Fence line - Bullet vs Vertical Turret

E

ethos222

n3wb
Jun 9, 2025
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0
US
I have a few Wyze cams currently along my fence line (current photos attached) and looking to upgrade to a proper PoE system. I have read some of the posts here which are very helpful and right now I am looking to go with either the Amcrest IP5M-B1276EW-AI (5MP Bullet) or the IP5M-T1277EW-AI (5MP Turret). In this case the bullet doesn't have better hardware so this leans towards the turret for smaller size/better aesthetics. In fact the spec sheet for the turret claims to have a farther night vision range (164 ft) but I think this is a mistake because the product page says 49ft which is the same as the bullet's product page and spec sheet and its uncommon for the turret to have farther range while appearing to have the same LEDs.

If I go turret, I am looking to get some recommendations on directly mounting the camera vertically to the crossbeam vs using a junction box or a pole mount. The cross beam is about 7ft off the ground so if this isn't an ideal height the pole mount would let me go higher or lower. The ethernet will be run horizontally along either the top or bottom of the crossbeam. They will be exposed to occasional rain.
 

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Those are on less than ideal MP/sensors, but even if they were, 164 feet is maybe detect under ideal conditions, so don't be sold on IR range.

Best case is maybe 15 feet identify and 60ish to detect.

What is goal of camera?

You would mount it with a ring and junction box on the pole.
 
wittaj said:
Those are on less than ideal MP/sensors, but even if they were, 164 feet is maybe detect under ideal conditions, so don't be sold on IR range.

Best case is maybe 15 feet identify and 60ish to detect.

What is goal of camera?

You would mount it with a ring and junction box on the pole.
Click to expand...
I am open to recommendations. Based on what I have read here, 5MP could be better than 8MP when it comes to low light conditions as the 5MP has better Minimum Illumination, Maximum Aperture, and Sensor Size stats than the 8MP version. My goal is to monitor the backyard. One camera near pool area, one camera for yard and gate entrance, one camera near rear entrance of the house. Possibly a 4th in the front, all 4 on an NVR.

During daylight I don't think 5MP vs 8MP will matter much and during night time I wanted to optimize for a good picture for anyone who enters the back gate (opposite of fence, 40 ft distance).
 
You those won't help you with anything useful at 40 feet at night.

As far as cameras, without knowing what your goals of the camera is (is it truly just monitor or do you want identify?), this thread is used as the go to for the new person here outlining the commonly recommended cameras (along with Amazon links) based on distance to IDENTIFY that represent the overall best value/best bang for the buck in terms of price and performance day and night. It might be a 2MP camera in some instances. Many here feel 4MP is the current sweet spot for these cameras.

The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection

And coupled with that thread is this great thread which will show why all of the same 2.8 or 3.6mm cameras is the wrong choice (these are the common focal lengths consumer brands sell):

i-want-2-8mm-cameras-everywhere-to-see-everything-this-is-why-you-need-specific-fovs-with-purposeful-focal-lengths.70053/

We would encourage you to look at those threads in detail.

It will probably raise more questions than answers LOL
 
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wittaj said:
without knowing what your goals of the camera is
Click to expand...
I mentioned "I wanted to optimize for a good picture for anyone who enters the back gate (opposite of fence, 40 ft distance)." If that isn't a clear goal what else should I be defining?

I have read those threads before, which is why I know not to chase MPs. I will re-read them. Thank you. Is it correct that one initial recommendation is to invest in a vari-focal lens so I can optimize for my specific situation?
 
Everyone has a different idea of good picture. By good picture, do you mean identify or observe, because you can get a good picture for either option, but it is a different camera?

My 2.8mm can get me a good picture at 40 feet if it is a person that can then alert me someone is within 40 feet, but it won't be able to identify the person.

That is the difference - is what is the goal for 40 feet - to identify or detect. That determines the camera.
 
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This is a capture from my 2MP B52IR-X3 that has 3.6mm, 12mm, and 25mm lenses all pointed at the same spot about 40-45ft away.

All of the FOVs can see the guy on the lawnmower, but:
One can Detect and Observe.
One can Recognize.
One can Identify.

Pick the capture that best describes what you are wanting to accomplish and we can recommend the appropriate camera.

3.6mm:
3x 36 45ft.jpg

12mm:
3x 12 45ft.jpg

25mm:
3x 25 45ft.jpg
 
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Yes you can screw them directly to the wooden crossbeam, but the pigtail would need but attached in someway under the cross beam so that water drips away from the plug in point. ( think drip loop)
 
Flintstone61 said:
Yes you can screw them directly to the wooden crossbeam, but the pigtail would need but attached in someway under the cross beam so that water drips away from the plug in point. ( think drip loop)
Click to expand...
Thanks. Is the same true if using a junction box or is the entire pig tail kept inside the junction box? If I use a PFA152-E pole mount does that also need a junction box?
 
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