Some lowlife POS sneaked into my back yard last night and stole my garden swing off the frame. Although I realize it wasn't a major theft, I feel very upset, angry, and violated. I know it's like closing the barn door after the horses have escaped, but to prevent further lowlife, slimeball, pieces of sh*t from stealing from me in the future, I'm seriously considering a security system. The sheriff I reported the theft to said security systems aren't cheap and that some people use motion-activated game cameras. Would that be a good option? Are there inexpensive security systems that are available, or especially good but inexpensive game cameras?

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I've been looking into this lately...

Camera's will run you from $30 to $250 each depending on quality and features. I wouldn't get anything any lower than 720P and honestly, that might be to low depending on distance you want to cover.

Then there are multiple ways to connect the cameras. They can all connect to a central box or have then connect to your network and use a computer to monitor them or connect to the "cloud" and pay for a service to monitor them.

They can connect wireless or you can have a wired connection for these options.

Ultimately price will be dictated, by number of cameras and storage requirements.


Analog solutions are typically cheaper per camera... downside is that you have to run a lot of coax cable which is a pain in the neck. Easiest and most expensive is wireless cameras.

Look to spend anywhere from $40 for a cheap one 720P camera setup recorded on your computer to $7300 for 32 4K IP cameras with motorized pan and tilt and 4x Zoom and dedicated network video recorder with 6 terabytes of space.

Thanks, Zenock. I've done a little research on trail cameras and this one looks pretty good because it has lots of 5-star reviews: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HGQHP4D...v_ov_lig_dp_it

To have it cover my backyard where I'd like, I'd have to attach it to my garden shed, and my worry is that it will be obvious against the yellow siding so someone might steal it.

When the description mentions flash range, does that mean a flash will go off at night? If so, that could cause any rats to scurry away without taking anything.

__________________
If you're not allowed to question it, it's not science. It's propoganda.

"Wokeness gives people a shield to be mean and cruel, armored in false virtue." - Elon Musk

"What you want to do is appropriate women, you want to appropriate womanhood and turn it into basically a costume that could be worn!" - Matt Walsh to trans activist

I wouldn't use that one for a few reasons.

1. It records to flash card only. If someone were to take it you would lose the camera and the recording.
2. It is IP65 weatherproofing (dust tight) I wouldn't mount anything outdoors for long term use that wasn't IP66 or better.
3. This isn't really meant as a surveillance camera. It is intended to be left in the woods to get pictures of wildlife.

If you have power to your shed, I would suggest something like this...
https://www.amazon.com/Wansview-Secu.../dp/B075K6KHH3

Note I am NOT recommending this one I'm also not not recommending it. Just showing it as an example. Also, you can save money or get two cameras for the same cost if 720P is good enough for you.

I've seen this commercial recently...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

We've discovered that someone has been using our backyard at the Knoxville house as a no-rent motel, on the nights I don't stay in Knoxville. Since we don't have the wildlife down there, we installed motion sensor lights (those suckers are blinding!!) and a 'dummy' camera with a sign saying 'Smile for the camera!'. The 6'+ wood gate to the backyard now has a chain and bolt system to it that isn't going to be jimmied without a jaws of life to cut it apart.

Sorry to hear someone decided to be a slimeball.

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Your life is the sum total of the choices you make.
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That security camera Zenock posted and that cop cam cnredd posted both look like good alternatives. I prefer something that will leave videos on my phone or PC so if the camera is stolen I still will have a record of the lowlife stealing it. I do have electricity in my shed. I appreciate the suggestions.

GottoGo, some people have gall! I hope what you've done will prevent people from using your back yard in the future.

__________________
If you're not allowed to question it, it's not science. It's propoganda.

"Wokeness gives people a shield to be mean and cruel, armored in false virtue." - Elon Musk

"What you want to do is appropriate women, you want to appropriate womanhood and turn it into basically a costume that could be worn!" - Matt Walsh to trans activist