We have found that Hikvision bullet cameras (ex: DS-2CD4A26FWD-IZH) have a very limited range of height adjustibility. We have opened up the knuckle area of the mounting bracket to find a 36 tooth gear (image below) that holds the camera into vertical position when tightened. These 36 teeth allow for adjustment in 10 degree increments, which in our opinion, is very limiting.
For example, in a given scene, we aligned the camera with one position where the horizon was vertically centered in the scene at the preferred zoom level. Since we didn't want half of our scene to be open sky, we then adjusted the camera down to the next notch, which is 10 degrees lower. This notch resulted in the horizon being completely off the top of the scene. There were areas near the horizon that needed coverage, so this was unacceptable.
The only way we could find to remedy this was to zoom the camera out to compensate, which lowers our pixel density on target. Obviously, this is not how we feel this should be addressed. We fell like the gear should have at least twice as many teeth.
We have installed some other brands and found that this issue does not exist. Specifically, Avigilon bullets have much finer adjustments options. I don't have one on hand to investigate the number of teeth their gears have, but I know it has to be a much higher count.
What we are seeking is two fold:
1) An immediate remedy to the current cameras on hand.
2) Hopefully Hikvision will make a change to the design that addresses this issue.
For part 1, we were hoping to use a washer-like piece of HDPE, cut to size, to place in between the two sets of teeth. Our hope was that this would give enough grip to lock in place, but be strong enough to not force our teeth to align. Our hope is to find a piece thin enough to fit and function. We were thinking a piece 1/16 of an inch thick.
For part 2, we are hoping that the reach IPVM gives us will pressure them to make the needed design changes.
