Latest news with #securitycameras


CNET
5 days ago
- CNET
Upgrade Your Summer Van Life With My Top Security Recommendations
While van life and van vacations are wonderfully freeing, they also come with a side risk of van theft -- the last thing you want to interrupt your journey. So if you're getting ready for a van adventure, you need a little protection. That's why I've rounded up the best standalone, on-the-road security devices that you can use to keep both your expensive stuff and your van safe, from sports equipment to your work laptop. None of this security tech requires pricey OEM installations and most don't even need a Wi-Fi hotspot. Just remember to keep your doors locked. 1. Grab a cellular security camera Today's security cams, like the Blind brand, are small, smart and more affordable than ever. Chris Monroe/CNET You wonder, "What's the point of a van security cam if I'm nowhere near the van and don't even know when someone's breaking in?" But today's security cameras are all-in-one sensor devices that can do more than you might think. First, they can detect motion and recognize humans (while ignoring pets you may have with you), then send alerts to your phone so you can immediately hop onto a live view and see what's going on. Second, they have two-way audio, lights and sirens that you can activate to scare burglars away. The speakers let you shout out that you're running back, that you called the cops, that this is a surprise sting operation or whatever else comes to mind. Third, many of these cameras are wireless with batteries that can easily last for months, so you can charge them with outlets or power packs like you charge your phone and never have to worry about the camera dying. And our Tapo and Eufy examples above don't require subscriptions, either. If you have a mobile cellular router device, you can link a Wi-Fi camera to it, but we prefer 4G LTE cameras that directly connect to nearby cell towers so you don't have to worry about Wi-Fi going down. Many include SIM cards to make setup easier too. And if you're worried about mounting, you can try 3M adhesive tape instead of screws on the base or find a cozy shelf to securely tape it down to. We like the shelf option because it's less susceptible to vibrations on the road. 2. Find an affordable vibration/glass break sensor Glass break and vibration sensors come either with or without hubs, depending on what you prefer. You don't need a whole security system to get a viable glass break sensor in your van, bus or other travel vehicle. Today's sensors are mobile and can identify the sharp sounds and vibrations of breaking glass as opposed to normal van noises. Since breaking windows is the No. 1 way thieves speedily rob travel vans, this can be an important line of defense. Like wireless cams, they're typically rechargeable and easy to place without needing to drill any holes. The best kinds give you app alerts if they detect broken glass and can sound an alarm as well. If you don't want to manage any additional plugins, there are simple stick-on glass break sensors that even work with Alexa or Google Assistant, typically under $40. If you don't mind adding a small hub, then a device such as Aqara's vibration sensor works very well and you can add more compatible devices later on if you want. But you might want to disable these sensors when you hit the road for a day of driving. 3. Add a small smart safe Lockly's smart features run on four AA batteries. CNET/Tyler Lacoma Create a safe place to keep your valuables, the things you really, really need to protect if someone's ransacking your van or steals it entirely. That can include emergency cash, passports, important medications, an extra burner phone, jewelry or really shiny rocks you found. If you want to spend a bit more on this vital addition, we recommend something like the Lockly smart safe, which is small enough to fit under a seat but offers excellent durability, fingerprint unlocking and even some fire protection. Otherwise, you can find other options in our guide to the best smart safes. Look into bolting them down to a nonessential part of your vehicle floor so if thieves find it, they can't just take it with them. 4. Include a GPS tracker Pick a van GPS tracker that's designed for vehicles and lasts for a long time. LandSeaAir/Amazon A reliable GPS tracker is one of the must-have devices for your van escapades, so you still know exactly where it is if it's stolen, towed or otherwise lost. There's nothing wrong with something small like an AirTag, but those rely a lot on nearby iPhones to triangulate positions and aren't the best option when you're on the road in a van. It's better to pay a little bit more and find a tracker made specifically for your situation. Our favorite picks include vehicle GPS trackers from dependable brands like Cube ($100), LandSeaAir ($125) and Spot ($150). They're durable, weather resistant, easy to pack and have batteries that can last for six months to a year or more. You get real-time alerts to your phone if your van leaves a set location, a history of locations, emergency call options and other valuable features for comprehensive protection. Just keep in mind some come with subscriptions you may have to budget for. 5. Add a fingerprint cable lock A cable lock is an excellent deterrent for thieves trying to steal pricey sports equipment. Dhiedas You can wrap cable locks like these around any available handle or opening in your van so you can attach larger, personal valuables that you really don't want stolen -- things like bikes, snowboards, scooters and surfboards. A fingerprint version is especially easy to unlock with a touch or with your Apple Watch. Most thieves trying to break into vans are looking for easy opportunities and once they see something is locked down with a cable, they'll move on. Plus, you can easily find them for under $50. Your van life, protected As a final note, always pay attention to where you park your van for an extended period of time. Work to follow local rules and avoid places where it's easy for people to run and smash a window without being seen. We've also collected tips on where to never put your security cams, the best cheap security systems and how to spot hidden cams at Airbnbs if you decide to rent.


