reliable budget cam?

[amputato]

first off, thx for reading this post. i am lost and need some advice. i would like a ptz indoor cam, that has 2 way audio, records to a memory card, and can notify me of any motion detection. is there a cheap (less than $100) yet reliable brand or model that the community would recommend?

i have tried the d-link 935l and a canary and didn't like either one. actually if the dlink had a nice wide angle lens, and video recording while keeping its low price i would be satisfied. or if the canary was more versitile in the way it could be positioned and was cheaper i would like it. but i think i will return both as neither one is completely useful for me.

 

[Q™]

The AliExpress Chinese Market 50hrz cams are very good and can be had for $80.00 or so with ePacket shipping. Just DO NOT try to upgrade the firmware.

Otherwise a very good camera for less than $100.00 IMO.

And here's an AliExpress seller with a decent reputation...

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/319147

Get one of the Hikvision TURRET form factor cameras.

 

[rnatalli]

Normally I would suggest Dahua or Hikvision, but Reolink are my dark horse candidates. I have a couple and they work well especially with the new firmware which adds HTML5.

 

[VorlonFrog]

I'll agree with this. For $99 or less at Amazon, the RLC-410 has been a great performer.

 

[Del Boy]

So far....

 

[rnatalli]

So far....

True they don't have the track record or reputation of Dahua or Hikvision, but there are encouraging signs. Firmware is easy to find and fairly regular, you have a warranty (not sure what it's worth as haven't needed it yet), and their support is responsive. They also appear to listen as in the past few months, they have made major changes to their firmware that seem to address concerns raised by customers. I'm hopeful and crossing my fingers as the more options the better.

The RLC-410 compared to the 2032 Hikvision, the RLC-410 has more noise in its image, but still good image quality. As for night, the RLC wins this one IMO.

 

[Del Boy]

RLC-410 needs to be compared to 2042, they are the same sensor. Hopefully they are good but with the Amazon affiliate reviewers and paid reviewers it does smell a bit Annke / Sannce. Although Reolink is not peddling the analog rubbish they are.

 

[rnatalli]

Did they improve the night vision on the 2042 over the 2032? Haven't gotten my hands on a 2042 yet.

 

[VorlonFrog]

Reolink's customer support via e-mail has been excellent. I've written to them twice, and both queries received answers (and well-written ones, at that!) in less than 36 hours.

 

[Del Boy]

Did they improve the night vision on the 2042 over the 2032? Haven't gotten my hands on a 2042 yet.

Yes but it's still not magic, the improvement isn't amazing and an IMX122 is still better and not many people selling that as replaced with much better IMX222/IMX322

- - - Updated - - -

Reolink's customer support via e-mail has been excellent. I've written to them twice, and both queries received answers (and well-written ones, at that!) in less than 36 hours.

This is good news. Will continue to monitor.

 

[VorlonFrog]

I can also add that the RLC-410 has survived two weeks now of very-near-100-degree (F) days, and several severe thunderstorms/downpours. Very pleased with it after these events.

 

[tangent]

For a good budget cam, I'll take my chances on AliExpress with something like this Dahua for around $70: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-Dahua-4MP-IPC-HDBW4421R-IP-Camera-HD-Network-IR-security-cctv-Dome-IP-CCTV-Camera/32468184582.html

 

[Del Boy]

I don't have a 4431 turret style yet but if it's anything like the 4300C ones I got for my sister then this will be my next go to camera to recommend.

 

[Q™]

first off, thx for reading this post. i am lost and need some advice. i would like a ptz indoor cam, that has 2 way audio, records to a memory card, and can notify me of any motion detection. is there a cheap (less than $100) yet reliable...

You neglected to mention the little hand that comes out and jerks you off when you watch the porn. Oversight..or afraid that would push it beyond the $100.0 threshold?

 

[tangent]

Indoor PTZ in a house is overrated. Get a dahua or hikvision cube style camera (similar to dlink in shape).

 

[mickelalloy]

Reolink's customer support via e-mail has been excellent. I've written to them twice, and both queries received answers (and well-written ones, at that!) in less than 36 hours.

+1 for Reolink Support as well. They respond very quickly.