outdoor home security cameras

LOL on apology! Yeah, I'm still trimming out the idiot spammers.

Here's my initial take: Never buy something with no reviews at all. However, check and see if former versions have reviews as they can be handy.

Things to look at: WIFI reach at your place. I have odd spots that act like there's a metal blocker here.

Antenna, does it lock down well in position or is it weak and flopps down?

LOL

That seems pretty expensive. I've got 3 of those Google Nest Door Bell/Cameras. One at each door. They connect to my Wifi and are powered by the doorbell wiring with a built in battery. They also interoperate with my ADT security system. I don't need to store the video. Google/Nest does that.

I don't think I know enough about all the other options to say it's the best system. I like the Google stuff because I also use Google thermostats and speakers.

I'm trying to avoid the wi-fi models - they need some sort of power supply and for Canadian outdoor use, wall wart or battery supply would seem a poor choice. John T.

Thanks for the reply. A doorbell unit might be my fall-back option, if I can't get network cable snaked where I need it. What function does the battery serve ? if the device is powered by the doorbell wires ? John T.

I have a Ring setup. Started with the doorbell and added a couple of cameras. The doorbell has no battery but does connect to Wi-Fi. I later added an indoor camera that plugs in. I only activate that when I go away.

Front of the house is covered by a camera mounted over the garage frame. It has a battery, but is charged by a small solar panel.

All are motion sensitive and save the recording to view on phone or computer. The one over the front has a siren, but I have it turned off.

Sounds like a good plan. The only ones I have first hand experience with are Axis Power over Ethernet is the best technology. Anything wireless is suspect and subject to interference/jamming/whatever. Wifi is second choice, but you need to run power wires anyway so unless it is remote (like camera on another building with power available) POe is best.

That Lorex double header looks like a pretty good system, John.The WIFI capability allows you to run a remote camera if you want (like a camera mounted in your car or truck for extended coverage when parked)

The other option with POE is to use an ethernet accrss point and POE tap to run the camera as a wifi camera - all you need is to get power to it - no need to get cabled to the recorder.

The battery is dual purpose. If you loose power, your camera is still functional and recording. The battery can also just power the camera. 2 of my doors have doorbell wiring. For them, the doorbell wiring charges the battery and the battery never runs down. One of my doors has no doorbell wiring so I have the take the camera down every 3 or 4 weeks and charge it with a USB C cable. It tells you in advance that the battery is low so it's really no problem.

Since I have Google Nest speakers, the door without doorbell wiring still works as a doorbell, since you can program the doorbell to communicate with the speaker to announce visitors over WIFI.

Each doorbell plays a different tune and you can program it to announce which door.

This all works with the Google Home App on a phone or tablet or

I've seen the ring units. The Google Nest stuff is similar except they have the backup battery. The Gooogle recording is pretty cool, you can tell it you want vehicles, people, animals, or motion. If there is a package, it tells you about it. After you record a face it will tell you who is there.

Do you have any personal experience with these tiny solar panels ? I'm very dubious about them in my situation - long cold nights and very un-sunny days in my part of the world .. John T.

I appreciate the reply, and the much-younger-me might enjoy learning about all the gadgetry - but I've become a Luddite in my dotage. I refer to my smart-phone as my texting device and I struggle to answer an actual voice call when it rings ... Delivery people _never_ ring the doorbell in my world - they drop the parcel and hurry away - no need to talk to them. I don't know - but I suspect - that the number of false notifications to my phone would eventually compel me to block them .. John T.

The price-tag is a bit scary but the cheaper systems seem to be sold-out everywhere. WalMart has a Swann wifi system -

My battery is always at 100%. I've checked it early in the morning and the battery holds 99% after all night so little charge is needed.

You're in Florida ? .. or have I got you mixed-up with someone else here.. I don't leave any batteries outside over the winter - not even in my attached garage. I take my lawn mower battery and all my hand tool batteries into the basement. John T.

Old? 79 here.

Get older. When I answer the phone now, I tap my ear twice. (My hearing aids have bluetooth.) Making a call is as simple as saying:

"Hey Google call John".

Delivery people only ring when I have to sign for a package.

Notifications are optional.

I let the doorbells notify me because all I hear is a beep in my hearing aid. Taking the phone out of my pocket and looking is optional.

Yes, setting this stuff up can be challenging. There is no shortage of people that will do it for you but it's worthwhile learning how to do it yourself.