Best wireless security camera without subscription service

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,737
126
Got the Arlo Pro 3 at Costco.

you can put in a sd card into it's base station.
you would think i can view and retrieve my videos easily, right?
NOPE!

They're pushing the subscription service by crippling the app.
you can only view recorded videos if you're on you home network.

if you're not on your home network (ie: out of the house using your cell phone data plan), then you you have to configure port forwarding WHICH DOES NOT WORK!
So basically I need their subscription service. WTF?!

i've heard other wireless camera companies dont make you jump through hoops to view your own videos when you're not in your house!
so since it's costco, i can return without time limit.

Recommendations on a wireless security camera without the stupid money leeching subscription service?
(one camera for front of house, one for back of house. both mounted outside)

Thx
 
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MtnMan

Diamond Member
Jul 27, 2004
9,278
8,579
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I have 4 Arlo cameras, older versions. I do use their free subscription service, which allows up to 5 cameras, and will retain video's for 5 days. I can download any video I wish to retain.
 

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
12,856
3,626
136
Ring? Some systems offer self-monitoring (i.e. no subscription plan required):

 

Torn Mind

Lifer
Nov 25, 2012
12,004
2,748
136
Eufy has local storage but you gotta stay on top of things so insects don’t make it go haywire.
 

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,337
10,854
136
My preference is relatively low-tech with security stuff because of exactly this type of nonsense.

I prefer to focus on a "barrier" system which if crossed results in a crap-ton of very difficult to disable noise. This works well for my living situation since I'm on the third floor with only one way in unless you can climb like Spiderman.

I recall for awhile Asus had a couple camera systems it advertised as a "monitoring system" but all it really used was a a driver and a very simple and lightweight DVR-like Windows app.
 

deadlyapp

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2004
6,646
729
126
Do you want or need recording? I've been using a handful of blink cameras for indoors live video only, and they're pretty high quality and have a good app. The subscription service isn't too costly I seem to recall, but it's not something I require.
 

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,737
126
Do you want or need recording?
I've been using a handful of blink cameras for indoors live video only, and they're pretty high quality and have a good app.
Yes, want recording. Why have security cameras if you don't???

Want outdoor for night vision recording, especially for the back of the house where there are no street lights
 

BarkingGhostar

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2009
8,410
1,617
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I am surprised Taser hasn't gotten into this market and offered up a combination of outdoor security camera with built in Tasering darts and auto-911 caller to come pick up the trash.
 
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brianmanahan

Lifer
Sep 2, 2006
24,546
5,958
136
wired is much better than wireless

i helped a friend install/configure a 6-camera kit he got from sam's club for i think 600$

i don't remember the brand name but reviews were good and it had a workable (if a bit clunky) mobile app with no subscription needed
 
Last edited:

deadlyapp

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2004
6,646
729
126
Yes, want recording. Why have security cameras if you don't???

Want outdoor for night vision recording, especially for the back of the house where there are no street lights
Because I would never look at wireless for an exterior solution, and having recording for interior solutions isn't that critical. I use internal cameras purely for verification or live monitoring.

As others have said, do it right and use a PoE solution with NVR. they are nearly all plug and play out of the box with app and port forwarding automatic.
 

MrSquished

Lifer
Jan 14, 2013
25,761
24,108
136
I'm just thinking I want to see what the dog does when I'm not home. How can I have that backed up on triplicate?
 

mztykal

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2000
6,709
48
91
The Blink one does cloud with subscription too…but the local storage does it for me. Plus wireless.
 

kt

Diamond Member
Apr 1, 2000
6,031
1,346
136
FYI, for the Blink system it only records when it detects motion. If you want constant recording, get wired PoE with a NVR. Or if you want a more custom system, get wireless cameras that support ONVIF and use software line Zoneminder or Blue Iris.
 

deadlyapp

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2004
6,646
729
126
FYI, for the Blink system it only records when it detects motion. If you want constant recording, get wired PoE with a NVR. Or if you want a more custom system, get wireless cameras that support ONVIF and use software line Zoneminder or Blue Iris.
Last I checked, I think all truely wireless or near wireless systems were like this to reduce bandwidth and battery life. It takes a lot of tuning to get the zones right.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
69,680
13,317
126
www.betteroff.ca
I hate that they are pushing the cloud crap so much. Makes it really hard to search for a good ones as it's all the cloud stuff that shows up in search. If money is no object then you can always search for Axis cameras but they're like a grand a pop. But they will run fully locally with no cloud or other BS, at least from what I understand. Never used one. I do eventually want to setup a good POE based system but it's not really a priority. It probably should be with all the theft in my city though. :eek:

Lots of cheap POE ones on Amazon too but got to watch with that, lot of them may have malware built in. Even the ones from reputable brands you got to watch as they might be fakes.