Lets talk “Security”………..

[Runs With Scissors]

So we have decided to get the “internet” at our place up north, and I have "reluctantly decided" to install a security/camera system.

The main focus of this system is/was to monitor the temperature. I installed a “smart thermostat” about a year ago, and have tried to "cobble together” a reliable internet connection by using a pre-paid internet card and a “El Cheapo” router.

This has a few "draw backs”…….the biggest is due to the fact that you can only buy a 30 day card, which always expires when we are not there, leaving us “blind"

EDIT; see below.

So are there any recommendations on “systems”?

I am considering both “camera" and "non camera” options (the "Conspiracy Theorists" in me doesn't want “Big Brother” spying on me…………..but the “Realist” in me is yelling in my ear that he is probably already doing that through satellites?)

Thoughts?…………..Options to consider?

 

[Old Machinist]

Are you looking for internet, security cameras, or both?

I have been fairly happy with the iegeek brand of wifi cameras.

My internet dates back to a RV deal AT&T ran that I eventually stuck the sim card in a travel router and they haven't cut me off but it's no longer available.

I haven't had any direct experience but iegeek advertises a 4G camera for areas with no wifi. On sale for under $50.

ZY-G1 4G LTE Cellular Security Camera | No WiFi Needed

True off-grid security for any location. ieGeek ZY-G1 4G LTE cellular camera compatible with 4G SIM card without Wi-Fi and a flexible solar panel for endless power.

www.iegeek.com

Advertisement reads:
"
4G LTE Cellular Security Cameras Wireless Outdoor: ieGeek 4G LTE cellular camera is designed for places without wifi & electrical power, this security camera can work with nationwide 4G network, 100% wire-free, no wifi needed, perfect for outdoor places, such as barn, farm, ranches, construction sites, vacations homes, warehouse, RVs, wildlife studies. With IP66 waterproof, the security camera perform well in bad weather like rain and cold.

Widely Compatibility 4G SIM Card & Comes 64GB SD Card: ieGeek no wifi security camera supports 4G network of Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T. Along with this wireless outdoor camera, you will get a SIM card with 100M free data, no activations, contracts, or other hidden fees to use this card.

High Efficiency Solar Panel & Big Capacity Built-in Battery: Equipped with 10000mAh rechargeable battery and 5W solar panel, you don't need to worry about the solar security camera shutting down because of the runing out battery, free you from manual charging the battery.

 

[Elliott in GA]

I currently have 3 Cuddeback cellular cameras (IR flash) at our property in north Georgia; you can have service on Verizon or AT&T. I pay $16 dollars per month for all three cameras (2 cameras link to the cell camera via radio), and the plan allows me up to 5000 photos per month. I receive images upon a camera being activated (PIR sensor) via text and e-mail. High quality images are stored on the cameras' cards. I have been pleased with the system and cost.

That said, I am switching to solar powered wi-fi cameras from Reolink (180 degree Argus 4 - about $120 including the solar panel)); we have had them at home for about a year. T-Mobile just started providing business cellular internet (but not home internet) at our property location. Our T-Mobile phones typically show 20-80 Megs speed at the property. The Reolink cameras provide for activated (PIR sensors) notifications, at will monitoring and two-way voice/sound. Reolink cameras distinguish among people, animals and vehicles (you can set sensitivity for each item on each camera), and you can set areas of monitoring on each camera. There are no monthly fees for the Reolink cameras (you can pay for cloud storage). They store their video on internal cards and/or a Hub. We have a Hub at our house; I might be able to link our property cameras to it for off-site storage (I will find out after Christmas).

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Are you looking for internet, security cameras, or both?

After re-reading, my post was not very clear.

The “internet” part is taken care of. I am scrapping the “internet card” thing and I’m going with the local internet company that my neighbors use. “Frontier".

I am looking for recommendations for a Wifi security system and my wife wants cameras. (I don’t want cameras because of "Big Brother” but “happy wife, happy life” comes to mind)

And since I am “in for a penny” I may as well be “in for a pound", so I think I would like to have it record for some period of time…..maybe a week……. or 4?

Im thinking 3 or 4 cameras.

