Security System

[+ not2rowdy]

I’m interested in an outside security camera system.

Not trying to build a fortress or casino grade surveillance.

Suggestions appreciated.

 

Fairly quiet neighborhood IRT traffic and pedestrians.

Brutal southwestern summer temperatures. If small enough cameras might be able to be inside looking out windows.

Probably don’t need full 360 degree coverage but maybe something expandable.

 

Would like to be able to set up custom parameters that would trigger an alert to phone. An example being to disregard tree area to preclude swaying branches from causing an alert.

Would like to have that alert also initiate an on site recording with time stamp.

Audio would be a plus but not a deal killer.

 

iOS and macOS friendly.

Budget is a significant factor.

[MikeyGMin]

Check out the Nest series. They aren't the cheapest but I think they're a pretty good value. Cheap outdoor cameras don't stand up to weather. They are also very flexible about adding additional cameras.

 

Note: There is an additional fee for streaming and saving data to their cloud but you can get simple notifications for free.

 

https://store.nest.com/product/outdoor-security-camera/NC2400ES

[LaffingBear]

Nest and Ring have excellent reviews. They're priced higher, may be worth it for reliability and ease of setup.

I chose to go a less expensive route, and put a Wansview

In window next to door. Only $38. Adequate for my purposes to see who is at front door. Most importantly, clear instructions, easy set up.

 

First two cams tried both returned. The setup instructions, translated to english, were indecipherable . I'd recommend that anyone pay extra attention to online review content. Setup/language/teeny-tiny fonts on printed instructions are all very prevalent complaints.

[+ bashful]

Wow. I never realized what all is involved with getting a security system. You probably don't want to hear I once went out of town for week, and came home to realized I left my patio door open about a half inch.

[+ not2rowdy]

Thanks for the leads.

Researching those suggestions indicates Ring plans releasing some new products soon that were shown at the recent CES Show.

That also took me a new lead for the Netgear Arlo Pro and Canary Flex products that are also possible contenders.

I’ll likely hold off just a bit longer.

This is like trying to compare insurance plans.

[JayCeeKy]

Netgear Arlo Pro - get the " rechargeable batteries" type cause they can eat up batteries. Get it on sale at either Costco or Amazon. Sends you a message when there is movement. Works great. I have a camera hidden on mantel and another unobtrusively on a bookcase. As you will find out, 24/7 monitoring with video is an expensive proposition.

[+ Pensant]

I use SimpliSafe. I do need some new cameras and have found the existing Arlo system to be inscrutable.

[LaffingBear]

This is an interesting topic to me.

 

I have a cam to see who is at the door. Nothing else. Neighbors have cams all over.... outside, nanny cams, etc. I understand why.

 

I know this is a leap.... but the internet is full of hidden cam vids... including porn. My last bad experience, the rentguy walked around my bedroom examining devices for fear of hidden cams.

 

Makes me wonder if I should be concerned about paid sessions, or hookups, at others' homes. Or wonder if its increasingly on rentguys' minds that they might be recorded.

 

Does it change rentguys'/clients' preferences on hosting?

 

Apologies for semi-hijacking thread.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

I've used Arlo at a second house and it's worked well, albeit you have to stay on top of how quickly the cams eat through batteries. The picture quality of Arlo is nowhere near the nearly 4k def of the newest Nest cams.

 

Nest, I use at home. Their IQ line of cams are truly smart, easy to use and the app is intuitive. It can decipher between movement and actual people, with their newest cams actually being able to use Google tech to tell you, specifically, who the camera is seeing. It's interesting.

[+ not2rowdy]

Thanks for input.

 

I checked deeper into the Arlo Pro series. Downloaded the manual, reviews by pcmag and tomsguide. It does not not record continuously - only when a programmable “trigger event” takes place. However, that may actually be an advantage for what I want to accomplish. It also has a USB port on the base station allowing a USB drive connection to save recorded events (video and/or audio). Free cloud based recordings (7 day rolling) and longer paid premium options. The model that I’m kinda leaning towards is the mid-level Arlo Pro (720p) since bandwidth constraints are a consideration for me. It now comes with rechargeable batteries. Expandable up to 15 cameras in highest paid premium plan. Free plan likely sufficient for me.

 

Kinda leaning towards this. And I have a retired USB2 portable hard drive that I could bring back into service for the base station event recording to help keep initial cost down.

 

But also curious about what the new Ring products will offer. So still in the research mode.