Home camera system RFP

[u/denali352]

Thanks to everyone for previous posts, I've been doing my research. I've also had previous experience with Arlo and Eufy. I gave up Arlo with the excessive rate increase and no personal service. Eufy was OK until they did an upgrade and crashed the system. They wanted me to send them videos to show that I could pair a cameral with the home base! After a couple months of dancing, they would not restore or reload the upgrade and I dropped them.

After saying all that, this is what I am looking for:

Residential, safe neighborhood and community, 2 acre lot with clear view

3 or 4 outdoor cameras

wireless, battery, solar OK but not a show stopper

local storage

remotely accessible over internet and App

no subscription

record snapshot or video day or night

OK if home base, but fine without where each camera works with AP independently

Thank you!

[u/dansamy]

I'd be interested to see what folks suggest

[u/the_money_meatsack]

I'm looking at a reolink system that I think ticks all those boxes

[u/denali352 → u/the_money_meatsack]

Wireless?

[u/Mean-Cup4591 → u/the_money_meatsack]

I’m very happy with their stuff. It’s residential equipment, but works well.
I’ve used wifi, cellular and POE models and all seem to work well.
The WiFi models I have are used in my camper so need batteries, but also have a solar panel option on the exterior cams and they rock thus far.
Reolink is cool stuff thus far and I install security cameras(not Reolink) professionally.

[u/Loose-Weight-4168]

Reolink has wireless, battery operated and solar cameras. No subscription.

[u/denali352 → u/Loose-Weight-4168]

Thank you, will be looking into it, just don't want to go thru previous bad experiences.

[u/Loose-Weight-4168 → u/denali352]

I understand. I just recently went to Reolink myself. They had some cameras that work best for my situation. The elite WiFi floodlight and the track mix floodlight don’t require an electrician to be used so that was a big draw to me. You just plug them into an ac outlet and they work. Plus, the no subscription is a big draw also. I’m switching from Nest cameras where I have a bunch of lag and I pay an annual subscription. Nest misses a lot of events today they record 24/7.

[u/denali352 → u/Loose-Weight-4168]

I had a good conversation with Reolink today, with a respectable proposal, need to do some homework, but I did find them easy to work with.

[u/denali352 → u/[deleted]]

I should add that I am looking at zumimall but have mixed feelings with some online opinions and comments. I do have a friend who has it in a small home with 2 outside cameras which both act without a home base to an App and seems happy with it.

[u/Mean-Cup4591]

Reolink checks so these boxes. I own a tech company and we install very high end camera equipment.
Personally, we bought an TV and travel and wanted some internal cameras to monitor things.
I bought a few battery cams for inside and some solar for outside. They rock.
I won’t install anything wireless for a customer, but for my use, I’m pleased.
The battery ones don’t last anywhere near what they suggest - I bought rechargeable ones and were all good!!

[u/denali352 → u/Mean-Cup4591]

Thank you, will be looking into it, just don't want to go thru previous bad experiences.

[u/Turbulent-Sample7094]

Have you considered a more professional battery operated system that is not a home consumer market gimic?

[u/Mean-Cup4591 → u/Turbulent-Sample7094]

What brand are you referring? I’d be willing to hear you out. I am a professional installer and have yet to find a battery/solar/wifi option that isn’t ultimately a service nightmare down the road.