Hi All sense checking an IP camera setup purchase with you guys
Just wondering if anyone has reccommendations for the most cost effective 1080p IP camera solution (4-6 IP camera setup) with mix of outdoor battery+solar and indoor?
This will be for parents so need to have brain dead easy to use app. No concerns about china stealing you data or watever.
what ive learned over years of messing around with these is that you would save alot of stress and headache not mixing brands and using proprietary apps instead of universal ip cam apps like IP cam viewer pro
(i.e. xiaofang camera setups)
Reolink and EUFY come up all over search results but are freaking over priced for waht they are
EZVIZ/hikvision also expensive af
TP link has cheap indoor cameras but their outdoor ones are overpriced
all these companies are basically selling netgear arlo clones at netgear prices
so far the best solution i have found is TMEZON setup:
1) Outdoor cameras
these are $69 individually,
https://www.amazon.com.au/Wireless-Outdoor-Security-Recharge…
but i found a suppressed listing for a 2 pack for 111.75 for prime customers ($55.875 each) making them cheaper than EZVIZ and tplink indoor cameras
https://www.amazon.com.au/TMEZON-Rechargeable-Surveillance-D…
2) Solar powered
what is important for me is having wireless setup both IP connection wise and power. So solar charging is a desirable want. Every solar charging combo i found from other brands were $150-250 each. Reviews suggest the battery these comes with are weak so solar panels are required anyway
TMEZON kit is $89
https://www.amazon.com.au/TMEZON-Rechargeable-Surveillance-D…
They even have a PTZ version for $99
https://www.amazon.com.au/Security-TMEZON-Surveillance-Visio…
and i realised that you can get a standalone solar panel accessory standalone for $27
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0B74SC85H
when coupled with the 2 for $111.75 deal, that makes each camera+solar panel combo only $82.88 instead of $89 buying the kit directly
the $99 ptz version is as good as i can find if you needed PTZ
3) indoor
in terms of indoor, i have the option of buying a second 2 pack kit, and just directly plug a usb cable into the cameras for 24/7 indoor use. Price wise its about the same as the other brands but lose pan functionality
It also appears they have cheapo indoor cameras with traditional pan and zoom for $29.75
https://www.amazon.com.au/Security-TMEZON-Surveillance-Visio…
4) unified app ecosystem
Lastly its important to just plug and play all these cameras via a single app. It appears these are all rebranded TUYA cameras, so i assume they use the TUYA app
you can even find the identical models on Aliexpress for the same or higher cost with variations to the models (such as higher battery capacity configurations)
All up total cost of 4 cameras is about $222 + $54 for 2 solar panels. This will enable 2 outdoor wireless and 2 indoor battery or $276 for a complete 4 camera setup
about the cost of 2 cameras from every other brand without solar panels
Additional indoor cameras for $30 is also quite good
The objective is to have visibility to monitor house when not at home/travelling. Alerted by events. In no way is it going to stop burglaries etc. Its just for convenience more than anything
For reference, my alternative solution was going to be Wyze camera setup. i.e.
4 x Wyze v3 (since they are outdoor waterproof) for around 2x $115 or $230 + 2 solar panel kits for $39 (i wonder if any usb solar panel will work as generic ones are available for $29)
Their new cam pan v3 is also cheaper at $69 and waterproof too
unfortunately no deals on amazon atm but these are available direct from wyze
i currently use wyze cameras and theyre great, even with RTSP compatibility. The wyze combo would be only 20-30$ more at worst
The catch is there is no battery backup without spending another $60 on the outdoor camera and their solar panel doesnt work with non outdoor models (i assume due to insufficient amerperage without battery backup)
anyway please let me know if anyone has experience with other brands and combinations that work with the same app or is this a good deal?
cheers
I've been using the Reolink Go and GoPlus for several years in a remote location. I power each of them with two solar panels (bought an extra panel and a micro usb splitter). The software is very good and works 100%. I use the Woolworths Telstra SIM card with a 365 day expiry which cost about $95 per year. Had to replace one under warranty due to it fogging up but Re0link replaced promptly. I just wish Reolink would make the same camera with a 20x zoom.