Looking for a security cam with no cloud storage… any affordable options?

Seeking Help Forum
1

I’m not a huge fan of surveillance, but:

  • Someone’s been messing with my mail, and I want to discourage it. I think it might be the kids upstairs, but I don’t want to accuse anyone without proof.

  • I also don’t have a peephole, and it would be nice to know who’s at the door before I open it.

I’m checking out some doorbell cameras, but all the ones in my price range seem to use cloud storage, and I don’t want to pay a monthly fee just to view footage. Any advice?

2

Reolink cameras don’t need cloud storage or any subscription fees.

3

Reolink’s a good pick for the money. It stores data on an SD card.

4

Luca said:
Reolink’s a good pick for the money. It stores data on an SD card.

Only downside is if the camera itself gets stolen, you lose all your footage. I prefer wired systems with an NVR if you can manage the wiring.

5

@Zora
Yeah, I had wired ones, but lightning took them out. Now I’m using Reolink’s solar-powered cams, so if one fails, the others are still working. Some newer models can work with home NVR servers or NAS, so you don’t have to use cloud storage. I pay for their cloud service, though. It’s pretty affordable and reliable.

6

@Zora
Do you think a fake camera would work? Like if people thought they were being watched, maybe they’d leave my mail alone.

7

Farrell said:
@Zora
Do you think a fake camera would work? Like if people thought they were being watched, maybe they’d leave my mail alone.

I wouldn’t count on it. Thieves don’t usually care much. A real camera is a solid investment; you’ll appreciate having the footage if anything serious happens.

8

For cheap options, I’d go with Reolink PoE cameras. Good quality for the price.

9

Reolink and Unifi are both good options. Depends on your budget and what you need them for.

10

Have you tried Roku cameras or Arlo? They offer cloud storage, but it’s optional. I have an Arlo indoor cam that doesn’t require the cloud and lets you set up zones for different areas, like the doorway or stairs. Both are available at Walmart too.

11

Here’s a link from another discussion that might help: https://www.reddit.com/r/homedefense/s/NseG58dLPV

12

Not a fan of surveillance? That’s an interesting take. Why’s that?

13

Sky said:
Not a fan of surveillance? That’s an interesting take. Why’s that?

  • It feels a bit creepy
  • Feels like I’m acting like a cop
  • Creates a sense of paranoia in communities, keeping us all on edge
  • Hard to know what’s motivating someone with cameras: are they just curious, invasive, or maybe over-protective?
  • It’s easy for anyone to misuse these things, and I’m not a fan of mass surveillance… The cloud isn’t private, Alexa’s listening all the time, and privacy just feels gone these days… seriously, why are there cameras on dumpsters? If someone wants to dig through trash, why do we care? There’s almost no place left without a camera.
14

@Farrell
That’s fair, I get it. I think we’re just looking at it from different places, and that’s cool.

I live in a small town, way out in the country with no neighbors close by, and I like having cameras for safety. They make me feel secure.