Security Cameras

[tool]

Now that I have Starlink internet at my rural Saskatchewan property, I would like to get some remote cameras where I could log in to an app and see what was going on at my place when I'm not there. I have had trouble with fuel theft etc in the past, these would primarily be used for security.

Wondering what anyone would recommend.

[Stinky Buffalo]

I've had good luck with the Blink cameras. Super easy to deploy, and work pretty well for my purposes.

Depending on what settings you use (and how often they are activated) you can get a few years out of each set of batteries.

They often go on sale, too. They are on sale at the moment actually. https://www.amazon.ca/Blink-Outdoor-...dp/B0B1N7G2R1/

[6MT]

I have eight 4K wired cameras (Lorex system from Costco). I also utilize two solar powered wifi cameras. One on a tower at 50 feet, and the other on a pole about 10 feet high.

My wired system recorder has a terabyte of memory that runs in a loop. That loop takes about 6 days to roll over. The wifi cameras have built in SD cards. I can’t remember how big they are.

I have access to all my cameras with two different apps on my phone anywhere in the world. (Btw, we also have the Starlink system.)

We were broken into and decided to set up the system. I have four big signs up that are visible to all who enter the property. Since we’ve done this, even the JW’s don’t come to the door. And in the almost four years since, no one has even gotten close to the house.

There’s so many options out there to choose from. My combo works great for our situation. Do your research.

Here’s a screen shot from the tower camera at 50 feet in infrared. It’s a favourite of mine!



Here’s the monitor and below it, the NVR.

[Hooter]

Originally Posted by 6MT

I have eight 4K wired cameras (Lorex system from Costco). I also utilize two solar powered wifi cameras. One on a tower at 50 feet, and the other on a pole about 10 feet high.

My wired system recorder has a terabyte of memory that runs in a loop. That loop takes about 6 days to roll over. The wifi cameras have built in SD cards. I can’t remember how big they are.

I have access to all my cameras with two different apps on my phone anywhere in the world. (Btw, we also have the Starlink system.)

We were broken into and decided to set up the system. I have four big signs up that are visible to all who enter the property. Since we’ve done this, even the JW’s don’t come to the door. And in the almost four years since, no one has even gotten close to the house.

There’s so many options out there to choose from. My combo works great for our situation. Do your research.

Here’s a screen shot from the tower camera at 50 feet in infrared. It’s a favourite of mine!



Here’s the monitor and below it, the NVR.

How much does a system like this cost all in? I’d like something like this…

[6MT]

Originally Posted by Hooter

How much does a system like this cost all in? I’d like something like this…

These days, the 4K wired system with a 1TB NVR from Costco would run around $1k. The solar powered wifi cameras are Amazon specials that run in and around $150 each. The apps for each are free.

[LKILR]

I have TAPO from Amazon
They are inexpensive but seems to work fine

Got woke up last night from a little fox that ran in front of the camera

Can look in any time with phone and sends alerts to your phone.

Can link several together


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[X-Treme]

I have a few Eufy wifi cams, and they've been great. No monthly fees (yet) and the picture is perfect.

[ORV]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

I've had good luck with the Blink cameras. Super easy to deploy, and work pretty well for my purposes.

Depending on what settings you use (and how often they are activated) you can get a few years out of each set of batteries.

They often go on sale, too. They are on sale at the moment actually. https://www.amazon.ca/Blink-Outdoor-...dp/B0B1N7G2R1/

So once the batteries go they is no way to replace them i take it?

Thanks in advance

Orv.

[JohnB]

I have Ring doorbell camera, and it works well. I got it from Best Buy. Ring also has Spotlight cameras.

https://ring.com/products/spotlight-...960145222b30d7

[Jamie Black R/T]

Originally Posted by 6MT

I have eight 4K wired cameras (Lorex system from Costco). I also utilize two solar powered wifi cameras. One on a tower at 50 feet, and the other on a pole about 10 feet high.

My wired system recorder has a terabyte of memory that runs in a loop. That loop takes about 6 days to roll over. The wifi cameras have built in SD cards. I can’t remember how big they are.

I have access to all my cameras with two different apps on my phone anywhere in the world. (Btw, we also have the Starlink system.)

We were broken into and decided to set up the system. I have four big signs up that are visible to all who enter the property. Since we’ve done this, even the JW’s don’t come to the door. And in the almost four years since, no one has even gotten close to the house.

There’s so many options out there to choose from. My combo works great for our situation. Do your research.

Here’s a screen shot from the tower camera at 50 feet in infrared. It’s a favourite of mine!



Here’s the monitor and below it, the NVR.

I have the 6 camera wired Lorex from Costco and also been happy with it for last few years. Access via app from anywhere and nvr records if need to go back and check.

I have it rigged to my shop TV and have the nvr mounted up high behind the tv so its not visible to be tampered with.

Bought it on sale at costco 3 years ago for $550

[CPT_420]

Personally, I do it with more professional equipment, rather than box store stuff made in China that is rickety and not so reliable (plus, the clarity is not there compared to professional brands, you wouldn't even make out a face clearly). Not to mention issues like the many human rights violations by those companies. Many people however are fine with it and don't care.

Then, there's the problem of Chinese spyware. 90% of cameras, including Lorex & Blink, have them and are in the process of being banned for government buildings. As of now, in all of the US and in Quebec (they are also working on this in all of Canada), if a professional security company puts even 1 camera that is not NDAA Compliant into a government building (or even residential property in the US), they are banned from having any work with government buildings in the future.

They will likely still be allowed in residential properties as its people's own risk, and many of them don't care what their system does and just shops to the penny to give them some simple reassurance. It's their house and their deductible/insurance claim in the end.

