Just Don't. There are so many issues with the UBNT cameras (lenses fogging up, failures within a year, water getting into the cameras, etc.) and are overpriced for their image quality. The DIYers rave by them but anyone that actually installs surveillance cameras for a living (myself included) will tell you, you can get a much better camera for the same price if not cheaper.

Don't get me wrong we install UBNT network equipment on all our jobs but I will never quote the cameras, access control, phones unless requested to by the client and even then I have alternatives to all of those options that will blow UBNT out of the water at about the same price.

My current home has a “real” stone exterior with a very unlevel surface for mounting anything to, and it’s an absolute pain to try to drill through (really not sure what kind of stone it is, but some of them have a lot of iron deposits and geode crystal type structures). When we replaced the furnaces, we had the installers drill three 2” holes for new pipes, and it took one guy all day to do just that.

So, cameras are all mounted to the metal perforated eaves with added wood backers, even though several are in a kind of loft situation where the eaves are like halfway down an interior sloped wall. Those required push sticks, swearing, and tons of patience to get to from the attic. But I really don’t like drilling into brick or stone unless it’s an absolute necessity.

I redid my home system a couple years ago and used Laview NVR and cams which is OEM hikvision. Got NVR and 6 4MP cams for $300. Works great.

For the more DIY route I have been adding Eufy 2K cams which you can ge fixed ones for $30 or PTZ for $40 regularly (interior models). For wireless cams these are fantastic and no app fees at all. Just pop a SD card in there for recording and youre done. Have them in my beach house and have been flawless for 2+ years.

Well, that sucks- appreciate your feedback!

Wired, IP cameras. Color night option where possible to avoid IRs attracting bugs, spiderwebs and creating false motion tags. Axis or Dahua.

My competition in UBNT is all in on the phones, access and cameras. I think it has to do with the monitoring and apps vs the quality.
I have not done any cameras, or access or phones from them. But I have to say within the last year things have greatly improved on the GUI and information.
Not so with security.

From what I have seen and heard anything but their networking equipment is crap. As mentioned in my previous post the cameras are overpriced and have moisture/water issues. Their access works most of the time if your lucky, I haven't seen anything with regards to their phones but if it's like their previous units they won't be much to talk about either.

The issue with UBNT is that they are expanding into other areas for no reason. They could easily increase/improve their bread and butter switches, access points, etc. and still be fine. I get that companies need to grow to stay relevant and competitive but I don't see other major networking brands going out and getting into surveillance and access control.

Many times I think that they see "the grass being greener" for the other company. We see surveillance companies getting into A/V because it's just low voltage wiring -- right?

They have a fan boy following just like Apple.
If we build it they will buy it, more $$$ for us.

Well, you might not be too far off there.....as I understand it, the foks who founded UBNT are ex-Apple network folks. Probably the geniuses who brought us the Airport Extreme. :)

As a long time Ubiquiti basher, I have to disagree with some of the Ubiquiti bashing going on here.

The network equipment has (finally) come a long way.  Like anything else in our industry, don't buy the cheapest shit available and the product will work as advertised.  The cloud access is going in the right direction (even if it's not entirely accurate).  It's probably just the tech nerd in me but I love being able to pull up any of my clients site's and know (almost) exactly what is going on and what needs to be done to troubleshoot a problem.  Occasionally sure, a reboot of network equipment will solve a problem but let's not pretend this is only a Ubiquiti problem (or network problem at all).  At some point or another, everything needs a reboot.

So on to the surveillance equipment.  It's pretty damn good.  The app is pretty damn fantastic for finding events quickly and overall general usage.  The analytics are just getting going but they are pretty damn spot on  (occasionally my dog shows up as a person).  It's almost like nest made the app but a professional make the equipment.......Isn't that what we want after all?   I've heard the issues of condensation but haven't experienced it myself.  The added benefit of having the NVR built into the firewall is a massive plus for my clients.  If you want bigger, the option is available.  I have a handful of  the 4 bay NVR's with 32Tb of redundant storage in the field and I have zero problems.
For me, it took a lot of "test sites" to feel confident with UBNT on the surveillance side but I would say out of 30-40 cameras out there, I have zero issues.  For the record I have years of experience with other surveillance products available.....Bring up Luma (or old school shitbox wirepath)....I effin dare you!  LOL, been there done that with many brands.  I still recommend other brands most of the time because they are the right fit for the project.  UBNT doesn't have PTZ cameras (well, none that can auto track) or fisheye cameras (I know, I know), or multi lens cameras quite yet.  But for a basic residential job..... not bad!

I've been using their product since they were just a "long range" radio.....long before they were a home network or surveillance product.  Believe me, as a Mikrotik and Ruckus user for years (still on projects that need them), I fought Ubiquit for years.  If you can get over the hurdle of "how it works", you'll be alright with their product.

Another quick side note, put the app on an Apple TV and you now have surveillance on a clients TV WITHOUT HDMI extenders or a matrix.  For those clients without an ATV, get a viewport from them.  Plug in a POE and HDMi and all the cameras are on the TV.....Scarface style!

The other big issue with UBNT surveillance is you have to use their cameras and they don't play well when trying to get them onto a touch panel or something else, nor do they play well with a third party recorder. I am not against UBNT surveillance, they just need to improve their qc and start playing well with others (ONVIF certified would be huge). I also think their pricing is too inflated for their cameras. They are almost priced in comparison to Hanwha but with components of low cost hikvision. I can provide customers a way better camera (lens, quality, WARRANTY) at about the same price. Yes they have some really cost effective cameras that DIYers rave over. I am not a DIYer and am trying to make some money and selling a $50 WIFI camera that has little to no margin is not making me money.

Do you make money on the wall plates you install or do you skip that part of the job because they're only a few bucks?  I make money on every product I sell, regardless of it's MSRP, that's how business works.

99% of the time I use Ubiquiti camera's it's the G4.  It's a great camera with great features and a great image.  If I need something to integrate into an automation system, there's plenty of other options available so I'm not too worried about that.  Right product for the job.

|  UBNT doesn't have PTZ cameras (well, none that can auto track) or fisheye cameras (I know, I know)


They have a fisheye coming out, I have an EA version of it and it's pretty nice.

How does a client with a Protect system (cameras and NVR on the CK or router) access the recorded video from their PC or Mac? I haven't looked at it close enough to understand but see Protect loaded on a bunch of my sites with UDM Pro routers and am curious. Do you give access to the unifi dashboard? I get they have the Protect app or whatever it is called but I try to get clients to use a laptop or tablet to look at recorded video.