A budget experiment in recording airsoft night games using a modified action camera and infrared illumination
Recording airsoft games presents distinct challenges when playing during night events. Standard action cameras such as GoPros produce high-quality footage in daylight conditions but significantly underperform once light levels decrease. Night games and evening events require specialized equipment for effective documentation.
The market for night vision recording equipment has historically offered limited budget-friendly options. Professional night vision goggles command premium prices and require additional external recording solutions. Conversely, affordable digital night vision cameras are often bulky, offer poor resolution, demonstrate questionable build quality, and present challenges for helmet or cap mounting on active participants.
This project demonstrates a practical and cost-effective solution. By modifying an inexpensive GoPro-style action camera and removing its internal infrared filter, the camera sensor becomes sensitive to infrared light wavelengths. When paired with an IR illuminator light source, this configuration enables full-HD night footage recording in complete darkness. The completed build costs approximately £20 (excluding the IR illuminator torch) and delivers quality suitable for gameplay recording, event documentation, and content creation.
While advances in modern body-worn security cameras have provided alternative solutions, this DIY approach remains an effective and economical method for night-game recording and represents a practical example of budget-conscious problem-solving in the airsoft hobby.