Need a primer on security cams

[intrepidity]

I don't use any and am having trouble sorting through the bazillion options. Basically I want:

1) inexpensive
2) outdoor
3) battery
4) can connect to it via wifi or bluetooth(?) for live monitoring
5) nightvision, IR

I want to mount a camera outdoors to keep an eye on my area, so not electric, but want to check it on my android device, so wifi, I guess? (no cell reception here) Do these things bluetooth?

Anyone versed in this tech who can help? TIA

ETA: not interested in the subscription models like Ring etc

[True Dough]

1. I don't know a whole lot about security cams

but my instinct is if you put primer on it, it will coat the lens and ruin the camera.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. Primer?? I don't see OP mentioning paint. Further, you neglect a kind of obvious thing

IF ... you really want paint a camera, you can protect the lens with the lens cap or masking tape.

I'm still wondering where you pulled "primer" from.



OH, I get it now. A stilted misinterpretation of the OP title. Woosh, right over me.

[2naSalit]

4. I recommend...

A cheery color!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Berry good!

[True Dough]

8. The best kind of joke

The ones that take a while to sink in. At least it only took a second coat and not a third!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. Yeah. I got shellacked! By you! . . . . nt

[True Dough]

10. Nice one!

Dry sense of humor, you have. Or like watching paint dry...

[FSogol]

3. Just make sure you wear a mask and nondescript clothing!

HTH

[RainCaster]

6. Okay...

You don't want Bluetooth, that has a 30 foot range.

In a general sense, a video camera draws lots of power, and won't last long on batteries. Those that do have good battery life will have lousy image quality.

Your best bet might be a game camera. They are great at night, and battery powered. Mostly still images. Hope that would be OK, unless you need a real time alert to whatever is happening.

Costs $100 @ Costco

[Boxerfan]

7. Actual related to topic advice?

Here's my take. I have home security camera's that have internal micro SD cards that store video. They run continuously and send alerts that can be viewed easily.

Use android tablet or phone-connects through the home router.

But on the low end lots of bugs, wind and other false alarms for the alerts. But no subscription but cloud is an option on most and extra.

Mine just had to be replaced as the app stopped working-no app no view so had to buy new ones.

Turned out to be using the exact same software just geared toward those camera's and not my old ones. But the new camera's were $20.00 delivered and had pan / tilt I find that useable.

The only theft we had was a lawn flamingo. I had to go review film & I did find it by :"there not there" review & got decent footage for my Mfr home park manager to nail the dastardly deed do'er. He was dressed like a Ninja it must have been a dare or something.

I have these & happy so far-still @ $20.0 each.

copy & search @ Amazon.
Gerdviaw 2K Security Cameras Outdoor-Camera for Home Security

[intrepidity]

12. Curious what the software was

Now that I've dipped my toe and have some experience...

[intrepidity]

11. An update

So, I went online and just ordered a few different cameras, all in the $20-30 range. Two have arrived and have been installed, so now I have a little bit of experience.

My first observation: it was much easier and much cheaper than I was expecting!

Camera #1 is a wired (power) wifi cam that connects to my wifi signal. It was about $30. I downloaded the app ("CloudEdge" ) and it was very easy to install and connect. I use an Android tablet as a monitor. It shows me a live video feed and has options for motion and/or sound detection. It has 180° PTZ rotation so I can move the camera from within the app. It has 2-way audio in case I want to speak to whoever. Has nightvision/IR. Pretty much everything I was looking for! For less than 30 bucks! It has an SD card slot (128g max) that I have not yet set up. They offer cloud storage which I am not interested in. So, in the meanwhile, stills and videos--either captured via motion detection or manually--are stored locally on my device.

Camera #2 is battery powered and lacks the PTZ pan feature (didn't realize this when I ordered). It took several hours to fully charge; don't yet know how long it will last. Video quality not as good as #1 and it has a lag (~5sec) for some reason. Uses the same software (why I choose it). Features slightly different: this one has a strobe and siren alarm (!) but I disabled those--too many critters around here!

Anyway, that's just a quick followup; there are more coming (a lightbulb version that plugs into a light socket, and a "dome" one). Will update when I can.

Bottom line: so much easier and accessible than I realized. Have not spent much time yet considering the alt security implications... but fun for now.