EDIT: I also do not want a “monthly subscription” either

 

[Old Machinist]

So far the cloud storage with iegeek can be had for free but they try to trick you into a subscription. All you have to do after you turn it on is back out. They have allowed it on all my cameras unlike Reolink which only allows one for free. The cloud links are only 6 seconds but if you touch the history link while viewing the cloud recording it will jump the sd card version. That can be set for up to 30 seconds.

Battery holds up pretty good but if I were buying again I would get the solar panels with them.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I use Lorex Fusion 4k systems bought through my local costco.
9 Cameras at the farm and 5 cameras at the home.
Does not need internet but then you won't get warnings. everything else works w/o.
Cameras have LED lites on the so when someone comes into frame they know they are being watched. People in our neighbourhood quickly came a talking wanting to know about the new security I installed as the lights dreq attention fast. I like it as it moves the bad guys maybe down the road where they are not being watched.
Both controllers have their own 2T HDD to store. i get about 6 weeks of recording on the farm and 2 months worth on the home. Most cameras set on record on movement not continuous and works well as this gives me a longer history stored on the HDD. Both upgradable to larger HDD at anytime with simple plug and play.
Cameras work well when -30c so no complaints there.
Cameras powered over cat5 or better ethernet and was told for cold / outside use this helps keep the cameras "warmer" for cold weather use vs. wireless battery ones. Downside is you have to run ethernet to the cameras for power and signal (POE)
I had 1 camera out of the box that was no good as the IR lite would not give good nightime resolution so they sent me a replacement with a couple of phone calls to the diagnostic people. They have really good phone support to troubleshoot problems in this instance.
The software and ability to search for incidents is fantastic. Their software is top notch and very easy to use. Can search for incidents by time, by motion, smart searching by things like face, missing stuff, movement, etc...
Pings my cell phone if I want when it detects stuff. Can set warnings to tell me if motion detected, if someone with a mask or without a mask is in the picture, heck it even know if something has gone missing out of the frame like a tractor was there in the shop and now its not!! I set the software to recognize the tractor in its spot and if its not their I get a message. Its called AI technology and part of their "MISSING" feature. So if someone trys to steal move a BBQ/Tractor/ etc... that its expecting to be there it goes off.

only downside is that the fans on the HDD Fusion box is load. Don't want it placed somewhere that a noisy fan is bothersome.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Am I right that you want the cameras to see what is going on when you are not there? So simply switch the system off when you are there and the big brother problem disapperars.

 

[Elliott in GA]

With Reolink cameras (up to 8 cameras), you can store all of their video on a HUB (which you can link to/view video via the internet from your phone and/or a computer). The HUB costs $99, and all video is encrypted. It can store 1TB on internal 512 GB cards. You can download videos to be saved on your phone and/or computer as you choose. The HUB links to the cameras via wi-fi; and therefore, you can hide it away from the cameras with no wires leading to it.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Wrt to systems my advice is: Hikvision or Dahua.

There is a lot of junk out there on the internet with fake reviews (Reolink is a prime example here). Almost fell into that trap myself. You only find facts on surveillance camera forums.

 

[William1]

Considered Tapo? Inexpensive cameras, they use a SD card (which are cheap) and only record when motion is detected and send an alert. WiFi, Solar, Battery or plug in. Cheap too. They do motion tracking so if someone is there, it automatically rotate to follow them, so that tells the nefarious that the camera is truly active. Mine are on an eve about 14' off the ground.
How good it works and how secure they are is a matter of how much you want to spend. IMHO, a camera scares off some (when sketchy people notice one at my place, I mention that they did not see all the others....), it lets you know to call the police. A hard core crook will spray paint or smash any camera and then you are relying on it warning you before it goes off line.

 

[LFP57]

Wrt to systems my advice is: Hikvision or Dahua.

There is a lot of junk out there on the internet with fake reviews (Reolink is a prime example here). Almost fell into that trap myself. You only find facts on surveillance camera forums.

Both the Hikvision and the Dahua are Chinese systems as well as the Foscams I was considering, installing Chinese software just didn't feel right to me. Foscam has a North American team as well, it's still a Chinese company.

