Security remains a chief concern among cabin owners, as our cabins are unoccupied much of the time. While we are encouraged not to retain items of great value in our cabins, we nonetheless feel violated when our private retreats are broken into.
Many cabin owners choose to request permission from the Forest Service to install a driveway gate to limit unauthorized vehicle access. This comes with its own limitations, including potentially restricting fire department access to the cabin, as well as signaling to would be burglars “We’re not home.” Fortunately, in recent years there have been advances in DIY security that can be deployed to safeguard our cabins without restricting access to the land.
Internet cameras now come in wireless and wired forms that are easy to install with minimal time and tools. There are several manufacturers competing in this space, including Ring, Arlo, Nest, Blink, SimpliSafe, and many others; cost per camera averages around $200. A doorbell camera is a good idea, as it provides a wide field of view from the front door. Some of these use existing doorbell wiring, and others utilize a rechargeable battery. Security cameras from these companies also are available for mounting in different locations, and some use
tive
alternative power sources such as a rechargeable battery, a wall plug, direct hardwiring, or even a small solar panel. Video is recorded upon motion detection and saved to a cloud account for a length of time that depends on the manufacturer and a subscription that varies between $3.00 - $10.00 per month.
Most of these cameras require internet access to function, which is typically offered through Frontier or
CenturyLink in our cabin tracts.
have found the most robust camera offerings to be through Ring, which makes doorbell cameras, standalone Spotlight and Stick Up cameras, and a Floodlight camera that replaces an existing outdoor floodlight. They also recently released an Alarm system with interior window/door and motion sensors and a keypad; professional monitoring is $100/year, which is downright cheap for this service, and also includes cloud recording for additional Ring cameras added to the system. If a camera is stolen, Ring will replace it for free as long as a police report has been filed.
caption for car photo: Here is a Ring video of a gentleman treating himself to some of our firewood:
He was gone by the time I saw the video, but this photo of his vehicle taken by the Reconyx SM750 license plate camera in our driveway led to his identification and arrest with the help of a local news story.
For those without internet access, Trail or Game cameras are a good option. Traditionally these have been used to record video of deer and other wildlife, but manufacturers have realized the value of making and marketing them for rural security purposes. Most use batteries (rechargeable or lithium) and record to an onboard SD card. Some will transmit images via Wifi (if mounted within range of a Wifi router) or via a cellular network (although cell service is poor in our cabin tracts, and these require a data subscription; these cameras are also quite expensive). Many record video as well as still images. One manufacturer, Reconyx, makes a camera that only takes pictures of license plates, even at night. Price ranges from $150 on the low end to over $1000 depending on features. An excellent setup can be obtained for around $300, which includes a cable lock, camera, SD card, and security enclosure. Trailcampro.com is an excellent resource for research and reviews, and they sell camera setups too.
Between our Ring Pro Video Doorbell and our Reconyx SM750 license plate camera, we have averted one burglary while it was in process, and successfully prosecuted another after the fact. Here is a video from April 2017, when two would-be burglars were scared off by a simple “Hello” from my wife Noami when we were alerted to motion on our Ring camera. (My daughter Calla, then two years old, wanted to say hello as well.) The video and audio quality are somewhat poor due to being a first generation doorbell, which we have since upgraded.
https://ring.com/share/2866684649
With the recent uptick in break-ins, I welcome interested cabin owners to contact me directly to discuss security options. I am a product ambassador for Ring, and can answer questions about their lineup, as well as offer a discount on their security cameras.
However, there are many other camera and DIY home security companies out there, and I encourage cabin owners to do their own research to arrive at a solution that works best for them. Thewirecutter.com is an excellent resource. Here are links to a few of their relevant reviews on the best smart doorbell cameras, security cameras, and security systems:
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-smart-doorbell-camera/
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wireless-outdoor-home-security-camera/
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-home-security-system/
Increased vigilance and awareness of theft, made possible through real-time notification of activity as well as sharing of images and video, makes our entire cabin community safer and stronger.
Caption for camera photo: Reconyx WSM750 License Plate Camera operates on long life battery and works at night with no glow infra red. Has time date stamp, SD card up to 32 gigs and has a 42 degree field of view.
Bio for Ian:
Ian McClure is a new member of the MHFHA Board, he has invested time and money into installing several security options at his cabin, which he bought in 2016. He shares his experience and research here. He has also graciously offered to be available to any cabin owner wanting to know more information about security options.
Email Ian: info@mhfha.com
IAN WILL HAVE A DISPLAY OF SECURITY CAMERAS AT OUR ANNUAL MEETING JULY 13TH 11:00AM