What camera is best for my home?

Oct 10th, 2019 3:35 pm

#1

ChocolatePoo [OP]: Member; May 9, 2019; 299 posts; 586 upvotes; GTA

Oct 10th, 2019 3:35 pm

I'm looking to get a camera for my home that would be set up outside. Main purposes being to see if/when packages are delivered, and also to see who is ringing my doorbell without having to run to the door. I'd like to be able to see these things from my phone in an app. I also have an Amazon FireTV so it would be cool if it synced with that and I could simply ask Alexa to live stream the camera on my TV or something, if that's possible. Looking for something super simple to install too (don't want to be drilling holes in my brick exterior and running wires and such...)

Budget for the camera is up to $100 or so (Is that too low? No idea). Willing to buy a big SD card too. I've heard about the Wyze cam. Not sure of what else is good out there. Any feedback would be appreciated!

Some say they're sick of my crap.

Share:

Oct 10th, 2019 9:01 pm

#2

sickcars: Deal Guru; Mar 13, 2004; 12763 posts; 4369 upvotes; Ontario

Oct 10th, 2019 9:01 pm

One of these should do what you want. Depending on the quality/features you may have to spend more.

https://shop.ring.com/pages/doorbell-cameras

0_o
<_<
>_>
New Furnace/AC Time?

Oct 10th, 2019 9:01 pm

#3

vkizzle: Deal Expert; Aug 22, 2011; 37075 posts; 23051 upvotes; Center of Universe

Oct 10th, 2019 9:01 pm

Wyze cam seems to be very popular.
I see a few houses with them installed outdoors, exposed to the elements, but mounted under some overhanging shelter.

+1

Oct 10th, 2019 10:56 pm

#4

goofball: Deal Guru; Dec 10, 2004; 12389 posts; 2058 upvotes; Kanata

Oct 10th, 2019 10:56 pm

Look at the Blink camera's from Amazon, they are wireless and battery powered.

Oct 11th, 2019 8:39 am

#5

britelzg: Member; Dec 8, 2009; 351 posts; 60 upvotes

Oct 11th, 2019 8:39 am

How long the battery lasts in Blink? I am going to return my Arlo which needs recharging less than a month.

Oct 11th, 2019 10:08 am

#6

mwong168: Deal Addict; Aug 16, 2005; 2716 posts; 843 upvotes; North York

Oct 11th, 2019 10:08 am

vkizzle wrote: ↑ Wyze cam seems to be very popular.
I see a few houses with them installed outdoors, exposed to the elements, but mounted under some overhanging shelter.

If you want to use a Wyze camera outdoors you can get a wall mountable outdoor enclosure like this but the problem is finding a nearby power source.
https://www.amazon.ca/Adjustable-Weathe ... 34&sr=8-13

I would recommend spending a bit extra and getting a Ring Doorbell because it seems to check off all your requirements. I was able to pick up my practically new Ring Doorbell Pro for $150+taxes from a place called auctionmaxx.

You can setup push alerts to your phone when motion is detected and then you have to open the app immediately to see who or what triggered it. If someone is ringing your door bell you can see and talk to who is there even if you are not at home. The installation is pretty easy and should not require you to run any additional wires because it uses the existing wiring from your external door bell button. Watch this installation video and you can see what is involved.

The problem with Ring is unless you pay their yearly subscription (~$40/year) you will not be able to review earlier footage. I read online that Wyze is planning to release a video door bell in the future so this might be a cheaper and better option since there will likely be a built in SD card option for local storage like in their current camera line up.

Oct 11th, 2019 10:09 am

#7

teoconca: Deal Fanatic; Oct 16, 2008; 9444 posts; 3762 upvotes; Vaughan

Oct 11th, 2019 10:09 am

vkizzle wrote: ↑ Wyze cam seems to be very popular.
I see a few houses with them installed outdoors, exposed to the elements, but mounted under some overhanging shelter.

+1.

I installed my in garage pointing to front door. Router is right above garage.

I hate to speculate. I hate to forecast. I am just proactive.

