I got into this surveillance thing out of need, and didn't have a lot of time to research the market, and then... who do you trust! All of them are made in China, and only a few offer 20x optical zoom, metal housings, and 360 continuous pan. In retrospect I looked at the Hikvision offerings today and didn't see anything with more than a 5x optical zoom.
Sounds to me like you all have had a lot of experience... how did you get started? Make many mistakes? Have previous experience because of a job? I didn't and quite frankly am not about to spend another thousand to replace the Sunba Cams that I have. The last one works great. but is the $325 model with 1000' night vision.
I generally have a VERY LOW opinion of these forums, and getting a ration of shit about my poor choices or asking a simple question and being told I'm lazy isn't what I look for. Obviously you all feel much smarter when you tell someone else how little they know... there's a name for that abnormality.
Don't bother with criticism or sarcastic remarks... I have Zero tolerance for them. Or for opinions instead of answers!
good day !