Hello everybody - there is an intruder coming over to my property that I wanted to take pics or video of - is there a way that I can use a trailcam with a laser tripwire or similar to either video or take shots of - I don't want continuous recording as the intruder isn't always around.

 

Most trailcams have motion detection and don't trigger until there is movement. You can set how long to record, etc. on most of them. I don't see why you would need a separate "tripwire". Maybe if you explain in more detail??

 

The only problem with a game camera (Trailcam) is the appearance. They are mostly intended to be hidden in vegetation and so they look out of place in more civilized surroundings. Certainly a standard mains powered motion sensor set to the "Test" mode could activate some sort of recording system.

 

I have security cameras around my house. Used it to prove it was the boy from across the street throwing stones at my pets and in my grass for the lawn mower to eat up. I have an 8 channel system and use 4 cameras. It's not that expensive. However, if what you're protecting costs significantly less then a security system isn't the right solution. You wouldn't spend a thousand dollars to protect a 2 dollar porch decoration. Then again, a security system can do so much more. In the event of a situation where you NEED to see and prove who did what - a security system with date and time stamps is the way to go.

[edit] A "Ring" doorbell or similar will do the same thing and not be quite as obtrusive as a trail camera. And with the doorbell camera you know WHEN someone approaches and you will be able to talk to them. If they know you're watching they'll likely quit whatever activity it is you wish to capture.

 

I have seen cameras that are made to be hidden inside. In a clock,in a smoke detector, and in a fancy light fixture. AND there are quite a few camera/motion detector packages for sale as well. That may be the best choice. There have been infra-red beam break systems available for at least 40 years, presently they are also available for industrial applications using a 2 inch diameter retro-reflector, good for impressive distances. Small, low powered, and weather proof.

 

Laser tripwire can be rigged up with a laser pointer and a photo transistor, but the alignment problems are very tricky.

 

Laser tripwire can be rigged up with a laser pointer and a photo transistor, but the alignment problems are very tricky.

I have not seen a laser pointer that was adequately heat-sinked for constant operation. AND most pointer laser beams are visible.

 

I have not seen a laser pointer that was adequately heat-sinked for constant operation. AND most pointer laser beams are visible.

The low power RED ones can run all day long.

The visible one might act as a deterrent?

 

The green laser can also be pulsed.

 

The visible one might act as a deterrent?

I once worked on a laser projector that had to synchronize the phase of a rotating polygon with the incoming horizontal sync pulse. My predecessor had set up an IR LED which was reflected by the polygon to a small phototransistor. (Yeah, a lot of detail in there) and it took literally hours to align the IR LED so that the spot of IR light landed on phototransistor.

The above should be a clue - I ordered some "ultra bright" red LEDs and then alignment only took about a minute. An IR LED is a bad idea unless you have night vision goggles that can see IR. Otherwise, stick with visible light.

 

I once worked on a laser projector that had to synchronize the phase of a rotating polygon with the incoming horizontal sync pulse. My predecessor had set up an IR LED which was reflected by the polygon to a small phototransistor. (Yeah, a lot of detail in there) and it took literally hours to align the IR LED so that the spot of IR light landed on phototransistor.

The above should be a clue - I ordered some "ultra bright" red LEDs and then alignment only took about a minute. An IR LED is a bad idea unless you have night vision goggles that can see IR. Otherwise, stick with visible light.

For setting up an IR-beam security package that required adjusting beam angles on both ends, we used a spotlight at the source end, aimed at the sensor end, to adjust the sensor alignment. THEN we used that same spotlight, positioned at at the sensor end of the path, to align the light source. It worked well but it was slower than optimum. But it did allow a narrow beam system that was not able to be fooled by a second IR source.