Smallest Amount of Money I Can Spend on a Security Camera for a Driveway?

bargain huntress on 20/01/2021 - 15:40

so some creepy people have taken to hanging out outside my gate and fence. i was thinking a camera may put them off or at least leave a trail of evidence in case things escalate. i've always been a little worried about mail theft anyway so maybe two birds one stone.

i know nothing about security systems.

what is the cheapest outdoor camera i can get? i have a wifi router that hopefully will reach the gate so i guess wireless would be easier, unless cabled is cheaper.

also do i need something seperate to record? what is the cheapest there?

none of it has to be good quality.

Electrical & Electronics Security Camera

Comments

  • Seraphin7 on 20/01/2021 - 15:48
    +5

    Depends on whether or not you want it to work.

  • spackbace on 20/01/2021 - 15:51
    +2

    You'll need access to a powerpoint for any camera (or some form of USB power source). Looking at around $50 for a cam

    Or just buy a dummy camera, that has an AA battery to power the flashing red light.

    • Godric on 20/01/2021 - 17:12

      Father has one of those, looks pretty convincing

      • MilkDrinker on 20/01/2021 - 17:23

        Sounds like your father has already heard of it.

  • Zeph101 on 20/01/2021 - 15:57
    +3

    you could try this a Reolink argus with the solar panel to keep it charged up. That goes for around $125. You would have to keep the sensitivity up quite high to catch somebody in the act. One of the positives is that you could always open up the phone and check a live feed.

    Worked well enough, but due to where we put ours, it was going flat pretty quick (front driveway so it caught all the cars and pedestrians going past) and the solar panel didn't charge to well because of shade.

  • Nugs on 20/01/2021 - 15:57
    +1

    "i have a wifi router that hopefully will reach the gate"
    does your phone have a strong wifi connection at the gate?
    Try wifi heatmap app (free to use)
    .

  • spal on 20/01/2021 - 16:02

    Do you have a neighbour across the street. See if they would be interested in installing cameras. Because if you are troubled by people hanging around, possibly other neigbhours might be thinking on similar lines. You can then possibly maximise by sharing coverage area. They might be handy with these things and might help out. Because, your cameras might cover they front of the house too.

  • AustriaBargain on 20/01/2021 - 16:10

    Keep the camera out of reach if you don't want them to just tear it down.

  • pegaxs on 20/01/2021 - 16:12
    +1

    I have a Reolink Go 4G camera that runs off solar that I use to monitor a remote storage shed. I know they have a WiFi version (Reolink Argus series) as well that would be better suited if you have wifi, and they often post bargains on this site. The 4G plus solar panel deal I got recently was $249 delivered. The WiFi version, including the solar panel can be had for well under $200 delivered. They also support remote file saving to an SD card. But it only record when it senses motion.

    If you wanted to spend some more and cover more of your home, maybe consider an Arlo or Eufy complete system with 3 or 4 cameras. They don't require wires, easy to install and battery operated. A little more expensive and "may" require a subscription. And again, they generally only record when they see motion.

    All of the above system will send you notifications to your phone when/if they capture movement.

    I would not worry about Ring Stick Up cameras. They are horribly slow to come online, need a really strong WiFi signal. Will boot up with really bad quality video. Mis-fires and sends notifications for moths at night, but wont catch the mail man in daylight hours. And there is a mandatory subscription to use Ring cameras. There is no limited "free" account that I have found with Ring. The only reason I have one of their cameras was for a trial, as it was on special at Bunnings for $25.

    If you want something that will record 24/7, you will need to look at wired systems and someone to come and install it correctly, and I wouldn't do it that way if it's for just one camera.

  • Ughhh on 20/01/2021 - 16:12

    Install sprinklers?

  • pharkurnell on 20/01/2021 - 16:56

    You can buy them for $2 off ebay but dont expect to be able to see the picture..
    will look like one off the news where they blur out the face.

    Get something useful if you want a 'trail' of evidence and a few dummy cameras at the front door or more working ones.

  • life is suffering on 20/01/2021 - 18:27

    about three fiddy

  • Stalker on 20/01/2021 - 19:42
    +1

    We use a Swann Outbackcam. Can be set to take picture or record a few seconds of footage upon detecting movement. A red light flashes when it's actively recording / taking pictures. I picked one up off Gumtree for $50 still new in box, but you can also grab something similar at Anaconda right now for $99. Runs off 4 AA batteries that we recharge every week or so. Works well for what we need and picture / video quality is good.

    https://www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/lighting-elect…

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