Hi there! It’s been a while, I took a couple weeks off to get some things in order, but I’m back with another review for you. Geeks.com was kind enough to send me over a nice little inexpensive security camera that’s waterproof so you can use it outdoors. It’s a wired camera, but at Geeks you can get wireless surveillance cameras as well, personally though I prefer the wired type as you never have to worry about interference. There is a bit more work involved when installing a wired camera yes, but I think it’s worth it.
1/4" Sharp CCD 420 Line Color CCTV Infrared Night Vision Waterproof Surveillance Camera
The CM708CK is the perfect addition to your surveillance system. It features 36 IR Night Vision LEDs with an IR distance of up to 98-feet. This waterproof surveillance camera is equipped with a 1/4-inch Sharp CCD image sensor with 420 TV Line resolution.
It’s easy to setup home or business surveillance. Simply mount the CM708CK on a wall or ceiling, attach a monitor and connect the power adapter (monitor not included).
General Features:
-1/4-inch Sharp CCD image sensor
-TV System: NTSC
-420 TV Line resolution
-Thirty (36) Night Vision LEDs
-IR Distance: approximately 98-feet (30 meters)
-Auto White Balance
-Scanning frequency: 15.734 kHz (H), (V): 50 Hz
-Auto gain control
-Electronic shutter: 1/50 ( 1/60 ) ~ 1/100,000 sec.
-S/N Ratio: > 40 dB
-Equipped with indoor/outdoor sunshade
-Lead-free RoHS compliance
Unit Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.9 x 4.9-inches (H x W x D, approximate)
Price: $37.99
As you can see from above this camera is what one would call inexpensive, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad.
The box it comes in is rather generic as one would expect.
Inside you’ll find the camera, mount, screws, hex wrench, AC adapter, BNC to RCA adapter and user manual. The camera has a power and video wire with a BNC connection coming from it.
The mounting stand is the most unique I’ve ever seen, it’s very different and offers a bit of limited range of motion. It’s metal and it feels solidly made. There are three mounting holes in it, and a rubber base that rests against the camera and holds it in place. There are two hex screws on the mounting bar for adjustments, that’s what the included hex wrench is for.
The camera is small but it feels heavy for its size. There’s cover on top of it that can be removed if you want, but I’d advise against it as it helps keep the rain from the lens and also acts as a shade from the sun. The cover also slides back and forth so you can adjust it to where you need it.
The camera has 36 infrared or night vision LEDs around the lens and a sensor that detects when to turn them on and off.
The bottom is rather plain, the only thing there is a mounting hole that fits with the included mounting hardware.
We have an ‘L’ shaped yard at my home, and it’s a mess. Over the winter two trees actually fell and left quite a mess for me, and next door we have an empty house, which isn’t surprising I’m sure with the current housing situation. My kids also like to play in the yard, so they added to the mess as well. The side yard is fenced in but I like to be able to keep an eye on the kids and dogs when they’re back there, so that’s the main reason I wanted a camera on the side of the house. As I said it’s ‘L’ shaped so I can’t see in the back, but I’ve got another camera for that area.
The camera doesn’t come with cabling so I had to provide my own, I ran it where it needed to go and mounted the camera up nice and high so it can’t be tampered with.
Here’s a screen capture, the picture isn’t perfectly clear but it’s good enough I think. The colors aren’t bad, especially considering the price.
It has the night vision LEDs so here’s a shot at night. At night it goes to black and white like any camera will. It’s not as bright as it could be I’m sure, I’ve got the camera mounted up rather high.
To give you an idea of how well the LEDs work, here’s a picture I took with my regular camera a few minutes later after the above screen capture was taken.
I’d say the LEDs work very well in illuminating dark areas, not bad at all.
This camera from Geeks works well for the cost of it I think. It’s not the greatest at nigh time yes, but it could be the distance I’m using it from. The LEDs should work very well at close range I think, over a door to monitor it would be the perfect place.
In a few days I’ll have another review for you of a second inexpensive camera from Geeks.
