Speco Technologies

Speco Technologies manufactures a line of exterior color surveillence cameras with DSP processing enabling low light level images of facilities without IR illumination, and of the night sky without external video integration.

Model HTINTD8 weatherproof camera

The spherical housing (they term it a "dome" camera) is clamped by the outer ring and can ge oriented in any direction. A cable with power, analog video, and motion detection relay closure exits the back of the ball opposite to the lens, and can be brought out under the ring. The camera is designed to operate looking down from an eave or ceiling, but the mounting can be reversed as shown to look up at the sky. Speco's website highlights these features:

• 2.8-12mm auto iris varifocal lens • 1/3” Sony Super HAD™ CCD • 700 lines of color resolution • Amplify existing light with no distance limitations • No problems caused by objects that reflect or absorb IR light sources • Minimum illumination 0.00002 lux (Intensify @ 512x) • Now with presets: Outdoor, Indoor, Elevator, Lobby, Hallway & Dark • 12VDC / 24VAC dual voltage operation • Full OSD operation and test monitor output • 3-axis wall or ceiling mount • External controls for zoom & focus • EZ mount system simplifies installation • Relay outputs for motion detection • Weather resistant operation • IP66 compliant • Anti-moisture glass and circuitry eliminates fog or condensation

 under any weather condition

• 5 year warranty

The camera was available in March 2015 at prices from $230 to $250 through Amazon and other vendors.

In our uses primarily for sky cameras the video is sent to an Axis video server where it is capture either live or single frame for website use. Cameras are currently located

• On the Moore main building looking at the north celestial pole
• On the Moore roll roof looking at the celestial equator to the south
• On the Moore roll roof looking at the Moore main building (security)
• Inside the Moore RC24 dome for telescope monitoring
• Inside the CDK20 dome for telescope montoring
• On the Mt. Kent main building looking at from the zenith down to the southern horizon

Two of the cameras are expose the Sun directly during the day since they view the sky in the vicinity of the ecliptic, and both have handled the excess light without apparent damage. These same cameras respond with a blue sky and white clouds in the daytime, and stars fainter tha 6th magnitude at night.