Cheap Trail Camera for Home Security?

Widget on 29/11/2022 - 06:20
Last edited 29/11/2022 - 06:30

Hi all,

I'm thinking of getting a security camera, primarily at this stage for recording the front yard area to see who comes and goes and was wondering if anyone uses a cheap trail camera for this scenario?

We have some palms that are like 12metres high, but can probably get to 8m with the ladder. They're located to the side of the yard and would be a good spot to strap one to, though the distance I might have to calculate.

I think the night-time recording will be the main problem due to distances and quality ?

Many of them seem to be around the $100 mark, but there's some on ebay around $50+/-, though not sure how good they work.

Having one that's wireless would be a bonus, so I can (hopefully) record to the computer (if possible) rather than to SDcard.

What are your experiences with a basic setup for the front yard ?

Having a proper setup to record carport, sheds, side of house etc.. would be nice but out of budget at the moment.

Thoughts or experiences ?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • mapax on 29/11/2022 - 06:50
    +1

    I use trail cameras for work, I haven’t heard of a cheap one that will do what you want. All the cheap ones I have seen only record to the sd card, slightly dearer ones with WiFi will connect to your phone so you can view/transfer the sd card files but they don’t send notifications or record directly to the connected device.
    The 4g trail cameras will be closer to useful for you but they’re in the $300-$400+ range.

    A reolink wireless camera sounds like it might be more useful for you. Maybe one of the Reolink go cameras which uses a SIM card if you don’t have a strong WiFi connection. Plenty of people round here should be able to give you more advice around these types of cameras.

    • Widget on 04/12/2022 - 19:33

      Thanks for the feedback mapax :). Main reason for the WiFi was convenience and ease of getting video in case someone decide to steal it. Not an absolute requirement, but a bonus, I guess if the cam is high enough on the tree (& camouflaged enough), it might be less likely to be stolen.

      I've read in a few threads people recommend the Reolink brand products, only reason I thought about the trail cam was (one of) the locations / line-of-sight, there's a tree that would have view from the side of the yard, whereas I also have a larger tree/shrub that blocks line-of-site from the other location (unless it's cut right back). A proper camera setup is certainly on the list though.

      The Reolink Go seems a bit pricey for me at the moment. I'll check out the rest of their catalog and see what they have :)

      Thanks again.

  • pegaxs on 29/11/2022 - 07:54
    +2

    Trail cameras are garbage at that price point and don’t work real well mounted high up on trees.

    Like mapax said above, if you want anything decent, you are going to have to boost that budget and look at security cameras.

    At my storage shed that is out in a paddock, I use a Reolink Go 4g camera. Can usually pick them up on sale for about $220~250 with a solar panel. Downside is that you need a SIM card and a data subscription to use it (it doesn’t use a lot of data, I just use a $30 365 day Aldi SIM.). Upside is, it will send you notifications if people are walking around, it records to SD card but you can view the saved videos via the app on your phone and download it remotely if you need it.

    I haven’t used one, but if you didn’t want a 4g connection and just wanted WiFi, for under $200, you could look at the Reolink Argus 3 Pro. Works the same as the Go, can be solar powered for longer running and will send you messages if it sees people in your yard. Works the same as the Go with internal storage that you can access and download at any time through WiFi.

    Other good thing is that both of these cameras also support live viewing through the app and they can be connected to your Google home system if your into that…

    • elgrande on 29/11/2022 - 08:13
      +1

      Great insight, thanks for sharing.

    • Nugs on 29/11/2022 - 18:15

      What are the night images like? Would you be able to share one?
      .

    • Widget on 04/12/2022 - 19:49

      Thanks Pegaxs :). 4G I wouldn't use, but I thought having WiFi would be more secure if I could auto record/save to the PC inside the house rather than having data on SDCard in case someone stole the camera, at least I might have their face on video. The Argus 3 I've read a few people mention so I'll have to check it out. Only issue is attaching it to the tree (without screws). Having the Solar panel seems like a good bonus too.

      Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to look into those units :).

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