Pros/Cons Bullet vs Turret

[Sir V Lance]

Hi all.

I have not been able to find any explanation for why bullet form factor and turret form factor cameras exist, when both can be obtained with equivalent optical specifications, IR, and AI capabilities. Is there a rule of thumb for when to choose a bullet and when to choose a turret (eyeball)? Or the corollary, when not to use a bullet and when not to use a turret?

Thanks for your insight. I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge the experts on this site have and volunteer to share with the newbies like me.

 

[wittaj]

Until recently many turrets contained mics while the bullet didn't.

The bullet generally has 4 IR LED compared to 2 for the turret, so the bullet can usually perform better at night. Same for the full color version with white LED.

Most bullet cams will include additional wiring for alarm I/O and external mic and speaker while most turrets don't.

Beyond about 14mm, larger focal lengths are usually only available in bullet and PTZ.

But many people select based on the size. If a turret can accomplish the goal, it is smaller.

 

[Sir V Lance]

Until recently many turrets contained mics while the bullet didn't.

The bullet generally has 4 IR LED compared to 2 for the turret, so the bullet can usually perform better at night. Same for the full color version with white LED.

Most bullet cams will include additional wiring for alarm I/O and external mic and speaker while most turrets don't.

Beyond about 14mm, larger focal lengths are usually only available in bullet and PTZ.

But many people select based on the size. If a turret can accomplish the goal, it is smaller.

Thanks wittaj. That was extremely helpful.

 

[garycrist]

So far I have found the Big Bullets have better night time color as opposed to the turrets.
But, the 4K bullet seems as big as a baseball bat and is a deterrent or a SEE ME NOW
kind of camera.

The turrets are small and can be "hidden" but, if one does not have both side by side to
view the output, one probably would not tell a difference!

I am comparing the 4K-X vs 4K-T.

 

[bigredfish]

Turrets generally have a better WAF

 

[ThomasCamFan]

Not that I have performed a scientific study, but I swear turrets do not attract wasp/hornets as much as bullets do. I think the bullet's smaller lens "hole" is fooling them that a nice place to nest is inside.

For sure, turrets are less "commercial" looking. So WAF is much higher on them.

 

[Sir V Lance]

Turrets generally have a better WAF

Sorry for being acronym dumb, but what is WAF?

 

[ThomasCamFan]

WAF = Wife Acceptance Factor.

- Thomas

 

[garycrist]

I thought it was water, ankle, foot after the bullet falls on my foot and leg putting the
heavy thing up!

 

[steve1225]

Bullets are much more weather resistance and are designed to mounting on vertical surfaces/walls and poles.. Can be rotated in more directions (compared to turrets). Usually they have movable upper cover, to hide optics/sensor from direct sun light. They are more profesional solution.

Turrets are less weather resistant and are designed for mounting under ceiling - inside or outside. In cases of mounting on vertical surface they can create more problems with rotating them in specific direction. They are much smaller..

Bigger chassis in bullets allows to put bigger optics - so turrets optics options usually are more limited.
In Dahua Z4E (longer varifocal zoom) optics are not available in turrets (only bullets/domes).
Hik have very limited number of varifocal models in turrets (in most lines only fixed lens models for turrets, varifocals only in bullets/domes).

Bullets very often have 2x bigger power for IR/white light (2x more diodes). Bullets can have heaters for front glass and varifocal motors (they can work in -40 degree celsius).

Highest or most specialised cam models very often are not available in turret chassis - only bullet or bullet+dome...

Bullets are more visible for people - in home market this can be problem but in business/industry buildings/warehouses market this is a big plus.

Turrets are a newer thing which replaces domes in home/SMB market...

ps. profesional camera manufactures like axis, avigilon, bosch don't even offer turrets models.. only bullets, domes and PTZ cams...

 

[johnfitz]

Usually they have movable upper cover, to hide optics/sensor from direct sun light.

That would be a big improvement for me... My turrets get lots of glare at various times of the day.

Yesterday, I though bullets and turrets were pretty much the same... good stuff @wittaj and @steve1225

 

[Sir V Lance]

Turrets are a newer thing which replaces domes in home/SMB market...

Thanks steve1225. Great info. Like johnfitz, I thought turrets and bullets were basically the same thing.

 

[bigredfish]

I was fortunate to have much of that explained to me back in 2016 by Sean Nelson of Nelly’s Security who at the time was the go-to distributor for Dahua among many.

I’ve also come to notice a better depth of field, at least perceived. I’ve used bullets primarily ever since.