Product Overview
Designed specifically for onboard bus and transit vehicle surveillance, the AXIS M3905-R is a fixed dome camera engineered to handle the demanding conditions of a moving vehicle cabin. This 10-pack (part number 02501-021) is built for fleet-scale deployments where consistency, durability, and low power draw all matter. The camera features a 3.6 mm fixed lens with an 88-degree horizontal field of view, making it well suited to covering passenger seating areas and entry points from a ceiling-mounted position. Equipped with Lightfinder technology and Forensic WDR, it handles the contrast-heavy lighting typical of bus interiors, where bright windows compete with shadowed seating areas. The IK10-rated aluminium housing and IP66/67 weatherproof certification provide resilience against vibration, condensation, and deliberate impact. AXIS Zipstream compression in both H.264 and H.265 reduces bandwidth and storage demands, which is especially relevant for onboard recording systems with limited capacity. TAA and NDAA compliant, with a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
Key Capabilities
Lightfinder for Low-Light Cabins
Bus interiors are often poorly lit, particularly at night or on covered routes. Lightfinder technology allows the M3905-R to deliver usable colour footage at as low as 0.04 lux without requiring supplemental IR lighting, keeping installations cleaner and power budgets lower.
Forensic WDR for Mixed Lighting
Passenger areas near windows create strong contrast between bright exterior light and darker interior zones. Forensic WDR processes both simultaneously, maintaining legible detail across the full frame rather than blowing out highlights or losing shadow detail near seats and doors.
IK10 and IP66/67 Rated Housing
The aluminium and polycarbonate dome housing is rated IK10 for resistance to deliberate impact and IP66/67 for dust and water ingress. This combination is suited to the vibration, humidity, and passenger contact typical of public transport environments.
AXIS Zipstream Compression
Zipstream dynamically lowers bitrate during low-activity scenes while preserving full detail during events. For onboard recording systems where storage and transmission capacity are constrained, this reduces the data footprint without sacrificing forensic image quality when it counts.
Traffic Light Mode and Scene Profiles
Traffic Light mode and three configurable scene profiles, including forensic and traffic overview, give operators flexibility in how footage is captured across different vehicle types and operating conditions. These are purpose-built settings for transit applications, not generic presets.
AXIS Video Analytics
AXIS Fence Guard, Loitering Guard, Motion Guard, and Video Motion Detection are all supported. These can be configured to flag passenger behaviour events or restricted area breaches, providing an additional layer of monitoring beyond passive recording.
Best For
- Bus Fleet Operators: The 10-pack format suits large-scale transit deployments where multiple vehicles need to be fitted simultaneously, reducing per-unit cost and simplifying procurement.
- Low-Light Interior Coverage: Lightfinder technology at 0.04 lux minimum illumination handles dimly lit passenger cabins without requiring additional lighting infrastructure onboard.
- Vandal-Prone Environments: IK10-rated housing provides meaningful impact resistance in public transport settings where cameras are within reach of passengers.
- Projects with Bandwidth or Storage Constraints: AXIS Zipstream in H.264 and H.265 makes this camera practical for onboard DVR systems with limited recording capacity or cellular data uplinks.
Why Choose the AXIS M3905-R
The AXIS M3905-R is not a repurposed indoor dome pressed into transit service. It is purpose-engineered for onboard bus surveillance, with a pigtail connector using a male RJ-45 designed to mate with vehicle network connectors, an aluminium housing rated to withstand both IK10 impact and IP66/67 environmental exposure, and scene profiles that include traffic overview and Traffic Light mode. At a typical draw of just 2.2 W over PoE Class 1, it places minimal demand on onboard power infrastructure. The fixed 3.6 mm lens delivers an 88-degree horizontal field of view, which covers a standard bus aisle from a ceiling mount at a usable working angle. Lightfinder and Forensic WDR address the specific lighting challenges of a transit cabin rather than relying on IR or standard exposure management. Available through Security Wholesalers, the 02501-021 10-pack supports fleet procurement at scale, backed by a 5-year manufacturer warranty and both TAA and NDAA compliance for government and institutional contracts.
Buyer Decision Tips
Buyer Tip – 10-Pack Planning: The 02501-021 is sold as a 10-unit pack, which suits fleet projects but means you are committing to multiples of 10. If your vehicle count does not divide evenly, factor this into your procurement planning early. The low 2.2 W typical power draw per unit means a standard PoE switch or onboard PoE DVR can support multiple cameras without requiring PoE+ infrastructure.
