I'm on the lookout for a 4g, solar powered security camera (or two) to be used on a construction site. Mainly so I can view remotely and timelapse but also for security.
I have seen this Reolink camera which seems like decent value. Does anyone have any suggestions please? Looking to spend up to $1k for a system of 2-3 cameras.
https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/reolink-goplus-2k-4g-wireless…
Thank you
This one needs power and NVR right?
Yes
Don't get one of those solar powered ones have heard a few stories of them not working when you need them the most
Get a mobile light pole to mount the TiOC PTZ camera, and it can rotate 360º.
Also, you should get the model with the 180º panoramic / duo cameras on the top.
Havent used Reolink but would highly advise against the Uniden.. I had bough a very similar looking Uniden "X2K 4G PT" about 2 months ago from Amazon to monitor a site and returned it.. The quality was no where as good as they show in those marketing pictures, you couldnt zoom and see a person's face properly, alerts were either too many( mostly false) or too less (depending on settings).. 4g signal not so good either in an area where same network on mobile was fine. And to top it off, the app functionality wasnt very good either.
May be try Tp-Link.. their cameras seem to be better and may be buy 1 from Amazon for testing and if it isnt upto the mark, return it within the 30 day return period.
If it's for a construction site I imagine it won't be needed forever. Have you considered contacting a hire company like TFH? They hire out security cameras for construction sites, among other things.
Area builders generally happy for owners to have cameras on their sites? Are there any restrictions they place on them? Or does the owner have final say?
And do the builders know the cameras will be there? Are they hidden?
A person may think they have privacy and they actually dont a women i worked with years ago was going to change her top so went around the other side of the truck to do it.
I let her know that the farm hayshed nearby had a security camera i had just spotted.
Buy directly from Reolink. You can get 2x 4g cameras and solar panels for $231.19
Not the same camera as posted by OP.. The Camera posted by OP is $288ea at Reolink site.. TGG would easily match the $6 difference.
I know. But this meets OP’s requirements for one-fourth of price.
So OP can spy on the builder (LOL)
Might be worth paying the extra for an Altas Go PT which has a much bigger battery of 20000 mAh.
Seems like this one is wifi only, not 4G
I bought the one in Bunnings
Orion Smart 4G Rechargeable Security Camera With 5W Solar Panel
Used it end of 2025 and it's nice.
I bought an IMOU (budget brand from DAHUA) from AliExpress. It’s got a decent size battery (more than a week without any charging), comes with a small solar panel which a few hours of sun keeps it 100%, takes a SIM (I use wifi), has AOV (Always On Video), as well as event recording. I think it can also do siren, voice, audio record, but best you check. I bought is on sale for US$90 including a 256GB memory card for it.
It’s on sale again, similar price but without memory card. Be sure to use coupons, cashback (both Ali & SB/TCB/etc), & check for coin discounts.
IMOU 5MP AOV PT Camera 3K Wifi Or 4G Security outdoor Two-wayTalk Camera Smart PIR Detection Battery/Solar Powered IP Camera
Be aware most solar powered cameras wont do time lapse/continuous recording & their notifications are often slow. The few you can set to continuous will chew through power far faster than their claimed stats.
They manage to run off a small solar panel by going into a low power mode most of the time, only powering on when they get a detection event. All the claims on the box assume you will be using this mode.
If you want reliable continuous recording for timelapse & responsive alerts you will need a wired camera with a power source.
Reolink solar ones can do timelapse just fine.
Does anyone have any suggestions please?
3% cashback from TopCashback
You can get what you need for under $400.
With a $1000 budget why don't you buy a few and try all the big brands. They all do something and won't do some. Your use case is too specific.
One of my chicken farmer customers uses a HIKVision for this.
SD card for local storage, LTE Card slot.
So far battery keeps it running 24/7. Never seen it below 78% charged. He has a PIR alert set when there's something in view. We just added it to the HIKvision mobile app and it's viewable live any time. We have it set to record on PIR movement to save battery power.
Spend more money and get Dahua Tioc
It has an automatic siren that you can set to specific times if someone triggers it
For example 1am to 5am if anyone walks it will trigger the alarm