Most Cost Effective outdoor IP Camera in $300-$600 range?

[ctbaker 0]

Hi,

 

I thought I'd start a new thread after getting overwhelmed with all the great information on this forum and seeing as there was a sub-$300 thread that mentioned there were a lot more choices in the sub-$600 range.

 

Specifics -> residential use, outdoor with IR for good night shots in low/no light, both dome and bullet style in the sub-$600 range. Ones that the manufacturer offers free software to operate them is a plus!

 

Thanks!

[buellwinkle 0]

My blog has a few reviews in your price range. I use ACTi in my house. The TCM-1111 is a basic 1.3MP bullet, IR illuminators, outdoor rated, about $300. The next step up is the TCM-1231, about $500, adds varifocal lens, 2 way audio, more powerful illuminators and alarm input. Next step up is the TCM-7811 dome, uses a CCD instead of CMOS for better low light capability, again, more powerful illuminators, costs $600+. ACTi provides NVR software for free that works quite well and a complete new version is due in a few weeks that's killer. They also provide an IOS app for free in the iTunes store.

 

What I like about ACTi is good support, supper quick RMA, cameras that last for years (oldest one I have is an ACM-1231 that's 4 years old).

 

Vivotek I would avoid. buggy, poor service. Messoa makes a nice camera, but buggy, support not so great. Geovision is an unknown, but well priced. OpenEye is also well priced, but unknown. Brickcom makes an excellent camera, not sure you will find one for $600, maybe a VD-130Ae. Brickcom, Geovision, Vivotek provide free NVR software, not sure about Messoa or OpenEye. I keep hearing CNB, request demo cameras from them, haven't heard back.

[jasauders 0]

Vivotek I would avoid. buggy, poor service.

 

Not to challenge you in any way shape or form as I'm just getting in to video surveillance, I can honestly say, in the 2 weeks of back to back solid Googling for reviews, talking with people I know in the field, as well as asking here on the forums, I've heard nothing but positive about Vivotek. This is literally the first time I ever heard any degree of negative feedback in regard to that company. I can at least attest to their customer support so far being good, as I've contacted them numerous times.

 

Hopefully after some time has passed where I can actually give a decent review on mine it'll be on the more positive tune.

[Soundy 1]

^Just installed my first Vivotek on Monday, and I must say, it does seem solidly built... as to longevity, well, that remains to be seen.

[buellwinkle 0]

Poor Vivotek support and buggy software is something that's been echo'ed on both CCTV forums I participate in as well as from distributors I worked with. I have one Vivotek review on my blog, one of their top cameras and I'm not impressed, especially for the price. During the day, you'll be happy, nice image, at night, not so much.

 

As an example, check out iTunes for Vivotek iViewer, you can see from this how well the rest of their software works. Also check out the problems people are having with their cameras at networkcamerareviews forum.

[MaxIcon 0]

I've had good luck with my Vivoteks, but there have been a lot of complaints about night image quality in the last handful of firmware releases. The latest 1.09 is improved, according to reports, but some people still go back to 1.04. I haven't used any of their viewer or recording software, so can't speak for that.

 

Mine are all running pretty old firmware; 1.02 or so, and low light performance is mediocre, but still better than most of the analog cams I've replaced. I may be missing good stuff in the newer versions, but they're working well for now.

 

I believe it comes down to price vs performance. If you want to stay at $300 or under, there just isn't a lot of choice in name brands with good support (that is, regular firmware updates, large installed user base for help, etc). I think that'll change over the next year or so, but for now, there aren't many robust outdoor MP IR cams in that price range.

[ctbaker 0]

OpenEye is also well priced, but unknown..

 

I saw in another thread you mentioned back in February that you were getting an OpenEye CM-715I camera. Did that happen and what are your impressions of it?

 

http://www.openeye.net/products/cameras/camera-models/cm-715i/

 

Also, I suppose in this same price range would fall the 1, 2 and 3MP Geovision GV-VD120D, GV-VD220D and GV-VD320D if anyone has experience with those.

 

Thanks,

Chad

[HiroPro 0]

My blog has a few reviews in your price range. I use ACTi in my house. The TCM-1111 is a basic 1.3MP bullet, IR illuminators, outdoor rated, about $300. The next step up is the TCM-1231, about $500, adds varifocal lens, 2 way audio, more powerful illuminators and alarm input. Next step up is the TCM-7811 dome, uses a CCD instead of CMOS for better low light capability, again, more powerful illuminators, costs $600+. ACTi provides NVR software for free that works quite well and a complete new version is due in a few weeks that's killer. They also provide an IOS app for free in the iTunes store.

 

What I like about ACTi is good support, supper quick RMA, cameras that last for years (oldest one I have is an ACM-1231 that's 4 years old).

 

Vivotek I would avoid. buggy, poor service. Messoa makes a nice camera, but buggy, support not so great. Geovision is an unknown, but well priced. OpenEye is also well priced, but unknown. Brickcom makes an excellent camera, not sure you will find one for $600, maybe a VD-130Ae. Brickcom, Geovision, Vivotek provide free NVR software, not sure about Messoa or OpenEye. I keep hearing CNB, request demo cameras from them, haven't heard back.

 

 

Thanks for this post. It seems ACTi is the Asian Axis cam OEM equivalent ehh... but with better pricing... they also seem to think out other features better and have better mechanical design.

 

How well does those ACTi cameras work with Avigilon, Genetek or Exacq? (BTW that corp name total sucks and is hard to remember and spell but I won't hold that against you Indianapolis)

 

PS what's ACTi's soon to be released free boxed NVR/VMS like? are you a beta tester or something?