www.iFourWinns.com

Has anyone used a motion controlled camera for security purposes? Like the kind used outdoors to capture snapshots of wildlife?

I'm wondering about using them to deal with the occasional situations some of our neighbors have had with car break-ins. It doesn't happen often, and only seems to happen to people that left their cars unlocked (yes, a preventable issue). But I wondering if these cameras might be cheap enough and easy enough to use to make it worth considering.

Me, I'm guessing it's 'idle youth' from nearby that are doing it. The thefts are simple, just pocket change or gadgets left in the cars, not ripping out radios.

Anyone used these kinds of cameras?

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

We have these here at work, and at our marina and local club. They work very well.

Security Cameras

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I'm thinking more along the lines of self-contained. Those with SD memory cards or other internal memory. That way they could just stick them with a sight-line toward the car and use it for casual monitoring. Going with live video would entail a lot more complexity and expense. Better to have a set-and-forget kind of gizmo.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Never used one for security, but we have set them for wildlife. The only problem I see is that you may want to de-activate the camera when you do not want it monitoring or you will end up with a lot of useless pictures of you bringing your car in and out of the driveway.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a minority owner in this outfit:

http://www.clickipsurveillance.com/

If my post gets nuked I apologize in advance. Not trying to spam or anything-just posting in response to the OP's question.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Bill - I did a lot of research before buying a trail camera and wound up with the HCO ScoutGuard SG-550 5MP Infrared Scouting Camera. I use it to spy on wildlife but can highly recommend it and it could work for the application you describe. The one thing to know about this and many "trail cameras" is that there is a red light that flashes when it is initially activated so it wouldn't necessarily be completely incognito. But to spare you the mind-numbing legwork of deciphering all of the reviews, I can tell you that I have had no issues with this camera for a year and a half and the picture quality is very good.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

That's the big problem with the "self contained" camera's. Flash or Red light. Not really a security camera. Thus my suggestion above.

Since the thief will no doubt see the camera, and or the light, that can be enough alone to deter him. Maybe just get one of these for cheap and scare them away.


Swann SW215-DMX Theft Deterrent Imitation Camera
$14.35 at Amazon

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

A friend has used a "game" camera with an sd card. He mounts it high enough that when it lights go on, it can't be reached without a ladder. I have a couple cameras hooked up wireless to my security system and can access it from any computer or my phone. It can be set up to turn on and either record video or take photos when the motion detector is activated or when a door opens.

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Askieffer
2009 SL242

Coworker has used the following and had success with their systems.

http://www.x10.com/homepage.htm

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2001 Horizon 260
VP 7.4 / DP-SM

I have used X10, they need more light than what there specs say. If the area is fairly lit up, the camera is OK. An infrared camera is the way to go.

I would first go the simplest route first. X10 is products are simple to use, but uses old technology to transmit the signals, BUT the price is hard to beat. I have three X10 of the out side lights with motion detectors. http://www.x10.com/security/pr511_s.html What is good about them, if one trips and turns on, it can send out a signal and turn on 4 other lights on. Which really gives the feel that some one is home.

If that fails, at least the lighting is in (at a cheap price) and almost any low light camera will do.

X10 is garbage. I've tried using many of their products over the years, including their cameras. They suck. True, they're better than "nothing" but not by much.

It's not motion video I need. I'm mainly interested in snapping a picture, thus why I asked about snapshots. Just detect activity and snap a picture, in the dark, without a flash. As in, a wildlife camera. I want to be able to move it to different places or even loan it to a neighbor. The goal being to see if we can snap a picture of the thief breaking into cars for small change.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I won one at a golf tournament, looks just like a motion light but with built in camera and SD card. works great but lots of pics of kids riding there bikes in the driveway.

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2000 235 Sundowner
Previously 2007 Horizon 190
2004 Chevy Avalanche Z71

In many ways, your right!! I will say that there outside lights do work. Price is hard to beat!! The rest of it, it sucks.

http://www.smarthome.com/34003BK/NightW ... ack/p.aspx Try this link.