No contract home security systems

[coltle6920]

Been using SimpliSafe for inside the house and am quite pleased with the product. Thought it was time to install some cameras outside.

Looked at ARLO. Insufficient battery life. Camera held in place with magnetic base. Kind of expensive for multiple cameras.

Saw an Ad for BLINK XT2. Much cheaper than ARLO. Two year possible battery life. Two way audio. Cloud storage for a year. Many more features.

Similar to ARLO in that you use your smartphone to interact. Both are wireless. Not sure but I think ARLO functions with your computer. Blink has a small independent plugin Wifi unit smaller than a pack of cigarettes. The XT2 is 2nd gen so they've been out for a while.

Any thoughts?

 

[wilkoi]

BLINK is an Amazon owned company. Thats good.

A set of batteries is listed to last up to 2 years, sounds great. But the total event time including live view according to Amazon is 15 hours. If you watch lets say your backyard bird feeders or children in the yard it will be very easy to eat up your batteries. 15 hours over the course of two years is not good.

If you mount the camera outside on a mount located higher than you can reach you can bet the batteries are going to give you a low warning signal on a windy, cold, nasty day. Then you have to climb up there to change them.

The X2 only operates on the 2.4Ghz frequency if that is a concern to you.

My take on them is they will be fine for indoor use but lack longevity for outdoor use.

And yes, I am now exploring security cameras and currently using two different brands, indoors, to evaluate.

However, your money, your rules.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Looked at ARLO. Insufficient battery life. Camera held in place with magnetic base. Kind of expensive for multiple cameras.

The ARLO has both magnetic and threaded mount options, and wired as well as battery power options.

Security Cameras and Systems | Wireless & Wire-Free | Arlo

 

[ladder13]

I have the Arlo’s for about 2 1/2 years now, excellent system. “Sold” the system to two neighbors and others, no complaints from anyone.
Battery life depends on activity, could be a couple weeks or 6 months. If I’m washing the cars, or my lawn guy is mowing, etc, I just shut down the motion sensors.
I have a charger with extra batteries, so no down time, just switch batteries out.
You do need a strong wireless signal for operation, I’ve not had that issue. You can, of course, go hardwire.

 

[Kanewpadle]

As a locksmith, I’m glad that we don’t have anything to do with camera systems.

But I did install a professional camera system in our store. The advantage we had is that we bought at cost and tech support was a mile away.

I recommend determining what the intended use of the cameras. Then figure camera placement based on that. Find the capability of the cameras. How many megapixels? Effective distance in light and dark? Transmitting distance? Weatherproof?

We have eight cameras. Four inside and four outside. The outside cameras were mounted up high to limit vandalism. But that limits facial recognition. The view of each camera intersects with the next closest.

In my experience after having seen countless videos of various crimes, keep in mind that they do not prevent crime. They simply record the event. They can be used as an early warning system but only if positioned properly.

Good luck.

 

[coltle6920]

BLINK is an Amazon owned company. Thats good.

A set of batteries is listed to last up to 2 years, sounds great. But the total event time including live view according to Amazon is 15 hours. If you watch lets say your backyard bird feeders or children in the yard it will be very easy to eat up your batteries. 15 hours over the course of two years is not good.

If you mount the camera outside on a mount located higher than you can reach you can bet the batteries are going to give you a low warning signal on a windy, cold, nasty day. Then you have to climb up there to change them.

The X2 only operates on the 2.4Ghz frequency if that is a concern to you.

My take on them is they will be fine for indoor use but lack longevity for outdoor use.

And yes, I am now exploring security cameras and currently using two different brands, indoors, to evaluate.

However, your money, your rules.

To grt a better understanding of what BLINK can do go to their webpage and read the FAQ or support page. You can adjust motion sensitivity or "crop" the view to limit the area being watched. This can prevent false readings from things like a car going down the street. You can also adjust the length of time for recording. Nothing is perfect but I feel BLINK offers a lot of choices in how you set up the cameras. I also believe that battery life for each camera is displayed on screen. You can turn off any camera if you are working in a particular area to avoid false reporting.

A six foot step ladder is more than sufficient to mount the camera out of reach.

 

[Grayfox]

"No contract home security systems".........
Its called a dog.

 

[coltle6920]

The ARLO has both magnetic and threaded mount options, and wired as well as battery power options.

