We moved again (surprise) so question about outdoor security cameras, video doorbell, etc

I put up 4 Wyze cameras for about the price that one Ring floodlight was going to cost. Two of them are Wyze Camera V3s and two are Wyze floodlights. I love them so far.

They are Alexa enabled and I can watch them on my phone, iPad or FireTv.

I have been very happy with Amcrest POE cameras for quite a few years now. I have been using Blue Iris for monitoring, but they have their own software, and there are other options to choose from as far as monitoring goes.

You gonna pull some cables or nah?

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You gonna pull some cables or nah?

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Pull Ethernet while you can. Install POE cameras, amcrest or reolink.

Get a amcrest doorbell camera. You can record to local a NVR with them. One of the very few that allow this.

Reolink

I wouldn't touch ubiquiti cameras. They are more expensive and locked to using ubiquitis NVR.

I touch Ubiquiti cameras all the time. They have the best mobile app by a long shot. They have the best web (desktop) app by a long shot. They have the best looking gear IMO. The cameras don't have pigtails so you only need 1/2" holes instead of 1" holes. The whole system is far easier to set up and use than most others, from making zones to configuring notifications and on to actually using it and reviewing footage and adding users to the system and on and on.

The camera selection is a bit lacking but they cover most bases, and they are a little expensive on a strictly video quality vs price basis but not outrageously so. I don't mind paying a bit more for American products even if they are made overseas like everything else.

I am a HUGE fan of open standards and I do dislike Ubiquiti's direction here, but I do see all the advantages of equipment that works well together and most times that's what people really want.

I have yet to see someone unhappy with Ubiquiti cameras, but if that ever happens their gear holds value really well and you'll have no trouble selling it all for near retail.

That said, I've never seen anyone unhappy with Reolink either given the cost and the app isn't terrible either.


The bottom line for me is for something like a 6 camera system Reolink will be cheapest at maybe $500-600 on the low end for cameras and NVR vs $700-$1k for Ubiquiti. If you rarely look at your cameras, save the money and get Reolink. If you like keeping tabs on things then Ubiquiti is going to save you a lot of time over the years.


And of course I wouldn't recommend either of those for business beyond small offices or homes with special circumstances.


Sorry for the rant.




Oh almost forgot, Ubiquiti has a new "ultra" line of products coming out focused on lower cost. Weird name but I hope the ultra cameras keep decent quality with the lower prices.

I have not really fooled with the Amcrest app. I have read some good reviews on it, but I have stayed with Blue Iris since the day I switched from iSpy to Blue Iris years ago. My use of security cameras goes all the way back to when Foscam was well thought of and widely used, but over the years I have found that the monitoring software is just as, or more, important.

Thanks for all that. Good to know about the armcrest app. Reolink seems like it might be the way to go.

I have some ubiquiti point to point disks my FiL gave me that I could never get the poe working on. Literally bought like 3 different poe adapters.. Even the ubiquiti branded but they refused to power up.

Not sure the deal there, even my FiL who is pretty techie tried to help but neither of us could get them to work so that left a bad taste in my mouth