Cellular Based Security Camera Recommendation...

[atwnsw]

I am helping a friend pick out a cellular-based security/surveillance network consisting of 8 cameras in total. All of the devices would be AC powered w/ standard day and night vision and the data would be stored on the cloud. We don't need more than 60 days of recordings. There is one camera that is about 50 feet from the entrance and we would like that to be a high-resolution/quality camera that can pick up license plate numbers.

The budget is flexible but the initial target is under $5k unless there is something amazing for more $$$ that we should consider.

Can you suggest a US-based reliable system?
What cloud service do you suggest to go with this setup?

I have attached pictures of the rural setup so you can get an idea of the space.

Please let me know if you need any additional information.

Thanks in advance

 

[My Old Tools]

We have a Reolink on our gate. it works ok. You obviously need a good cell signal, but you can chose your carrier with that one.

 

[jrsavoie]

I would like more info.

Much lower budget if that's possible.

We have a Verizon tower about 1-1/4 mile away.

We're scattered out over 2-1/2 acres. But wouldn't mind covering the whole 20 acres.

We checked price with ADL but they seemed scammy.

We have no internet service/wifi at our house

 

[Firebrick43]

Thought about some trailcams? A coworker has a Tactacam revel, 120 bucks. 90' night vision, high resolution. 13 dollars a month for the cell service thru tactacam. It sends a picture directly to your phone when tripped that is pretty high quality. For 5 dollars you get 50 high resolution pics. You see the low resolution one on your phone(which is excelent quality already) choose what you want in high resolution and they will send it to you. I was working with him friday and his phone dinged and he showed me the pic and I was blown away. Even the night ones were amazing.

One or two of them on the cell service to alert your buddy, and the rest saving on sd cards could cover everything for less than a 1000 dollars. He said there is a power jack for hooking up large battery packs or external power sources.

 

[Youngandfree]

I'd get a POE 4K system from Lorex or similar with a hard drive, and just get whatever cellular hotspot has signal in your area. Get a cellular modem with an ethernet port on it. Cheaper and easier than buying cellular cameras IMO.

 

[Spud McGee]

I'd get a POE 4K system from Lorex or similar with a hard drive, and just get whatever cellular hotspot has signal in your area. Get a cellular modem with an ethernet port on it. Cheaper and easier than buying cellular cameras IMO.

I had 2 lorex systems **** out, both just outside the warranty period.

 

[Youngandfree]

I had 2 lorex systems **** out, both just outside the warranty period.

I'm 2 years into mine at my house. What crapped out on yours?

 

[Spud McGee]

I'm 2 years into mine at my house. What crapped out on yours?

First of them seemed to be some grounding issue. The box decided it should ground itself through the signal wire and out through the camera. It fried the camera and then the NVR box.

Second one was the hard drive inside the NVR. When I went to repair it, it turns out the box only supports the drives they shipped with. It was not possible to swap the broken 2TB drive for anything larger. Not even a 3TB.

There is no warning when any of these failures happen. You have to be watching your cameras 24/7 if you want to catch them.

Eventually lorex stopped supporting the software. If you want to interact with the box without walking into the utility closet and using a keyboard/mouse/monitor directly on the NVR, you could to use a web browser from your computer. But lorex couldnt just make a normal web-UI. They wanted you to install some browser extension or else you couldnt mess with their box. They stopped updating the browser extension. Then eventually the web browsers that supported their outdated extension became outdated themselves.

I sold that house and let it be the new owners' problem.

 

[Youngandfree]

First of them seemed to be some grounding issue. The box decided it should ground itself through the signal wire and out through the camera. It fried the camera and then the NVR box.

Second one was the hard drive inside the NVR. When I went to repair it, it turns out the box only supports the drives they shipped with. It was not possible to swap the broken 2TB drive for anything larger. Not even a 3TB.

There is no warning when any of these failures happen. You have to be watching your cameras 24/7 if you want to catch them.

Eventually lorex stopped supporting the software. If you want to interact with the box without walking into the utility closet and using a keyboard/mouse/monitor directly on the NVR, you could to use a web browser from your computer. But lorex couldnt just make a normal web-UI. They wanted you to install some browser extension or else you couldnt mess with their box. They stopped updating the browser extension. Then eventually the web browsers that supported their outdated extension became outdated themselves.

I sold that house and let it be the new owners' problem.

How long ago was that? I use the mobile app on my phone with zero issues. The smart recognition or whatever they call it for the notifications when it detects motion ***** balls. A shadow moves on my deck and it trips. Still haven't figured out how to dial that in to make full use of the notifications and alerts.

 

[mdim]

Rather than a cellular setup would just get Starlink for internet then run whatever cloud based camera setup you want. Get high speed wifi out there as an added bonus.

 

[infinkc]

I have been running ring cameras off a hot spot for years now. Works great, I get notifications when motion is detected. Also a plus to have wifi at the location. $50 a month for unlimited data.

 

[infinkc]

I have been running ring cameras off a hot spot for years now. Works great, I get notifications when motion is detected. Also a plus to have wifi at the location. $50 a month for unlimited dara

 

[nolimits76]

Add me to the list of getting some network cameras and dropping in a cellular or satellite based ISP. It offers the most flexibility, expandability and storage options (self or cloud based). As a bonus you get service for the house.