SNOOPER Underwater Video Pole-Camera Systems:The Snooper system includes a color circuit-board video camera mounted in a water proof housing, a   telescoping pole to which the camera attaches,  a battery, battery charger, waist belt and battery pouch and necessary cables.  

To order, contact:

Dr. Marty Hull

D'Zign Technologies / Zoomers

e-mail: zoomers@olypen.com

How do you make it work?  The Snooper camera mounts on the end of a pole. You insert the pole into the water while standing on the side of the pool.   You can videotape swimmers from the side of the pool or from the end of a lane.   The pole extends to 9 feet which makes it possible to put the camera 4 to 5 feet underwater which still standing.  The picture (video signal) from the Snooper camera feeds into a suitable receiver.  This can be a TV monitor, or a VCR with a TV monitor which is set up near the pool, or into a Camcorder which you are holding.   See paragraph 7A and 7B below for more hook up information.  It is simple to set  up and simple to move from one position to another.

Color circuit board video camera specifications:

Focal Length 6.0 mm

Resolution 380 TV lines :   Pixels: 512(H) x 492 (V)

Sensitivity 1 lux (F 1.2)

Video output signal Composite

Video format NTSC and PAL are both available.

Electronic shutter Automatic (1/60 - 1/100,000)

Power consumption 160 mA

Power requirements 9 -15 volts/DC

SNOOPER ASSEMBLY: 

1. First, charge the battery. The battery supplies power to the Snooper camera. Connect the white plug on the charger to the white plug on the battery.  Plug the charger into a 120-volt outlet. NIMh batteries charge in 5 to 6 hours.

2. After the battery has been charged, detach the battery charger.  Place the belt and the battery pouch around your waist.  Place the battery in the battery pouch.  To turn on the camera, connect the white plug on the end of the gray Snooper cable to the white plug on the battery.   

The plug has a ring which screws to the socket. Twist the ring clockwise a couple turns. Then press the plug further into the socket and tighten the ring again. Repeat this until you feel the plug seat fully into the socket. Do not use pliers or wrenches to attach the plug  as this may damage or destroy it.

The other end of the Snooper gray cable has two plugs. The white plug attaches to the battery and brings power to the camera.   (See picture above).  The battery will run the Snooper for approximately 3 to 4 hours. The other plug is a chrome plated, female RCA or phono plug which carries the video signal.  Also included with the Snooper is an RCA or phono jumper cable which has a male phono plug on each end.  Plug one end of the phono jumper into the chrome female plug on the end of the gray Snooper cable and the other end into yellow NTSC video input plug located on a  camcorder, VCR or TV.  This conducts the TV signal to the receiver. 

Snooper cable plug and socket: The black socket on the top of the Snooper camera housing is hermetically sealed with silicone rubber sealant and an o-ring. The black plug on the end of the gray Snooper cable has a ring which when rotated clockwise, attaches the plug to the socket. When rotated counterclockwise, it releases the plug. When removing the plug, be careful not to use heavy force when rotating the ring counterclockwise. Too much force could cause the socket in the top of the camera housing to become loose or unseated, which could  result  in a water leak. When adequately lubricated, attaching and removing the plug does not exert enough force to unseat this socket.

If you seat the plug into the socket completely, an 0-ring in the socket effectively seals out the water. To maintain the electrical contacts in this connection and to allow easy attachment and removal, you should purchase a spray-can of Teflon/Silicone lubricant spray.  A light weight water proof grease or Vaseline also works. Spray a little into the socket and on the end of the plug before you insert the plug. It is not necessary to remove the Snooper-cable plug after each use. You should remove it every couple weeks during times of use to check for corrosion and to lubricate. It should be removed and both fittings lightly sprayed if the camera is not going to be in use.  The other electrical fittings should be kept dry. If they get wet, carefully dry them,  spray with Teflon/Silicone spray and wipe off the excess.

4. Adjust length of blue telescoping pole: Loosen the white plastic ring, extend the inner gray aluminum pole and then tighten the ring. I often videotape from 3 to 4 feet below the surface. I extend the pole to about 8 1/2 feet.

5. Next, attach the Snooper CAMERA to the blue aluminum pole: First position the o-rings on the gray plastic pipe as shown in the pictures above.   Then press the gray plastic pipe into the blue pole until it completely seats. As you press the pole onto the pipe, the 0-rings will roll down the pipe and will secure the blue pole to the pipe. To remove the blue pole, carefully hold and cushion the Snooper camera. Then firmly pull the pole off of the pipe. Be sure the 0-rings are correctly positioned before re-attaching the pole.

The stainless steel strap (see picture above ) which attaches the gray pipe to the camera housing should be examined before each use to be sure that the strap is in the correct position. If the strap has shifted, loosen nut at the top of the gray pipe, reposition the strap and gently tighten the nut. Do not over-tighten.   The purpose of this strap is to work as a simple shock absorber.  Since the camera is mounted on the end of a pole, when the pole is moved, the end of the pole can reach high speeds.  If  the camera strikes an  object, the attachment strap helps prevent damage.  In my use of Snoopers, I have learned that there are a many cables, poles, posts, walls, and other hard objects in and around swimming pools.   It is simple and inexpensive to readjust or replace the stainless steel strap.     