CNET
6 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Snap Up 2 Blink Outdoor 4 Cameras for Only $70 at Amazon Ahead of Prime Day
Between summer travel and daily schedules, it's just not possible to be home 24/7. If you've been considering setting up a home security system, there's no easier way to start then to install outdoor security cameras. Blink makes some of our favorites, and right now you can pick up two Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras for an all-time low price of just $70 at Amazon ahead of Prime Day. That's a massive savings of $110. This two-camera bundle includes two black Blink Outdoor 4 wireless outdoor security cameras. These are the latest, 4th gen models in the Blink Outdoor camera lineup. They feature a two-year battery, 1080 HD camera, infrared night vision and two-walk talk. They are powered by AA lithium batteries, which are included. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. When there's motion or movement in your camera view, you receive alerts on your smartphone with dual-view of both cameras, so you can always keep an eye on your home but you don't have to be glued to your phone. You can also set it up with your Alexa smart home devices to receive alerts and disarm or activate the system through voice command. The $70 price includes two cameras, one Sync Module 2, four AA lithium metal batteries, two mounting kits, one USB cable, and one power adapter. Looking for more deals? Check out our roundup of the best smart home device deals. And be sure to keep an eye on our Prime Day offers, which we're constantly updating leading up to the July 8 Prime Day. Why this deal matters In a nutshell, we've never seen the price so low on this dual camera bundle. Not only do you get the latest in the Blink outdoor camera lineup, you get it for a fraction of the price -- the discount is currently 61%. These easy-to-install cameras are a no-brainer to monitor your home, and at this price, they make a great option for anyone who wants to start their own DIY home security setup.


CTV News
25-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Leamington council approves new security cameras to improve safety
The Municipality of Leamington has approved new measures to help improve safety. Council met on Tuesday evening where they were presented a report to approve a number of new security cameras around the municipality. It had been approved in the 2025 Capital budget to add these cameras around the municipality, and council approved the purchase of the security cameras to Empire Communications with a price tag of $115,000. These cameras will be installed within the Marina parking lot, Seacliff Park Concessions, Seacliff Park Amphitheatre, Performer Room, Mersea Park, the Rainbow Crossing, the OPP station, and the employee parking lot at the municipal building. These cameras will be able to assist the municipality or police with any incidents or issues that may occur. David DelClancio, manager of information technology with the municipality, said the cameras will mainly be located on the buildings or facilities. 'We haven't accommodated for every location throughout these parks because they're very large, and there's limited infrastructure and limited locations where cameras can be installed,' he said. 'However, with consultation with the vendor, we're going to try to position the cameras to maximize its area of coverage.' He said there will be some embedded artificial intelligence in these systems for enhanced searches. 'Rather than combing through footage trying to look for an event, you can conduct searches such as 'find individuals wearing blue shirts during this time period', and the solution will bring up all the clips of any individual wearing a blue shirt.' DelClancio said the cameras are being installed to protect local facilities. 'The capabilities of this system will record everything; however it will just alleviate some effort into when we're doing some kind of investigation or pulling footage for further review.' These cameras are being paid for through the IT Reserve Fund. The municipality continues to try to address concerns related to noise, loitering, and disruptive activity in the waterfront and marina areas. As they wait for the cameras to be installed, there will be ongoing enforcement and new signage installed at the marina. The sign outlines that parking is permitted between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., no loitering is allowed, and no excessive noise, tire squealing, or engine revving. OPP will also be increasing their presence in the area to support these efforts. - Written by Meagan Delaurier/AM800 News.