 

[johnjk]

Look at Wyze. Numerous solutions and they have an outdoor camera with a small solar panel to keep it charged. I had to do a temporary security system at our warehouse and these work great. They have spotlight cameras, fixed cameras , pan cameras and a very affordable monitoring plan. Now for home I have SimpliSafe. For the indoor cameras they have a lense cover and status LED that lets you know visually and audibly when they are in use. You can pay extra for active monitoring which I call big brother mode or the standard set it when you are away. They use a combination of cell and the Internet for their service so if someone cuts the phone or cable line, it still works. Wyze is just cameras and SimpliSafe gives you entry sensors, water and temp sensors, CO and smoke detectors and glass break.

 

[Scm]

Am I right that you want the cameras to see what is going on when you are not there? So simply switch the system off when you are there and the big brother problem disapperars.

I agree with Hugo. I'm planning on using this system at some point. But I wont be hooking it up to the internet.

Lorex 1080p 8 Camera Capable 1TB Wired DVR System with 1080p HD CVI Bullet Cameras

This robust analog security camera system features an 8-Channel Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and wired 1080p security cameras with infrared night vision and IP67 weatherproof ratings for around-the-clock surveillance, day or night, rain or shine.

www.lorex.com

You seem maker...ish. Maybe rig something to send an alert via meshtastic to avoid big brother.

Example:

 

[Poohbear]

I have the 'Blink" cameras I got at Lowes. Had them 3 years or so and no problems. Lets me know if someone is at the house when I'm away.

 

[Old Machinist]

ROFL! Cornfused yet?

 

[Scm]

ROFL! Cornfused yet?

Actual options are better than an illusion of choice, like everything else.

 

[Elliott in GA]

Wrt to systems my advice is: Hikvision or Dahua.

There is a lot of junk out there on the internet with fake reviews (Reolink is a prime example here). Almost fell into that trap myself. You only find facts on surveillance camera forums.

Reolink has had and does have many positive reviews from third parties (PC Mag, Project farm and etc.). I have had them at my house for nearly a year without any issues, and now I am going to add them to my property in north Georgia (unlimited cellular internet just became available). The only time I called their customer service (to resolve a settings issue on one of my emails to accept their push notifications), it took about 15 minutes.

Are there other good choices for security cameras - absolutely.
Are there better choices - could very well be.

However, Reolink is not some sort of trap or scam.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I have Reolink and it works perfectly, has for 4 years.
I have the ability to record local, record via cloud (only good if you have unlimited internet data amounts) and have real time access to the cameras.
The NVR can be set up for continuous recording so when it get to the end it over records, my system revolves about every 60 days, and that's with it recording 8 camera feeds.
You can even set them up with geo fencing, so they only record on movement, and/or it can alert you on movement.
If you do this get a good UPS to run the Internet and the NVR.

 

[bbxlr8]

Looked at a bunch and was going to do the Lorex as above. Tried a stopgap as a "tester" with LaView equipment and they are shockingly very good!

Started with a couple of their lightbulb cameras and added a multiple set of their F1Pro cameras. Use microSD local cards that you can access content from phone app rather than cloud. Covers views of my driveway, house, f/r walkways, detached garage/shop, its inside doors, tractor/equipment shed and coop. Robust video, redundancy, remote control & flexible controls. Of course, Achilles heel is when internet/power is cut

edit - like Wolfman, I do have ups on internet and router, but was set up due to past issues with storms and local power co lines causing intermittent, brief outages.

 

[Old Machinist]

I started with wyze, then Reolink. My wyze cams still work but their policies are a moving target. Each camera interfaces differently than the other including two of the same model. All but one of my Reolink cameras have died.

The iegeek ZS-GX3S 2MP cameras pick up motion better and begin recording faster than most of the Reolink cameras did. I use my cameras mainly for watching wildlife and got a bunch of tail shots or blank videos with the Reolinks. I have had 4 different models. I still have one Reolink Argus Eco on a solar panel and it seems to do as well as any others including the iegeeks. The solar panel keeps the battery at 100% so it's worry free other than keeping the spiders off.