DIY home security thread

[sketchyt]

After ditching my Lorex system, I've been pretty happy with the Eufy devices. No subscription based storage. All stored locally and super easy setup. The battery seems to last (although I haven't tested it in winter yet). One of the cameras has only gone down one bar (out of five) in about three months.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I already had a Ring doorbell so I just ordered the security kit on Prime day. It was easy to set up and seems to be working well, so far.

Awesome. I'm over a year in and still so happy with how well the Ring alarm works. Great purchase.

[CroFlames]

If I'm building a new house, where are some areas I should run Cat 6 for security cameras? Obviously front and back door, but any other suggestions?

I want a closed system where the recordings are on a local hard drive server in my basement. Not sure I want big corporations monitoring my ####.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

If I'm building a new house, where are some areas I should run Cat 6 for security cameras? Obviously front and back door, but any other suggestions?

I want a closed system where the recordings are on a local hard drive server in my basement. Not sure I want big corporations monitoring my ####.

I would recommend Ubiquiti for an easy to use closed camera system

https://store.ui.com/collections/surveillance

The Cloud Key Plus is the controller and storage for the cameras, comes with 1TB but can be upgraded to 5TB. Best thing about Ubiquiti is that you can still access it over the cloud, even though everything is stored locally. I setup a small 3 camera system at work and it was dead easy to do. I really wanted a system like that for my house, but I have no idea how I would run ethernet cables since the basement is finished. If I was building I'd stick ports near all of the doors and the garage, plus a couple in the living room/bonus room to be able to see what the kids are doing

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Awesome. I'm over a year in and still so happy with how well the Ring alarm works. Great purchase.

Are you self monitoring, or do you have the 'monitored' Pro Plus Plan?

Originally Posted by CroFlames

If I'm building a new house, where are some areas I should run Cat 6 for security cameras? Obviously front and back door, but any other suggestions?

Side door, front yard (I'd seriously consider one in the yard itself if you have cars parked out front), garage door exterior, garage interior.

Basically the exterior perimeter entry points and places most frequented by them.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Are you self monitoring, or do you have the 'monitored' Pro Plus Plan?

I'm on the monitored pro plan.

[CroFlames]

OK so all my camera locations are in the soffits, regular junction box prewired with cat 6 cable.

Here is my problem.

I want to use these cameras https://www.lorextechnology.com/site/NC4K3MV-168WB-1-p but their base is only 3.6" wide, whereas your normal junction box is 4". Lorex offers their own proprietary junction boxes, but I already have junction boxes installed in my soffits.

What is the best way to attach the cameras to the junction boxes?

[Fuzz]

Can you just get some injunctive box covers like these, and drill mounting holes for the camera?


https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ibe...ver/1000805180

[CroFlames]

I could. In fact, those are already on the junction boxes.

I'm just wondering out loud if there is a "proper" way to do this.

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I could. In fact, those are already on the junction boxes.

I'm just wondering out loud if there is a "proper" way to do this.

Are they meant to go to junction boxes? Mine mount to the wall and the plate is just there to cover that. Looking at install videos I don't see any using boxes, I know I have seen one recently I can't find that one again and don't recall how he did it.

https://www.cctvcamerapros.com/secur...xes-s/1504.htm

There are some dedicate camera junction boxes here for all brands, also post a review after you get it all up and running I was looking at updating mine to that model you have.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Raekwon

Are they meant to go to junction boxes? Mine mount to the wall and the plate is just there to cover that. Looking at install videos I don't see any using boxes, I know I have seen one recently I can't find that one again and don't recall how he did it.

https://www.cctvcamerapros.com/secur...xes-s/1504.htm

There are some dedicate camera junction boxes here for all brands, also post a review after you get it all up and running I was looking at updating mine to that model you have.

They don't need junction boxes, but since they are inside the soffits, they need them in this case.

Since the home was prewired, the electrician used regular outdoor junction boxes and slapped a generic cover on to protect the ethernet cable inside.

If there was a way to buy only the covers from that link you sent (minus the junction box itself) I'd be in business.