Android Authority
24-06-2025
- Android Authority
Deal: Get 3 Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras at a record-low price
If you're thinking of keeping an eye on your home when away, security cameras have never been as accessible and user-friendly as they are right now. And deals can get really nice. For example, this 3-pack of Blink Outdoor 4 cameras is only $99.99. That is a whopping $160 discount on the retail price! Buy a Blink Outdoor 4 3-Pack for just $99.99 ($160 off) This offer is available from Amazon, which actually owns the Blink brand. It's a 'limited time deal,' so we're not sure how long the offer will last. With three cameras, you can cover quite a bit of your house, and in terms of pricing, it certainly beats buying single units. I mean, it's only $99.99, effectively reducing the price to just $33.33 per unit. The Blink Outdoor 4 is also a really nice security camera. It is very easy to install, set up, and use. It's also very small and discreet, so it won't stick out like a sore thumb. It requires no wiring, and each unit utilizes a couple of standard AA batteries to operate. While some of us prefer a built-in rechargeable battery, this won't be much of an issue, as battery life is estimated at a whole two years. You won't be changing these very often. It's also quite a good security camera for its price and size. The Blink Outdoor 4 can record at Full HD 1,080p resolution. It also supports plenty of features, such as motion detection, person detection, infrared night vision, two-way audio, and more. As its name entails, this one is meant to work outdoors, so it is also weather-resistant. Rain should cause no issues here. The one thing to keep in mind is that most security cameras need a subscription to access all features. The Blink Outdoor 4 isn't the exception. You can learn more about Blink subscriptions here. A subscription will get you access to things like cloud storage, person detection, and more. And if you prefer, you can store clips locally using the Blink Sync Module XR, using a microSD card. Again, this is a record-low price for this bundle! Jump on it while you can. These offers don't usually last long. Extra deal: The Ring Outdoor Cam 3-Pack is also on sale If you want to upgrade, you can also save on this Ring Outdoor Cam 3-Pack (previously known as the Ring Stick Up Cam). You can get a 3-pack for $149.97, instead of the $219.99 regular price point. It also comes with Full HD resolution, two-way audio, motion detection, person detection, and more. As an added benefit, this one does use a removable rechargeable battery, which you can recharge with a simple micro-USB cable. It also gets color night vision support. Just keep in mind that this one also requires a subscription to access all features. You can learn more about Ring Home plans here.


CNET
23-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Upgrade Your Home Security With Up to 62% Off Some of Our Absolute Favorite Arlo Security Cameras
Home security cameras are so versatile these days. From keeping an eye on pets or kids to deterring package theft and protecting your home while you're sleeping or away, there are plenty of reasons for you to invest in some cameras for your space. Right now Woot is making it even easier to get your hands on some for cheap, marking down a number of Arlo security cameras by up to 62%. Prices start at just $67. If you're looking for outside security there are a few options, but one of the best deals in this sale is the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight camera bundle. The cameras have 4K HDR, a 180-degree field of view, great smart home support and local storage. It's our pick for the best wireless 4K home security camera of 2025. Our biggest gripe was the price, but this deal alleviates that worry. Along with two cameras, you'll also get a SmartHub, a power adapter, two rechargeable batteries, two ethernet cables and mounting kits. This bundle would normally run you $600, but a nice 50% discount slashes that price in half so that you'll pay only $300 if you act fast. For something with a dual function, try the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight security camera. It has a motion-activated floodlight that can reach up to 3,000 lumens, which is great for when you get home late at night. But it will also ensure anyone in your driveway is illuminated and recorded just in case they're up to something nefarious. The camera itself has 2K resolution, color night vision and two-way audio. It's also one of our favorite options for security cameras with floodlights for 2025 and won our Editors' Choice award. Regularly priced at $250, you can get yours for just $120 at Woot. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. For indoor coverage, grab yourself a 2-pack of 2nd-gen Arlo Essential security cameras for $67. These indoor cameras are currently our pick for the best overall nanny cam of 2025 thanks to its 2K resolution, solid two-way audio, clear night vision and zoom capabilities. There are some other choices available as well, so be sure to shop the entire sale selection to grab exactly what you need for your home. And don't forget -- Prime members get free shipping, too. Just be sure to log in with Amazon before placing your order. Why this deal matters There are a ton of great options in this sale, including some of our top picks of 2025. If you've been considering getting a home security camera (or several), now is the time. It's rare to see so many discounts saving you half the cost -- or more -- and we are fairly certain these offers will sell out quick. Lock in your order soon to avoid disappointment.