Surveillance camera recommendation

[zoemurr]

my mother asked for a small camera she can mount to see if someone is at her garage door. She would like to be able to watch it on her phone. I have no idea what I am looking for. Does someone have something similar? She is very tech savvy. Thanks.

 

[Squirlz]

We use the Nest system. I've seen one called Ring advertised that is a video doorbell. Google 'doorbell camera'.

 

[Bilberry]

I wish I remembered what I have. I believe it was bought at Lowes. We have a door bell video camera that connects with a cell phone. The door bells also makes a wind chime noise when someone walks toward it. It was easy to install.

 

[Hutchy]

We have a Nest Camera and really like it. We tried the Ring Doorbell for a week and hated it, the picture quality wasn't great and it wouldn't notify us of anything until the person was on the porch almost too the door but it sent us a notification for EVERY single car that went down the street. We've been happy with the video on the Nest and the app is very easy to use, we do have a nest thermostat also so it's nice to have 1 app for both things. My husband has multiple monitors on his desk at work so keeps a small window during the day. It's nice to know when the mail comes or exactly when we get a package. It was also very easy to install.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I have the Arlo system by Netgear. I love it. I have my front porch area and the rear patio/driveway covered. When I am expecting a delivery I can monitor exactly when my package arrives.

TC

 

[Squirlz]

We have a Nest Camera and really like it. We tried the Ring Doorbell for a week and hated it, the picture quality wasn't great and it wouldn't notify us of anything until the person was on the porch almost too the door but it sent us a notification for EVERY single car that went down the street. We've been happy with the video on the Nest and the app is very easy to use, we do have a nest thermostat also so it's nice to have 1 app for both things. My husband has multiple monitors on his desk at work so keeps a small window during the day. It's nice to know when the mail comes or exactly when we get a package. It was also very easy to install.

Everybody has Nest cameras 50 bucks off right now too. Including Amazon. We're going to pick up one or two more tomorrow at Best Buy.

 

[zoemurr]

https://www.amazon.com/Nest-Cam-Out...5?ie=UTF8&qid=1480048922&sr=8-5&keywords=Nest I was looking to get this one. Not as good a deal but I know she wants it for outside. Those with the Nest do you subscribe to the service?

 

[xlxo]

I have purchased Nest, DLink, Lorex, and TrendNet cameras. I have found Nest to be the best for low-light and software reliability.

A few things to consider about Nest...

• do you have a good data cap and fast connection. HD footage consumes a lot of data. Nest cameras do NOT store locally to a SD card. My DLink cameras do this.
• do you plan to purchase cloud storage each month? Otherwise, I think you are limited to 3 hours. Cloud storage is great if someone tries to steal the camera. As there is no video locally stored, you can still see who took the camera.
• Nest cameras have image notification on their emails. DLink forces me to log in.
• https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nest+camera to check for image samples

 

[xlxo]

Those with the Nest do you subscribe to the service?

I have three Nest cameras. Yes I subscribe to the 10 day service. Enough storage to record a week when I'm on vacation.

 

[zoemurr]

I have purchased Nest, DLink, Lorex, and TrendNet cameras. I have found Nest to be the best for low-light and software reliability.

A few things to consider about Nest...

• do you have a good data cap and fast connection. HD footage consumes a lot of data. Nest cameras do NOT store locally to a SD card. My DLink cameras do this.
• do you plan to purchase cloud storage each month? Otherwise, I think you are limited to 3 hours. Cloud storage is great if someone tries to steal the camera. As there is no video locally stored, you can still see who took the camera.
• Nest cameras have image notification on their emails. DLink forces me to log in.
• https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nest+camera to check for image samples

Thanks. So overall would you recommend nest over dlink? I'm not sure she cares much about storage. She wants to be able to see outside when she is home.

 

[xlxo]

In general... yes for low light and image notifications. I do use a combination with DLink where I don't need cloud storage.

I'll also add when choosing cameras. Looking for HD or 1080 resolution. Cheap cameras are limited to 640x480 images.

Next question is where and how.... are you going to drill holes for the USB/power cables? I have a window where I place my cameras inside looking out.

 

[zoemurr]

I'm not familiar enough with her house to know how she was planning to install it, but she understands those things so I'm sure she would figure it out. I believe she wants it by the garage door outside. I'll get it somewhere she can return it. Thanks.

 

[Squirlz]

Just saw a blurb in Better Homes and gardens that mentioned a few. blinkforhome.com canary.com smanos.com withings.com

 

[Disney Doll]

We use Nest.

 

[xlxo]

I should add... my experience with Nest is with the 720 and 1080 indoor cameras. No experience with the outdoor camera. The street light provides enough light when I leave the camera pointed to the alley from the kitchen window. Did not want to deal electrical wiring, installation and theft concerns.

DLink makes several cameras too. The cheap indoor models can't compared to the premium HD models for image quality and sensitivity.

Check YouTube for sample videos... Especially for low light quality. Think have far are trouble makers going to be from your camera. Does a wide angle lens mean the trouble maker needs to be closer to the camera to see who they are? Does the person need to be arms reach to steal/vandalize the camera before you can see who they are?
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nest+camera+sample