Camera suggestions for good IR & close focus?

[wekebu]

Hi, I'm needing to replace on of my Foscam cameras and hoping to find a new camera with better clarity. I'm leaning towards a Hikvision, but there are too many models to choice from. Please help me narrow down the choices.

Requirements:
-Very good IR (rural living, very dark on moonless nights).
-Close focus 2'-15' would be wonderful (I record wild animals eating food in a covered open-sided RV shed).
-Wireless N, would settle for wireless G. (both current cameras use WiFi without problems, can't do a cable, doesn't pass the spouse test).
-Motion detection. I'm assuming this is standard these days?
-up to $200 range.
-I need a dome/edit: I need a bullet! (I've had a bear step on dome and it kept working).
-Blue Iris user.

Don't care: PTZ, Audio, Day recording, weather

I would really appreciate suggestions. My old camera was 3.6mm, was this the best for close focus?

 

[fenderman]

Hikvision only has one wifi outdoor camera. Well there are a few versions of the camera. 1.3mp will be better at night than 3mp. Check out the first two http://www.hikvision.com/en/us/products.asp?cid=270490
You must order with the wifi designation (W) or it will not have wifi. Another option is using a powerline adapter and going with the 1.3mp dahua bullets that have VERY good nightvision. Or figure out how to run cable neatly or pay a pro to properly run cable.

 

[wekebu]

federman, thank you. I mistakenly wrote dome, I'd like a bullet. I know little about powerline adapters, but will read up on them. Can they work on a different circuit than the house? If so, please tell me about the dahua bullet!

Also, thanks to your post, I have hubby giving in slightly to running a cable. We have to go across asphalt and he does NOT want to damage the asphalt. However, he suggested going up and over a tree. If we keep the distance under 325' we should be okay.

 

[fenderman]

It will not work on a separate circuit. Another option is using a wifi bridge. A wifi bridge will receive the wireless signal from your router and send it to a wired device. Most routers have this function so you can find a good deal for about 20 or so. if all this has to be mounted outdoors you may want to go with some sort of mini router/bridge.
Here is a review if the mini bullet by dahua http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=882 there is a newer 2mp version here http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=2331 which will be about 20-30 more than the 1.3mp. For your limited night vision use requirement I would just go with the 1.3mp.

 

[wekebu]

My current two cameras work well on wifi, I have a second router set up between the main and the cameras. I don't see it listed, do the Dahuas have wireless?

 

[fenderman]

no the dahuas are not wireless. You need a wifi bridge if you want to use them. What cameras are you currently using?

 

[wekebu]

A loftek 3200 and a now dead foscam fi8904w. Using blue iris for recording.

 

[fenderman]

IF you only want wifi and a bullet your options are limited. Either go with foscam again they have a 1mp outdoor wifi camera (which i dont recommend) or get a good quality camera like dahua/hikvision etc and use a wifi bridge. Understand that even though wifi was ok for a vga camera, once you bump up to MP you may start having issues, depending in the quality of your network.

 

[wekebu]

Very good point. Working on getting Ethernet cable.