Dummy CCTV

[smurfchops]

Looking to buy one for outside, how does flashing light work - is it a battery and if so how long does it last; or is it run through the wall to electrics. Can someone recommend one please?

[The Builder]

Usually LED flashing light Smurfs. Very little power consumption, so the battery lasts for ages. They never say how long, but I would guess long enough for it not to be an issue.

Even Amazon sell a very cheap one...

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[sidkid]

I did read a newspaper interview with a reformed burglar who said he could spot one of these a mile away. (and the dummy alarm boxes as well) Although if it deters even one 'amateur' burglar then it's probably money well spent.

[Hymie]

Sidkid has a very good point, but I reckon something like this would fool most would-be burglars.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dummy-Fake-CCTV-CCD-Security-Camera-W-Surveillance-Blink-Flashing-Red-LED-Light-/310513825175?pt=UK_WSJL_Wholesale_GL&hash=item484c10f597

I have a self installed home cctv system that uses small low light cameras – they do not have a flashing LED or any other visible light. If I was to fit the above item from the ebay seller, I would not fit a battery – the flashing LED would suggest to me that it was a dummy camera.

[smurfchops]

Thanks all, still wondering about a dummy or a real one. Hymie, does the real one not have a light then? I wonder if the price is too good to be true ! Saw this on maplins website, what do you think:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/authentic-external-dummy-cctv-camera-37659

[Hymie]

At £29.99, I’d want a real one for that price. Many cctv cameras do not have any flashing LEDs – more often than not this is a sign of a dummy camera.

If you check out ebay – many real cctv cameras are available at significantly less then £29.99 – you could consider buying one or two and at some later date connect them to a DVR.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35-IR-LED-CCTV-SECURITY-CAMERA-NIGHT-DAY-3-6MM-LENS-380TVLS-OUTDOOR-CAM-UK-BLACK-/300635415554?pt=UK_CCTV&hash=item45ff446402

[YourManLynch]

I recommend not getting a dummy cam with a lil red blinking light as real camera's do not have this feature or ones with "motion tracking sensor". If you want the camera to look the part, id put up atleast an obo box beside it with plastic cable conduit coming out and going into the camera.