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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Off grid security camera one year later
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sha748
Member
# Posted: 15 Dec 2019 21:36
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My cabin has Zero cellular coverage due to mountains and I have no access to electricity so this seemed my best option at the time..

I have to admit that after one year of actual use it has proved its worth to me through peace of mind.. I can ensure my place is still locked up and see snow conditions, as well as the temperature...

Its satellite based and $60 a month but for those of us with NO cellular or electricity it is an option...It saves me a 4 hr drive to check on things so that right there covers the monthly price...I run it with a 50wt solar and a 12v battery...
Screenshot_20191215.png
Screenshot_20191215.png
Screenshot_20191215.png
Screenshot_20191215.png


Nickels
Member
# Posted: 16 Dec 2019 07:00
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Is this in the states? What is the name of the company? 60 a month isn't bad for piece of mind. I am in the same situation. Does it give you live feed or just a photo? Do you have a pic of the setup? Thanks I am interested!

Nobadays
Member
# Posted: 16 Dec 2019 08:25
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Wow! I'm right now in the process of doing just this! I can't believe you run it on 50 watts solar and a 12v battery. Does it stay up most of the time? During snowy days do you run out of battery? I know snow storms will make the satellite drop.... we use Viasat, ours runs $60/month plus $10 rental of the modem, private local company won't let us buy the modem.... they gotta make a buck I suppose and their customer service is stellar sofine.

I just put up 1, 245 watt panel, 2 x 225ah 6v, wired to 12v. I was running the satellite internet all yesterday afternoon but turned it off last night, I want to monitor power usage, seemed ok yesterday but my batteries were a little low to start with and have been sitting in the cold the last week... 20'ish degrees. The panel has been covered with snow since I put it up a couple of days ago. Supposed to clear off today so maybe I can get my batteries charged up.

I REALLY, REALLY want to know more about your system and how everything is working...more, more... please!!

sha748
Member
# Posted: 16 Dec 2019 11:23
Reply 


Unfortunately this is only a still photo system and it is not internet capable...it basically just uses the satellite to send out the pictures...since I use a simple 12v battery any long term snow on my solar panel will kill off the battery, even though it doesn't use a lot of energy but with the 50wt panel it reactivates as soon as it gets sun...thats not an issue for me since I know if area is snowed in then slim chance of thief being up there also..

My cabin is in US, but company based out of Canada I think...they supply cameras for geological services and pipeline security at off grid places...I have had it set up since last fall and it has been doing its job for me dor over 1 yr...very nice peace of mind so I can verify my door is not kicked in or vandalized...

sha748
Member
# Posted: 16 Dec 2019 11:27
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This is the system.
Screenshot_20191216.png
Screenshot_20191216.png


Nobadays
Member
# Posted: 16 Dec 2019 11:54 - Edited by: Nobadays
Reply 


So does it turn the satellite internet on and off itself as needed to send the pictures!? Thank you for getting back! I'm trying to run full time satellite internet and just not sure I can yet. I gotta get the batteries fully charged so I can see if it will maintain. Right now it keeps hitting the LBCO on the inverter I presume when the satellite system is transmitting.

Does yours have it's own satellite connection or are you using Viasat or Hughs? What is the brand name on your unit... can't make it out in the picture.

Thanks again... this could help a lot of us!

sha748
Member
# Posted: 16 Dec 2019 17:24
Reply 


It just transmits to satellite for the picture...I have my system set to send a picture at set time each day since it is just to check on cabin..i initially had it set to motion sensor and I was getting almost 50pics a day sent to my email.....I have several game cameras set around the area to get more pictures if someone were to trespass...

Nobadays
Member
# Posted: 16 Dec 2019 17:33
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I just edited my above post... couple more questions... concerning satellite connection. thank you!

silverwaterlady
Member
# Posted: 16 Dec 2019 18:01
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Could you please tell me the name of the company that makes these?
Do they have a website?
Thank You.

sha748
Member
# Posted: 16 Dec 2019 18:30
Reply 


I dont have internet at my place so I couldn't use an internet based cam..As far as the satellite transmission,,it is all a by-itself-stand-alone transmitter,,,the system is the grey box and it is what send pictures to satellite..

the camera is a wireless bluetooth Reconx micro-fire game camera ..no wire between cam and satellite box, just bluetooth...

you just connect the wire to the battery and use phone app to set it up and once connected it is ready...you do have to do initial set up in town where you have cell coverage/internet, but once that part of product set up is done you can go full off grid...mine has been at cabin for a year without issues..

I don't know if the company has any new plans by now, but when I got this one I chose the $60 month plan which give you 40 picture transmissions, which is why I do one a day and that give me the option to command the camera to take other pics as I may want them and not go over my plan...i think its like $2 a pic if you go over your plan, so motion sensor is not the best option for this system if you put it outside...

Thru the website I can send camera to take a pic anytime I want, though it seems to take about 30-40 minutes between sending command and receiving the photo....I just do that if I want to check for snow before I drive up...the daily picture works to ensure no one has broke in the front door...


You can connect up to like 5 cameras and from my understanding it will transmit a collage of the pics so I guess you could put one inside the cabin also since they are wireless..

Its been a year so not sure if there are any plan or price changes on any of this stuff since I bought it..

It is thru Nu-point,,,they are out if Canada..

The salesman and the tech guys were helpful for me since we were dailing in the camera to not send me hundreds of motion activated pictures,,hence the idea to do a daily set timed picture..

Nobadays
Member
# Posted: 16 Dec 2019 19:27
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Thank you for this information!

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