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Off Topic- Security Cameras a dinosaur can install.

joshb

joshb

Gold $$ Contributor
I’m looking at getting some security cameras around the house. I’m looking at all the “reviews” and ads online and I now have a headache. I don’t know who to believe.
I’d like to be able to view from my phone and get “movement alerts” without paying for a “plan”.
Does anyone have a good suggestion, with personal experience?
Thanks in advance!
Josh
 
I got the Maxivis from amazon.
I use these no fees, places alerts to your phone. Only thing I don't like is the batteries have to be charged more often than advertised.
But they work.
 

I've got an older Annke and the newer Eufy system. Both do NOT require a monthly plan. The Annke system uses a NVR (video recorder) and connects wirelessly to cameras. Each camera needs power ran to it.
The EUFY system I bought has a base station that connects to your home network. The cameras connect wirelessly to the base station, the outdoor cameras have solar panels and only power they need (if in sun). The solar panels do NOT have to remain attached to camera, it can be moved 10' with enclosed cord (in case you want camera under an eave). The cameras can detect and track movement. It sends an alert with video clip to your phone. You can view live video from your phone. No monthly subscription unless you need additional storage. I put a 1TB internal SSD in the base station and probably have used 2% in 1-1/2 years. But I delete most videos that are just normal activity.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF426P7D?tag=accuratescom-20

The old system detects/alerts with every wasp that flies by. The Eufy rarely does, it's much better at filtering those kinds of alerts out. Has zones so you can specify alert areas, Has AI that detects people and vehicles.
 
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I run a new set of Blinks. The new cameras have much greater range. I have two on the back of my property and they work great. You do lose the audio feature when extended range is in use. The lithium AA batteries last a long time and everything trips my cameras. They also have a new feature where you can put an extended back on the camera and double the battery capacity. That can be very helpful if the camera is mounted on a roof or in some other location that is difficult to reach.

The system has many controls and each camera can be adjusted independently. I think you can put up to 10 cameras on a single base module. Multiple base modules can also be used if more cameras are desirable. They also have some wired options that can include security lighting. I have not used any of these, so I have no opinion on them.

The Blink system used to tell you that a "person" or an "auto" was detected. For the last couple of months this is the alerts that I get:

1. "there is a person bending over in your driveway"
2. "there is a man in your yard with a ladder"
3. "an Amazon driver is carrying boxes to your steps"
4. "a flock of turkeys flew into your yard"
5. "a black squirrel is walking on the fence"
6. "a USPS worker is walking up the walk"

I guess the entire system went AI.
 
Charlie-NY said:
I run a new set of Blinks. The new cameras have much greater range. I have two on the back of my property and they work great. You do lose the audio feature when extended range is in use. The lithium AA batteries last a long time and everything trips my cameras. They also have a new feature where you can put an extended back on the camera and double the battery capacity. That can be very helpful if the camera is mounted on a roof or in some other location that is difficult to reach.

The system has many controls and each camera can be adjusted independently. I think you can put up to 10 cameras on a single base module. Multiple base modules can also be used if more cameras are desirable. They also have some wired options that can include security lighting. I have not used any of these, so I have no opinion on them.

The Blink system used to tell you that a "person" or an "auto" was detected. For the last couple of months this is the alerts that I get:

1. "there is a person bending over in your driveway"
2. "there is a man in your yard with a ladder"
3. "an Amazon driver is carrying boxes to your steps"
4. "a flock of turkeys flew into your yard"
5. "a black squirrel is walking on the fence"
6. "a USPS worker is walking up the walk"

I guess the entire system went AI.
Click to expand...
Mine must be very dated now. That's a neat feature.
 
Do you have a all in cost you'd like to stay below? Do you have the ability to run ethernet cables to everywhere you'd like cameras? Those two questions will move you down a "path"...
 
We have the WYZE cameras in the barnyard to keep an eye on critters, the grandgirls all have an invite so they can keep an watchful eye on their goats during kidding season. The cameras are fairly cheap and need no subscription whatsoever. As long as they can hit your wifi, you are good to go. I now have them all around the outside of the house and garage.

