The Money Mustache Community

Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: jamesbond007 on January 20, 2017, 11:18:37 AM

Title: Recommendation on indoor and outdoor security cams
Post by: jamesbond007 on January 20, 2017, 11:18:37 AM

Hello Mustachians,


I am looking to install security cameras (3 indoor and 2 outdoor) for my house. Every option that I saw points to expensive subscription service. I would like to have a in-home DVR and the ability to see what my cameras see via a web browser.


I don't need alerts or such as I already monitor my house via SmartThings sensors in every room.


Do you have any recommendations that doesn't break the bank?


Thanks.

Title: Re: Recommendation on indoor and outdoor security cams
Post by: jamesbond007 on January 20, 2017, 01:01:20 PM

Bump.

Title: Re: Recommendation on indoor and outdoor security cams
Post by: FIRE me on January 20, 2017, 06:59:51 PM

Odd. I've never seen cam systems that require a subscription service. Then again, I'm not shopping on ADT's website.

Anyway, I've been tire kicking systems for years. They're available almost every where. Amazon, Costco, ebay, Sam's Club.

There are sales and there are good buys. But in general, the more you spend, the better quality you'll get. It is hard to find systems that *don't* include free internet based monitoring.

Low end:
Analog systems being closed out. Lots of choices around and under $500.

Better:
Power over Ethernet systems. Only one cable to run and generally superior images (higher resolution) to analog systems. Prices start around $800 and can easily climb to $2k and beyond.

Best:
High quality pan, tilt, and zoom cams. Prepare to pay dearly.

Title: Re: Recommendation on indoor and outdoor security cams
Post by: jamesbond007 on January 23, 2017, 10:49:35 AM

Thank you. Any opinion on NightOwl system that they sell at Costco?

Title: Re: Recommendation on indoor and outdoor security cams
Post by: sisto on January 23, 2017, 11:41:31 AM

I just bought the Night Owl 4 camera system from Costco. I haven't set mine up yet. My neighbor has been using a similar setup with a mix of cameras. It's worked well for him for several years now, he had the older model recorder and just recently updated it to the new 1TB model. The interface is a bit quirky, but I think overall it's a good value for the money. I plan to set mine up when the weather gets better.

Title: Re: Recommendation on indoor and outdoor security cams
Post by: Mgmny on January 23, 2017, 11:45:33 AM

I always thought the Nest Cams looked cool, and they can decipher images and determine if it's a threat entering your house or just the wind blowing a tree, but there is a subscription to that, and with 5 cameras, it could be expensive.

Title: Re: Recommendation on indoor and outdoor security cams
Post by: john6221 on January 23, 2017, 12:01:48 PM

I use the Arlo wire-free cameras and have had good experiences with them for the 6 months that I've owned them.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Recommendation on indoor and outdoor security cams
Post by: jamesbond007 on January 23, 2017, 03:01:54 PM

Quote from: john6221 on January 23, 2017, 12:01:48 PM

I use the Arlo wire-free cameras and have had good experiences with them for the 6 months that I've owned them.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Don't you have to pay a monthly fee to be able to use the functionality for Arlo?