Costco now starts selling Lorex 4K+ NVR system for $299.99

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CamMomo

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Today, I found out that Costco has Larex 4-cam NVR system for $300. It's been quite a while since the last time I saw a 4-cam NVR system below $400, like 4 years. Are the manufacturers dropping the price, or this is just a subpar system that Lorex just made specifically for Costco?
Costco Lorex Fusion 4K+ Wired System with 4-4K Deterrence Spotlight Cameras

I hesitate to get this $300 Lorex NVR system as I already spent $650 on a 8-cam Lorex NVR system two years ago and was really disappointed.
Beginning on some day during the pandemic in 2020, all NVR systems got their prices increased, like doubled. I waited until I couldn't wait. So I grabbed the 8-camera system for $650 from Costco in 2022 when it had $150 off $800. When I was setting up the system (not installing on walls yet), I realized how crappy the mobile app is and how bad the camera's image quality is (even though it is 4k 8MP). But I still decided to keep the Lorex system as it was very essential to have something up recording the perimeters 24x7. I really miss the old LaView systems that I used to install for friends.

Any thought or any suggestion? I did some search and couldn't find much review on this newly arrived 4-cam Lorex NVR system on the internet.
 
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I'd pass it up due to the following reasons:
  • No where do the specs tell you the sensor size. EDIT 10/20 @ 1542 CDT: Per specs, it's a 1/2.8" sensor which is more suitable for a 2MP/1080p camera. A 4K (8MP) camera must have at least a 1/1.8" sensor (ideally a 1/1.2") to render decent footage at night especially with motion. You will not get a properly size sensor for a 4K/8MP camera in that kit at that price point for 4 cams.
  • Bullet cams are not the best form factor, turrets are the best, IMO.
  • The cables furnished might well be CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum) and not solid copper; can't say for sure.
  • It's likely not expansible past 4 cams. EDIT 10/20 @ 1540 CDT: per manual, expansible to 8 POE cams + 8 Wi-Fi cams
  • They are outright lying here that the furnished 1TB HDD will store 4 each 4K cams recording 24/7 for 30 days...more like 2 days.
lorex-costco-lie.jpg
Bottom line: it may be worth $300 to some but not to me.
 
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Wonder if it is old Dahua OEM they are trying to get rid of or the new Lorex bu whoever makes it now?

In any event, like others said, MP isn't the answer.

wittaj

Thread 'The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection'

At the urging of several folks here, I created a thread to show the importance of focal length and how focal length can be more important than megapixels (MP).

I mentioned some of this in the post regarding The Hookup’s latest video demonstrating different cameras, including one sold from a forum favorite here @EMPIRETECANDY , but this post will put it all in one place where we can point a NOOB to. The cameras I am highlighting were purchased from @EMPIRETECANDY

Almost every big box store, consumer grade cameras and all-in-one-box kits come with either 2.8mm or 3.6mm...
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CamMomo said:
Today, I found out that Costco has Larex 4-cam NVR system for $300. It's been quite a while since the last time I saw a 4-cam NVR system below $400, like 4 years. Are the manufacturers dropping the price, or this is just a subpar system that Lorex just made specifically for Costco?
Costco Lorex Fusion 4K+ Wired System with 4-4K Deterrence Spotlight Cameras

I hesitate to get this $300 Lorex NVR system as I already spent $650 on a 8-cam Lorex NVR system two years ago and was really disappointed.
Beginning on some day during the pandemic in 2020, all NVR systems got their prices increased, like doubled. I waited until I couldn't wait. So I grabbed the 8-camera system for $650 from Costco in 2022 when it had $150 off $800. When I was setting up the system (not installing on walls yet), I realized how crappy the mobile app is and how bad the camera's image quality is (even though it is 4k 8MP). But I still decided to keep the Lorex system as it was very essential to have something up recording the perimeters 24x7. I really miss the old LaView systems that I used to install for friends.

Any thought or any suggestion? I did some search and couldn't find much review on this newly arrived 4-cam Lorex NVR system on the internet.
Click to expand...

Looks like a Dahua OEM kit,
Costco used to have a great return policy on security camera kits - so check if they still do and plan to fully bench test this or any other kit they sell
If I were to get this kit, I would augment it with 2-3 Dahua OEM camera with larger sensor for the most critical low light areas I would need to cover.

1729458866156.png

1729458895543.png
 
Thank you all for the valuable info. Really appreciated your thoughts and opinions.
@TonyR, You're right. This $300 system might be worth something to the first time buyers. But now I finally understand it is not the same case for me since I've already gone through the S650 system with big disappointment. I guess I got what I paid for.
I did realize something with the $650 system that I can't really see clear face or plate number on any moving object (person or vehicle). Now I know the image sensor size is the key factor, not the megapixel. Guess I just need to start saving for a higher end system.

@mat200, hi, mat200, I was actually waiting for someone to post this $300 system on slickdeals so that I could see your comments and suggestions. Now I am here at IPCAMTALK reading your suggestions. I believe Costco should still have the great return policy. But it is just too much work and time consuming to do the bench testing. That's why I am seeking answers from some experienced geeks here who will know if this system is really worth $300 just by looking at the spec.
 
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If you want to see/check what camera should work, buy one 54ir-ze..
This is most popular cam on this forum.

4Mpx, big 1/1.8" image sensor which works at night in color (when there is some street light), very good optics with zoom in range 1x-3x (2.8-8.0mm) which allows You zoom camera more to street level and catch nice pictures of humans / faces / cars and plates...

Very powerful AI with lots of AI modes...
You can use this cam with Dahua NVR or standalone (putting SD-Card inside like Samsung PRO Endurance 256GB)..

empiretech01.com

EmpireTech IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 1/1.8" CMOS 4MP IR Starlight 2.7mm–12mm Var

The EmpireTech IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 offers advanced features such as a 4MP 1/1.8" CMOS image sensor, 40 m max. illumination distance with integrated IR LED, deep learning algorithms for face and object recognition, 512GB Micro SD card slot, built-in microphone, IP67 rating, and SMD 3.0 support.
empiretech01.com empiretech01.com

Example of color image at night with slowly moving car..

moving.jpg


Here example how 5442-z4e (version with longer optics zoom 3x-9x) works in FULL Video MetaData mode as street surveillance / forensic.
Data received & displayed by Dahua 5xxx-EI NVR over Web or HDMI interface..

humans / faces / non motor vehicles / motor vehicles day & night (night setup to black & white to catch sharp car plates)..
VMD humans.png

VMD faces.png

VMD non motor.png

VMD vehicled day.png

VMD vehicles night.png
 
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CamMomo said:
Thank you all for the valuable info. Really appreciated your thoughts and opinions.
@TonyR, You're right. This $300 system might be worth something to the first time buyers. But now I finally understand it is not the same case for me since I've already gone through the S650 system with big disappointment. I guess I got what I paid for.
I did realize something with the $650 system that I can't really see clear face or plate number on any moving object (person or vehicle). Now I know the image sensor size is the key factor, not the megapixel. Guess I just need to start saving for a higher end system.

@mat200, hi, mat200, I was actually waiting for someone to post this $300 system on slickdeals so that I could see your comments and suggestions. Now I am here at IPCAMTALK reading your suggestions. I believe Costco should still have the great return policy. But it is just too much work and time consuming to do the bench testing. That's why I am seeking answers from some experienced geeks here who will know if this system is really worth $300 just by looking at the spec.
Click to expand...

Re bench testing, I do recommend bench testing all security cameras before getting up on a ladder to install them. While not frequent some electronics have issues by the time we open the box, and in with security cameras each IP camera is basically a PC with camera.
 
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