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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Perd Hapley on April 13, 2017, 11:53:27 PM

Title: Security camera?
Post by: Perd Hapley on April 13, 2017, 11:53:27 PM
I think we may have some vandalism going on outside our church, and I am thinking of buying one or two inexpensive cameras that we can use for at least a few weeks, to see if anything happens again. I would appreciate recommendations for cheapo cameras, and any other equipment that would be needed to run them.

The deal is that we have some outdoor lights mounted on boxes on the ground. I found one of the lights a few weeks ago, with its mount busted, and lying in the grass. I was able to fix it, and sometime in the past week, it happened again (can't be repaired this time, w/o buying new parts). It seems suspicious to me that the same thing would happen to the same light, about 2-3 weeks apart.
Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: Jim147 on April 14, 2017, 12:14:29 AM
A trail cam if you have a place to hide it. But may get a lot of picks of dogs and birds and other things you don't want
Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: lee n. field on April 14, 2017, 08:50:51 AM
Yep, game/trail camera was what I was thinking. 
Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: Perd Hapley on April 14, 2017, 09:04:04 AM
A game camera was my first thought, but the ones I've seen so far start at ~$99. I was thinking more like $20/each.
Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: Ben on April 14, 2017, 09:11:51 AM
I don't think you'll find anything worthwhile named "security camera" at that price. Your best bet might be to see if anyone in your church has an old smartphone in a drawer somewhere and use that. If you have wifi in the area you can remote monitor the site.
Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: Brad Johnson on April 14, 2017, 09:55:22 AM
Check with your insurer. Sometimes they offer discounts for security equipment. It's entirely possible they may offer enough of a discount to buy a simple camera system. Sam's has Samsung 4- and 8-camera systems for $299 and $399, respectively.

Brad

Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: KD5NRH on April 14, 2017, 01:50:15 PM
(https://www.wired.com/images_blogs/dangerroom/images/2007/06/04/samson_rcws.jpg)
Title: Re:
Post by: K Frame on April 14, 2017, 06:33:32 PM
Take a look at what Woot.com has for sale right now.

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Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: Perd Hapley on April 14, 2017, 06:37:46 PM
This one?

https://sellout.woot.com/offers/zmodo-720p-wi-fi-ip-camera-with-audio-4?ref=w_cnt_lnd_cat_elec_12_3
Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: Hawkmoon on April 14, 2017, 10:02:18 PM
A game camera was my first thought, but the ones I've seen so far start at ~$99. I was thinking more like $20/each.

Do I hear $30?

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/wildgame-innovations-7mp-ir-game-trail-camera?a=2143211
Title: Re:
Post by: K Frame on April 14, 2017, 11:10:03 PM
You need to check woot frequently. Stock changes often.

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Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: HankB on April 15, 2017, 12:44:13 AM
Harbor Freight has some cheapo security cameras in the $30 price range - but I believe they are not self-contained, and need to be plugged into a DVR or something of the sort to record.
Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: Bob F. on April 15, 2017, 09:51:32 PM
At one time we had U.S. Cellular cell service and had accumulated a bunch of "points". Hottie at the local kiosk suggested wireless security cameras. We gao 2 free. Turns out they eat data minutes, but I've been told you can run them on Wifi without burning time. Dunno how!!??
Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: BryanP on April 16, 2017, 09:15:21 AM
This one?

https://sellout.woot.com/offers/zmodo-720p-wi-fi-ip-camera-with-audio-4?ref=w_cnt_lnd_cat_elec_12_3

The reviews on Amazon for that are mixed.  I've been looking at something like that, but this looks like yet another one that requires a subscription to the vendor's service.

The one I've been looking at (that supposedly doesn't require any subscription to access) is this one.  I'm trying to verify there's no ongoing subscription fee before buying it though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XK54DYY
Title: Re: Security camera?
Post by: barbaraterrell on April 21, 2017, 06:50:12 AM
I don't think you'll find anything worthwhile named "security camera" at that price. Your best bet might be to see if anyone in your church has an old smartphone in a drawer somewhere and use that. If you have wifi in the area you can remote monitor the site.

That sounds to be a great option.