Hey Cheapies,
Looking at getting a full home surveillance systems roughly 3-4 cameras on a 2 story house, and was wondering if anyone here has any suggestions on how to do this the best way or maybe have a business come through and install.
I'm currently getting a quote from noel leeming as they offer this service but are they any that are particularly good or maybe share your experience.
I defo wouldn't get an electronics retailer to install a home security system.
You have two options, cable to an NVR (Milesight etc) Unifi (cable to switch/router)
Or wireless cameras such as Eufy, Reolink..these need charging every 3-6 months unless you use a solar panel version.
Cable is much better quality, but can you run cat cable back to a central hub, if not wireless is good as anything.
Just to clarify, Reolink has both wired and wireless cameras. Their wired poe range is one of the best for the price and features you get. Highly recommend them with Nvr setup for 24/7 recording.
I have a Unifi system 8x Ubiquiti cameras and 2x Hikvision ALPR cams all on a UDM SE 16TB for about 6/7 month retention. Works great. These days ALPR is crucial for easily identifying culprits
Did the older unifi cameras go end of life
OP absolutely don't go to NL for security cameras. There are way many specialized businesses out there who knows what they are doing.
I just got 3x Tapo C460 cameras, all attached to solar panels - no subscription and works well. previously had Arlo which was painful. Happy with the Tapo - does the trick. Access from iPhone, all have SD cards storing data too. Installed March '25 and zero issues.
Eufy system is great had for a couple years no issues
I have both Tapo and Eufy with Homebase 3, had some connection issues with Eufy and no problem with Tapo, and in general Tapo connects faster. Tapo AU store also ships to NZ.
Have had eufy since 6 years now. But starting to dislike them. It doesn't capture correctly and some times have no recording for days out of the blue.
Most recent Eg: it starts recording very late when the gas delivery guy has walked 80% of the driveway and then no record of him leaving.
Have tried different setting but nothing works.
Not sure if its an update that has stuffed the cameras.
Ring, its simple, it works, the batteries are easy to recharge and last a good length, the small monthly cost for the service is worth it. Especially when you can now buy powered cameras for $40.00 for use inside
If you're in a windy spot i.e. Wellington I'd avoid Eufy. The one I have attached to a Homebase 3 struggles a bit and doesn't always reset to the set field of view after capturing motion. Similar to what @akhmed said above, it doesn't always capture the correct screenshot of the triggered incident. I also get random clouds sometimes triggering it (though that's improved slowly with what I'm guessing is their Ai managed LLM - users can submit incorrect captures).
Eufy or Reolink is usually what i say to go for.
Zero ongoing costs unlike products like Arlo or Ring which have a monthly/yearly cost for recording.