In some regards, installing security cameras is like a game of poker. Having high-quality indoor and outdoor cameras set in key locations on your property, with the ability to remotely access the live footage from your smartphone, is the equivalent of holding a pair of aces: theoretically it can be beaten, but the chances are extremely low. However, some people like to bluff, and therefore install dummy cameras. These might be a good way to scare away inexperienced thieves from taking the pot, but playing against a cunning robber with zero valuable cards in your hands is a surefire way to lose all your valuables.
Supporters of dummy cameras often state that these devices are meant to deter criminals with their menacing presence, thus achieving the same effect normal cameras have but for the fragment of the price. But let’s switch this theory upside down: imagine that your house is actually robbed, and you relied for a camera that doesn’t record anything. Also, the statement that dummy cameras scare away criminals is a bit fishy. Half-baked thieves and amateur burglars might buy the story, but professional criminals are trained to spot weaknesses in a camera system, and they spot the trick in no time. There are several signs that give the game away: the lack of wires, or the blinking red light (which is usually hidden with the real deal). Also, cheap dummy cameras look pretty unconvincing. And why would you opt for a more expensive fake camera when you could just buy an actual one?
Another misconception is that boosting your camera network with a few dummy recorders creates a more fearsome system. In reality, putting a fake camera next to a real one calls attention to the trick, thus you’re just hanging out a giant, expensive sign telling: “This area is unprotected, please loot it, kind Sir!”
However, one crafty buyer from Amazon managed to get around the problem and use a dummy camera in a clever way. The guy bought an actual, working Blink home security camera with motion detector, HD recording, cloud storage and remote smartphone access. Then he housed the Blink camera inside the casing of a hollow dummy camera. Although undeniably clever, we question his motive. It’s like tricking the burglars to raid your house – as they initially believe the camera is fake – just so you can record them. It kind of defeats the whole point about deterring the criminals. In any case, we highly recommend setting up real HD indoor cameras in your home, and maybe buying an extra hidden spy camera as well.
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