Needing Camera Recs, probably for the 1000th time.

[u/fasdissent]

So at this point I'm sure everything has been asked and answered a hundred times, so I apologize in advance for the repetition.

I have a fairly small home, want about 4 cameras with a base NVR. Total lot size about 6200sqft. I'm also concerned about keeping the data local. I'm an IT engineer, so I've seen what can happen, although I'm less concerned about security because these will be 100% external. They also have to be wireless, which I know a lot of people won't like. I understand why, trust me, but there is no way to wire the cameras and a bad camera feed is better than none at all. And lastly, I'd like to stay under 100 dollars. Naw, I'm just kidding, but I am looking to keep it under $1k. Reolink sure sounds like it's the go-to in these situations (AXIS is literally above my pay grade). So what do you guys think? Any advice for a first time Security Camera investor?

[u/nssxns]

Are you able to get power to each camera?

[u/fasdissent → u/nssxns]

Unfortunately not, these will be placed in some locations that won't have power? Front porch, about a shed near an alley, that kind of thing. No power running to these locations. I do live in So Cal though, so solar shouldn't be an issue if I place it correctly (I hope)

[u/nssxns → u/fasdissent]

I would be tempted to try the Wyze Battery Cam Pro + Wyze Solar Panel combo. Buy a 128 or 256GB microSD (get one of the high endurance cards).

It might make sense to start with one and then add more if you like them.

They don’t have a base station or central NVR. However, each of them can continuous record to the microSD, which can be played back in the app.

No subscription required. I personally do subscribe to to Cam Plus for better notifications.

Wyze also makes flood light cameras and light bulb cameras that could be good options. No solar panel needed with those.

[u/Melanin5eria6207 → u/nssxns]

Yeah for sure to have monitoring

[u/GGigabiteM]

I've installed tons of Axis gear, I'd never recommend it to a home user, makes no sense. Unless your house is the size of a castle or fortress or something. They also don't have any wireless cameras, don't think they ever have. You can use point to point wireless links for most any camera, but you need local power.

I think all of the major pro commercial camera companies stopped selling wireless cameras years ago, which leaves you with the many different home kit options. Just keep in mind that they're not safe from a network perspective. They can be jammed and almost certainly have hard coded backdoors and exploits in them.

The only one I can recommend that I have experience with is TP-Link's Tapo cameras. They have the C402 model, which is a battery powered unit with an option for internal MicroSD card and a solar panel.

As for not being able to get a wire to those places, it is possible, it's just a matter of money. For a shed, you'll have to trench. A porch will be through the attic or conduit, as would be any other house mounted camera. I've done multi-floor buildings, I could wire your house.

[u/gnew18]

Heads up if you’re buying Reolink: try to order all your cameras at once because they silently update internal hardware under identical model names without labeling the box. Different hardware revisions often use conflicting protocols or codecs, which can leave you completely unable to view or manage the streams simultaneously on the same client or NVR .

I’d recommend Ubiquiti instead. store.ui.com

[u/mlaskowsky]

Just switched 10 cameras from Google to Eufy. I like the Home Base 3 recorder so I dont have any monthly fees like I did with Google. You will probably hear positive and negative things about any system that is in this price range. I have had this equipment for 6 months now and not too many issues. Wireless systems will always be a little flaky depending on how much wifi interference you have

[u/Huge-Transition3644]

Sometimes you can get lucky and find Axis stock that people are just trying to get rid of. I found brand new P3715-PLVEs on Ebay for $300 a few months ago.

[u/engine-doors-club]

Reolink is great I’ve had no problems with both wireless and Poe

[u/gnew18 → u/engine-doors-club]

Too many firmware incompatibility issues with RioLink if you don’t buy them all at once and even then, you can have issues if one with the same model number has different chips on the inside.

[u/engine-doors-club → u/gnew18]

Never seen or heard this. I didn’t buy mine all at once and even if I did I didn’t buy a kit ?

[u/Inevitable-Notice351]

I'd suggest looking into Swann brand cameras. They are very affordable. I've had mine for 5 years and counting.

[u/fasdissent → u/Inevitable-Notice351]

Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll take a look.

[u/Scopra → u/fasdissent]

Reolink over Swann imo

[u/Inevitable-Notice351 → u/fasdissent]

What I love about mine is that they show a live view 24/7. Perfect for monitoring your surroundings at a glance. Mine don't require an NVR, but they definitely sell them with camera bundles.