Friends bought a condo in the Bahamas and want cameras for the times when they come back. Last time I checked, Ring doesn't allow real-time viewing- has that changed? If possible, I'd like to put them higher than people can reach easily, but I know that doesn't provide the best images because it's hard to see the face.

I don't know what they expect to do when they get a notification and I don't know anything about the police on that island, but I'm not going to give them any false expectations.

WRT price, I'd like to see something good for $400 each, or lower.

Thanks.

1) WiFi is a buggy median, we all know this. We can get WiFi to be solid with proper design & tweaking but that doesn't mean it will stay that way. Also with WiFi video and the bandwidth required, it is very easy to have problems with that - interference can easily knock the feed out. Not to mention someone targeting the cameras and know they are WiFi, a WiFi jammer is very cheap on the internet.

2) You still have to get power to the camera. If you can get power to the camera's location, then you probably can get a Cat5 there as well. Even if you can't get the cat5 back to where you need it, usually a better median will become an option to where you can get the wire - MoCA, Ethernet over powerline, etc.

That said, I saw this today and thought it looked interesting for a cheap 720p cam:
[Link: amazon.com]

Nest?

This sounds like one of those "pick two" scenarios.

One choice is "work best"
One choice is "without high price."
What would the third choice be? Available, perhaps?

Look at arlo

Looking at the product's description: what is "Free mention notifications"?

Probably Chinese translation for push notifications.

I just asked and he said the condo has AC outlets near the camera locations but it's unlikely that running any kind of cabling would happen since it doesn't have suspended ceiling.

The thing with wifi cameras is that where the cameras will go is the last place r check for wifi signal.

Check out the ring floodlight camera. A customer asked for a few, they wrk fine and get their power from the light.

I always love that response!
So let me ask this, have you ever seen a power supply that was outdoor rated for these type cameras? I haven't.

So you can find an outdoor rated power supply that will work with the cam (they are usually a bit larger). Or you can just roll the dice and use the included power supply outside and see how long it last. My experience has been anywhere from a few months to several years (depending on the location and quality of the PS).

There have been a few good suggestions in this thread.
Forgot about the Ring floodlight cam but then the customer looses his flood lights. And if someone flips the switch off by accident... If using that, I would consider wiring power around the switch for that use.

Wifi cameras are still a very bad idea thou.

He would be able to replace an outlet with a transformer in a weather-resistant junction box, so I'm not concerned with that but he could also remove the switch and put a blank plate over the indoor box.

Has Ring made it possible to view in real time? Last time I checked, that wasn't possible and I wouldn't like not being able to see my place if I had that camera, especially if I was trying to see that boat. FWIW, he's not under any illusion that he would be able to put a camera inside of the boat without using additional network equipment, although I wouldn't be terribly surprised if he decides to go ahead with it.

I just touched Ring for the first time. installed three. They are OK, nothing to right home about. But each one had a LIVE VIEW option from the app. Could look anytime at live feed. Is that the option your asking about HF?

If you can get power to the camera, the stay away from Arlo. Arlo are ok for a location that will have very little motion detection. But if you get much motion at all, they will eat batteries. I put 3 at the river an they are constantly recording. Also, they use proximity sensors to try to preserve battery life instead of actually picking up on motion on the video. So the motion detection does have some range issues. They also arent very accurate. For where mine are, for all the motion they pick up, I know they are missing a big chunk of stuff too.

Ring Floodlight all the way. Nice looking light. 1080p video and the alarm function is pretty cool. Two way audio and easy to install. Dealer pricing is pretty good too. The light can be set to motion, timer, or manual through the app. Must have. Constant 120v

I just saw that- I might have him hang a junction box on the panel to add a power inlet for the patio lights, so he can use a UPS for the network and cameras.