which of these two cameras DS-2cd3145 and DS-2cd2145 is similar to the DS-2CD2142is? Only reason I ask I'm in the UK and the 2142 cost twice as much as the 3145 Chinese model. Apart from the two being Chinese which is similar to the 2142?
2145 doesn't have the same WDR as 2142, not sure what 3145 has different to 2145.
If you are planning on using these with an NVR, then I would get
DS-2CD2142FWD-I where it is £119.99. Why? You get the 120db WDR, which is better but not the main reason. You can update the firmware, which has been necessary recently because the recent firmwares haven't been the best. And it will plug-and-play with your NVR, whereas we don't know what the 3145 is compatible with.
If you just want one camera and want to save some money, then the 3145 is probably worth a punt as it's $120 delivered on
Aliexpress.
So the choices you need to make are plastic vs metal, IP66 vs IP67 (for 99% of people that doesn't matter), WDR vs True WDR + WDR, aliexpress vs local and local support. Once you decide that, it's up to you whether to pay £40 more. It's not like-for-like!
Edit: Found it cheaper here on
Aliexpress, so you are looking at $100 roughly. I've used Xinray before and they will deliver it. Luckily never had to try to send anything back.