Can anyone recommend a good Wireless Security Camera?

JordanBettridge

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Hey guys, Ive been looking for some good but not bank-breaking wireless security cameras, need IR/Night Vision due to them going outside. Currently looking at this product https://www.takealot.com/andowl-q-s...smart-camera-waterproof-outdoor-/PLID71639677 not sure if anyone has any experience with them? Id like to get 2/3

Reasons I'm looking at this unit specifically
  • Very cost-effective
  • ICR (IR?)
  • Has a motor to turn
  • Seemingly good resolution
  • Has an app
  • Connect to wifi directly so I don't need a DVR or cables all over (Is this actually a bad thing?)
 
I recently bout the Ezviz c8c and not bad for it's price R1600 at Geewiz
 
I have a few TP-Link Tapo. No complaints. Both the indoor variants that can rotate and the outdoor variants.
 
I have Ezviz, Xiaomie, Sonoff, Reolink, Hikvsion & Uniview

Ezviz is the one to go for if you looking at a consumer option. (It's a subset of Hikvision & works with a Hikvision NVR if you later upgrade your home security to a fully-fledged system)

Xiaomi works exactly like it sounds, terrible.

Sonoff is fine, but only makes sense if you have other Sonoff devices otherwise go Ezviz ( better quality & better feature set )

Reolink ( the hype is silly, it's a consumer camera, 8MP there is not the same thing as 8MP on a Hikvision ) example their 1/2.49" (=0.40") sensor will not work well at night no matter how many pixels you throw at it, the Hikvision / Uniview / Axis / any other legit security camera at 8MP has 1/1.2" (=0.83") sensor, minimum.

They also do gimmicky things like slow the shutter speed to a crawl at night making it look wonderful in marketing material, but the video is useless as it will be a blurry mess. Any camera can be made to "look good" and maintain color at night if the shutter can be slowed far enough.

In conclusion, Reolink is fine, just don't buy it thinking this will beat a similar "surface" spec Hikvision.

Overall Conclusion: Look at Ezviz or Reolink, both will be fine for what you want. Reolink ships to SA, which is nice. Ezviz can be found on Takealot & Geewiz at reasonable pricing. Ezviz has a nice doorbell camera so that is why I went with it & because it is Hikvision compatible for down the line, but I also have a Reolink & for the price it's fine.

And remember the three basic rules of video surveillance cameras;

Rule #1 - Cameras multiply like rabbits.
Rule #2 - Cameras are more addictive than drugs.
Rule #3 - You never have enough cameras.

So choose your ecosystem accordingly.
 
Only issue I have with the Tapo is you need to be close to a power point, (or have long extension cables) as opposed to some of the other that are USB powered.
True.
The cable is 3m.
I bought cheap cables from Takealot and they did not work (10m).
I bought higher quality cables from Builders and they worked perfectly even though its double the length of the takealot cables. R400 a pop though.
 
I know this is going to be a big mistake, but I'm thinking of going completely wireless..aka battery powered. I have 2 Reolink RLC 410s I think, which I use with Tiny Cam Pro app. (fyi, I think this works much better than the Reolink app)

Is EZVIZ ONVIF compatible? If yes, then I'll just keep my 2 Reolinks, and get one PTZ from EZVIZ, as then I can just use the Tiny Cam app.
 
I know this is going to be a big mistake, but I'm thinking of going completely wireless..aka battery powered. I have 2 Reolink RLC 410s I think, which I use with Tiny Cam Pro app. (fyi, I think this works much better than the Reolink app)

Is EZVIZ ONVIF compatible? If yes, then I'll just keep my 2 Reolinks, and get one PTZ from EZVIZ, as then I can just use the Tiny Cam app.
How they working?
 
@Iamn0tageek has plenty of cameras watching his every move
He assumes the cameras do not have audio
The boss is not gonna let the cat out the hat on this one
 
Last edited:
Hey guys, Ive been looking for some good but not bank-breaking wireless security cameras, need IR/Night Vision due to them going outside. Currently looking at this product https://www.takealot.com/andowl-q-s...smart-camera-waterproof-outdoor-/PLID71639677 not sure if anyone has any experience with them? Id like to get 2/3

Reasons I'm looking at this unit specifically
  • Very cost-effective
  • ICR (IR?)
  • Has a motor to turn
  • Seemingly good resolution
  • Has an app
  • Connect to wifi directly so I don't need a DVR or cables all over (Is this actually a bad thing?)
Whatever you do, don't buy that piece of schit. It's not expensive, but don't do it.
 
True.
The cable is 3m.
I bought cheap cables from Takealot and they did not work (10m).
I bought higher quality cables from Builders and they worked perfectly even though its double the length of the takealot cables. R400 a pop though.

These work fine for my 2x C320WS. Also 10m.
 
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