Security Cameras and Systems | Wireless & Wire-Free | Arlo

There are accessories for BLINK to be plugged in or even solar powered. I like battery powered. You don't have to worry about placement near power and can easily move them wherever you want.

 

[coltle6920]

I have the Arlo’s for about 2 1/2 years now, excellent system. “Sold” the system to two neighbors and others, no complaints from anyone.
Battery life depends on activity, could be a couple weeks or 6 months. If I’m washing the cars, or my lawn guy is mowing, etc, I just shut down the motion sensors.
I have a charger with extra batteries, so no down time, just switch batteries out.
You do need a strong wireless signal for operation, I’ve not had that issue. You can, of course, go hardwire.

My neighbor has ARLO and aside from frequent battery changes he's quite happy with it. I just think that BLINK has more features and probably less hassles.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

I saw their infomercial on tv. Looking at getting this setup. Since its been 7 months since the last post, just wondering if anyone else has any experience with the BLINK XT2?

 

[Rule3]

One of several issues with ARLO is that when you need to replace the battery, there is no way I know of that prevents you from messing up the exact direction you had it set at. Taking the battery out and installing a charged one can not be done without moving it somewhat. Especially if you have the outside silicone skin "condom" on it!

 

[ladder13]

One of several issues with ARLO is that when you need to replace the battery, there is no way I know of that prevents you from messing up the exact direction you had it set at. Taking the battery out and installing a charged one can not be done without moving it somewhat. Especially if you have the outside silicone skin "condom" on it!

I’ve gotten quite adept out of changing batteries without disturbing the camera focus, or at minimum they’re off so little I don’t bother, they do have a wide range.

 

[Onomea]

... In my experience after having seen countless videos of various crimes, keep in mind that they do not prevent crime. They simply record the event. They can be used as an early warning system but only if positioned properly...

At my place in Oregon, a condo association, we have problems with miscreants, usually at night, breaking into cars, or trying to steal parts off cars, in our small community parking lot. We’ve thought about installing security cameras.

But... I doubt that even if we recorded the miscreants in the act that the police would use the videos to actively pursue them, even IF faces were recognizable. My guess is that the police have bigger crimes to chase.

So, I am thinking, maybe, to the extent that thieves find surveillance cameras a deterrent, we should install dummy video cameras (these are very realistic, blinking lights etc.) rather than bother with actual working cameras. Would be cheaper, easier to maintain, and, if my above theory is correct, equally effective.

What say you all?

 

[Kanewpadle]

At my place in Oregon, a condo association, we have problems with miscreants, usually at night, breaking into cars, or trying to steal parts off cars, in our small community parking lot. We’ve thought about installing security cameras.

But... I doubt that even if we recorded the miscreants in the act that the police would use the videos to actively pursue them, even IF faces were recognizable. My guess is that the police have bigger crimes to chase.

So, I am thinking, maybe, to the extent that thieves find surveillance cameras a deterrent, we should install dummy video cameras (these are very realistic, blinking lights etc.) rather than bother with actual working cameras. Would be cheaper, easier to maintain, and, if my above theory is correct, equally effective.

What say you all?

I’n my experience here cops don’t do much depending on what’s been stolen. They will sometimes take a copy of the video for later use if they catch someone in the act.

I would put up real cameras to record what happens. They won’t be a deterrent but you could pester the cops with video proof to convince them to patrol the area more.

 

[Rule3]

At my place in Oregon, a condo association, we have problems with miscreants, usually at night, breaking into cars, or trying to steal parts off cars, in our small community parking lot. We’ve thought about installing security cameras.

But... I doubt that even if we recorded the miscreants in the act that the police would use the videos to actively pursue them, even IF faces were recognizable. My guess is that the police have bigger crimes to chase.

So, I am thinking, maybe, to the extent that thieves find surveillance cameras a deterrent, we should install dummy video cameras (these are very realistic, blinking lights etc.) rather than bother with actual working cameras. Would be cheaper, easier to maintain, and, if my above theory is correct, equally effective.

What say you all?

For minor crimes, the Police have bigger fish to fry. For Major stuff, Videos are great!!


The Florida Handicap Parking spot shooter got convicted based on video and his big mouth.



See No Evil | Watch Full Episodes & More! - Investigation Discovery