Wood-like Enclosure for LPR Camera?

[TheWaterbug]

In addition to the three eyeball cameras that I have mounted to my mailbox post, I'm also considering trying a pair of my $35 Vigilant cameras for LPR. Given their ginormous size, I'd like to hide them in this tree, perhaps where I've put this red cylinder, but recessed even more than that:



Are there enclosures that are designed to look like part of a tree with this type of coarse bark? Of course I'm not really "hiding" it, as it'll be visible to anyone who really looks, but I just don't want it to stick out like a sore thumb to everyone who walks/drives by. I'm probably already getting a reputation as "that kooky camera guy."

I found this on Etsy,



but it's way too small for these big cameras, and also not very convincing as "wood."

 

[TheWaterbug]

Looks like I'd need at least 5" ID, and probably closer to 6" ID if I want any freedom to aim the camera inside the enclosure, as opposed to aiming the entire enclosure:



and the camera is a full foot long, unlike some Subway sandwiches:



I don't need the enclosure to be a full foot long, because I'll likely have the back end hanging out anyway. But I probably want at least 8" to hide the camera body.

 

[TheWaterbug]

Here's another view of one of these trees, with a typical eyeball camera mounted on it, e.g. the look I'm trying to avoid:

 

[TonyR]

1) How about a piece of 6" dia. ABS pipe.
2) 6" dia. end cap if needed
3) 24" long black UV zip ties
4) Attach artificial tree bark with hot glue gun or spray glue to ABS pipe

Screw standard wood spacer block(s) to tree, screw zip ties to tree and/or blocks, cinch zip ties down on ABS pipe, glue the vinyl bark onto the abs pipe.

 

[TheWaterbug]

¡WoW! I had no idea fake bark existed!

I just ordered a similar product from amazon



and I've got the pipe pieces coming from Home Depot with free delivery.

I'll take photos once it all arrives.

Thanks!

 

[TheWaterbug]

There is a human hidden in this photo. Can you see him?

 

[TheWaterbug]

The texture is a pretty darn good match:



but the color is off more that I'd like. I wonder if I could lighten that up with a dry brushing of gray paint. I might try that on a small sample.

 

[TheWaterbug]

It would look pretty obviously different, even from a distance:

 

[TheWaterbug]

Screw standard wood spacer block(s) to tree, screw zip ties to tree and/or blocks, cinch zip ties down on ABS pipe, glue the vinyl bark onto the abs pipe.

I'm still noodling over assembly methods, as I don't know how easy or difficult it's going to be to aim this and keep it aimed while installing this camo cover. I could either:

1. Mount the camera to the PVC cap with a junction box, mount that whole assembly to the tree via the back end of the cap, get it aimed via the camera's aiming mechanism, and then slide the textured pipe into the cap from the front:
   1. In theory this is easiest because I will have better access to aim the camera without the tube installed, but:
   2. I don't know how badly my aiming/alignment is going to get bumped off when I slide the pipe into the cap.
   3. Lather, rinse, repeat until I get it right?
2. Assemble camera, cap, and tube first, then attempt to mount and aim the entire assembly.
   1. I'm not sure how I would make an aim-able mount for a 6" pipe, and
   2. I'll have no access to the camera's set screws once it's inside the pipe

Mounting issues aside, I'm considering cutting the front edge of the pipe unevenly, and then fold/glue some of that fake bark over the edge and back into the pipe, to make it look less obviously manmade.

@TonyR, have you used this type of pipe method before? Or was that just an idea for me to try out?

 

[TonyR]

I'm still noodling over assembly methods, as I don't know how easy or difficult it's going to be to aim this and keep it aimed while installing this camo cover. I could either:

1. Mount the camera to the PVC cap with a junction box, mount that whole assembly to the tree via the back end of the cap, get it aimed via the camera's aiming mechanism, and then slide the textured pipe into the cap from the front:
   1. In theory this is easiest because I will have better access to aim the camera without the tube installed, but:
   2. I don't know how badly my aiming/alignment is going to get bumped off when I slide the pipe into the cap.
   3. Lather, rinse, repeat until I get it right?
2. Assemble camera, cap, and tube first, then attempt to mount and aim the entire assembly.
   1. I'm not sure how I would make an aim-able mount for a 6" pipe, and
   2. I'll have no access to the camera's set screws once it's inside the pipe

Mounting issues aside, I'm considering cutting the front edge of the pipe unevenly, and then fold/glue some of that fake bark over the edge and back into the pipe, to make it look less obviously manmade.

@TonyR, have you used this type of pipe method before? Or was that just an idea for me to try out?

Method #1 does sound the most doable; but as we all know, our imagineering often hits the roadblock of reality.....but we have to try even before we can fail.
Honestly, I have not done this before and was just throwing out the possibility. I think sliding the "barked' tube over the cam AFTER mounting and aiming makes the most sense.

 

[samplenhold]

our imagineering often hits the roadblock of reality

That is a classic phrase! Can I use it?

