Gadspot King of Gadgets Wireless Webcam NC1200 W10

[robgreenwood]

Well I opened up the camera last night to have a look and noticed that my the wireless antenna was connected to the aux plug on the wirless card. Not having the right plugs to make a new antenna I decided to try putting the antenna on the main plug (makes sense???), anyhow so far no disconnections. This could of course be a fluke, but even the transfer rate appears to have increased (once again I can't prove this right now).

As an aside, I've ordered a new lens for the camera with a manual iris control and zoom to see if I can combat the white out that happens when the sun shines. I realise it's not going to cure it but may make the camera more usable for its original purpose of watching windows. I'll post my findings......

[mattchase]

The new lens will help, I can't say how much but I would think it will bring it to a usable level for outdoor viewing. I too noticed my original antenna was plugged into the aux plug, but from what I have read on other forums either plug should work the same way on a wireless card. Can't say for sure if this is true, just what I've read.

As for making a new antenna, just use the existing wire / plug that is part of the original antenna and either put a new end on it or solder it directly to a new antenna. The U.FL plug that goes into the wireless card is the one that is hard to find, but you already have one if you just reuse what's in the camera.

[kwai]

I am interested in this camera to use as a baby-camera. Basically, I'm looking for a camera that is:

a) Wireless IP camera
b) Has built in IR
c) Is less than about $400
d) Can display video on a (wireless) PocketPC.

This seems to be one of very few that meets most of those criteria. I don't really fancy having to replace the ariel as soon as I get the camera, but can anyone comment on its IR capabilities? I would be using it short range - less than 6 feet.

Also, has anyone tried connecting to it with a Pocket PC?

Any other recommendations also gratefully received.

cheers,
Ben

[mattchase]

For distances that short you should be fine with the built in antenna. If you are going through drywall or other mostly hollow walls (and not too many walls) you can probably get 20-30 feet out of it. That is a guestimate based on my experiences, I am going through wooden floors which I think block the signal a bit more than modern day walls would, and I also think I might have some other interference around the cameras (it is an office building with lots of office electronics). I really don't know what the direct line of site range is on the camera, I didn't test for that, but even a low end wireless G device should get you over 50 feet.

The IR abilities are not bad, it's limited in the throw of the little LEDs but at less than 10 feet you should still be able to see something. If your subject is only about 5 feet away you would probably be able to see it pretty well.

I can't help on the Pocket PC part, seems to me if you can view javascript or active X on your device, then it will work.

[dieselpork]

I have the NC 1000 W10. I am also having problems with it, but I have noticed there is a buttton on the configuration page that will allow you to change the setting for outdoor usage. Maybe you can apply this to the 1200

First I loaded the program IPedit.exe and located the IP address. Once you double click on the IP address and submit the data, you can open IE and enter the camera's IP address. This should take you the the camera' setup page.

In the upper left corner you will see "Camera Control". You will see some dropdown boxes and one is labled "Frequency." Change the setting to "outdoor" and you shoud be able to view outdoor shots without problems.

I am in the early stages of "trying" to configuer the cameras, but this setting seems to let me see out of my window all away across the street.

Now if anyone can tell me how to set up my wireless connections, I would be greatful!

Good luck,

Bill

[heatherncs]

Try this...
Set up the camera and obtain an image on your monitor.
Then, completly cover the camera lens for about 20 seconds.
The camera should then auto adjust to the outdoors light level.
The image may be magenta colored at first, but within a minute all colours should appear.
This should work until the camera is actually powered off by disconnecting the
power supply.

PS Does anyone know where I can get a 16mm replacement lens for this camera? One that has een proven to fit correctly.
_________________
Heather NCS MacKeigan

[heatherncs]

Try this...

Set up the camera and obtain an image on your monitor.
Then, completly cover the camera lens for about 20 seconds.
The camera should then auto adjust to the outdoors light level.
The image may be magenta colored at first, but within a minute all colours should appear.
This should work until the camera is actually powered off by disconnecting the
power supply.

