Project NiteVision - NiteMax + HUD + carputer - Page 42

inh · 08-15-2007, 08:07 PM

mark has plenty of parts, i got in contact with him after i posted last. I think im going to try and use the nitemax lcd and controller, along with an LED backlight and a copule of Fresnel lenses. I want to lay it out horizontally, then use a mirror to project on to the windshield

abendigo · 10-25-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by inh

mark has plenty of parts, i got in contact with him after i posted last. I think im going to try and use the nitemax lcd and controller, along with an LED backlight and a copule of Fresnel lenses. I want to lay it out horizontally, then use a mirror to project on to the windshield

How about a progress report? I am very interested in how this is working out. I am thinking about building a similiar device for my Motorcycle (Cruiser) this winter.

Mark

agiorgitis · 12-03-2007, 07:55 AM

Any news on that guys?

inh · 12-03-2007, 02:18 PM

Well, I got my NiteMax's but I lack the equipment and supplies to try anyhitng more. In a few months when I'm back home with all my tools, and can run to the hobby shop for anything i need, i'll get back on it.

agiorgitis · 12-03-2007, 03:10 PM

Is that NiteMax worthing it's money?

I have a ccd ir 1/3" camera from ebay and I'm satisfied, but I'd like to compare it with nikemax.

PS: I want to make sth like BMW's nightvision...

shotgunefx · 12-07-2007, 03:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by agiorgitis

Any news on that guys?

Personally, I've been swamped and haven't been able to work on any car stuff at all. (It still is going to happen, just need some time)

Quote: Originally Posted by agiorgitis

Is that NiteMax worthing it's money?

I have a ccd ir 1/3" camera from ebay and I'm satisfied, but I'd like to compare it with nikemax.

PS: I want to make sth like BMW's nightvision...

The nitemax cameras are nice, but if you only are using it for the CCD, then you probably want to compare just those. The Nitemax B&W uses Sony ICX054BL CCD Imagers, in one of the threads, the datasheets are there, which give you all the specs.

BMW's system isn't IR though, it's thermal, big difference in both performance and cost. My brother uses a Thermal video camera at work for detecting heat loss in buildings. They go for around $20,000 dollars. Compare that to a decent camcorder with IR which is probably around $400 and it gives you some sense of scale.

shotgunefx · 12-07-2007, 03:18 AM

BTW, here is a good article on thermal imagers
http://www.processingtalk.com/news/ipa/ipa128.html

quantum · 12-14-2007, 11:16 PM

Well guys, I went out and and took the hit today. I now have on order the complete nightvision setup out of a 2000 Cadillac Deville. Comes with the thermal camera, HUD, control switch, dash pad and wiring harness. I also have a spare HUD and switch coming with it. Total cost was $1100.00. Shouldd be here next week Merry Christmas to ME!

I read about a guy that converted this camera to a regular RCA video out. Might be cool to tie it into a monitor...

Looks like it'll be a springtime install. I have been itching for a 2002-2004 Deville anyway. Parts are 100% interchangable for 2000-2005, so I can buy a car without nightvision and install this exact setup, pretty much bolt it right in.

mugurg · 12-15-2007, 02:57 AM

quantum, can't wait to tell us how it works.

shotgunefx · 12-15-2007, 03:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by quantum

Well guys, I went out and and took the hit today. I now have on order the complete nightvision setup out of a 2000 Cadillac Deville. Comes with the thermal camera, HUD, control switch, dash pad and wiring harness. I also have a spare HUD and switch coming with it. Total cost was $1100.00. Shouldd be here next week Merry Christmas to ME!

I read about a guy that converted this camera to a regular RCA video out. Might be cool to tie it into a monitor...

Looks like it'll be a springtime install. I have been itching for a 2002-2004 Deville anyway. Parts are 100% interchangable for 2000-2005, so I can buy a car without nightvision and install this exact setup, pretty much bolt it right in.

Nice! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

LeZandre · 12-17-2007, 06:07 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by shotgunefx

BMW's system isn't IR though, it's thermal, big difference in both performance and cost.

