[SOLVED] I need wireless solar powered cameras that I can connect from 1200' away

[sidpost]

I live in a rural area and have had my mailbox blown up and have had my mail stolen many times. USPS postal inspectors and local law enforcement are aware of the problem with multiple formal complaints. It is so bad now, someone is stealing my packages from the local Post Office by impersonating me. They don't have cameras and can't identify the person claiming my packages at the postal counter.

Game Cameras just get stolen.

I need assistance to get some remote video cameras that will identify the thief or thieves and send the video footage wirelessly to my house where I can record it. I have a generic Ubiquiti NAS for video storage but, think I will get a Dream Machine Pro along with some sort of access point to give me the range I need to send the data.

Any help or advice to select appropriate products would be appreciated very much. I'm thinking I want to stay with Ubiquiti products initially because of good integration and security practices. I am receptive to other solutions and vendors but, I can't afford private security to be posted at my mailbox! 😉

TIA,
Sid

 

[jay32267]

Not sure how well these would work for you...but my girlfriend uses Arlo cameras for animal rescue.
They will send you a text as soon as they see motion.
You can also see live video from them.
They have pretty much unlimited range as long as there is cell service.

 

[kanewolf]

I live in a rural area and have had my mailbox blown up and have had my mail stolen many times. USPS postal inspectors and local law enforcement are aware of the problem with multiple formal complaints. It is so bad now, someone is stealing my packages from the local Post Office by impersonating me. They don't have cameras and can't identify the person claiming my packages at the postal counter.

Game Cameras just get stolen.

I need assistance to get some remote video cameras that will identify the thief or thieves and send the video footage wirelessly to my house where I can record it. I have a generic Ubiquiti NAS for video storage but, think I will get a Dream Machine Pro along with some sort of access point to give me the range I need to send the data.

Any help or advice to select appropriate products would be appreciated very much. I'm thinking I want to stay with Ubiquiti products initially because of good integration and security practices. I am receptive to other solutions and vendors but, I can't afford private security to be posted at my mailbox! 😉

TIA,
Sid

Have you tried a game camera with cellular built-in ?
1200 ft and solar are two different problems.
Ubiquiti could handle both. Solar is the sunMax system -- https://www.ui.com/sunmax/sunmax/
1200 ft -- assuming a clear line of sight -- would be an airmax PAIR. One on the house and one at the road.
All of this means a pole to build all this infrastructure on. Will your electric company put a meter and drop at your gate ? That way you don't have to deal with the solar panels, batteries, etc.

 

[USAFRet]

Reolink has a wide range of solar powered cameras.
This "Go PT" might do the trick.

Reolink Go PT | 4G LTE Pan & Tilt Wireless Security Camera | Reolink Official

Reolink Go PT is a cellular IP camera that supports SIM card and runs on 4G networks. It is solar or battery powered, 100% wire-free; and also features 355° pan & 140° tilt. It also has 2-way audio, starlight night vision, PIR motion detection, etc.

reolink.com

I have 4x of the wired ones, and they're great.

 

[SSri]

I recommend that you take a look at the unifi and snb forums re-the dream machine pro, which seems to have stability issues.

Ex: please see here.

 

[sidpost]

Have you tried a game camera with cellular built-in ?
1200 ft and solar are two different problems.
Ubiquiti could handle both. Solar is the sunMax system -- https://www.ui.com/sunmax/sunmax/
1200 ft -- assuming a clear line of sight -- would be an airmax PAIR. One on the house and one at the road.
All of this means a pole to build all this infrastructure on. Will your electric company put a meter and drop at your gate ? That way you don't have to deal with the solar panels, batteries, etc.

I have telephone poles in my pasture that carry power to my farmhouse. I plan on mounting anything I buy there and as high up as possible to make another round of theft more difficult.

A cellphone-enabled game camera is not something I'm willing to try after having so many game cameras stolen.

A power drop and meter by the mailbox area is cost-prohibitive, both initial install costs and recurring monthly minimum charges would be excessive.

In terms of solar panels, charge controllers, etc., that is something I currently do with other things on the farm. In fact, I'm looking at serious KW capacity for my house to decouple my house and well from the grid.

 

[bill001g]

It depends on thief. Some you might be able to scare with a very obvious but fake camera on a pole they can't reach. Others don't care. They know that even if you get a perfect photo the police will pretty much not do anything without a name. You would need a way to get the photo in some very public forum so you can get help identifying them.
You then have to hope you can get him on federal charges. Things like vandalism will be luck if gets even a fine.

Maybe better to just spend the money on a PO box. They put small packages in bins with key in the box. Larger packages the thief would know since the package slip would be in the po box.

 

[sidpost]

It depends on thief. Some you might be able to scare with a very obvious but fake camera on a pole they can't reach. Others don't care. They know that even if you get a perfect photo the police will pretty much not do anything without a name. You would need a way to get the photo in some very public forum so you can get help identifying them.
You then have to hope you can get him on federal charges. Things like vandalism will be luck if gets even a fine.

Maybe better to just spend thThe thief in question went to the post office and impersonated me and got all my packages handed to them at the mail counter.e money on a PO box. They put small packages in bins with key in the box. Larger packages the thief would know since the package slip would be in the po box.

The thief in question went to the post office and impersonated me and got all my packages handed to them at the mail counter.

This is the fourth theft reported to the postal inspector. Why my local Post Office hands my mail to a criminal is infuriating!

Yes, I have a PO BOX but, some vendors refuse to send packages there for fear of theft! My mail carrier knows not to put anything of value in my box and takes it back to the post office for me to pick up the next day.

I need to catch the thief on video so I have something to give the postal inspectors and county sheriff.

 

[SSri]

I do not know where you live. Is it not possible to hire communications only address for a small monthly fee? For instance, small businesses hire addresses as a registered office. They can also receive all your communications. You go and collect them regularly. I know it is a hassle and costs. I guess, it is a trade-off.

 

[punkncat]

Not sure how well these would work for you...but my girlfriend uses Arlo cameras for animal rescue.
They will send you a text as soon as they see motion.
You can also see live video from them.
They have pretty much unlimited range as long as there is cell service.

I am not sure how these didn't come up on my radar. This is pretty cool. I use Arlo in a variety of location where power is either unavailable, or would be damaging or unsightly to run. They do tend to be easy to steal if you leave them where they can be gotten to, or don't buy the additional 'secure' mounts (that are only a minor hinderance to theft as well).

 

[bill001g]

They way you get say UPS or Fedex to deliver to a PO box is you put in the local address of the post office as the main line. Then on the second line you put in the box number with a # before it. I know some people were putting in the word apartment but the post office say you should not do that. I used to do this all the time with very expensive packages.
Not sure what you do about stupid postal employees. Mine need the delivery notice to even find the package.

 

[gggplaya]

I find it hard to believe the post office doesn't have any cameras?? Every business I know has cameras, they aren't expensive. Like $200-$300 for a package with several cameras and a recording unit.

Also, that the post office didn't check drivers license. It's standard policy to check iD at my post office when picking up packages. I guess people in your area are too super trusting.