Lionel Cupola Cam Caboose Functionality

dan 77 posted:

Just wondering if the camera clarity was ever addressed by Lionel or did most of you remove the plastic window that was causing most/all of the video clarity problems.  I really want to buy one of these but the prior thread did not reach a conclusion on if Lionel ever fixed the issue.  Any advise will be much appreciated.

Agreed, I was wondering the same thing. There were at least 3-4 threads on these going at one time and if I recall correctly there was never a firm conclusion on whether there was "a fix" by Lionel.

Note: By fix I don't mean removing the window.

I know the second batch of cupola cam cabooses was delivered late last year and as far as I could tell some of them still had the issue with the window causing clarity problems.

Maybe some of those who bought a caboose in the second run will report in here.

I got the PRR version that was delivered last year.  The window is still in.  I doubt we'll see a change until this year.  Ryan did mention it on a TrainWorld video last year so they know there is work to be done.  Mine isn't horrible but I imagine it would improve if I removed the window.

Received the UP version last year. It had the window and the picture was no good. Now the window is out, the picture is fine, and it’s really cool.

I received the PRR version for Christmas. I noticed the picture wasn’t as sharp when the camera was looking toward the front of the train. When I reversed the caboose so the camera looked to the rear the picture quality improved. I’m thinking it may be a focus issue. 

I don't think there is any change in focus. You might have just been seeing more glare one way than the other. It's a window issue...take it out, sharp...leave it in...not sharp but ok with some variations on the luck of the draw as to windows.

Thanks for the info.  I watched a you tube video describing the procedure to remove the window, but I prefer to buy a caboose that works like it should.   I guess it depends on how much/how soon I really want the caboose.

Has anyone replaced the plastic with glass? You can get microscope cover slips for pennies on the auction sites. Very thin and distortion free. Gotta put something there. Imagine that brakeman facing 70 mph wind.

Pete

dan 77 posted:

Thanks for the info.  I watched a you tube video describing the procedure to remove the window, but I prefer to buy a caboose that works like it should.   I guess it depends on how much/how soon I really want the caboose.

I’m with you. I’ve watched that video and it’s a great how-to resource but the machinations required to get the window out are nuts! Very easy to break something, too. I’ll be holding off on any cupola cam caboose for the time being.

cjack posted:

I don't think there is any change in focus. You might have just been seeing more glare one way than the other. It's a window issue...take it out, sharp...leave it in...not sharp but ok with some variations on the luck of the draw as to windows.

cjack,

I don’t doubt that removing the plastic window will improve the picture quality of the caboose. But since the camera has a fixed focus lens in it the picture may look out of focus close up or far away depending on the what the camera is set for. Mine seems to have better picture quality when looking rearward with no cars close to the camera. That’s what I noticed. 

I have the CSX version and happy with it. The only better clarity occured when using it with my tablet and having it connected to a TV monitor, I changed the screen from the 4 different screen settings and it improved. Not sure if I changed the pixels from 720 to 1020 or whatever size!

Regardless, changing the monitor picture size did improve. What is really cool is setting up the 27 inch monitor at a train show. It is a show stopper. Folks stop in their tracks watching the train and/or themselves on the monitor.

I have the UP version and it was acceptable as is. A friend got the CSX and is noticeably not as clear. I’m wondering why the street price went up $50 for the NYC caboose while the street price for the Vision Reefers went down $80. Go figure!

ncdave posted:

...... since the camera has a fixed focus lens in it the picture may look out of focus close up or far away depending on the what the camera is set for. Mine seems to have better picture quality when looking rearward with no cars close to the camera. That’s what I noticed. 

Sounds like a couple flatcars in front of the caboose might be helpful. Maybe.