Exterior security camera systems

[Martinjmpr]

I had an Arlo setup, but the batteries were a killer.

I would love to have the opportunity to be able to pre-wire a house as it's being built.

There are some aftermarket power cords that you can use with Arlo. They work great on mine, but I still find the Arlo reliability somewhat less than perfect.

We have been using an Arlo system since 2017.

Pluses: Easy to install (wireless), no fees (for up to 5 cameras), cloud-based. Reasonably priced (under $500 for a 4 camera system.) Provides OK video.

Minuses: Slow to connect (can't really monitor the door because it takes anywhere from 10 - 30 seconds for the camera to actually pull up an image on the phone), motion-activated video can be unreliable (doesn't always activate) and cameras need to be recharged every 3 months or so (although mine are set up so I get an alert on my phone when they get to 15% so I usually have plenty of time to pull them down to recharge.)

What I like about them is that if we are camping somewhere we can monitor what is happening back at the house (as long as we have cellular data service, that is.) The good news for us is that we don't really live in a neighborhood that has a lot of crime so they're not really "necessary" for us.

I regard them as "better than nothing" but if we lived in a place where we actually NEEDED a video camera system for security, I don't think I'd rely on them, I'd probably bite the bullet and get something more reliable, hard wired and maybe even monitored.

Either that or I'd find somewhere else to live.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

We have been using an Arlo system since 2017.

Pluses: Easy to install (wireless), no fees (for up to 5 cameras), cloud-based. Reasonably priced (under $500 for a 4 camera system.) Provides OK video.

Minuses: Slow to connect (can't really monitor the door because it takes anywhere from 10 - 30 seconds for the camera to actually pull up an image on the phone), motion-activated video can be unreliable (doesn't always activate) and cameras need to be recharged every 3 months or so (although mine are set up so I get an alert on my phone when they get to 15% so I usually have plenty of time to pull them down to recharge.)

What I like about them is that if we are camping somewhere we can monitor what is happening back at the house (as long as we have cellular data service, that is.) The good news for us is that we don't really live in a neighborhood that has a lot of crime so they're not really "necessary" for us.

I regard them as "better than nothing" but if we lived in a place where we actually NEEDED a video camera system for security, I don't think I'd rely on them, I'd probably bite the bullet and get something more reliable, hard wired and maybe even monitored.

Either that or I'd find somewhere else to live.

This is my feelings and experiences with Arlo too.

I do like the solar chargers. I just put that last 'pole' camera out and I didn't realize the spare battery I put in it was at 3% power. With in three days, the solar panel had charged it to 95%+.

The main function I use is "Did I close the garage door.....". Plus I travel a lot (or used to) and it is nice to be able to have some situational awareness of what is going on at home.