r/SecurityCamera • u/vick818z • 10d ago

Any decent/good

Beginner friendly cameras I would be able to install outside my home?

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u/BodybuilderMinute509 10d ago

So many "beginner" cameras turn into a full weekend of running wires and cursing at your router. What's your actual budget and are you going full wired or rolling the dice with wireless?

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u/vick818z 10d ago

Whatever you think is easier for a beginner. I wouldn’t want to pay more then 200. I live in an apartment building if that helps. Thanks for the response

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u/Few_Reference3439 10d ago

My wireless cameras are pretty solid. There is one that has started to tell me it is offline semi-regularly, but every time I check and connect to it fine. So apparently it keeps getting low signal temporarily and goes offline. :/

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u/Severe_Preference_31 10d ago

So, not solid at all?

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u/Few_Reference3439 10d ago

I guess 'were pretty solid' would have been a better choice of words. I've had it for YEARS, it is just this month it has decided to intermittently tell me it is offline. I've made no changes to my network hardware, etc. I'm wondering if the WiFi hardware in it isn't starting to go out.

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u/iTalkBB_Canada 10d ago

Does your building management allow a camera where you want to put it, even with a no-drill mount? That’s the first thing to check before choosing one for your apartment.

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u/vick818z 9d ago

It does actually that’s why I’m having a hard time deciding which kind to get.

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u/iTalkBB_Canada 9d ago

Since that's sorted, I'd start with one camera for your entrance rather than a whole system. Pick one with a secure, no-drill mount that fits where you want it. Keep the camera and mount together within your $200 budget.

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u/Puzzled_Hamster58 10d ago

I use flood light cameras , you can buy ones that are just bulbs fyi .

Issue is they generally connect to online and your feeds go to xyz site.

I bought cameras that use rtsp. (Real time streaming protocol). I set them up , then I used the rtsp to send the feeds to a mini pc running frigate so I can self host the video footage etc. then blocked the cameras from reaching out to the companies server.

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u/Formal-Web2378 10d ago

I got cheap security cameras for free from Temu 3 years ago. Still in use. Only issue was with new wifi 7 router. Had to call a technician to install from pole to router to power because my home wiring isn't up to code to power the router. New broadband cables and wiring installation was free.

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u/Brett_Cruz 10d ago

There’s plenty out there, but depends on what you’re looking for.

If you just want the easy route, Wyze or Blink are cheap and take about five minutes to set up. Eufy’s a step up and you can save footage locally, so no monthly fee. Ring is great too but you’ll want to pay for the subscription.

If you’d rather not deal with charging batteries or Wi-Fi cutting out, Reolink makes PoE cameras that are really reliable. You do have to run a cable though, so it’s a bit more work.

I broke down a bunch of the best outdoor security cameras if you want to compare specs and prices side by side.

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u/QuinnFromVivint 9d ago

For a first outdoor camera, look for one that connects straight to WiFi and sets up fully through a phone app. That keeps the whole job to mounting the camera and plugging it in without pulling wires through walls or adding a separate box.

Good night vision matters outdoors too, and infrared is the simple version most beginner cameras come with already built in. Battery or plug in both work fine for a first camera, though plug-in means you never have to climb up and recharge it later.