Security Cameras -update

[Torvy]

This came up in another thread and I thought a dedicated thread for security camera recommendations would be in order.

My current situation is that my property is 3 hours away and is 6? months away from having any structures or power. A couple of probably minor things have convinced us that we need cameras on the property. From what I have researched, there are effectively 3 groups of remote cameras. (WiFi, cellular, and recording only). WiFi is our eventual choice, but not possible at present. Cellular is too expensive, especially as a temporary solution. My question is this:

Do y'all have any suggestions on this type of camera(s)? I would love some idea of brands to use or to avoid. Features that are necessary or a waste of money. We'd appreciate whatever advice y'all have.

 

[nybirdman]

Cell based trail cameras,lots of makes and models.
I have two Reveal X cameras($130 ea.+$120 year for unlimited service).They work great.Add a solar panel and never worry about batteries.
Browning also makes a good one but a little more expensive.
These will send you a picture and record a video on an SD card.
The Reveals are popular and can be tough to find,but the best bang for the buck.

 

[LFP79]

I have the same issue as did my cousin, we both had items stolen from our property. I decided to use a couple of well placed trailcams.

 

[TractorGuy]

I have a couple of Reolink Argus Eco cameras that are wifi but also record to a micro sd card. Coupled with the solar panel supplied by Reolink the batteries have remained at 100%. You could review the contents on the sd cards with a laptop and USB adaptor if it doesn't already have a slot and later use the wifi feature. You would have to set them up at home on your wifi.

They currently have the black camera/solar panel bundle on eBay for $85. I didn't see it at their online store.

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You have to add a SD card and I recommend the Samsung Pro Endurance.

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Mine have got moisture in them a couple of times but I was able to remove the three little screw holding the lens in and dry them and put them back together. I recommend taping over the tiny screw holes to keep tiny spiders from inhabiting them. Amazing how big those tiny spiders look right on top of a lens. If you want audio don't tape over the tinyer mic hole under the top screw hole.

Here is a resized image from one that I have 410 ft from my wifi router in the house.

 

[TBone]

A buddy of mine had two four wheelers stolen last year. When he discovered the theft he thought "I have two trail cams with sd cards on the road into the property. I've got them on camera." Well, when he went to check the trailcams they were both gone too. I travel that same road and had noticed the cameras, so they were not obvious but I guess they were to the crooks. This year he is paying a ridiculous fee for cellular cameras that send him a video to his phone when activated. He's hoping they will climb the tree and steal one of them. He should have a perfect picture of the thief as he takes down the camera.

 

[ponytug]

Depending on what you want it for, you might want to verify where the IP cameras route and store their images. Many go to servers outside the US, typically the country of manufacture.

I use a cheap non-WiFi trail camera. (Campark, later banned from Amazon for buying 5 star reviews, and no the 5 star reviews weren't accurate. Now being sold under other brand names...)

My neighbor has a number of the Spypoint cell systems and loves them for the instant notifications. (He has been hunting poachers with more success than the Fish and Game department.) He isn't worried about their being stolen as they report GPS location, time and date in the images.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Midniteoyl]

Have you looked into adding a cellular camera to you phone plan? Whether having eSim or needing to purchase one, there are several on the market and ATT/Verizon should be able to accommodate them. But make sure you can use them on your phone plan first.

Otherwise, Spy Point has a 'free' option that sends up to 100 photos a month, going up to $10/mo for unlimited: Photo transmission plans

Then there's CuddleBack which networks up to 16 cameras (might be 24 now) on to one plan utilizing just one cellular camera (the others being networked): Cuddeback - Cuddeback

I have no idea how good either actually are in service.

Here's a list of trail camera plans: How Much Does a Cellular Trail Camera Plan Cost | Trail Cam Junkie

 

[caver]

I use a cheap non-WiFi trail camera. (Campark, later banned from Amazon for buying 5 star reviews, and no the 5 star reviews weren't accurate. Now being sold under other brand names...)

I've recently been using a browser add on called Fakespot that helps spot fake reviews.

 

[notaz3]

I've been trying to research cellar trail or security cameras too. Trying to keep vandalism down on a property that is 17 hours away. Someone cut locks, went on property and used power and water.

 

[Macinnis]

I highly recommend Arlo.

 

[Torvy]

Have you looked into adding a cellular camera to you phone plan? Whether having eSim or needing to purchase one, there are several on the market and ATT/Verizon should be able to accommodate them. But make sure you can use them on your phone plan first.

Otherwise, Spy Point has a 'free' option that sends up to 100 photos a month, going up to $10/mo for unlimited: Photo transmission plans

Then there's CuddleBack which networks up to 16 cameras (might be 24 now) on to one plan utilizing just one cellular camera (the others being networked): Cuddeback - Cuddeback

I have no idea how good either actually are in service.

Here's a list of trail camera plans: How Much Does a Cellular Trail Camera Plan Cost | Trail Cam Junkie

Lots of good info here. Cuddleback seems a bit pricey for me. Also, the camera look too easy to spot. Spy Point has me intrigued. Since I know I will use WiFi in the future, I don't want to spend too much on something else for a 6-12 month window. Thanks for the help.

