Home Security Camera Review

The goal of this post is to review home security cameras. But first, keep a few things in mind. As a recap of what I've discussed in previous posts, the primary reason home security cameras exist is to document a break-in. They have value as a deterrent as well, but their greatest advantage is in recording evidence in the event that something happens in your home. So, when you are looking at home security camera reviews, you should be thinking about their value in recording quality footage. Ok, now on to the reviews.

Here are the categories that we're going to examine for individual cameras.

1. Cost
2. Lux/Light Sensitivity: amount of light necessary to record a viewable image
3. Resolution: how much quality that image will have
4. Various other Features: recording capability, pan/tilt functions, zoom, and motion detection
When you're reviewing these cameras online, its important to note that Light Sensitivity will be referred to as Lux. You want a camera with the lux as close as possible to zero. This means it will require very little light to record a viewable image. You will want a resolution with the highest possible number. These are rated based off of how many resolution lines the image will have. Don't worry about what that means. Suffice it to say that the higher the resolution number, the better the quality of the image.

Today we're only going to examine outdoor security cameras. As a note, clicking on the links will take you to more information on that particular camera. So, here we go.

Color Bullet Security Camera w/Infrared
Cost: $99.95Lux: 0.2
Resolution: 350 lines
Additional Features: Has Auto Iris (uniformly adapts to light changes) Infrared with 12 LEDs.
Review: Its a nice camera for the cost. The lux is good and the resolution is decent. You're not going to need that much light to get a picture, but you won't have the most detailed picture possible (but it will be good). On the plus side, its incredibly small, so it can be discreetly mounted almost anywhere.

High Resolution Color Bullet Camera

Cost: $76.45
Lux: 1Resolution: 420
Additional Features: Allows for a 

wider view range. AutoIris. Infrared.

Review: The cost is good and so is the resolution. The lux, however, is not great. It's not going to pick up much unless it's at least a little lighter than dusk. So, why would you want this c

amera? Well, for one, it would make a great daytime camera. It will also work if you are trying to record somewhere that will have bright outdoor lights on at all times. In that case, the low lux level becomes less important to you.

High Resolution Color Bullet Security Camera

Cost: $99.40
Lux: 0.1
Resolution: 420
Additional Features: Auto-Iris, 50 ft. Infrared w/23 LEDs (Optional 100 ft. infrared w/35 LEDs)
This camera is nice. 

Its not overly expensive, the lux is great, the resolution is good, and the infrared means you'll be able to see in any situation. Also a small camera, so it can be mounted anywhere.

High Res Color Bullet Weather Proof Camera with Vari-Focal Lens

Cost: $199.95
Lux: 0.5
Resolution: 480
Additional Features: AutoIris, Vari-Focal Lens
Review: Nice camera with high resolution. The lux isn't terrible, but its not great either. Its easy to mount, and is great if you have no idea what size lens you need. You can adjust it between 4-9 mm.


The above options are all excellent choices depending on your own particular needs. As I've stated before, home security cameras should be an integral part of any home security system. For more information on these cameras, click the title links above, or visit www.safemart.com.

Home Security Devices: What Is GSM?

If you are looking at buying a home security system, you?™ve no doubt seen the term GSM at one time or another. Unless you are technologically savvy, you probably had no idea what this meant. So, for the sake of your sanity, here it is. GSM stands for Global System for Mobile communications. It?™s the same system that your cell phone uses to connect to a certain network. A GSM device uses this system to communicate back with your security system. The opposite is also true. So for example, if your phone line is cut, your security system will still be able to contact your central station, via GSM.

Still confused? Here?™s a prime example. SafeMart just started carrying the Telguard Primary Residential Cellular GSM Communicator (see picture). Why would you want this? Well, let?™s say that you don?™t have a landline telephone; you only use cell phones. Normally, a security system runs into your landline. In this case, you don?™t have one, so how will your system communicate with the central station? By using a GSM Communicator. This Communicator provides the link between the home security system and the central monitoring station. So, let?™s say you have a fire. Your alarm system will use the Global System for Mobile communications to contact the central station.

If you don?™t have a landline, this kind of technology is indispensable. But, even if you do, it?™s not a bad idea to have one. This way, if a thief were to cut your telephone line, the GSM would kick in and make the call to the central station.

New Keychain Remote from Honeywell

Honeywell has just released the new Ademco Wireless Keychain Remote. It has a sleek new design, easy to use functionality, and is very affordable.

I know this isn't a completely new concept. Ademco, and other companies have had wireless remotes for years. Still, its a nice new design with added buttons and functionality. Basically, it?™s designed to allow you to control your security system from a remote location. So, for security reasons, you may want your control panel in the closet of the master bedroom, located upstairs. The keychain remote allows you to arm and disarm the system from outside. The cool thing about it is that you can also program it to control your light features, close your garage door, etc. If you already have an Ademco system, I highly recommend adding this feature.

You can always find any products previewed on this blog at SafeMart.com. And as always, SafeMart will match any competitor's price.