CW


www.wyze.com

Wyze Cam v4 | Wired Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera

Wyze Cam v4: 2.5K QHD resolution, Color Night Vision, indoor/outdoor use, 24/7 recording with MicroSD. The best "never wonder again" security camera ever made.
www.wyze.com www.wyze.com
 
We've had our Arlo security camera system now for five years. Came from Costco, is Wi-Fi, five cameras that are motion sensitive, records to the cloud. We can check on the exterior or inside the house (dogs) from our phones from anywhere. The system is completely wireless and has a range of about 300' in our case.

Records in 1080HD color, night vision, high intensity floodlight and the ability to talk/hear via built-in mics. Completely pleased after five years, zero complaints.

You can add cameras at any time, pay a monthly fee of $20 for 5 cameras. Comes complete with cams, base station, hard and magnetic cam mounts.
 
Do you want security? Or security with privacy? These are very different. If you use blink or ring or any of the systems where the footage is not saved on an internal drive in your house, your footage goes into amazons servers (or whatever company). They save it. They own it. And even tho I support the law enforcement whole heartedly, they can give it to them with out your permission. I would give it to them anyway but not the point. If you use a closed system like unifi, which is based in the US. You own th footage and it is backed up to your system for you to retrieve anytime. Does not go through another company’s servers.

The next consideration is wired or wireless cameras. Low level criminals can make or buy a 10 dollar devise that can shut down your Wi-Fi. So if you have wireless cameras or run your footage through a company’s servers and not your own drive you can say good buy to seeing or retrieving anytime footage. At least if you have your own closed loop system with your own drive and they shut your wifi it will still be saved to your drive to retrieve later.

Just something to think about
 
ReoLink (available on Amazon)
We have several systems at our gun club and I also have one at home.
Zero complaints and/or issues.

Extremely easy install and setup.
Great remote viewing if connected to Wifi.

I also have 2 Blink systems that work very well also.
 
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I have the Blink system too at 2 houses. It's pretty good for the money, I wouldn't have it without paying the subscription, Yes you still get alerts and you can view it on your phone, But if something happens while you are away or asleep, You will never know. The plans are cheap and you can have up to 10 cameras for If I remember right I'm paying right at $12.00 a month for each plan.

The Guthrie case is a good example of someone who didn't want to pay for the recording, They may have found her by now if she had the subscription.
 
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I have seen that virtually all the camera systems are made in Chi-Na and have been subject to being hacked…
Now this may not be an issue to outside footage aside from a remote scan for a possible burglary and where to go to disable or avoid but I really don’t want interior footage available…
Big Brother is watching and as already pointed out, cloud based storage available to any agency wishing to have it.. Broadcast beyond a confined loop means surrendering control of a security system. A Terabyte stick will hold more than a month’s worth of recording and a system with remote access {phone} can be viewed & reset as long as there is power to the system…
Do any systems have a “Panic” button ? I am thinking of the Guthrie situation and wondered if someone is at home and alerted to intruders that fell threatening or even a remote alert that has perps in action, can a 911 call be initiated?
 
joshb said:
I’m looking at getting some security cameras around the house. I’m looking at all the “reviews” and ads online and I now have a headache. I don’t know who to believe.
I’d like to be able to view from my phone and get “movement alerts” without paying for a “plan”.
Does anyone have a good suggestion, with personal experience?
Thanks in advance!
Josh
Click to expand...
you got some good advice from these guys. i to would like some of these cams at the house and shop. (2 different places). One thing that has held me back is i dont want anyone seeing the inside of my places especially when im there but really anytime. i want to be the only one looking in my place inside. the type cams that go to cloud I dont want as anyone can be watching. I dont have anything illegal or to hide but who knows who mite be watching and what their motivations are. Id say the closed loop sytems are the only way to go for me but then to view through them on your phone the pics have to be sent out on the internet - transferred to a cell system then sent over data connection to my phone. i dont think its secure at all. mabie at least they dont get recorded.
i bought a honeywell smart thermostat some time ago to be able to monitor temp in house when im gone. but i found out your data gets sent through honeywell servers. i never hooked that up. i would like to get some of the wifi switched receps to be able to turn lights on and off via phone. also a wifi cam would be good for the crawlspace of the house. with a closed loop only cam system that hooks to your cable internet all somebody has to do is cut your cable and no more pics to the phone. Bin Rambling i know- hopefully you got something out of it

PS— I like those figure skater girls i bin watching Lately:)
 
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