Oct 11th, 2019 10:45 am

#8

vkizzle: Deal Expert; Aug 22, 2011; 37075 posts; 23051 upvotes; Center of Universe

Oct 11th, 2019 10:45 am

mwong168 wrote: ↑ If you want to use a Wyze camera outdoors you can get a wall mountable outdoor enclosure like this but the problem is finding a nearby power source.
https://www.amazon.ca/Adjustable-Weathe ... 34&sr=8-13

I would recommend spending a bit extra and getting a Ring Doorbell because it seems to check off all your requirements. I was able to pick up my practically new Ring Doorbell Pro for $150+taxes from a place called auctionmaxx.

You can setup push alerts to your phone when motion is detected and then you have to open the app immediately to see who or what triggered it. If someone is ringing your door bell you can see and talk to who is there even if you are not at home. The installation is pretty easy and should not require you to run any additional wires because it uses the existing wiring from your external door bell button. Watch this installation video and you can see what is involved.

The problem with Ring is unless you pay their yearly subscription (~$40/year) you will not be able to review earlier footage. I read online that Wyze is planning to release a video door bell in the future so this might be a cheaper and better option since there will likely be a built in SD card option for local storage like in their current camera line up.

I'm a Ring alarm subscriber with a doorbell and floodlights cameras.
But also use indoor wifi cameras pointing out windows for areas they I can't capture with the doorbell or floodlight cameras.

Oct 11th, 2019 5:30 pm

#9

40Niner: Member; Jan 4, 2007; 405 posts; 155 upvotes; Vancouver

Oct 11th, 2019 5:30 pm

britelzg wrote: ↑ How long the battery lasts in Blink? I am going to return my Arlo which needs recharging less than a month.

Could be just your battery.
What settings do you have your Arlo at?
I’ve got the Arlo Pro camera and the battery lasts for about 2 months.

Oct 11th, 2019 9:54 pm

#10

stansoltz: Deal Addict; Apr 5, 2009; 1029 posts; 262 upvotes

Oct 11th, 2019 9:54 pm

I started about 7 years ago... have foscam cameras with blue iris software running 24 7 on my PC. Love it.
15 cams in+out all accessible on phone with no fees.

Oct 28th, 2019 2:42 pm

#11

redkulat: Deal Addict; Feb 1, 2009; 4021 posts; 3515 upvotes; Ajax

Oct 28th, 2019 2:42 pm

I installed a Wyze cam under my garage entrance, so far so good. I'll have to see how it holds up in the winter though but it was heavy rain the other day and it was fine. Used a USB extender to get to a power source.

Check out my List of Helpful Smartphone Apps for Travelling.

Oct 28th, 2019 3:23 pm

#12

booblehead: Deal Expert; Jul 30, 2007; 31365 posts; 18009 upvotes; Toronto

Oct 28th, 2019 3:23 pm

^ that's can easily be removed/taken by anyone

Oct 28th, 2019 4:21 pm

#13

britelzg: Member; Dec 8, 2009; 351 posts; 60 upvotes

Oct 28th, 2019 4:21 pm

And be recorded

Oct 28th, 2019 6:09 pm

#14

Kevin711: Sr. Member; Jan 7, 2006; 670 posts; 377 upvotes; Toronto

Oct 28th, 2019 6:09 pm

britelzg wrote: ↑ And be recorded

approach it from the side and turn it around/smash it/tape over it.

Oct 28th, 2019 6:15 pm

#15

Cybersid: Deal Addict; Nov 9, 2005; 1048 posts; 392 upvotes

Oct 28th, 2019 6:15 pm

I have the ring floodlight cam and it is great, the ring doorbell always has caused me problems (will get a nest doorbell)

I set up motion zones so that the light would come on if someone came on to my driveway, and could speak two ways + Siren.

PROS: Super easy to setup, great features like light timer/motion zones/light zones/two way audio/good night vision
CONS: Subscription based, lights were yellow not white.

However with your budget, wyze cam would be decent. Since you are already in the Ring eco system, I would try to save a little more coin for the flood light cam though.

Oct 28th, 2019 10:04 pm

#16

Jay-c: Deal Addict; Aug 18, 2004; 1216 posts; 119 upvotes; Toronto

Oct 28th, 2019 10:04 pm

stansoltz wrote: ↑ I started about 7 years ago... have foscam cameras with blue iris software running 24 7 on my PC. Love it.
15 cams in+out all accessible on phone with no fees.

Screenshot_20191011-215127_Blue Iris.jpg

which foscams do you have? i haven't bought one in years, looking to upgrade and maybe add a few cameras to it