Camera Armor

Status
Not open for further replies.

Jim Watson

Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2002
Messages
36,166
Location
Florence, Alabama
What thickness polycarbonate or even Lucite would it take to stop a 9mm or .45ACP?

The Soloshot automatic tracking camera looks like a way to get something in the picture besides the back of the shooter's head. But it would need armor if placed down range.
 
I have had 9mm hollow point not penetrate 3/8", but have had .380 fmj penetrate the same thickness.
There is a lot more then just thickness, to consider. Polycarbonate has a grain structure, the older the poly, the more brittle it is. Granted the age brittlness is in years of time, but it is there.
I haven't shot anything thicker then the 3/8" so beyond that.......
 
They've put some form of plastic "bullet proof glass" at is at least 1" thick at our bank.

I'd think getting some sample thicknesses and testing would be prudent if the camera is valuable enough. I'd forget about the Lucite, its significantly weaker than polycarbonate.
 
The drive-through teller window specification I'm used to (after 42 banks, 37 with drive through) is 1 5/16" laminated glazing.

There's a nifty outfit down in Bastrop, Armortex that usually calls for 1" polycarbonaite in their bullet-resistant glazing. (They can also do 1.5")

ArmorCore in Waco seems to prefer 1.25" laminated products.

Now, that latter is likely because polycarbonite is good once, but once it cracks, it's close to toast. Laminating crystal-clear acrylic over PC helps with clarity and with multiple-hit resistance.

What I suspect would suit OP's needs might be a scuba enclosure--optically "clean" and good for a couple atmospheres, so probably resistant to stray bullet debris. But, that's just a guess.
 
I did some Googling.
The least that anybody calls "bullet resistant" is 3/4" polycarbonate, 4.6 lb/sq ft.

A casual interest plus the price of the Soloshot ($500-$800 depending on the camera) does not look good for a shooter tracking cam project.

Hmm, maybe a small shield in front of a Gopro...
 
The Soloshot automatic tracking camera come with a telephoto lens?
You'd have to think of a mounting thingy that isn't going get knocked over upon impact too. And you'd want any mounting thingy easily moveable to prevent the mush minds from trying it out with their rifles.
A 2' x 2' 1/4" hunk of Lexan cost me $50Cdn, years ago, when I was fixing a busted window on my Samurai's roof. Pricey stuff.
 
If you have two mirrors you can make a periscope, put the camera behind steel and have the camera "look" over it.

Or you can even buy a cheap kids toy.

a30eac43-89a6-4f11-965f-6791b4750795_1.c08600a61ed4543c04b78635475d90f2.jpg
 
Would a drone with a camera work for you. Pricey depending on quality but the views could be impressive,
 
what would the camera track? or is it panning to follow you as you shoot?
how about 2 cameras. one for the shooter and one for the target and use editing software that allows split screen viewing. i have an older computer so i havent bought a nicer editing software and just use live movie maker or gopro studio. neither of which allows 2 videos to play simultaneously but that will be my plan once i get a new computer.
 
You wear a microwave tag that the Soloshot camera pans to follow. The setup process seems a bit involved.
I think I can borrow a Gopro, if I agree to shield it.
 
if it tracks you, it may not show the target, just you shooting. go pros are good if they are close to what you want to show apart from landscapes . from pov at 25 yrds the targets look small.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top