Any of you guys have any experience with the security companies out there who also provide cameras? We've got a monitoring company now & I have a guy coming out this week to give me a guesstamate. I'm just undecided as to whether I want to just buy the equipment & install it myself or to just let our security company provide it. Any thoughts? Scott
Home security cameras
- Thread starter avguy
- Start date
Bucit
New Member
- Mar 12, 2010
- 3,144
- Boat Info
- 2005 280 Sundancer
2004 SPD-104 Achilles w/ 8hp Yamaha
- Engines
- Twin 4.3 MPI's with Alpha drives.
I spent 14 years in the alarm business. Cameras are very easy (almost plug and play). The only thing to consider is are you capable of running the wires? If so then I would do it yourself. If you can hook up your cable box, surround sound system and a dvd player then you are more than qualified to hook up the cameras.
1stSeaRay
New Member
First thing that popped in my head, is a couple guys on the night shift at the monitoring center, watching the cameras at your house for entertainment.
Its not paranoia if they really are out to get you.
In case its not clear, I vote for DIY. I saw an 8 camera system with DVR advertised at Costco for $399. Might be worth a look. Also, if you are not stuck in a contract and own the alarm system, I'd suggest you take a look at Next Alarm for your monitoring.
Its not paranoia if they really are out to get you.
In case its not clear, I vote for DIY. I saw an 8 camera system with DVR advertised at Costco for $399. Might be worth a look. Also, if you are not stuck in a contract and own the alarm system, I'd suggest you take a look at Next Alarm for your monitoring.
MonacoMike
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2009
- 14,721
- Boat Info
- 2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
- Engines
- 85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
When I read the question Costco camera system came to mind here too.
- Jan 7, 2007
- 907
- Boat Info
- 2006 52SB, Ray Marine E120, Garmin 7612 through BOE site sponsor,
- Engines
- QSM11s
I bought a First Alert system on line with 2 wireless motion detector infrared cameras for $349.00 and put them in place on the dock the 1st. week of April. Several boats had been broken into this past winter with a lot of electronics taken.
On April 3rd at 2:01 AM as the system is date stamps what it records we had a male between the ages of 30-45 come into the dock stopped and looked around. Our dock is covered and we all keep the lights off except when we are there. The individual flipped on a set of lights on the front of his ball cap and looked around were he stood. Since the cameras are infrared and motion activated he happened to see the red light on the front of the camera and slowly backed out of the picture and off the dock. Needless to say when I got to boat that Friday and reviewed the events I was happy as well as unhappy to see what I saw. I down loaded it on to my computer and took the SD disk to the local county sheriffs office and they now have a great lead to follow up on and see where it leads them. Since the I bought two more wireless cameras to install as I want one recording traffic coming through the parking lot which will help with identifying and vehicle and or vehicle owner in the near future. As fas as I am concerned it was probably some of the best money I have spent around the dock.
On April 3rd at 2:01 AM as the system is date stamps what it records we had a male between the ages of 30-45 come into the dock stopped and looked around. Our dock is covered and we all keep the lights off except when we are there. The individual flipped on a set of lights on the front of his ball cap and looked around were he stood. Since the cameras are infrared and motion activated he happened to see the red light on the front of the camera and slowly backed out of the picture and off the dock. Needless to say when I got to boat that Friday and reviewed the events I was happy as well as unhappy to see what I saw. I down loaded it on to my computer and took the SD disk to the local county sheriffs office and they now have a great lead to follow up on and see where it leads them. Since the I bought two more wireless cameras to install as I want one recording traffic coming through the parking lot which will help with identifying and vehicle and or vehicle owner in the near future. As fas as I am concerned it was probably some of the best money I have spent around the dock.
Any instalation tips at the dock? I was considering a system but struggled with mounting and powering. I thought the thugs could just power down breakers. I dont have power outlets that are not within reach.
- Jan 7, 2007
- 907
- Boat Info
- 2006 52SB, Ray Marine E120, Garmin 7612 through BOE site sponsor,
- Engines
- QSM11s
Really depends on your docking situation. I'm under a covered dock with power outlets around. Yes the cameras can be powered down if they come back and look for the power cord but once you have a suspicious individual on file it should make it easier to find they person. I have thought about putting one in the boat looking at the entry door which would mean they have already been recorded when the open the door. You'd be surprised where you can hid the digital recorder out of site and not very easy to find as well. For the most part once they see the boat is under video surveillance they probably are going to move on to an easier target. Kind of like locked doors want stop them but every thing you do to add to their concerns increases their risk and they most likely will move on.
Was going to put the actual video on here but I must admit I don't know how. If someone would like to see video shoot me directions as to how to post. It's currently saved on my laptop.
Was going to put the actual video on here but I must admit I don't know how. If someone would like to see video shoot me directions as to how to post. It's currently saved on my laptop.
A couple of notes from my experience with various cameras.
1. They hate direct sunlight. You can get the most expensive camera in the world but you have to make sure that it is shielded from direct sunlight with a cover/canopy or the CCD will burn out.
2. All-in-one IR cameras don't work well with motion detection. Believe it or not... the cameras that have a ring of LED's emitting IR to light up the night attract bugs. If you have the camera plugged into a DVR and are looking to alarm on motion detection, the bugs will set it off all night. There is a fix for this and that is to get IR emitting LED bars that mount in a different location than the camera. That is what I've done now and can light up my property on a large scale and the cameras are in areas that don't get bugs and don't have "dark areas".
3. Make sure every camera has another camera in it's field of view. It prevents the disabling of cameras by the w!ngtards of the world without being caught on a camera...
4. Back up your DVR in real time off site...
5. Don't put cameras in private areas (bedrooms/bathrooms) but do put them in all ways to get in and out of the house and private rooms (i.e. interior hallways and exterior windows and doors).
6. Get a fuzzy logic controller for motion detection with the cameras (multiple cameras alarming with certain patterns) and tie it into the monitored house alarm.
1. They hate direct sunlight. You can get the most expensive camera in the world but you have to make sure that it is shielded from direct sunlight with a cover/canopy or the CCD will burn out.
2. All-in-one IR cameras don't work well with motion detection. Believe it or not... the cameras that have a ring of LED's emitting IR to light up the night attract bugs. If you have the camera plugged into a DVR and are looking to alarm on motion detection, the bugs will set it off all night. There is a fix for this and that is to get IR emitting LED bars that mount in a different location than the camera. That is what I've done now and can light up my property on a large scale and the cameras are in areas that don't get bugs and don't have "dark areas".
3. Make sure every camera has another camera in it's field of view. It prevents the disabling of cameras by the w!ngtards of the world without being caught on a camera...
4. Back up your DVR in real time off site...
5. Don't put cameras in private areas (bedrooms/bathrooms) but do put them in all ways to get in and out of the house and private rooms (i.e. interior hallways and exterior windows and doors).
6. Get a fuzzy logic controller for motion detection with the cameras (multiple cameras alarming with certain patterns) and tie it into the monitored house alarm.
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r.j.dawg
New Member
When we had our house we had the Logitech system. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-obbmSpEsIs&feature=player_embedded
It was great because you can log into your home cameras from any internet connection plus get alerts sent to your smart phone.
It was great because you can log into your home cameras from any internet connection plus get alerts sent to your smart phone.
MLauman
Active Member
I can sit at my office desk and look at any part of my yard and several areas inside the house. Can also see it on my iPhone and iPad. I did my own install and bought all the pieces thru Amazon. The DVR and cameras are Q-See brand and all work very well. http://www.q-see.com/
