House Perimeter CCTV - IR Cameras vs. Separate Illuminators

[DaleTX 0]

From some previous discussion, I've heard that it's better to follow a design that uses separate cameras and IR illuminators, rather than relying on the perhaps more common single unit IR cameras. This is for two reasons:

• Bugs are drawn to the Illuminators rather than cameras, reducing motion events (of course not eliminating them)
• In my experience, the IR LEDs need to be replaced in about 2 years, because after that time the brightness seems to drop significantly. With separate Illuminators, the cameras need not be replaced.

 

Do people out there agree with that logic? The downside, of course, is extra work up front to install the illuminators.

 

Thanks.

[myiicu 0]

A well designed external IR illuminator has a flexible mounting bracket that allows you to aim the IR in the direction that produces the best image quality.

 

A build-in IR illuminator has fixed IR leds that follow the lens and usually cannot be aimed at a different direction...