6. Attach Snooper CABLE to blue pole: (See picture above right.) To protect the Snooper cable and to prevent inconvenience, I use three 0-rings and some cable-ties to attach the Snooper cable to the pole. I run the cable up the side of the pole. If the cable is positioned on the back of the pole, it may be damaged by scraping against the side of the pool. I place one 0-ring near the bottom of the blue pole, one at the top of the blue pole near the white ring and another at the top of the gray aluminum extension pole near the white handle. To attach the cable, place the end of the cable tie next to the o-ring. Then roll the o-ring over the cable tie to hold it. Then, run the cable-tie around the Snooper cable.    You may need to experiment with a few configurations before you find one you like. The cable-tie package has a diagram on the back which shows how to tie them. 

7. Connecting the Video signal: To see what the Snooper is viewing, you must connect the RCA or phono jumper cable plug to a VCR, TV or cam-corder:

A. To send the Snooper picture to a VCR or TV Monitor: Plug the RCA video plug into the yellow 'video-in' socket on the back of the TV or VCR. Refer to the appliance instruction manual for instructions to program the TV/VCR to receive an external video signal. If you plan to connect the Snooper to a VCR or TV, you will need a video extension cord. An inexpensive 25-foot video extension, video adapters, batteries, chargers and cable ties are available through Radio Shack. If you use any 110-volt appliances near a pool, be sure they are protected by a ground fault circuit  interrupter (GFCI) .

B. To send the Snooper picture to a Cam-corder: I generally record the Snooper video signal onto the videotape in my cam-corder. I place the strap from the cam-corder around my neck for safety, hold the cam-corder in my right hand and the Snooper in my left hand. I then view the picture from the Snooper on the cam-corder monitor and record onto the cam-corder videotape. Not all cam-corders will accept an external video signal. Check with your video dealer to be positive that any cam-corder you buy has this capability. The most frequent problem encountered is trying to get the video picture to show up on the camcorder, VCR or TV. If you have trouble with this, I can help you with the programming of the device. After you do it once, it is easy.

REPAIRS: I provide repairs on a time and materials basis. I keep an inventory of replacement parts. It is convenient to have a back-up battery and charger. These and some of the other parts (cable ties) may be purchased from Radio Shack.    Teflon/Silicone spray is available at most hardware stores. Silicone spray alone is not adequate. It must be a combination of Teflon and Silicone. Many hardware stores have a good selection of 0-rings. The 0-rings which attach the gray PVC pipe on the Snooper camera housing to the blue aluminum pole are a fairly precise fit.  Be positive you get an exact duplicate or order replacement O-rings from us. The wrong size could result in your camera coming loose from the pole. They don't bounce well.

Prior to videotaping, please take the time to adjust the cables to convenient and safe lengths. Once I adjust the cables to the correct length, I use rubber bands to hold the cables at this desired length. It is wise to always have a small bag of rubber bands available for this purpose. If you record the Snooper camera video signal onto a camcorder, practice holding and controlling the Snooper with the left hand and holding the camcorder with the right hand.   Practice moving along the pool and from one position to another.  If you need additional help please email to zoomers@olypen.com

Precautions: I have made the housing very durable, and the camera electronics are heat and impact resistant,  but I have learned that it is impossible to make a product which is absolutely damage-proof.  Please exercise caution with the cameras. If you drop it, you may fracture the housing or damage the contents. Do not expose the camera to excessively high temperatures. For example, temperatures reached in an closed automobile in direct sunlight may reach 150+ degrees. High temperatures may destroy the camera, damage the housing or the water-tight seals. If the housing sustains a high  impact, carefully check the housing to be sure it has not cracked. The water tight seal  between the front plate and the camera housing should be checked by looking at the 0-ring.  The 0-ring should be visibly pressing or squished against the front plate.  There should be a smooth, even black line completely around the opening made by this 0-ring. If the 0-ring thickness against the front plate is thinner in an area, gently tighten the closest two stainless steel front plate retaining screws to put a little more pressure against the 0-ring.  Do not tighten more than 1/4 turn before rechecking the 0-ring thickness.  Again, if you have questions about any of this, call me.  

Danger signs:: Fortunately, very few snooper cameras have developed leaks, but I feel it is very important to plan for this possibility.  If  you are several thousand miles away from repair, leaving water in the camera until it arrives is a mistake.  Electronic equipment is easily damaged beyond repair if it stays in contact with chlorinated or salt water for more than a couple hours. . I designed this housing so, in an emergency, it can be easily disassembled by the user. The front clear plastic cover and the white back plate to which the camera is attached, are held on with three (3) stainless steel screws.   If you ever notice water or condensation inside of the housing, position the camera on a dry towel on a flat surface.  Remove the three stainless steel screws,  Then remove the front and back plates from the housing.  The camera is attached to the white back plate.  Then carefully shake any water off of the circuit board camera.  Next, use a blower or a hair dryer (with the heat turned on low so it is blowing warm, not hot air) and dry the  camera. Let the blower run for several minutes after you no longer see any water. If this is done,  the camera should sustain little or no damage. Contact me immediately and I will arrange repair.  You make a significant investment when you buy a Snooper.   Learning the above information and exercising common sense and caution  will let you get the most out of  your investment.

Dr. Marty Hull

D'Zign Technologies / Zoomers