Outdoor WiFi IP Cameras?

[AJ Dual]

I read through Giga's camera threads from earlier this spring. I didn't see any mentions of outdoor models.

Are there any outdoor IP WiFi cameras for under $200 with 2-way audio that are worth a damn?

Amazon reviews are sketchy, none are without complaints, and Amazon wont even filter results on "outdoor".

[Marnoot]

My own research (though that hasn't included 2-way audio) a few months ago showed the same thing, basically that there do not appear to be any high-quality outdoor IP cameras available for $200. Though it all depends on your definition of "quality." If quality = higher def resolutions, non-flaky firmware, optics than can actually adjust to quickly changing light conditions, etc., you're likely to be over $300 to well over $300.

Sub-$200 will get you up to 480 lines of vertical resolution and infrared capability, and newer ones are now starting to include IR cut filters in that price range that help daytime video color to not be so washed-out. However as you've found, reviewers generally aren't terribly pleased with what they got for under $200: flaky firmware, poor optics, etc.

I work with a few high-end IP surveillance cameras at work (coding remote video streaming software for PD's) that are amazing in just about every way, but they also cost $2500 each, unfortunately. And even those max out at 640x480 (albeit with 32x optical zoom).

[AJ Dual]

Yeah... I guess it's just going the route of "what sucks less?" and trying to feel what the internet community gestalt is feeling about a particular model.

[GigaBuist]

While I'm using indoor rated cameras I will give them props for still working in 90% humidity, high and low temperatures, etc.  They pretty much get everything except being rained on.  The tarp keeps the greenhouse structure from dripping directly on them.  That's about their only protection aside from not having to deal with wind.

I'm sure I said it in the other thread but the Axis brand is one with few complaints.  Not sure what they have in the outdoor models.  Visiting the ZoneMinder forums is probably the best place to look for people with real experience.

The nice thing about buying from Amazon is their return policy.  I got no crap at all for returning the cameras I declared defective.  I wouldn't have returned them if they had a crappy picture, but they flat out fell off the network even when wired in.

[AJ Dual]

Yeah, I was looking at the Axis products. But they'd need an enclosure.

I have a window where I might be able to mount everything inside, which simplifies power and everything immensely, but then I'd want to rig up separate audio, and IR light sources etc. which just brings the complexity back up.

I'm also struggling with field of view angles too.

http://www.amazon.com/Loftek-Sentinel-Wireless-Waterproof-Outdoor/dp/B0067WL60I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1338307055&sr=8-3

This one seems like it has some "doesn't suck too bad-factor. And some of the issues like bad focus, can be fixed with simple screw adjustments by someone brave enough to open it up.

[Marnoot]

I can't speak for Loftek as I've not had one, but many of the video camera brands use standardized lens thread sizes, allowing you to swap them out to get a better FOV. For instance I use this Foscam PTZ camera as a nursery camera. The 3.6mm lens it came with was a bit more zoomed-in than I wanted, so I ordered a 2.1mm lens from DealExtreme for cheap and swapped it out.

[AJ Dual]

I had noticed Foscam actually selling the other lenses on their site.

[Harold Tuttle]

I used axis ip cams for the natty geo Sandhill crane cam, the Pete's pond cam in Botswana and the kakadu billabong cam. The camera is a power over ip set up. To make them wireless transmit I used Motorola units.