Actually, BMW uses the PathFindIR FLIR module.

Costs you $4.000 - $5.000 for the "sensor", LCD/TFT not included.

http://blog.sounddomain.com/2007/11/...athfindir.html states $4.425 .

The manufacturers site http://www.eurasia.flir.com/dve/

shotgunefx · 12-17-2007, 11:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by LeZandre

Actually, BMW uses the PathFindIR FLIR module.

Costs you $4.000 - $5.000 for the "sensor", LCD/TFT not included.

http://blog.sounddomain.com/2007/11/...athfindir.html states $4.425 .

The manufacturers site http://www.eurasia.flir.com/dve/

You are correct, and it's an important distinction, but it is thermal. For most mortals (and l the majority of this thread), Infrared cameras are usually thought of as infrared illumination with sensitive CCDs.

As an aside, I was watching a cheap, somewhat screwy FLIR module on ebay that needed some repair that was at like $11. I was hoping I could snipe it as the retail on it is $12,000K, no such luck, 5 days left and it shot to over $300. I don't even want to know what it is now

lastchance · 12-18-2007, 02:43 AM

the hud has been done by GM so you should be legal to use in all states as for the display use a piece of Plexiglas instead of the windshield so as to avoid distortion of your display

here is a link for reference http://www.dupont.com/safetyglass/en...ts/hud_gm.html

quantum · 12-18-2007, 10:20 AM

Hey Fellas,

Thanks for the well-wishes! Now, if only it was spring time and I had my new(er) Deville...this is gonna be a loooooooong slowwwwwwwwwwww winter!

Some people asked, so I'll spill my secrets. I got this setup on E-bay. The "perfect" situation is when a 2000-2004 Deville gets rear-ended or blows a motor. In either event, the parts of the car are worth more than fixing it, especially when the motor goes BIG BUCKS! The owners know that, and with a screwdriver and a wrench, they can pull the most valuable parts, especially the camera and HUD.

Don't misunderstand, it took months (years) of searching to get this. Been searching e-bay and junk yards almost since this thread started. I have seen cameras bid up to $1000-$1500.00 alone, and the HUD sell for $200-$500.00.

The IR and Nitemax setups work very well, but there is really no comparison to thermal imaging, it's two separate technologies. FLIR has that kit for $4000.00+, and it is very similar to this Raytheon camera Caddy used. But 4 GRAND!

Quote: Originally Posted by lastchance

the hud has been done by GM so you should be legal to use in all states as for the display use a piece of Plexiglas instead of the windshield so as to avoid distortion of your display

here is a link for reference http://www.dupont.com/safetyglass/en...ts/hud_gm.html

Lastchance, I don't think the legality is the issue so much as the risk of being pulled over because of the big white splash on the windshield, then answering a bunch of questions, etc. More hassle than it's worth.

As gfar as the Dupont film, it is embedded into the windshield glass, very difficult to duplicate externally. The Plexi would work (someone here did it with the top of a CD case), but it would look cheap in my opinion.

I'll keep you posted, going to experiment on the bench for a while

quantum · 12-18-2007, 08:34 PM

Well, the spare HUD and switch came today, and I promply took them apart.

Inside is a 9" concave mirror on a pivot, which changes the height of the display on the windshield. The projector looks like a regular back-lit monitor, only it is about .75" x 2", about the same size as one of those character LCDs, hmmmm....

I had a fleeting thought about hooking the camera signal to a regular monitor for the night vision, and then replacing the mini-projector in the HUD with an LCD to display system info, music info, whatever LCDs can display. I mean, it would make sense to use the HUD for the nightvision, that's the whole point, but how cool would it be to have LCD characters displayed? Just an idea...

Then I thought someone here might want to do that. The HUDs are on e-bay out of other cars in the $50 - $100 range, and the most important part would be the movable reflector and housing. If you mounted an LCD in there, (and had room under your dash) possibilities abound!

I'll post pics when I can. Stay tuned!