Also known as game cameras or scout cameras, trail cameras are widely used for taking pictures of wildlife. These cameras are generally activated by motion and capture the video or pictures internally to view later. Earlier these cameras were used in wildlife management research, but now they have become available for general use.
And this is where most of us want to know if these wildlife cameras are any good for home security. Sure, there are some differences between a traditional home security camera and a trail camera. But they are both surveillance cameras at the end of the day. Trail cameras can be a budget alternative to many home security cameras.
Understanding the Benefits of a Trail Camera for Home Security
Affordability:
Trail cameras are much cheaper than their traditional home security systems.
Capturing the Movement:
These cameras can capture even small movements. While you can add these cameras to detect illegal trespass on your property, you can capture the movement of wildlife around your property. They can document the activity of rarely seen wildlife, record the visuals without disturbing them and monitor the presence of game animals.
Being Hidden:
These cameras are placed strategically. They use a “no-glow” infrared flash that is not visible to the human eye.
Potentially Unlimited Storage:
A trail camera can capture many pictures and videos as you require depending on your plan.
Using a Trail Camera for Home Security:
Trail cameras for home security are available in various configurations with several programming options.
Most models come with the ability to take photos and video, including the audio recording option. Some can capture photos in complete darkness with no visible flash. Based on such features, it is safer to say that catching a criminal or threat can be a lot easier with the help of trail cameras.
How to Buy a Trail Camera for Home Security
Identifying the Issue:
If you are facing a trespasser issue, prefer a “no flash” infrared trail camera. This is because these cameras have a “no glow” capturing, making the LEDs in the infrared flash totally invisible. It means that trespassers won’t be aware of the camera’s existence or location.
Also, make sure to mount a camera for security within an easy line of sight if there is a risk of trespassing on your property. Placing them high on a tree or hiding the camera in a way that is not easily visible.
For criminals or burglars in an urban, residential or commercial environment, you need to mount the camera from high on a roof or a pole to keep the camera from being spotted.
Buying the Right Security Camera:
Buying the right trail cameras depends on your application. If you can easily access a camera to change SD cards, then buying a standard “NO GLOW” camera can do the trick.
If you want the camera to capture a picture and immediately send that picture to your email or cell phone, then choose a cellular trail camera or cell phone camera. A wifi trail camera has its wireless network and/or works on WiFi networks available to them. Cellular cameras rely on the cellular networks provided by Verizon and AT and T cellular networks. Then there is a license plate trail camera that can capture license plates at night.
Nighttime vs. Daytime Monitoring:
Some cameras are not able to deliver the same high-quality performance during the night and day. Generally, cameras are likely to perform better in the day, when there is a lot of light. However, if you are concerned about nighttime surveillance, you should prefer a camera with a nighttime flash. This means you have to spend a bit more.
Number of Cameras:
Another key thing to ponder over is the size of the property you want to monitor with trail cameras. For a small backyard or a certain area, a single trail area should be enough. However, you may need more cameras to cover a large portion of the ground.
Checking the Detection Range:
The detection range is important for trail cameras. Unlike security cameras, trail cameras are not activated unless they detect something. So you would want to buy the one with a range that is relevant to the area under the surveillance. If you are monitoring your backyard, then you don’t need a large detection range: 60 feet should be sufficient. But if you are looking to monitor a trail or path, you can go for a camera providing a detection around 80-100 feet.
HOW TO INSTALL THE TRAIL CAMERAS FOR SECURITY
Even though trail cameras are hidden, you should know how to hide them effectively. Here are several things you should consider while hiding your trail camera.
Choosing the Right Location:
It is important to hide your trail camera in the right location. Generally, these trail cameras have camouflage skin, so you can easily hide them if you have bushes and trees. If you are residing in an urban area, you might need to make more changes by hiding them in the shade.
Identifying Your Mounting Options:
The way you mount a trail camera is important. Once again, if you have bushes or trees, installing the trail camera can be simple. It can be easy to fit in a trail camera to survey through the hole.
Ensuring the Right Distance:
Distance is important when installing a trail camera for security. If you install the camera in nearby area you want to monitor, it becomes easy to identify.
However, if you mount it too far, it might not give you a proper view of the area. Therefore, make sure to test out a few spots to determine the right distance to place the camera.
