This alleviates the need for a bubble and puts an end to specific problems caused by using a bubble. Peter de Konink, product manager at Siqura, has been closely involved in the new camera’s introduction. He explains why Siqura is transferring from ‘bubbled’ to bubble-less.

Traditionally, dome cameras were fitted with a transparent bubble to shield the camera inside from rain and other weather conditions. Camera technology had not yet advanced to the current more than adequate water- and dust-proofing for the rotating parts of the camera. However, the bubble also introduced specific negative side-effects.

Peter de Konink: “One aspect of using a bubble is the presence of raindrops on it which, of course, negatively affects performance. Another problem is what we call ‘shimmering’ in the bubble, caused by the sunlight. This produces spots in the image displayed. Third, looking directly at the horizon with a bubble dome camera results in optical distortion. All these issues and more have been resolved with the bubble-less camera.”

With the bubble gone, the annoying reflections and limitations of IR illumination are also gone. The camera is now fitted, as a standard, with IR illumination for extra resolution and night vision in combination with the latest 3 megapixel ultra low-light sensor.

According to Siqura, the U.S. market looks very promising for these new cameras, particularly, the company says, with the recent news that some Chinese camera companies have been hit by President Trump’s bill excluding some Chinese products from use by government-subsidised projects - Siqura cooperates with a Taiwan-based company.

“We have asked our partner in the development of this camera to make several adjustments for application in the U.S. As a result, it has an internal compass so the operator always knows the direction of viewing; specific U.S. protocols have been integrated; the camera has a 40 x zoom; and it has an ‘accuracy’ feature which returns the camera to its previous viewpoint when it has been moved – unintentionally or on purpose”, says Peter de Konink.

The camera is more compact and lightweight than previous models, allowing for easy installation.