September 15, 1997
New Product Release (TreeTop Peeper II)

Monitor bat habitat, cavity and open nests with 50-foot elevating video inspection tool

Initially developed for the U.S. Forest Service to monitor red-cockaded woodpeckers cavity nests, the
TreeTop Peeper II_ is designed to observe a variety of habitats, including cavity and open cup nests,
nest boxes and has recently been modified to inspect bat dwellings.  The assortment of camera options,
from near-infrared sensitive black and white to full color, can explore the smallest openings, revealing
previously undocumented nesting behavior with minimal disturbance to the occupants.  Mounted on a
50-foot telescoping fiberglass pole, the system provides high-resolution images during day or
night-time viewing.  Images are displayed on a 3.8 inch diagonal ground level LCD monitor.  The
cable spool with rotary electronic feedthrough manages the 50 feet of tangle-free camera cable.  
With the low weight and ergonomic design, it is feasible for one researcher to conduct surveys that
were previously considered two-person jobs.  The 16 lb. total carry weight includes the battery and
50-foot pole.  The maximum erection weight, or weight of all liftable pole sections and camera, is 9.3
lbs. The camera head weighs less than 6 oz.  In one field application, two-person teams were reduced
by half, and 12 nests could be checked per hour, as compared to five or six per day. 

A complete system costs $3,950 and includes a 50-foot telescoping pole, 3.8 inch color monitor,
near-infrared sensitive video camera, battery with charger and spool mounted featherweight camera
cable with rotary electronic feedthrough.  Color cameras and Sony VCR are optional.  
Not pictured is the TreeTop I, a similarly designed video system mounted on a 16-foot pole and
costing $1,950.

Located 80 miles east of San Francisco, Christensen Designs specializes in custom video inspection
tools, electronics and robotics for wildlife researchers.  

For sales information contact Ann Christensen at (800) 928-9111, or download the catalog at:
www.PeeperPeople.com.  For technical questions and requests for custom designs call John
Christensen at (209) 239-5414.  Christensen Designs, 349 Scenic Place, Manteca CA  95337.