Security cameras(1)

Kibbee

I’d like a security system / camera to check on DH if I am in another part of the house, if I am outside doing yard work, or when I’m away from home and have a caregiver with DH.  The system would have to be WI-FI capable, and optimally would allow easy two-way communication.   Has anyone used Ring or Nest cameras for this purpose?  Someone suggested a baby monitor system but those seem to have a lot of features I don’t need.  Also, I am not the most tech savvy person, so simple set up is important.  Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.

RobinFR

Wyze and oufy are Wi-Fi based cameras and easy to set up and use. The ones I have I can listen in and can communicate w mom if needed   If you do get a camera device put in spot they don’t fiddle with ( they need to be plugged in and you want camera unobstructed.)  the cameras can swivel which is useful if your loved one moves around a lot.

rdc3

We use a Ring indoor camera for this. It does all you're looking for - WiFi, two way audio, ability to check it on your phone. You can turn motion alerts on and off as desired. 

The Ring app has a setup wizard that is pretty easy to follow. 

Cynbar

We also have the Ring camera and would highly recommend it. It was super easy to set up and pair with my iPhone, has 2 way audio, and is fairly small and unobtrusive. DH doesn't think it's odd at all that my voice suddenly appears out of nowhere! Fairly inexpensive, too, as I recall.

ninalu

Please make sure that you look into the camera settings for recording (photos or videos) and how these will be saved / stored. When I installed a couple simple security cameras in our home, I recall learning that the cameras were configured to detect motion and record still images or continuous video when motion was detected, and then upload these recordings to a cloud storage account (that was managed by the camera provider, not my ISP or mobile phone provider.) If I am remembering correctly, I turned off all the recording options due to privacy concerns (and later, security concerns.) 

On the privacy front, I didn't want to capture photos of mom without her consent (and she wasn't able to give it by that time.)

On the security front, I didn't want photos or videos of our home uploaded to any cloud storage anywhere. 

I'm not suggesting that my choices here are the way you should go, just that you should make sure to set the options you want and feel comfortable with. 

mommyandme (m&m)

I’ve used Wyze Pan Cam for three years now. Inexpensive and complete. They’ve been a lifesaver for myself and my brother.

DHVT

I'm in favor of any technology that can ease the burden of caregiving.

In my case, I worry that if I have a catastrophe at home (heart attack, broken hip, etc.) my wife won't have any idea how to call for help. Whereas, if something happens to her, I'll know what to do.

I'd like to install an indoor security camera that family and friends can check occasionally online to see if it looks like we're moving around normally. But I'd like it to afford some modesty if, for example, one of us has just left the shower.. 

I imagine something that produces an image similar to the body scanners at airports. Details are made fuzzy, but you can see the shape of the bodies.

I haven't found any accessory lens that does this, but I'm thinking I might experiment with various materials (silk? wax paper?) over the lens to see if they work.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

sunnydove

I use Wyze pan cam. It was only $35. I can set it up to notify me if it detects motion (great for making sure she stays put at night) and can also just check in on her. It allows you to speak to her but I try not to use that because it confuses her to now know where the voice is. Highly recommend Wyze.

Farm Gal

I also use a Wyze Cam and bought 5 of them for various rooms of the house.  So perfect when I go outdoors to work or as you said when I am in another part of the house.  Nothing lazy about me!  I can just sit in my chair in the evening when he gets up and goes to another room.  I just turn the appropriate camera on.  My cameras were about $24 each and hook to wifi and give me notifications via my cell.

Kibbee

Thank you to all of you for feedback on your experiences with various brands of security cameras.  The information is very helpful.

ChicagoGal

I have installed two Eufy cameras in Mom's house and two Eufy doorbell cameras on her doors.  They have been working out very well and there are no monthly subscription fees.  The videos are stored on sd cards within each camera.  I manage and monitor the cameras from a phone pp.

Wilted Daughter

I stressed about what camera to purchase and after months of overthinking, shopping. I found wireless/battery operated Wifi cameras for outside and a different wired brand for inside on Amazon. Both brands were initially purchased on Amazon and  have had year+, operated via phone with micro SD cards. The costs were reasonable and they work well for me. Do your research and check reviews...that's what I did, the rest is trial and error. 

1. HeimVision (Outdoor/indoor wireless battery rechargeable HMD2/3 camera, night vision, rechargeable, ...audio...heimvision.com) 

2. YI 4 pc Security Home Camera (WiFi indoor nanny cam with night vision, 2-way audio, motion detection, phone app etc. - Amazon)

*I am particularly fond of the HMD3 and if there is a sale will buy 2 more.

Anora72

I have wyze and love them.  Night vision, alerts to movement events,  2 way communication,  etc I have an easy way to check on mom when I need to go to farm chores, etc. The only thing I'd change is to have gotten them a lot sooner.

AlwaysNtraining

I use Arlo. It has worked well for me. Mounted in the ceiling corner.

Kibbee

Thank you for the feedback and information on security cameras.  I ended installing three Blink Mini Cameras.  Easy to set up and so far are working out well.  The only issue is with the two-way talk feature.  DH can hear me, but when he answers I have a hard time hearing him.  Could it be that the cameras are too far away from him for the microphone to pick up his voice?  If so that is a problem since moving them closer to him would reduce the range of view.  I need to keep an eye on him and the surrounding area, since there will be caregivers coming into the house.