Life beyond Morepork

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kapitikarl

151 posts

Master Geek

#273334 17-Aug-2020 12:31

Hi All,

I have a Morepork (another casualty of Spark) system which as you know is being managed by ADT.

I am keen to move away ideally to a system where I am paying no or much reduce monthly fees (currently paying $40/month), and/or explore my options. Any ideas what happens if I terminate my contract with them?

I am keen to get a suite of video cameras (at least 4 external and 3 internal) as I live on a rural property so I want cameras that have a strong IR range. I would prefer the cameras to be wired as I don't want the hassle of charging wireless cameras

I also want to get a panic alarm

And finally, if possible, I want to utilise some of my current Morepork system - namely my 20+ window sensors

I am getting pretty confused by the wealth of options and already had someone come in to quote me $10K for a smart home solution

Anyone have any suggestions? Sorry if this seems muddles up.

Cheers

tehgerbil

1102 posts

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#2542819 17-Aug-2020 12:35

Eufy is the best sub-free camera solution. It's appalling Ring et al make you fork out many hundreds (thousands in a lot of cases) for their hardware, use your electricity and internet and force you to pay for a subscription.

It's honestly despicable. So glad Eufy have stood up against their bull and offered a sub-free option.

kapitikarl

151 posts

Master Geek

#2542826 17-Aug-2020 12:43

Eufy are wifi only - on paper they look good but it seems a lot of reviews state that it is difficult to get the sensitivity right. Living rurally with many trees around me makes me think I will also struggle getting the sensititvity of the motion detection correct. Thanks for the suggestion though.

concordnz

472 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2542939 17-Aug-2020 15:00

Hickvision cameras seem to have a good range of options. & probably something like mulestone for software - but if you want free - you are probably limited to 4 cameras.

Most NAS Boxes come with free servaliance software.

Your IR idea is a 'fail' you are going down the wrong track.
If you want 'good' - you need additional IR 'lamps' located away from the Camera. Ramping up the IR in the camera itself never works. & also blows out images at close range (just when you need them to identify a face)

If you want to do it 'right' it will cost you.
(Why do you need 3 internal???)
If you want to do it 'cheap' good luck, - learn all about camera positioning & proper IR first, if you don't want to waste money.

DjShadow

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#2542948 17-Aug-2020 15:19

If looking for reviews then I'd recommend the LifeHackster Youtube channel, he just recently did a video highly recommending Ring.

kapitikarl

151 posts

Master Geek

#2542967 17-Aug-2020 15:49

I think I have narrowed it down to Ring or Swann after spending all day reading stuff, watching videos and reviews. Thanks all.

kapitikarl

151 posts

Master Geek

#2564464 15-Sep-2020 16:11

And for anyone else who tries to cancel their account with Morepork / ADT expect it to be a struggle. They put you in touch with a 'Retentions' person who then tries to convince you to come back and offers to lower the monthly fee of $40. Should have done that in the first place.

technician14

122 posts

Master Geek

#2567049 17-Sep-2020 17:08

Your morepork sensors wont work with any other systems but maybe dsc impassa but can't remember, as with CCTV dahua, axis or hikvision are really good, ring, swan, arlo are not as good, depending on the area coverage and range distance, day and night vision, will depend on the cameras and system you buy

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michaelmurfy

meow
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#2567088 17-Sep-2020 18:24

I personally use Ring and seriously don't care about the yearly subscription. Ring works well, its app is excellent and the fact it is owned by Amazon means my hardware shouldn't be dead anytime soon. I have a total of 8 Ring cameras (including a Ring Doorbell) and a couple of these cameras in harder to reach places are powered by solar panels.

I did buy a Eufy system for my parents (no subscription) and was incredibly impressed by it also. They have 4 cameras (1 inside, 3 outside) and it's motion detection which is AI based is awesome in the sense it doesn't pick up the mass of trees on their property in wind. My parents have not complained about false alerts yet.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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