Just received and set up my first Wyze Cam. Will definitely be ordering more. So impressive for the price. 

@pknz

I've got a site running Ubiquiti's UniFi cameras. Has been running since 2014, originally using their NVR appliance but moved to a PC as it stopped working last year (was completely unresponsive and didn't have time to diagnose/order a new one). They're fairly reliable, but have had few issues with it going offline/stopping recording for various reasons. I've found it easier to manage running on a PC now due to the ability to easily remote desktop.

Huge benefit of the Ubuquiti gear imo is the UI - I haven't come across anything as good for remote viewing of the footage. Various people need to have access to the recordings and cameras - the web interface and app are excellent and easy to use for most users. The footage is of pretty good quality and haven't had any fail so far.

I've got a couple other sites running Dahua setups which are way more reliable than the UniFi gear in my experience - they've been running a few years with absolutely no issues. But the UI isn't the easiest to navigate for inexperienced users. Another thing I prefer over the traditional setups with dedicated NVRs is their I/O ports - for sensors like PIRs and beam sensors. Camera quality of these is pretty good too (obviously depends on the camera type though).

natedog:

 

Just received and set up my first Wyze Cam. Will definitely be ordering more. So impressive for the price. 

 

Wow, those are certainly good value! Which one did you order - with the pan/tilt, or the fixed one?

It's a pity the mounting for the pan/tilt version is so expensive relative to the cost of the camera itself -nearly doubles the price.

I like that it provides free online storage, though it's only clips not all streamed content. Given the ability to also record locally that's not a big issue. 

Also a pity they're (not yet) selling an outside version, though I guess power would be more of an issue; have you tried your one pointing outside at all, ie aimed out of a window?

Given the price I am mightily tempted to give one a go as well...

I'm definitely keen on picking up some of these Wyze cameras for a basic outside coverage front driveways, rear of house); ideally, I'd rather put one of the pan/tilt models on the front veranda in one of the protective cases; but that comes with the hassle of getting a cable outside. Are there any easy ways to achieve this? I see you can buy extension cords (5m and 7.9m seem common) but given they'll need to plug into a socket, so that'll be quite some distance let alone a big hassle (no power plugs close to and on the right side as the veranda.)

If this is too difficult, I guess I'll try out the standard camera inside to cover the front driveways, attached to the top of a window frame (a review mentioned the image can be flipped in the app); but I should more easily be able to do a pan/tilt version at the back of the house.

(Apologies to the OP for focusing on a specific brand etc, but perhaps the Wyze cameras may be an option for you too?!)

nzlogan:

@pknz

I've got a site running Ubiquiti's UniFi cameras. Has been running since 2014, originally using their NVR appliance but moved to a PC as it stopped working last year (was completely unresponsive and didn't have time to diagnose/order a new one). They're fairly reliable, but have had few issues with it going offline/stopping recording for various reasons. I've found it easier to manage running on a PC now due to the ability to easily remote desktop.

Huge benefit of the Ubuquiti gear imo is the UI - I haven't come across anything as good for remote viewing of the footage. Various people need to have access to the recordings and cameras - the web interface and app are excellent and easy to use for most users. The footage is of pretty good quality and haven't had any fail so far.

I've got a couple other sites running Dahua setups which are way more reliable than the UniFi gear in my experience - they've been running a few years with absolutely no issues. But the UI isn't the easiest to navigate for inexperienced users. Another thing I prefer over the traditional setups with dedicated NVRs is their I/O ports - for sensors like PIRs and beam sensors. Camera quality of these is pretty good too (obviously depends on the camera type though).

jonathan18:

I'm definitely keen on picking up some of these Wyze cameras for a basic outside coverage front driveways, rear of house); ideally, I'd rather put one of the pan/tilt models on the front veranda in one of the protective cases; but that comes with the hassle of getting a cable outside. Are there any easy ways to achieve this? I see you can buy extension cords (5m and 7.9m seem common) but given they'll need to plug into a socket, so that'll be quite some distance let alone a big hassle (no power plugs close to and on the right side as the veranda.)

If this is too difficult, I guess I'll try out the standard camera inside to cover the front driveways, attached to the top of a window frame (a review mentioned the image can be flipped in the app); but I should more easily be able to do a pan/tilt version at the back of the house.

(Apologies to the OP for focusing on a specific brand etc, but perhaps the Wyze cameras may be an option for you too?!)

Yeah, I kinda blame you for this - I'd not have already ordered some of the Wyze cameras if it wasn't for this thread!

I've ended up ordering two of the Cam Pan (pan and tilt features), two of these outdoor cases for them, plus a 25 foot cable, which should allow me to appropriately place the one which is nowhere near a power source. All up a total cost of just on $200 NZ.

I could have made it a lot cheaper if I'd settled for two of the standard Cams pointing out windows (I'm not interested in cameras shooting interiors - I find that really creepy), but in the end decided what I went with provided a sweet spot that doesn't make too many compromises and shouldn't lead me to wanting to upgrade too quickly!

When watching a few videos on the Wyze cameras I came across this - I had no idea one could buy an adapter to add a USB socket to a (screw-mount) light socket - this could well be useful to power cameras outside, for example in my situation. Has anyone had any experience with these? 

jonathan18:

Yeah, I kinda blame you for this - I'd not have already ordered some of the Wyze cameras if it wasn't for this thread!

I've ended up ordering two of the Cam Pan (pan and tilt features), two of these outdoor cases for them, plus a 25 foot cable, which should allow me to appropriately place the one which is nowhere near a power source. All up a total cost of just on $200 NZ.

I could have made it a lot cheaper if I'd settled for two of the standard Cams pointing out windows (I'm not interested in cameras shooting interiors - I find that really creepy), but in the end decided what I went with provided a sweet spot that doesn't make too many compromises and shouldn't lead me to wanting to upgrade too quickly!

When watching a few videos on the Wyze cameras I came across this - I had no idea one could buy an adapter to add a USB socket to a (screw-mount) light socket - this could well be useful to power cameras outside, for example in my situation. Has anyone had any experience with these? 

pknz: Is anyone running Unifi cameras?

I have been running the unifi cameras for a few years now on multiple sites, I have found them to work really well and pretty bullet proof as well, i have never tried the Standalone Nvr that they sel i have always used a VM, either ubuntu or windows.

the most recent addition to my setup was the IR extender for my driveway cam, that thing lights up the entire drive and more at night and helps the other 2 cameras in that area, ill post some pics later with the IR extender and with out the IR Extender