Exterior Security Cameras

[Bobonli]

Please provide some suggestions for exterior security cameras, preferably ones that do not require hard-wiring and can be monitored remotely. I'm aware of Ring and Nest but would prefer to avoid a subscription service unless that's the only way to get what I need.

We had something of a security episode yesterday, some vandalism to our house. The neighbor's Ring didn't catch it; another neighbor's 'trail cam" memory-card captured the perpetrators from a distance. We think we know who did it but can't see any faces on the footage because the cameras were on other houses across the street. I never thought I'd need cameras but realize now that I've been living with my head in the sand.

Tell me what you know......please.

[rwsaunders]

You can use a Nest camera without a subscription, but there’s only 3 hours of storage. I upgraded our home security system last year through ADT after there were some issues in our borough, and I added Nest cameras along with a Nest doorbell camera and they are very good in all lighting/weather conditions. I elected to hard wire the cameras for a power source, but they can be battery operated and they work through the WiFi network. As they have a mic/speaker, you can essentially answer the front door or listen to a particular camera from anywhere in the world. The doorbell camera and the other cameras also have familiar face learning and detection capabilities.

[sbornia]

I have Ring cameras and lights along three of our house's four sides and like them a lot -- they're reliable, generate clear videos, and the app is relatively easy to use. And the $100/year subscription covering all devices makes it a no-brainer for us.

[Bobonli]

I have Ring cameras and lights along three of our house's four sides and like them a lot -- they're reliable, generate clear videos, and the app is relatively easy to use. And the $100/year subscription covering all devices makes it a no-brainer for us.

Battery powered or hard wired? Did you install yourself or hire an alarm system?

My wife has some Ring cameras made for interior use that she was using to keep an eye on an elderly relative. We have them propped up on windowsills for the time being. I really don't like the power cords running every which-way. And, I think it's because she doesn't have the subscription....when you look at one camera the other 3 disappear from the app. She's heard that happens even if you have the subscription.

[sbornia]

Battery powered or hard wired? Did you install yourself or hire an alarm system?

My wife has some Ring cameras made for interior use that she was using to keep an eye on an elderly relative. We have them propped up on windowsills for the time being. I really don't like the power cords running every which-way. And, I think it's because she doesn't have the subscription....when you look at one camera the other 3 disappear from the app. She's heard that happens even if you have the subscription.

I did everything myself....two hardwired spotlight cameras fit easily into existing wired housings on the side and back of the house. The video doorbell required a little tinkering because the original one it replaced was probably 50 years old, but I got it to work just fine. Then I installed two more battery/solar-powered cameras and one spotlight on our front porch to get better coverage of the front and side of the house. And last I installed some Ring bulbs in our porch light so that I can schedule on/off times.

After our car was broken into while parked at a nearby trailhead, I got the Ring dash cam. That has a separate subscription of $60/year and ties into the full ecosystem of other cameras and lights.