Imagine placing cameras in the most inaccessible places possible. What was once impossible, is now easy with Hindsight Visible Systems, a rugged, wire-free camera and monitoring system.

"The biggest benefits are safety and avoiding downtime," says Craig Fleming, regional equipment manager for Walsh Construction Co., a member of multiple chapters, which had installed eight cameras atop a 100-ton Mi-Jack gantry crane while building the Interstate 95 Whittier Bridge in Newbury Port, Massachusetts.

"We have the cameras mounted on remote locations to view the wire ropes on the crane to see that there is misaligning," Fleming says. "The wire needs to be wrapped on the drum correctly. It’s a safety thing."

An incident with the gantry convinced Walsh Construction to try the cameras. While one of the cranes was lifting, its rope had jumped off of the drum. The operator lacked visibility and kept going up, damaging the equipment. With Hyndsight, workers can see if the cables are not coiling properly and avoid unnecessary downtime.

Wire-free setup is fast and easy, with no internet connection needed, says Melissa Thompson, Ph.D., CEO of Hyndsight in Peterborough, New Hampshire. The cameras can be moved from one location or piece of equipment to another with ease.

"It communicates via a proprietary radio frequency, which allows the system to transmit up to one-third mile with up to four cameras per monitor," Thompson explains. "They are rugged, durable, water resistant up to three-feet deep in water and can be used either with rechargeable batteries or hardwired for full-time use."

The Hyndsight system comes in recording and nonrecording versions depending on the contractor’s need. It can be installed on skid steers, backhoes, cranes, forklifts and more. Fleming says its uses are only limited to users’ imagination.

"The construction companies can use it for anything they see fit, which is the beauty of the product," Thompson says. "The most extreme case we currently have customers using it for is on 80-foot high gantry cranes for continuous inspection of the steel cables that are lifting steel girders. But we also have them in asphalt manufacturing plants, grain facilities, tugs, barges and other extreme-use cases."

The cameras operate with rechargeable batteries and can be mounted just about anywhere. The screen can even be viewed in sunlight. The cameras can get wet, but they are not designed for underwater use.

"Because ours does not require wiring/installation or internet, they can take it anywhere and use it anytime on any piece of equipment or location," Thompson says.

Thompson reported that both versions available, Journey and Capture, have been popular in the construction industry where safety and security recording is very important.

49 Vose Farm Road, Suite 120

Peterborough, NH 03458

603.924.1334

Journey, the non-recording version: $499 which includes one camera, one monitor, two mounts and chargers in a carrying case. Additional cameras, up to four total: $150 each.

Capture, the recording version: $650 which includes one camera, one monitor, two mounts and chargers in a carrying case. Additional cameras, up to four total: $200 each. The recordings can be stored on a 32-megabyte SD card for easy removal and downloading. In addition, the memory card in the monitor allows for instant playback.