up in the last 6 months and ask if I've been able to record licenses plates. Unfortunately, as you know that's not really what they're intended for and haven't been able to help.

I'd like an LPR but feel I could come off a little crazy with a bullet camera lol. Is there a more subtle LPR than a bullet camera?

Ty

 

[wittaj]

It comes down to focal length and the higher ones can only be obtained via a bullet cam.

If your mailbox is right at the street you can add a ZE to it to get plates.

Or add a decorative rock or fake landscaping light with a camera in it.

Or hide a bullet cam in a hose reel.

 

[Timokreon]

If the neighbors are asking if you can capture plates, then why worry if anyone thinks it's crazy to put up a proper ANPR? Sounds like your neighbors WANT you to be able to capture, so be the good neighbor and put one up.
Grab yourself a 413, 431, or a 7 series and join our club.

 

[Flintstone61]

 

[EvanVanVan]

What's better the better LPR, the IPC-B54IR-Z4E-S3 or the, IPC-B52IR-Z12E-S2?

 

[wittaj]

All comes down to distance.

If you are under 60ish feet then the Z4E, if up to 200ish feet then the Z12E.

And people usually underestimate distance and if 60 feet becomes 80 feet, then the Z4E is the wrong choice.

If any doubt, go with Z12E.

Remember that neither camera reads and logs plates and is done manually or witha 3rd party reader.

 

[Flintstone61]

z4 afternoon distance is about 4 pontoon boats in Minnesota length. or 80ish to 99 feet.

 

[Flintstone61]

z4 at twilight
View attachment Screen Recording 2025-10-04 195454.mp4

 

[Flintstone61]

fully dark, with krinkled front and rear plates, daytime read CKE-989

 

[bigredfish]

Z12 at 120ft about 3/4 zoom

 

[Flintstone61]

I'm bench testing my 2- z12's right now. they are the 5231 Flavor. 1 generation before the model number 5241. had to replace/add moisture absorbing packets and clean the fog residue off the lenses.
of course the humidity just dropped like a rock from 67 to 44%.
seals on front assembly look a bit squashed and maybe not as elastic new ones. might be wise to put a micro bead of silicone on front seams so they can still be opened.

 

[TechieTech]

I'd like an LPR but feel I could come off a little crazy with a bullet camera lol. Is there a more subtle LPR than a bullet camera?

You could certainly use a PTZ with a long zoom to do it, but then you lose the versatility of using the PTZ for other things. I saw some pics on here a couple years ago of someone hiding a PTZ up in a soffit.

If you can hide a bullet camera behind a gutter it might be a good use case. I used to have a Z12 inside an attic, six feet back shooting through a wood framed single pane window that worked decently well, but certainly not as well as one with an unobstructed view.