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Surveillance package recommendations on a tight budget

Greetings experts,

I do some volunteer IT work for the local pet shelter, and they recently experienced an attempted break-in and now want some video surveillance. They are hoping for 4 cameras, with at least one, maybe two, being outdoors. "Night vision" is probably needed as well, as the drug thieves usually operate at night.

They are operating on a very tight budget, and if possible, would like to limit this project to ~$1000...which, based on similar threads here, doesn't seem to leave me too many quality options.

How terrible are the all-in-one systems that you find at Costco/Sams/etc.? Lorex, Q-see, Night Owl, etc?

Am I better off building my own system?

Are there any quality options within this budget? I'd rather press them to spend a bit more if needed, than set them up with something that is junk.

I have never installed, maintained, or even browsed any of these systems before, so I'm starting from absolute zero here, so any advice is welcome.

Natty Greg

Hi check out this surveillance package, with night vision from tigerdirect, its in your budget. and cabling for these cameras can use existing cable within the building just buy the right connectors to capture the signal for the camera.

For outdoor camera the wiring must be concealed, everything else is strictly straight forward

here is the link

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9267255&Sku=ZMO-102669154

RyanIrish

ASKER

Thanks, natty.

I'm a big believer in the 'get what you pay for' mantra and the low price of that unit has me a bit concerned. Do you have actual experience with this unit?

Not that I'm questioning your recommendation, but that really seems too cheap to be good, and I get burned every time I go 'bargain' shopping.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

RyanIrish

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Natty Greg

I'm sorry working on a project was not here for a while, Ok let me break down security for you, they work well I have similar setup not the exact same thing. Budget wise they work great and my night vision I can see clearly from my cams at night.

Stop worrying about you get what you pay for, they're all made in China. And if the thieves really want in a camera wasn't going to stop them anyways its a deterrent not security. Real security is hiring people to stand watch.

Now go install a piece of mind for you client

RyanIrish

ASKER

I think I'm going to build out my own. Dahua NVR, a few IP cams and a decent HDD...I should be set. I found some decent help over at CCTV forums, so no worries.

Natty Greg

RyanIrish

ASKER

No help provided.