Also, make sure to check operating temp specs. Most box store stuff (including Blink & Lorex), are only rated to -20 or less.

It's crazy to me how people cheap out on something that is most important to them. A buddy of mine that bragged about having a very similar DIY system (cheaper upfront and no monitoring fee), had his house broken into and the person caught, and nothing could be done in court as the camera was not encrypted. The whole case was thrown out.

At the end of the day, there is a reason professional companies exist.

I hope you find what your looking for!

[Engels]

Originally Posted by ORV

So once the batteries go they is no way to replace them i take it?

Thanks in advance

Orv.

they run off AA's. Easily replaceable.

[ORV]

Originally Posted by Engels

they run off AA's. Easily replaceable.

Excellent Thanks!

[vinny]

Originally Posted by CPT_420

Personally, I do it with more professional equipment, rather than box store stuff made in China that is rickety and not so reliable (plus, the clarity is not there compared to professional brands, you wouldn't even make out a face clearly). Not to mention issues like the many human rights violations by those companies. Many people however are fine with it and don't care.

Then, there's the problem of Chinese spyware. 90% of cameras, including Lorex & Blink, have them and are in the process of being banned for government buildings. As of now, in all of the US and in Quebec (they are also working on this in all of Canada), if a professional security company puts even 1 camera that is not NDAA Compliant into a government building (or even residential property in the US), they are banned from having any work with government buildings in the future.

They will likely still be allowed in residential properties as its people's own risk, and many of them don't care what their system does and just shops to the penny to give them some simple reassurance. It's their house and their deductible/insurance claim in the end.

Also, make sure to check operating temp specs. Most box store stuff (including Blink & Lorex), are only rated to -20 or less.

It's crazy to me how people cheap out on something that is most important to them. A buddy of mine that bragged about having a very similar DIY system (cheaper upfront and no monitoring fee), had his house broken into and the person caught, and nothing could be done in court as the camera was not encrypted. The whole case was thrown out.

At the end of the day, there is a reason professional companies exist.

I hope you find what your looking for!

I don’t know much about the spyware end of it, but my neighbour used his Blink cameras all through the crazy cold snap last year with no issues whatsoever. I’m sure battery life depleted some during that, but they operated fine.

[Trochu]

I'd like to get a camera system at my place, mainly to check on the chickens and pigs without actually having to go out to check on them.

[JB_AOL]

I think u need to decide on what your intent is with that cameras.

Reality of it is.. if someone is stealing something, they have their faces covered and are usually in a stolen vehicle.

Also, what are u going to do when they steal something? Watch them? Unless u have someone close by to check when something happens.

If u want to see their covered faces really good, then spend big bucks and get a decent system. If u just want to know if someone is on your property, spending big bucks isn't necessary.

Re:spyware.. well, there's spyware in every electronic u use, including your phone, so u decide.

I have cameras as more of a deterant than anything, yes they work, and give a decent video, but I'm ok with that. The best system for actually catching someone is hidden cameras. I know people that have "dummy" cameras in the usual spots with hidden HQ cameras in places u wouldn't expect.

[traderal]

About 6 yrs ago we bought the 8 camera system off Costco. Barely used them and within 2 yrs only 2 cameras were still working, apparently sunlight is hard on their electronics. My neighbour whose farm equipment was torched to the tune of 750k had clear pics of the local druggie perp on trail cams and the cop didn't even want the pics, said they were inadmissible.

[Savage Bacon]

I know it's not an option for you but I have the shaw/rogers camera. It's $5 a month per camera and comes with one free camera. It's on my phone app. It has person or vehicle motion and records, has speaker and mic. I just have the one free camera. I have it in my garage so I can tell if the garage door is shut. It is wired.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by ORV

So once the batteries go they is no way to replace them i take it?

Thanks in advance

Orv.

No they're AA or AAA. Can't remember which exactly but I have 3 of them at my house and I think I'm 3 years in and have never changed them out. You can arm the system so if they detect any motion, it sends an alert to your phone and makes a recording. Whenever you want you can open the app on your phone and click the camera and just watch w/audio what each of your camera sees. You can also talk through the camera.

[Cross Eyed Cowboy]

Originally Posted by CPT_420

It's crazy to me how people cheap out on something that is most important to them. A buddy of mine that bragged about having a very similar DIY system (cheaper upfront and no monitoring fee), had his house broken into and the person caught, and nothing could be done in court as the camera was not encrypted. The whole case was thrown out. !

Interesting point about encryption. I have a hard time believing that a court case was thrown out if camera footage was used as evidence but not encrypted. I'll have to do a little more research on this.

[KGB]

If you can pair the cameras with a 30 cal machine gun….. that will solve lots of problems like in the old movie from 1995 Congo….

[SamSteele]

I have Starlink at my cabin in Sask and put up a couple Google Home Floodlight cameras there. I’ve had them over a year and they work great, even in cold weather. I get alerts when there is something going on and I can have it set to turn on the lights and even talk through them to whomever is on the other end.

There is a subscription for it, but it’s pretty cheap and is a flat rate, not per camera. I think it’s $10/month and you can have as many devices as you want at multiple locations. I also added a Google Nest thermostat so I can adjust the heat remotely. When we go up in the winter I crank the heat when we get in the vehicle and it’s warm when we get there.

Here’s a screenshot from a video off the one camera, showing a red fox running by.



SS


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[glen moa]

Maybe 20y ago I bought a zmodo camera system off eBay. It work good for about ten years. Then mice ate the wires because the insulation is made out of some tasty stuff. Then the hard drive crashed into the trash it went.

It served its purpose. People acted better when they saw the cameras.

[marxman]

I have 2 cheap cameras which take good video. Why would video be inadmisable? And what is incrypted video?