Home Security Camera Review: Part 2

A little while ago, we did a home security camera review focused on outdoor security cameras. Now, I'm going to review infrared home security cameras intended for indoor use. We will examine:

1. Cost
2. Lux/Light Sensitivity: amount of light necessary to record a viewable image
3. Resolution: how much quality the image will have
4. Infrared LEDs: light emitting diodes on the camera that allow camera to record in the dark (infrared)

Just a reminder that clicking on any of the links will take you to more information on that particular camera.

200ft IR Distance S

uper LED 1/3 Sony Super HAD 420TVL
Cost: $163.50Lux: 0.8
Resolution: 420 lines
LEDs: 35
Review: This is a nice camera. The resolution is good, and its not 

too expensive. The lux is not great, but that doesn't matter at night, since it has 35 LEDs, allowing for nighttime recording. This is an excellent choice for an infrared home security camera.





IR 36LED Vari-Focal 4~9mm 1/3 Sony Super HAD CCD 420TVL 0.1LUX
Cost: $193.50Lux: 0.1
Resolution: 420 lines
LEDs: 36
Review: This camera is slightly more expensive, but it has an excellent lux, great resolution and 36 LEDs. It also has a vari-focal lens between 4-9mm.

Hi Res IR Color Vandal Proof Camera 420 TVL 1/3" Sony Super HAD CCD with 6mm Lens

Cost: $99.40Lux: 0
Resolution: 420 lines
LEDs: 23

Review: This is a great price for a great camera. It costs less than one 

hundred dollars. It has the lowest possible lux. The resolution is very good. Now, it only has 23 LEDs, but that is more than enough to make unlighted viewing possible.  Also, its vandal proof, which is a nice bonus.

Hi Res IR Color Vandal Proof Camera 420/48

0 TVL Sony Super HAD CCD with 4-9mm Lens

Cost: $161.90

Lux: 1.0

Resolution: 420 lines

LEDs: 36

Review:  This camera has high resolution and enough LEDs to make unlighted viewing easy.  Its vandal proof, which adds an extra layer of protection to your system.  The cost is higher than the other cameras, but its worth it for what you get.  As a side benefit, you can also get this camera with 480 lines of resolution for an additional fifty dollars.

As I stated in part one of this post, home security cameras should be an integral part of any home security system.  They are cost effective and add an important layer to your home security system.  For more information on home security cameras, click on any of the links above, or visit www.safemart.com.  

Do It Yourself Home Security for Peace of Mind

Do It Yourself Home Security makes sense on so many levels. It's inexpensive, relatively easy to install and program, and gives you real home security to protect your home and family. But there's one more reason to install a home security system, and sooner rather than later.

Burglar stole their security, couple say.

The above link is to an article concerning a family which was a victim of robbery. To sum up, they've since spent thousands of dollars installing state of the art security systems. From an outside view, there are probably very few people with a better protected home. Still, they don't have a sense of peace or security. Why? Because the robbery stole that from them. It has made them feel vulnerable (which they used to be) and, I'm sure to some extent, afraid.

This is the real tragedy of burglary. Certainly, there are things that can't be replaced. Priceless family heirlooms, mementos that mean more to you than anyone else. These things truly are irreplaceable. But, apart from family jewelry, very few of these things are of interest to burglars. They want high dollar items that they can move quickly. And, to be honest, most of these things (high dollar items of interest to burglars) are replaceable. Its a hassle, and it will make you mad, but you can replace them. What you can't replace is peace of mind.

So, what can you do? Install a home security system now. Studies have shown that homes without a home security system are three times more likely to be broken into than homes with a system. That's a fact that can't be argued with. A main goal of home security is to prevent a robbery from ever happening. A Do It Yourself Home Security System will go a long way towards that goal. It will also give you the peace of mind so desperately lacking today. And that is truly priceless.

Construction Site Security

Construction sites are prone to security problems. Teenage kids who think it would be funny to vandalize a project, or thieves looking to steal any tools left behind, generally find construction sites to be free of any security system. Generally this makes sense. You're not going to install a security system in a home that is still being built. So, should you forget about construction site security?

Not quite. There is now a self-contained, reliable, completely portable security system from Elk Products called ElkGuard, now available from SafeMart. It has a built-in motion detector, an on board siren, and can operate for up to 3 months without AC power. You can also add up to 24 wireless accessories, such as sensors or keychain remotes. This system is ideal for a construction company that frequently finds itself the victim of attacks. It is also possible to purchase it with a GSM module already installed in the system (For more information on this, see previous post here). It is an excellent investment for anyone who wants to protect a construction site from expensive and frustrating attacks. Just because your home isn't built, doesn't mean it can't be protected. The ElkGuard also works great for anyone who wants to protect a relatively small area, such as a boat or apartment.

Garage Door Security

Garage Door Security is not something we think of, at least not often. We make sure our homes are locked, windows closed, etc. No matter what precautions we take, one thing is for certain: most of us pay no attention to garage security. But we should.

The article, 10 Tips for Garage Door Safety Month, brings this home. Now, I didn't have any idea that there was such a thing as garage door safety month, but apparently there is. The article gives 10 good tips for garage door security and safety issues. For your family's protection, I recommend reading all ten of them, but I particularly want to focus on number 10. It states that

A new trend in home invasion is gaining access to the home by stealing the opener or car. Never leave the remote control in the car or with a parking attendant. Consider using a key chain remote and always lock the entry to the inside of your home - especially if your opener is programmed to your vehicle.

This is good advice, but it only works if you actually close your garage door. And let's be honest, many Americans simply forget. Even if you personally don't forget, others may. Perhaps a child leaves or enters through the garage and forgets to close it. Your valuables and your loved ones' safety are now at risk for a home invasion. So, whats the solution?


Well, there is a relatively unknown product called the Garage Butler. The garage butler works with any existing automatic door opener. If you forget to close your garage door, the garage butler will close it after a period of time determined by you. The great benefit is that you never again have to worry about leaving your garage door open for thieves. Given the fact that home invasions are on the rise, garage door safety is of the utmost importance. The garage butler will give you that security and much needed peace of mind.

Smoke Detectors for Kids

Smoke detectors are one of the simplest, and yet, most important items that you can own. They should be placed in almost every room of your home and greatly increase the likelihood that you and your family will have time to evacuate during a fire. But what happens if you don't hear the smoke detector during sleep? You're thinking: How could someone sleep through a fire alarm? Well, you probably won't. But recent studies have shown that your children very well may.

Because a child's brain is still developing, their deep sleep is often different from that of an adult. Studies demonstrated that many children will continue to sleep through a conventional smoke detector alarm, even when placed near their head. Because it is vitally important that everyone wake up immediately in the event of a fire, many companies now offer vocal smoke detectors.

Vocal smoke detectors alert children to fire using a unique alarm. In addition to emitting a traditional beeping sound, these detectors also emit vocal instructions recorded by a parent or guardian. The same studies mentioned above showed an almost 100% response rate when a vocal smoke detector was used in the same circumstances.

In the event of a fire, it is imperative that you and your family leave the home as soon as possible. Vocal smoke detectors make that far more likely. And, why wouldn't you own one? They cost about the same as a conventional detector.