Cellular cameras

[jcarter]

I love trail cameras, and was wanting to buy one which would be totally wireless and work with the iPhones. So started to look into these cellular trail cams. My Wi-fi is OK for where I like to put my other cameras, but to have them send an alert to my phone, is difficult unless you have a good cell signal, and we dont here, its like 2 or3 out of 5 bars, and the manufacturer says its not enuf.

Saw the Arlo(Netgear)camera was advertising this, but I didn't like the reviews, and its not a trail camera, needs to be wired and not waterproof.
This stuff is fun, but a bit OT for here, but I like to try new stuff.
Was reading this below, quite interesting.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/4g-vs-lte/


Modified by Kimmer to correct link to page 1 of article.

[Xairbusdriver]

How does a non-weather-proof, non-self-powered camera get advertised as a useful "trail camera"? If you limit yourself to 999' of your computer, you could at least use PoE. And there are lots of those that are not only weather-proof, but hi-res! And most can also use infra-red!

[jcarter]

Whoops, I didn't mean that, I have regular Trail cams, they are waterproof and battery powered.

 I love the way the night pictures come out, and the infra-red invisible to humans. But its not humans I want, its the wildlife. The Foxes and Coyotes will come right up to one, and sniff it if I place it on the ground in our garden or woods. 
Its the mini-camera which isn't.

Im looking for an outdoor weather cam, or security cam(tho security is not an issue around here), which will work like a Trail cam, Not have to be plugged into power, nor screwed into the house, but have the ability with either wi-fi, or Cellular for my iPhone.  There are so many advertised and so many different options and capabilities, that it gets confusing for my old brain. Looking for suggestions here, as you people have the knowledge to steer me to something I want.

[Xairbusdriver]

Whoops, I didn't mean that

I have no idea what "that" refers to.

I can't imagine any kind of device that would use cellular connections without also having a contract with a phone service provider and, of course, the required card and a dedicated phone number. Plus, it would have to also make a connection to your computer, somehow.

WiFi would not have near the range of PoE, without multiple repeaters which would also have to be powered. Batteries would probably not work long in that situation, even if the units were capable of turning off during daylight.

Most 'security' cameras already have IR sensors that will turn them on whenever a warm body comes within its range, just like the sensors in your home detect 'movement'.

I've never heard of any cameras that fit your needs. But if you find any (that are affordable), let us know.

[Paddy]

Jim, there are trail cams that do exactly what Jane wants - they're not exactly cheap, though ($400 or so...). They work off your cell phone data, they typically are motion-activated, and batteries last for months. Here is one example:


https://www.amazon.com/Spartan-GoCam-40-00-Lockbox-Included/dp/B00ZJOVJWA/ref=sr_1_1?s=hunting-fishing&ie=UTF8&qid=1529892620&sr=1-1&refinements=p_72%3A1248957011%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A4816683011


Our best friends have a cabin up north, and Rob, being a clever, gadget-loving engineer, has the property rigged with several trail cams - at least one of which connects to his phone. His phone buzzes when the camera is triggered.


Imagine...you're 250 miles away, and your phone buzzes. You look...only to see that there is a black bear busily trying to detach your portable Weber BBQ from your front porch (where it's bolted down). There is NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. Except watch, of course. I told Rob he needs to work on a speaker of some sort that he can trigger remotely. Not sure what the progress has been on that... The bbq remarkably survived the assault with no damage, btw.


He also once recorded (not with the phone connected trail cam, but a previous non-cellular one) someone landing on his lake in a seaplane (only way to get there), coming up to the cabin, breaking into the enclosed porch, where they apparently spent the night, and then leaving. He was able to track down the person (in Michigan) via the plane's tail number - and called him on the phone. At first the guy tried to deny it, and then when Rob mentioned the woman who had been with him during this break-in, the guy started whispering. Seems the pilot wasn't travelling with his wife.

So you never know, Jane - you might get a little more than wildlife on those trail cams! 

[jcarter]

I love this story!   Only time I got a human sneaking into our garden area, was a landscaper looking for a place to pee. I knew another guy who works for the same company, and I told him a week or so later on, that his buddy was on camera. He laughed and laughed.

Actually this exact camera you have given the link for, is one which Ive been looking at.  I bought my newest Browning trail-cam from these people, excellent service and info.
https://www.trailcampro.com/pages/popular-trail-cameras-and-our-favorite-trailcams

What Ive found so far, is that our ATT cell service here is not quite strong enough for a good connection. But Im still looking, and having fun with the cameras I already have.

 

[Xairbusdriver]

Like I said, I've never heard of one like she wants. Now I have, I guess. More power (and funds) to her/you!

[jcarter]

Thats the wonderful thing about this site, as we all learn so much from each other!

[Paddy]

Rob has also installed a cell tower repeater to boost his signal...you might want to look into that too. Not especially cheap either, but could help overall.

https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpcLZBRCnARIsAMPBgF2RDGG5nSYeZLXvwLSOseEheMB-LAZJ6ZDJFfzxBUeZrQlkndngGLoaAsdhEALw_wcB is one make.