Camera and sensor famly recommendations

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xpd

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#319053 18-Mar-2025 10:40

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Is there a family of devices that can do the following for me.....

1x outdoor wifi camera

1x indoor camera (wifi or cable)

2x smart temp sensors

Tapo stuff OK ?

Prefer something that offers free storage via network/cloud, but open to suggestions.

TIA

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

xpd

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#3356830 24-Mar-2025 09:59

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Thought I'd have been flooded with answers... :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

timbosan

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#3356861 24-Mar-2025 11:13

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Unifi can, costs more up front than cheaper brands like Tapo, but no subscriptions. Depends on where you want to end up and how much time you want to invest.

1x outdoor wifi camera - the G4 Instant is Wifi. I have one, good camera, uses USB-C for power

1x indoor camera (wifi or cable). G5 Flex would do, or G3 Flex if you want something cheaper. Both are cable

2x smart temp sensors. Motion, lighting, environmental changes - https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/up-sense

Tapo stuff OK ? I haven't personally used so cannot comment

Prefer something that offers free storage via network/cloud, but open to suggestions. Unifi offers 'Free storage' but only locally, no cloud option. This is where the cost comes in, as you need something to control the cameras and record to. I recommend local over Cloud for latency, cost (nothing is 'free'), privacy and security. You will need something like a Cloud key+, NVR, Dream Machine etc.

BTW all modern (G4 onwards) Unifi cameras have object detection (person, vehicle, animal, etc.). Plus they have a range that expands into license plate recognition, etc.
I reasons I like Unifi are:

* Hardware is generally excellent, and constant stream of new products. But sometimes stock can be an issue
* Software is very good and always being updated
* "It just works" - there is a general focus on a good user experience
* NO SUBSCRIPTION

If you want something cheaper, maybe Aqara. They cover all the above well, just less of a product range in the camera area. I have some of their gear but not their cameras.

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