Pan and Tilt unit for thermal and video cameras - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2014, 11:00:49 pm
content: I was in need of a reasonably sized Pan & Tilt head for use with my NEC AVIO thermal camera. I already own the normal heavy duty PT heads that are commonly found in external CCTV applications. I also bought a smaller PT head designed for use with light camcorders and SLR's. Neither fitted my needs so a search began for something affordable. PT heads can be either cheap and nasty or good and expensive.... I needed something in the mid ground for use in my workshop and occasionally outside.After a request for suggestions on this forum I decided to explore the Chinese produced products. Some were outright cr*p but one did catch my eye. It claimed to be an internal/external rated head and it certainly looked OK in the pictures. The unit was described as having a diecast metal housing so that was a step up from the cheaper plastic cased efforts that I had found. Driving the PT head requires only an AC 24V supply that is applied between a common terminal and a direction terminal (up/down and left/right, or Auto). This is not your more common Pelco drive but meets my needs perfectly, as it may be driven with nothing more than a 24V transformer and a microswitch joystick. No command protocols to worry about.The unit is a PTS 303 and may be seen on the manufacturers web site here:http://www.ptscctv.com/en/productshow.aspx?cateid=172&productsid=1553I decided to take a risk on the unit and negotiated a price with the seller. The total purchase price was actually less than I had been quoted for shipping such a 3.5kg unit from the USA ! How do the Chinese do it and still make a profit ?The box arrived this morning via DHL (yes DHL not China Post!) It has taken only 5 days to reach me in the UK. Excellent service.The unit is well protected in its box by polystyrene, so no transit damage.I quickly took a look inside of the head and was pleased to see some healthy looking large metal gears and a well designed chassis. The only negative points are that the stem on which the top of the unit rotates is ABS plastic, albeit thick walled ABS plastic. It does have a solid metal flange on the bottom for pole mounting however.Also the cover on the bottom of the rotating head is ABS plastic and is not environmentally sealed.I have done some checking on the manufacturers web site and it is clear to me that this is an indoor use only PT head. The manual has a misleading (to the seller) title that mentions internal and external as it covers two models. No worries for me though as I am not going to be using the unit in bad weather.The head may be found here and I attach pictures of my thermal camera mounted on it. They make a good matchhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260370887871?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649I would say that this PT head would be useful for anyone who wants an affordable, yet pretty well made unit (for the price) that can cope with cameras up to 12Kg in weight (manufacturers specs). It isn't too unsightly eitherI just need to source a 24V transformer and place the joystick in a suitable enclosure. I attach details of the joystick that I am using as well.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121352270656?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649Aurora