Buyer Tip – Storage and Connectivity: The M3905-R supports local microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC storage up to UHS Speed Class U1, which can function as edge buffering between network uplinks. For bus deployments with intermittent connectivity, confirm whether your onboard NVR or DVR supports AXIS’s ACAP analytics applications if you intend to run Fence Guard or Loitering Guard onboard rather than server-side.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Model |
AXIS M3905-R (10-Pack, Part No. 02501-021) |
| Resolution |
2 MP (1920 x 1080) |
| Image Sensor |
1/2.9″ Progressive scan RGB CMOS, 2.8 µm pixel size |
| Lens |
3.6 mm, F2.0, M12 mount, fixed iris |
| Field of View |
Horizontal 88°, Vertical 47° |
| Minimum Focus Distance |
0.3 m |
| Minimum Illumination |
Colour 0.04 lux at 30 IRE F2.0 / 0.13 lux at 50 IRE F2.0 |
| IR Illumination |
None (Lightfinder technology for low-light colour performance) |
| Video Compression |
H.264 (Baseline, Main, High Profile), H.265 (Main Profile), Motion JPEG; AXIS Zipstream |
| Frame Rate |
Up to 25/30 fps (50/60 Hz) in all resolutions |
| Video Streams |
Up to 4 unique and configurable streams |
| Smart Features |
Forensic WDR, Lightfinder, Digital PTZ, preset positions, guard tour, Traffic Light mode, scene profiles (forensic, vivid, traffic overview) |
| Analytics |
AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Loitering Guard, AXIS Motion Guard, AXIS Video Motion Detection, active tampering alarm |
| Camera Angle Adjustment |
Pan ±30°, Tilt 15-90°, Rotation ±175° |
| Power |
PoE IEEE 802.3af/802.3at Type 1 Class 1; typical 2.2 W, max 3.8 W |
| Local Storage |
microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC UHS Speed Class U1 |
| IP and IK Rating |
IP66/67, NEMA 250 Type 4X (parts), IK10 |
| Housing Material |
Aluminium and polycarbonate |
| Dimensions |
50 mm x 110 mm diameter |
| Compliance |
TAA compliant, NDAA compliant |
| Warranty |
5-year manufacturer warranty |
Ideal Use Cases
City Buses and Urban Transit
The 88-degree horizontal field of view and IK10-rated housing make the M3905-R suitable for ceiling mounting in standard urban bus cabins, covering the aisle and seating area while withstanding the vibration and humidity of daily service.
School Buses
Lightfinder technology at 0.04 lux provides usable footage during early morning and evening runs when cabin lighting is minimal. The IK10 housing resists impact from within the passenger area, relevant in school transport contexts.
Intercity Coaches
AXIS Zipstream reduces the data footprint during long-haul routes where onboard storage is the primary recording medium. Forensic WDR handles the strong window light contrast common in touring coach environments.
Light Rail and Tram Carriages
The M3905-R’s IP66/67 rating and aluminium construction suit the environmental demands of rail and tram applications. AXIS Video Motion Detection and active tampering alarm support passenger safety monitoring across carriage zones.
Airport and Shuttle Buses
Traffic Light mode and traffic overview scene profiles are relevant for high-turnover shuttle routes where footage clarity at entry and exit points is a priority. The 10-pack format matches the typical scale of shuttle fleet procurement.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: You are equipping buses, coaches, or transit vehicles and need a fixed dome camera built for the vibration, humidity, and impact conditions of onboard use, with Lightfinder handling low-light cabins and Zipstream managing storage on constrained onboard recorders.
- Choose a different model if: Your installation is a fixed indoor site such as a depot, terminal, or office rather than an onboard vehicle. In that setting, a standard indoor or outdoor fixed dome without the M12 pigtail connector and vehicle-specific certifications would be a more cost-effective fit.
- Choose a different model if: You need built-in IR illumination for complete darkness. The M3905-R relies on Lightfinder rather than IR and requires at least some ambient light to produce colour footage.
- Consider your connector requirements: The M3905-R uses a male RJ-45 pigtail designed for vehicle network integration. Confirm this matches your onboard wiring scheme before specifying at scale across a fleet.
FAQs
- Does the AXIS M3905-R have built-in IR for night vision?
No. The M3905-R does not include IR LEDs. It uses AXIS Lightfinder technology to achieve a minimum illumination of 0.04 lux at 30 IRE, which allows colour footage in very low ambient light conditions typical of bus interiors at night. It requires some level of existing light rather than generating its own illumination.
- What type of network connector does the M3905-R use?
The camera is supplied with a pigtail fitted with a male RJ-45 connector, designed for integration into onboard vehicle network systems. This differs from standard dome cameras that use a fixed RJ-45 jack on the housing. Confirm your onboard DVR or switch accepts this connector type before installation.
- What does the 02501-021 10-pack include?
The 02501-021 part number is a 10-pack of AXIS M3905-R fixed dome cameras. Each unit is an identical camera. The pack does not include a recorder, switch, or mounting accessories. All 10 cameras are the same 3.6 mm lens variant with the same specifications.
- Is the M3905-R TAA and NDAA compliant?
Yes. The AXIS M3905-R is confirmed TAA (Trade Agreements Act) and NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) compliant. This makes it eligible for use in government contracts, public transport authority projects, and institutional procurement programmes that require compliant hardware.
- What local storage does the M3905-R support?
The camera accepts a microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC card rated at UHS Speed Class U1 or higher. This provides onboard edge storage for buffering footage between network uplinks, or as a primary recording medium on vehicles without a centralised onboard recorder. The specific maximum supported card capacity is detailed in the AXIS datasheet.
- How much power does each camera draw from the PoE switch?
Each M3905-R draws a typical 2.2 W and a maximum of 3.8 W over PoE, classified as IEEE 802.3af/802.3at Type 1 Class 1. This is a low power budget, meaning a standard PoE switch or onboard PoE DVR can support multiple cameras without requiring PoE+ ports, which simplifies onboard power planning across a fleet.
- Can AXIS analytics such as Fence Guard run directly on the camera?
Yes. AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Loitering Guard, AXIS Motion Guard, and AXIS Video Motion Detection are all supported on the M3905-R. These can run on-camera via AXIS Camera Application Platform (ACAP), which means analytics processing does not need to be handled by the central server or recorder. Confirm your management software can receive and act on the resulting alerts. For procurement and compatibility queries, Security Wholesalers can assist with application requirements before you deploy at fleet scale.
Additional Information
AXIS 02501-021 Datasheet
