outdoor security camera recommendation
 

Hey guys

Want to get a security cam out front of house. Would like it to be 120v powered, cloud storage (free preferably). Intergrate with nest/alexa/iftt, if there's any value to it... Must have an app to view it

Like the Nest one, but 10$ a month for cloud storage is a little much on a sub $200 camera. The Arlo cameras seem to be battery powered, where I am putting it would need a ladder to access to change batteries, and wouldn't like dead batteries while I am away. But like their 7 day free cloud storage...

Any recommendations? Hopefully under $300 or so?

Thanks

can buy the 4 camera lorex system from costco for $380

i just got mine working, fairly happy with it

How simple would it be DIY install?

I also have a lorex with 4 cams powered over ethernet which is doing very well. The software is weak though but the HD quality is amazing.

You have to run cables from each camera to the brain so a bit of drilling and screwing the cameras etc but it’s pretty straight forward

Need power and hard wired Ethernet at the brain though

I have the Lorax with 6 cameras - excellent video quality day and night. App for the phone, can also have on your computer and view anywhere. I have had to cut the camera plugs and soldier the wires due to the plugs rusting quickly from all our rain. Overall, I am very pleased with the system.

I love my RING Floodlight CAM. Cloud Storage is about $3/month I believe but it's such an easy install. I just replaced a previously installed flood light with this new RING one.

Also added more RING cameras around the house and the quality is unreal.

Motion detection with notifications is one of the most valuable features. Not having to go through the camera footage to see when/where someone came by the home can be a pain and a big waste of time. RING also includes 2 way communication as well as a remote siren. Easily export videos and photos to share with police or your neighbours.

Thanks guys. Looks like Lorex is the way to go. Could use a 2nd or 3rd camera, maybe even 4th. Have some ideas already for install. Didn't consider a hard drive rather than cloud storage.

What's intriguing is actually the ability to add a cheap led panel somewhere in the house for viewing.

Thanks. FYI looking at this one:
https://www.costco.ca/Lorex-4-channe...100364639.html

Figured I'd bump this thread. Got the lorex four camera system for Christmas, yeah 9 months ago. Had a lot of other reno's happening so it sat in the box for 6 months.

I rigged it up temporarily this past summer in the windows so I had something while we were on holidays.

Was tough to find somewhere for the hard drive, has to be wired to ethernet, and had to be central in the house to run cameras, and of course somewhere I could discreetly run wire to the attic.

Finished the install of 3 cameras outside of house a few weeks ago. I want a fourth mounted on north side but no way the cable is long enough, but with the 3 I have most angles covered. Really happy with the system, I set it to record motion only, and have not filled the hard drive yet in two weeks. App works pretty well, still playing with camera settings to get the best pictures at night given the light.

Seem to have skunks go through our backyard every night and a family of raccoons, definitely need to get my gate fixed soon.

Thanks for the recommendation!

Good to hear! I wouldn't play with the settings too much, I bricked one of my cams when I was changing some bitrate settings... luckily still under warranty but still..

Also, my lorex NVR is not wired via ethernet. I used an ethernet wifi adapter. Been on for 2 years straight and never had to be reset!

https://www.amazon.ca/IOGEAR-Univers...=ethernet+wifi

outdoor security camera recommendation
 

I've been using the Sengled Snap for a couple years now, 4 units in fact. Haven't had one unit fail so far, it survived the Maple Ridge Storm last week! It's a 2in1 product, provides lighting as well as 1080p security coverage. They offer free 24hr cloud storage. Installation is simple, screws into a light socket and configuration takes like 5 min. Drawbacks are that there is no localized storage available and the unit is fixed, so you can't remote tilt or pan. Low cost solution for sure, HD sells them for $150

Keep in mind that anything that offers cloud storage will likely eventually charge for their services. That’s the way security systems seem to be going as a revenue generator.

A lot of them now are only offering “clips” where motion is detected as opposed to recording everything and allowing you to skim through entire days/weeks

I think the only edge that the arlo has is the 7day free storage plus you can always download the videos, delete it so you get to make space for what's to come. I'm particularly impressed with Arlo's two way communication. It's really useful when we're away, as we travel frequently, we get to talk to whoever is on the other side. Although I feel it's quite expensive + the storage fee.

Imo having a remote cloud based storage for your video is always a disadvantage.

Not if your recording device gets stolen.

Anyone offering free web services (especially cloud storage) assume your data is being viewed by anyone who wants to. If they're only outside your house you might not care, but I sure as hell wouldn't have any indoor cameras that work like that.

You’d had to be in my place for a longggg time to find the brain

However, I do agree and I see a lot of newer homes have the brain/hard drive just sitting on a desk or shelf connected to monitors etc. terrible idea

If you really want to be careful, get one cheap brain and hook it up to all the normal looking cables and have it somewhere it can be found, and then have the real brain actually hidden somewhere obscure.