UPDATE 1/27/11
For those who have been following, the group buy is canceled.
If you want a unit, you can build, roll the dice with Ron, or buy one off someone who has a working unit.
Here is the result of the Test Batch - this was a bad audition:
oldgrayone - 1000 yard unit - did not receive a payment request, had trouble getting in touch with Ron, and then there were some discrepancies in email addresses used and if Ron received certain emails. Chose to not buy, sketchy situation.
Mudcat-NC - 1000 yard unit - received a prompt payment request, funded promptly, and received the unit in the correct amount of time (no tracking number given, though). The unit did not work for him, he was shooting black high power targets, and the resolution was not good enough to identify holes. Asked to return the unit, and ended up having to file a paypal dispute to get Ron's attention and get it returned. He did get a refund, but was out shipping.
dr petelr - 2000 yard unit - Prompt payment request, prompt funding, received the unit in the correct amount of time (no tracking number). The camera was hot glued, and broke within 2 minutes (the camera was hanging by the wires). Ron apologized, said somehow an old camera must have been used, because now everything should be clamped on. Pete returned it for a refund, I believe Ron was helpful and took care of the return in a timely manner.
ranger70 - 2000 yard unit - paid, received unit, and it works. Max range he has gotten so far is ~1200 yards.
oubeta - 2000 yard unit - paid, received unit, and it works. He had to focus the camera- why that wasn't done by Ron, we don't know. OU has not had the chance to fully test the unit, but it works and has been confirmed to at least 700 yards.
Chiller - 2000 yard unit - backed out before payment.
bigsky - 2000 yard unit - backed out before payment.
Fellas, if I've got facts wrong, let me know and I'll correct it.
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I bit the bullet and decided to be the guinea pig.
I bought a 2000 yard remote video system from targetteck.com.
Packaging was nice. It better be, considering I waited a month to receive this after paying for it. Apparently they were waiting on some components.
Case is small and light (8"x12"x4"). This system uses lithium ion batteries (used to be lead acid), so I'm guessing that's what keeps it so light.
Upon opening the case, there is foam to protect the screen and keep things where it needs to be. There were instructions included- They say they are temporary, and the permanent will be mailed shortly. At this point I haven't decided how many orders this company has filled. When asked, they stated "over 500", but mine I believe is the first with lithium ion batteries, and the set up changed as well.
Removing the protective foam shows everything in the kit. The foam is cut-out to keep things in place.
The battery pack that powers the receiver didn't stay in place. Hot glue- there's gotta be a better way.
I pulled out the transmitter to assemble this thing to test it. Here it is. The battery, transmitter, and camera are all attached.
The stand was not in the case, and it screws on. I screwed it on, and the finger knob came off (it was hot glued on- seriously?). That's ok, because the actual screw is an allen wrench head.
I turned everything on, and it works. The lens is a 25mm, so it is not made for close up images. I aim it at a couple maps on the wall, and get an ok view. I grabbed an old target and an old wall street journal and taped it on the wall. There, now I can get an idea of image quality. FYI- the bullet holes are .30cal.
To get the image centered, I had to angle the camera. It seems the camera was not mounted straight (angled to one side) within it's small sunshade/protective covering. The camera adjustment arm is not screwed in very tightly to the battery- it came out in my hand when I went half a turn in the wrong direction.
I was able to get it screwed back on without much effort, and turned the camera in the other direction to get it to balance better on the stand and to get the image oriented correctly on the screen. You can see I had to pull it down to the side and angle the camera.
For those who have been following, the group buy is canceled.
If you want a unit, you can build, roll the dice with Ron, or buy one off someone who has a working unit.
Here is the result of the Test Batch - this was a bad audition:
oldgrayone - 1000 yard unit - did not receive a payment request, had trouble getting in touch with Ron, and then there were some discrepancies in email addresses used and if Ron received certain emails. Chose to not buy, sketchy situation.
Mudcat-NC - 1000 yard unit - received a prompt payment request, funded promptly, and received the unit in the correct amount of time (no tracking number given, though). The unit did not work for him, he was shooting black high power targets, and the resolution was not good enough to identify holes. Asked to return the unit, and ended up having to file a paypal dispute to get Ron's attention and get it returned. He did get a refund, but was out shipping.
dr petelr - 2000 yard unit - Prompt payment request, prompt funding, received the unit in the correct amount of time (no tracking number). The camera was hot glued, and broke within 2 minutes (the camera was hanging by the wires). Ron apologized, said somehow an old camera must have been used, because now everything should be clamped on. Pete returned it for a refund, I believe Ron was helpful and took care of the return in a timely manner.
ranger70 - 2000 yard unit - paid, received unit, and it works. Max range he has gotten so far is ~1200 yards.
oubeta - 2000 yard unit - paid, received unit, and it works. He had to focus the camera- why that wasn't done by Ron, we don't know. OU has not had the chance to fully test the unit, but it works and has been confirmed to at least 700 yards.
Chiller - 2000 yard unit - backed out before payment.
bigsky - 2000 yard unit - backed out before payment.
Fellas, if I've got facts wrong, let me know and I'll correct it.
********************************************************************************
I bit the bullet and decided to be the guinea pig.
I bought a 2000 yard remote video system from targetteck.com.
Packaging was nice. It better be, considering I waited a month to receive this after paying for it. Apparently they were waiting on some components.
Case is small and light (8"x12"x4"). This system uses lithium ion batteries (used to be lead acid), so I'm guessing that's what keeps it so light.
Upon opening the case, there is foam to protect the screen and keep things where it needs to be. There were instructions included- They say they are temporary, and the permanent will be mailed shortly. At this point I haven't decided how many orders this company has filled. When asked, they stated "over 500", but mine I believe is the first with lithium ion batteries, and the set up changed as well.
Removing the protective foam shows everything in the kit. The foam is cut-out to keep things in place.
The battery pack that powers the receiver didn't stay in place. Hot glue- there's gotta be a better way.
I pulled out the transmitter to assemble this thing to test it. Here it is. The battery, transmitter, and camera are all attached.
The stand was not in the case, and it screws on. I screwed it on, and the finger knob came off (it was hot glued on- seriously?). That's ok, because the actual screw is an allen wrench head.
I turned everything on, and it works. The lens is a 25mm, so it is not made for close up images. I aim it at a couple maps on the wall, and get an ok view. I grabbed an old target and an old wall street journal and taped it on the wall. There, now I can get an idea of image quality. FYI- the bullet holes are .30cal.
To get the image centered, I had to angle the camera. It seems the camera was not mounted straight (angled to one side) within it's small sunshade/protective covering. The camera adjustment arm is not screwed in very tightly to the battery- it came out in my hand when I went half a turn in the wrong direction.
I was able to get it screwed back on without much effort, and turned the camera in the other direction to get it to balance better on the stand and to get the image oriented correctly on the screen. You can see I had to pull it down to the side and angle the camera.