 

[oosik]

A question. What exactly do you expect from a security camera setup. You are three hours away from the property. Are you planning on having a video feed at your current house. Are you going to sit and monitor this video feed - 24/7/365. And exactly what are your plans if you see nefarious activities.

 

[Torvy]

Mostly, I expect to use the images to identify who damaged things and turn it in to the authorities or use as evidence in a civil case for restitution.

We have a tubular steel gate that is 42' off of the county road. Someone hit it and bent it. Not significant this time, but who knows what happens next? Our recent experience with random people driving on our posted land gave us concern and we thought it would be better to have photos if needed. I don't need streaming. The only advantage to that in my thinking is to catch someone stealing the cameras.

 

[mikester]

A question. What exactly do you expect from a security camera setup. You are three hours away from the property. Are you planning on having a video feed at your current house. Are you going to sit and monitor this video feed - 24/7/365. And exactly what are your plans if you see nefarious activities.

You get to post grainy photos of unidentifiable people on Facebook and hope for some Like's.

 

[workinonit]

Yea, unless you plan on tracking them down, killing them and disposing of the bodies, they are pretty much useless. Theft insurance seems to me to be a better option. My Ring system in my home is perfect for letting me know when the perpetraitors broke in and stole all my stuff. It even has the option of watching them do it if you like.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I like the Tactacam cellular game cameras. WAY better than Spypoint in my opinion. I honestly see cellular as your only option at this point. Get a cheap lock box with the camera to slow down camera thieves. Good luck!

 

[newbury]

My work involved using expensive cameras to monitor remote sites and I was an early adopter of commercial off the shelf (COTS) systems for home use. Since about 2000 I've had (and still have) Foscam, Netgear, Reolink, several Trail cams but for the last 3 years a LOT (about 30) of Wyze cams deployed at 3 residences.
For the OP's situation a few good trail cams would be best for now.

One of the problems with most of the cameras was cost and software. Up until Wyze, cameras cost about $100 and up and problems with software were frequent and rarely fixed. Wyze changed that.

They had a $20 camera with a responsive customer support and a group of programmers that would change the software for the better FREQUENTLY.

But that also is changing. Camera prices jumped this spring (now $30@) and because Wyze now sells so many lines, from Vacuums to doorlocks, their focus has changed.

Their most recent camera, the V3 has pretty fair low light performance, is easy to set up, is weather proof enough to mount outside without separate enclosure, and works well with 128GB SD cards. I get about 2 weeks of CONTINUOUS recording (24 hours/day) on a 128GB SD card.

 

[savageactor7]

My tech head son would second the opinion in Wyxe cameras.

 

[TractorGuy]

My work involved using expensive cameras to monitor remote sites and I was an early adopter of commercial off the shelf (COTS) systems for home use. Since about 2000 I've had (and still have) Foscam, Netgear, Reolink, several Trail cams but for the last 3 years a LOT (about 30) of Wyze cams deployed at 3 residences.
For the OP's situation a few good trail cams would be best for now.

One of the problems with most of the cameras was cost and software. Up until Wyze, cameras cost about $100 and up and problems with software were frequent and rarely fixed. Wyze changed that.

They had a $20 camera with a responsive customer support and a group of programmers that would change the software for the better FREQUENTLY.

But that also is changing. Camera prices jumped this spring (now $30@) and because Wyze now sells so many lines, from Vacuums to doorlocks, their focus has changed.

Their most recent camera, the V3 has pretty fair low light performance, is easy to set up, is weather proof enough to mount outside without separate enclosure, and works well with 128GB SD cards. I get about 2 weeks of CONTINUOUS recording (24 hours/day) on a 128GB SD card.

Have you tested any compact remote power sources for the wyze cam? I wonder how small of a battery and solar panel you can get away with? I tried mine on a 5000 MAH battery with a solar panel but it killed it in one night. Those things won't recover from dead on the panel they come with.

I have one in my barn plugged into a generic solar panel controller but it's on a group 27 battery. I don't expect the power draw is all that great on it. The motion detection on the Wyze is way better than my Reolink cameras but it's night range seems limited.

The larger Reolink cameras can kill a group 27 battery in 24 hours.

The Argus Eco has been running non stop but only motion records. I tried rigging a 10W panel on the Argus with a USB plug and it would still die after a few days of rain. Since getting the panels sold by Reolink the batteries in both of my Argus Eco cameras have remained near 100%.

I rigged the Wyze V2 up on a post once and the infra red distance was too short. That is one area where the Reolink shines.

I thought the V3 was supposed to have a color night image at a fairly good distance but now I see they sell a spotlight for it in accessories and show the standard night image in black and while like any other night camera.

 

[Jchonline]

My comments are related to security only.

Until you get WiFi I would go with brand name trailcams. Not those off of Amazon. I have a few of them and they aren’t very good. I also have 4 Browning trail cams that have lasted for 7 years. Put them where no one can reach them if you are that far away (Ie up in a tree). Once you get out there I would recommend point to point wifi with video cameras. I like Arlo video cameras and UniFi networking, but I am sure others are fine.