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  • 1.  Cameras and security

    Posted 14 days ago

    We are opening a new facility at the end of year.  We have had companies bid the camera/security systems and we've had bids come back $20K - $65K.  Is it important to spend the money for a good system vs. buying cameras from say Costco or Amazon and using a pre-built plug and play system? Any advice is appreciated. 



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    Kathy Gonzales
    Owner
    Walnut Creek
    Granbury TX
    (469) 853-9096
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  • 2.  RE: Cameras and security

    Posted 13 days ago

    Kathy,

    Something to keep in mind is that the one thing each bid has in common is they will be installing network cables and possibly setting up network antennas to provide the necessary camera coverage you need.  If it's going to be wifi cameras, they need to get power from something, either batteries or power over a wire.

    With that said, I think it's easier to upgrade a few cameras once the cables are in place if you don't like what you first install. 

    For us, what was most important was system ease of use, image quality, and # of days for camera history.  When you need to review or download some video clips, how easy is that going to be?  How good will the video quality be?

    See if you can demo the end product to help make a decision on who you go with.

    Hope this helps.



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    Justin Vosburg
    Property & Equipment Supervisor
    Affordable Attic Self Storage
    Harlingen TX
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  • 3.  RE: Cameras and security

    Posted 13 days ago

    Thank you Justin.  You bring up some good points. I've heard wireless is not the best option, so we are pretty set on hardwiring and it is a lot of cables to be installed.  We are thinking 30 days of storage on the videos.  Does this seem adequate to you? Yes, we have emphasized the importance of the quality.  If we can't actually obtain what we need, if/when the time comes, it's not worth doing at all.  



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    Kathy Gonzales
    Owner
    Walnut Creek
    Granbury TX
    (469) 853-9096
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  • 4.  RE: Cameras and security

    Posted 13 days ago
    I personally bought a system, camera's and all the wiring and installed myself. CCTV they have different size packages available. "SOME" security install companies will provide you a quote and it says that they will procure the cameras on your behalf. What they are doing is entering you into a very expensive camera contract. My brother did this unknowingly and ended up with a judgement of $8K for camera's he thought he already owned. Fought it in court and lost and had to pay the judgement.
    I have 1 facility of 44,000 sq ft. 6 cameras (2 are on the entry showing entry and the other shows exit). Software shows time of the customer entry so you can search the video for video footage. The other 4 are spread around showing the long driveways etc. I have another 6 cameras (Dummies) setup as deterrents only. Recordings are saved for 10 days rolling.
    In 8 years I have used the video 3 times. Once catching the thief of a trailer. Caught them coming in and shows them going out. Sheriff had the video same day and they caught the group of thieves 3 days later in a town 90 miles away. The trailer and contents were not recovered.
    The other 2 times were to debunk customer claims that the gate caused damage to their vehicle by closing on them. Each time I was able to show that the damage was caused not by the gate, but by the driver continuing to drive instead of allowing the gate HVY RUBBER FACE to touch and retract as designed.
    So, I think each operator has to ask themselves the question "What am I trying to accomplish". Remember the only ones that you can document exact time of entry is your Customers using the PIN. Thieves generally don't have PIN #'s. I have spent too many hours searching through hours and days to try and find something. Security gates are there to keep honest people honest. Domino's pizza delivery drivers defeat security gates daily. I submit that the cameras are there as a "Feel good" for the customers for the most part.








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  • 5.  RE: Cameras and security

    Posted 13 days ago
    I agree with Justin. I've done three camera system installs now at our facilities. There is a use for wireless cameras, but if you had to choose between one or the other, wired is pretty much always the way to go.


    I used SCW (security camera warehouse at getscw.com) for our cameras and have been very happy. They have great educational resources online and their customer service is superior to none (and US based). Their mobile app works decently. Camera apps are notoriously bad!

    They're a little pricier than the Chinese systems you'll find, but I think they're worth the money.

    I'm happy to provide more info or answers to any questions if needed!





  • 6.  RE: Cameras and security

    Posted 8 days ago

    Hi Kathy, we will be opening soon and we will run all the cat6 and install Lorex cameras. We will have 28 cameras inside and outside. Not including the cat6, the cameras, switcher, and two hard drives will cost just under $3500. 



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    Abby Fernandez
    Comal Storage
    Bulverde TX
    (210) 412-5001
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