Hey everyone, I could really use some advice about a good and affordable home surveillance system. I’m looking for power-over-ethernet cameras with a wide field of view. Ideally, I’d like a system that’s reliable, has lights and sirens, comes with an app, and offers a variety of camera styles (like pan-and-tilt). One major thing—I don’t want something that has issues with water getting into the lenses.
I was considering Reolink and even joined a forum about them, but some of the reviews on their cameras, like the Duo Floodlight, made me nervous. I’m 61, and climbing onto my roof for repairs or replacements just isn’t an option anymore. For reference, I live in a two-story, 1,500-square-foot home in what used to be a pretty nice neighborhood. Lately, though, there’s been some trouble, and I need a system to keep an eye on things. My WiFi Kuna cameras have been useless—they get knocked offline every time I use my garage doors.
I’m hoping to stay around $1,500, but I can stretch that a bit if it’s worth it. Any help or recommendations would mean a lot. Thanks!
Scarlett said:
What’s your budget, the size of your lot, and your main goals besides avoiding battery changes or lens cleaning?
My lot is about 7,841 square feet. My main goal is to stop vandals and figure out where they’re coming from. These are local high school kids, and I suspect a criminal neighbor might be involved in encouraging them. I don’t want to go into too many details, but they’ve been harassing my family for years. My budget is about $1,500, but I could go a bit higher. I need a camera that can cover the area where I know they’re coming from.
@SophyGenesis
Got it. Sounds like you need perimeter coverage and possibly facial recognition. With a lot size similar to mine, pixel density and viewing angle will be key for your cameras. A wider angle covers more area but sacrifices clarity for distant objects.
For a simple setup, you’ll need PoE cameras, a switch, and an NVR (or just SD cards). Use Cat6 cables—Cat5e is fine, but 6A is better. Costco might have good bundles within your budget, but if you want higher-end options, expect to pay more.
For example, I use an Axis Q3819-PVE for wide coverage, a Q1700-LE for license plates, and M4308-PLEs for side and rear coverage. These are pricey, but they offer great clarity and range. By the way, your tone about the kids comes off a bit harsh—it’s worth considering if there’s another way to approach this.
@Scarlett
Sorry if I came across too intense earlier. I’ve just been dealing with this for a long time, and it’s frustrating. I’m not exaggerating—they’ve vandalized my home, cut down trees, and done other things. I’ve never retaliated, but I do feel angry about it.
@SophyGenesis
I hear you. It’s understandable to feel frustrated, but focusing on solutions will help. A solid camera system might be the first step in dealing with this.
I like Reolink for its AI features like vehicle detection. A system with 4 cameras and a 6TB hard drive costs about $600. Check out this video for setup help: https://youtu.be/XXpYhUU02G4
Josie said:
I like Reolink for its AI features like vehicle detection. A system with 4 cameras and a 6TB hard drive costs about $600. Check out this video for setup help: https://youtu.be/XXpYhUU02G4
Thanks! This definitely makes Reolink seem like the way to go.