IP camera that can focus close up to read the meter numbers.

[Collectors]

Hi, I'm looking for 3 cheap ip pan & tilt cameras to read the digits on a gas meter, water meter & two pressure gauges that are all in my loft/attic as i'm 70+ & can see an accident coming with extension ladders & climbing up there for readings. I would prefer to see the images on my computer if pos. I tried a cheap £20 one, & very good for security, but no good on close-up. Any suggestions?. Thanks.
PS: I looked at some document cams, but not sure if any are LAN or wifi.

 

[Mottie]

Can you not have smart meters?

 

[sparkymarka]

You need a camera with varifocal lens ….most are powered lens , standard is normally 2.8- 12 mm

 

[Tigercubrider]

You might be better off with three or four really cheap cctv cameras as a kit - one for each dial but not movable?
The problem would be finding a camera that works close up enough to read the dials.
The set up goes through a box that could stay in the loft, sending hdmi to a monitor that could be in a bedroom/airing cupboard. The camera selection can be changed via a long usb mouse.
I guess it can be viewed on an iPad.

Buying from Amazon would allow you to try the close up capability of the cameras. Then return any product that doesn’t do what you hope? Bear in mind that it’s presumably dark in the loft so an IR source or switched light source might be needed?

I have an endoscope that connected to an iPhone. If long enough, a few of them could be utilised “passively” with the phone end through the ceiling. No idea if that’s practical.

 

[Alec_t]

+1 on cheap endoscope cameras. They have a fixed focal distance of a few cm and sufficient resolution for reading dials. They also have built-in illumination.