 

[d5775927]

It would look pretty obviously different, even from a distance:

View attachment 238532

The pictures you upload a quite dark, is it just for me?

 

[TonyR]

That is a classic phrase! Can I use it?

Be my guest!

 

[oldspyguy]

I have used the Duct tape camo tape and it blends in pretty well. The one that looks like the forest background. Play with the location to get the best blending into the enviroment. I have found that close or in the crux of the branch is better than on the more uniform pattern of the trunk or larger branches. Good luck....

 

[TheWaterbug]

The pictures you upload a quite dark, is it just for me?

It was an overcast morning when I took them, so yes, it was a bit dark. But I'm not worried about the overall exposure value; I'm worried about the contrast between the fake bark and the real tree. None of the fake bark offerings on amazon have a choice of color, and their photos are going to be accurate, either, so you just get what you get.

If my real tree were wet, e.g. after a rain, then the match would be perfect.

 

[TheWaterbug]

I have used the Duct tape camo tape and it blends in pretty well. The one that looks like the forest background. Play with the location to get the best blending into the enviroment. I have found that close or in the crux of the branch is better than on the more uniform pattern of the trunk or larger branches. Good luck....

Neat! I didn't know this existed, either:



I just ordered a roll to play with. How does it hold up to weather over time?

 

[d5775927]

It was an overcast morning when I took them, so yes, it was a bit dark. But I'm not worried about the overall exposure value; I'm worried about the contrast between the fake bark and the real tree. None of the fake bark offerings on amazon have a choice of color, and their photos are going to be accurate, either, so you just get what you get.

If my real tree were wet, e.g. after a rain, then the match would be perfect.

I have a crazy idea, not sure you want to invest time in it.
Maybe cut a thick branch, with diameter that is bigger than the camera.
Carve out the internal part of the branch, fill with metal tube put the camera in the tube and attach the branch to the tree.

Edit:
Saw TonyR already suggested that.

 

[oldspyguy]

Neat! I didn't know this existed, either:

View attachment 238550

I just ordered a roll to play with. How does it hold up to weather over time?

Last for a year or two in my neck of the woods. Important to make good contact as it isnt as flexible at duck tape. I fould more smaller pieces cut to fit gives you good adhesion. I blends in so well I once lost a roll on my bench for ten minutes lol

 

[TonyR]

Neat! I didn't know this existed, either:

View attachment 238550

I just ordered a roll to play with. How does it hold up to weather over time?

Oh, yeah....@Parley started using this several years ago....when he quits using it they'll have to lay some people off at the plant where they make it!

Thread 'Putting Camouflage Tape On My Dahua 5442E-ZE Camera'

Mar 20, 2021

As I stated in another thread I have not like the results of where this camera has been located. So I stated that I am going to relocate the camera to a tree so I can get a better view down the street and the sidewalk. I have ordered CAT6 burial cable and it should be here by the end of next week. I have a spare Dahua 5442E-ZE camera that I will use as the guinea pig to see if all of this is feasible. The camera that I will use in the end is a Dahua 5442E-Z4E which will remain in the current position until I see the results of this experiment. First picture is the camouflage duct tape on...

• Parley
• Replies: 77
• Forum: Dahua

• 
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[TheWaterbug]

I'm still noodling over assembly methods, as I don't know how easy or difficult it's going to be to aim this and keep it aimed while installing this camo cover. I could either:

1. Mount the camera to the PVC cap with a junction box, mount that whole assembly to the tree via the back end of the cap, get it aimed via the camera's aiming mechanism, and then slide the textured pipe into the cap from the front:
   1. In theory this is easiest because I will have better access to aim the camera without the tube installed, but:
   2. I don't know how badly my aiming/alignment is going to get bumped off when I slide the pipe into the cap.
   3. Lather, rinse, repeat until I get it right?

I think this might work:

1. I bought a pair of the junction boxes suggested by @PeteJ in the other thread:
   1. It has a million holes in it. I will use the corner 4:
      1. 
      2. 
      3. Yes, I know it's not right-side-up. This is just a test fit. I also snipped off most of the unneeded cables and buried the rest of them inside the j-box. I'll bring the POE cable out the back of the PVC cap when I deploy.
      4. Screws are M4, and 20mm seems about right. I prefer socket head cap screws for applications like this, so I can use a ball-head driver.
   2. J-Box fits inside the PVC cap with plenty of clearance:
      1. 
      2. 
   3. Plenty of room inside for aiming the camera vs. getting the tube mounted (see below):
      1. 
   4. and then I'll cut the PVC pipe down to the appropriate length. Any suggestions on how close to cut the length?
      1. 
   5. Once I get the j-box mounted to the back of the PVC cap, and drill a hole for cable egress, then I'll mount these heavy-duty L brackets to it:
      1. 
         
      2. or, if I want to drill some new holes in the brackets:
      3. 

Still very much an exploratory work in progress.