I already have a ring doorbell and I am looking to expand my camera coverage with several additional cameras. Here is my situation. I have 3 additional exterior camera locations that I would like to cover. They are up pretty high so I don’t think I want battery versions, where I am continually having to pull out the extension ladder to replace the battery. I do not have outside outlets near the camera locations and putting them in brick is more difficult than I want to pursue, but I could use outlets inside the attic, if there is a way to get the wires inside. I would like to integrate the motion alerts into SmartThings so that I can turn on lights and initiate other routines. Here is what I have found in my research so far:
I initially started looking at the Stick Up Cam Elite, which uses Power over Ethernet. I already have a PoE switch so this seemed like a great option. The only problem is that it isn’t available now and no one seems to be able to tell me when it will be available.
I then moved to the wired Stick Up Cam, figuring that I could make a small hole for the power connector in the side of the house an run to an outlet in the attic. Unfortunately, it looks like people have been waiting for almost a year for Stick Up Cam integration into SmartThings with no success, so this is a deal breaker for this option.
My next consideration is the Wired Spotlight Cam. this has the SmartThings integration, but based on everything I have seen in the instructions, it has the expectation that the outlet is outside and it has a large 3 pronged plug wired to the camera. My question is can the power wire for this camera be easily routed inside? Ideally I would like to be able to disconnect the cord from the camera and route it through the mounting plate making a small hole for just the cord (not a hole large enough to have to accomodate the plug).
I looked at the Floodlight Cam, but this requires an exterior mouting box and I don’t really need the lights plus the additional cost.
I would love to hear the thoughts from others in the community of the best choice for my situation.