PS Does anyone know where I can get a 16mm replacement lens for this camera? One that has een proven to fit correctly.
_________________
Heather NCS MacKeigan

[griswold]

I guess your opinion of Gadspot's tech support will depend on whether or not your level of familiarity with the equipment exceeds theirs.

First, it's obvious that Gadspot is just drop shipping for some company in China that actually manufactures the equipment, and treats Gadspot just like any other retail customer (treats them like a mushroom). On calling Gadspot's tech support I found them registering surprise on changes in the firmware. Apparently they are the last to know. Also, they seem to have no more access to information about the product than the user's manual (the same one you have). If you are having trouble interpreting the manual then they can be of help. My question was: What is the IEEE designation for the plug that fits the DIO connector on the back of the camera (so I can purchase the right one the first time). They hadn't a clue, but sent an e-mail to the manufacutrer. They never answered me, probably because the Chinese never answered them.

On the other hand, it's a fun little camera. For all it's limitations, it's a neat little gadget, and Gadspot will help you get it going if you are lost even with the manual. Certainly not for the serious industrial customer, but then it's not advertised that way. If you're looking for a good reliable IP surveillance cam for your warehouse then you want something like a SONY SNCRZ25N, which can be yours for only $1600 US (heated, weatherproof enclosure, available seperately).

[klaatu]

I bought an NC1200 recently here in the UK. I wanted to use it to give an outdoors view, and of course for the reasons described here, I can't.

I'm really annoyed at myself for not finding this thread before I bought - I did quite a bit of research, and I was even a member of the forum here!

I've been in touch with gadget-spot uk, but I don't expect a favourable reply. I guess I'll have to try a filter - or see if they will take the camera back. Their descriptions don't mention anything about not being able to point the camera out through the window.

Steve

[BluntBrit]

I too recently purchased the Gadspot 1200 and just wish I'd found this forum before I paid for such a heap of junk!!

How they can get away with even putting it on the market when any form of daylight in the image just makes it impossible to view, and as for the colours no matter how much fiddling around done with the hue, saturation, contrast brightness controls the image doesn't represent anything like a natural image.

It's a pity the camera isn't a lot heavier then at least it could be used as a door stop and that's about all.

If anyone is thinking of buying this camera (even as an entry level) then forget it - yer wasting yer money.

Maybe my expectations are set too high but as for fiddling about with sunglasses and buying filters/lenses to compensate for a lousy design - then somehow I don't think so!!

[geolt3]

There is a website that is called http://www.gadget-spot.com and another one called http://www.gadget--spot.co.uk. they both seem to carry the the gadspot camera line but the also have a new wireless outdoor IP camera that's worth looking into and it uses their standard NC1600 series camera. They seem to do all their tech support via email & chat but I found them to be very knowlegable on their cameras.
-Geo

[qqtortqq]

I experience all the same problems everyone else here has, plus one.

No OS other than windows can retrieve anything over HTTP from this camera. I'm going to get out the network tap when i get home today and see what the problem is, but does anyone have a solution for this, or has experienced this?

Also... Has anyone tried using a film negative to block some of the light entering the camera during the daytime? Since negatives don't block infrared light, with some tweaking, I would think a film negative used as a filter on the front of the camera would correct the daytime overexposure problem, but not restrict (infrared) light at night when you need light most.

[michaelz]

Oh. seems a lot people unsatisfied with their gadget-spot camera. but still a lot people are buying them. Gadget spot doing a good marketing job.

[michaelz]

sorry, I mean gadspot camera. everytime, I search network camera or Ip camera on google, http://www.gadspot.com/ pop up. they must be paying a lot money to google.

[robburne]

Hi,

After reading the bad reviews of the 1200 model I was wondering if anyone had any feedback regarding the 4000G model. It appears to have infra-red capability ofr outdoor use and an MPEG 4 chip for compression (on the fly?).

I've also heard from another buyer that the camera (1000 model) needed to be re-booted every 30 mins?

Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks,

Rob.