[Hockeyguy15]

Picked up some Wyze V3 cameras and I have the say their starlight mode is pretty impressive. For $40 I won't complain.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Picked up some Wyze V3 cameras and I have the say their starlight mode is pretty impressive. For $40 I won't complain.

They're fantastic. Pop an SD card in the back for continuous event recording and there's no need to opt for the cloud subscription. I just grabbed a Wyze doorbell as well after Home Depot finally got some stock in, and it's just as good as the Nest or Ring doorbells for a fraction of the cost

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop with Wyze devices since they're so cheap, but I haven't seen any negatives so far after a few months of using them. The only thing I wish they'd do is release an outdoor power cable for the Cam V3, I'd like to grab a couple more to replace the wireless cameras I have but the only power available is exterior outlets

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

They're fantastic. Pop an SD card in the back for continuous event recording and there's no need to opt for the cloud subscription. I just grabbed a Wyze doorbell as well after Home Depot finally got some stock in, and it's just as good as the Nest or Ring doorbells for a fraction of the cost

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop with Wyze devices since they're so cheap, but I haven't seen any negatives so far after a few months of using them. The only thing I wish they'd do is release an outdoor power cable for the Cam V3, I'd like to grab a couple more to replace the wireless cameras I have but the only power available is exterior outlets

Buy a weatherproof cover for the outdoor outlets.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Buy a weatherproof cover for the outdoor outlets.

That's not the issue I'm concerned with, it's using a standard USB power brick outdoors. How would that handle -25 temperature swings?

[EldrickOnIce]

I don't think this is available in Canada yet but have had Wyze security set up in home for about 6 weeks now.
Cost of base kit plus the extra sensors we wanted was about $120US and includes 1 year of monitoring. We already had a couple Wyze cams we incorporated as well. It can be self monitored as well once the year runs out. Like any system that is net connected only, there are limitations but so far so good.

[Iceman90]

I have been an ADT customer for a number of years now, and with my contract over in a few months I am looking for some other options. I am a little disappointed that the US had an ADT integration with SmartThings which we never got. And since TELUS bought ADT I've found that the ADT Pulse mobile app has been far less reliable.


I am looking at the DIY systems out there. The Ring Alarm is being discontinued, and the Wyze system isn't in Canada yet. During my research I found good reviews for FrontPoint. Is anyone using that one that could provide feedback?

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

I have been an ADT customer for a number of years now, and with my contract over in a few months I am looking for some other options. I am a little disappointed that the US had an ADT integration with SmartThings which we never got. And since TELUS bought ADT I've found that the ADT Pulse mobile app has been far less reliable.


I am looking at the DIY systems out there. The Ring Alarm is being discontinued, and the Wyze system isn't in Canada yet. During my research I found good reviews for FrontPoint. Is anyone using that one that could provide feedback?

Ring being discontinued is news to me. Have a link? I use Ring and think its great so I hope not!

[Iceman90]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Ring being discontinued is news to me. Have a link? I use Ring and think its great so I hope not!

Sorry, my bad. I got the two tech giants confused. Google's Nest Protect is being retired. Amazon's Ring system will live on. For some reason I had it in my head that Nest and Ring were the same product but just re-branded.


If that's the case, I'll be giving the Ring system a good look for sure.

[csnarpy]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

I have been an ADT customer for a number of years now, and with my contract over in a few months I am looking for some other options. I am a little disappointed that the US had an ADT integration with SmartThings which we never got. And since TELUS bought ADT I've found that the ADT Pulse mobile app has been far less reliable.


I am looking at the DIY systems out there. The Ring Alarm is being discontinued, and the Wyze system isn't in Canada yet. During my research I found good reviews for FrontPoint. Is anyone using that one that could provide feedback?

ADT/Telus uses the Alarm.com app (adt has been using it for years) which is much better platform than Pulse. Pulse was innovative and new when it was first released but ADC is much better and more user friendly.

I am unsure if ADC is compatible with Smart Things, but I'm going to test that out tomorrow. ADC is compatible with a ton of brands so there is a chance.


Edit: after a quick search, they are definitely compatible.