No Mention of PolarisUSA in the CT Community?

DIYitAll

Member
So, in my quest to complement my new ELK with some "best quality I can afford" surveillance, I've been all over the Web researching IP video offerings and technology.  One doesn't get very far without stumbling upon polarisusa, with their multitude of packages (albeit largely analog) and self-branded cameras.
 
However, in several forums, I can find no mention or reviews of Polaris' cameras or systems (except on their own site), not even here in the CT forums.
 
So.......it begs the question:  what's up with their gear?  Bottom of the heap?  Mediocre?  At this point, I guess I'm leaning towards Axis, but MAN what price tags!
 
Does anyone have any insight on these products?
 
 
 
Looked at their site, and the specs of some of the equipment, and there is nothing special about it.  Looks like the typical Chinese camera/dvr systems everyone sells.  That doesn't mean they are bad, just not special.
 
I agree. Looks like the typical stuff rebranded.
It looks like no mention in any forums anywhere except ripoff report, who knows how valid that is...
 
gatchel said:
I agree. Looks like the typical stuff rebranded.
It looks like no mention in any forums anywhere except ripoff report, who knows how valid that is...
That's interesting, I'd never heard of ripoffreport.  And that particular banter was quite amusing...gee whiz, I can almost pick a side based on intuition.  In any case, I did have a decent experience with them back in '98, for a non-surveillance related purchase.
 
But the real crux behind my inquiry was more concerning the peculiar absence of any reviews outside of their own site, and hopefully some opinions regarding the performance and longevity of their products. 
 
 
Dan (electron) said:
Looked at their site, and the specs of some of the equipment, and there is nothing special about it.  Looks like the typical Chinese camera/dvr systems everyone sells.  That doesn't mean they are bad, just not special.
I'll be the first guy in line to kick down coin for something not from China.  Please let me know where I can get gear that isn't from "overseas," as they now term it in their efforts to avoid using the stigmatized term "China."  I'll pay double or triple if it's from here....Axis? 
 
I think you are misunderstanding me.  While almost everything is made in China, there are 2 categories.  The Axis grade stuff, and the $10 8000 vertical line camera with stadium lighting  which overheats if a mosquito passes gas.  I don't have a problem with China, I buy directly from HK all the time.
 
There are so many CCTV DVRs and cameras on the market sharing the same reference design/main components, it's difficult to get excited about any camera specs.
 
This somewhat reminds me of the $50 tablets you can buy on Alibaba, but have major major quality issues with basic stuff (such as the touch screen not working, etc).
 
Thanks for elaborating, that's what I need.
 
Like most things go, reality sets in at some point.  In my case, it's when I accept the fact that $2K might only get me three cameras, and not an 8-camera system ready to plug-n-play. 
 
I suspect it's gonna be like, when I finally caved and got HDTV, you can never go back.  It's just too much of a strain on the eyes...at least when it comes to the larger flatscreens. 
 

 
 
Well you can always start out cheap, just to see how close to your goal you are.  The kits at the big box stores (BJs, Costco, etc.) seem to have positive reviews, and these stores tend to have really good return policies.  As long as you understand the limitations of the cheaper hardware (and install it properly), it may work just fine for you.  I have cameras in all price ranges, including the cheap lipstick cameras, and they do the job.
 
I appreciate all your inputs.....I'm a (verrrry) slow mover.  I took seven months picking out tile for my kitchen and entry.
 
I noticed on that WeMo hack post, someone said something about the vulnerability of IP stuff.  I hope the IP-cam monitoring stuff doesn't fall into this category. 
 
I should prolly go back to school and learn more about networking and such!  I feel so handicapped in these CT forums :unsure:
 
Yes, security is a concern whenever you expose an IP device ;)
 
That said, don't feel so 'handicapped', we are here to help you learn all this stuff!  If you don't understand something, ask away, no one will yell at you ;)
 
The AirCam is my favorite unit as well, a lot of bang for the buck.
 
Thanks Dan.  I can't express enough appreciation for the community in this forum.  Of all the forums I've ever participated in, this one has some of the brightest minds I've stumbled across on the Web, and the members are just generally polite and well-spoken.  I feel like I've found a "home" where I have to check in every day.  I'm addicted now. 
 
I'm liking the prices I've seen so far on the AirCam, but now I'm perplexed by the hacking possibilities.
 
So, if I'm understanding this, in general, once I set up the XEP, I suppose that's the first time I open myself up to vunerability, yes?  And then from there anyone so inclined could actually then access my entire system?  Yikes....is it really all that simple?
 
Do baby steps; a bit at a time. 
 
Relating to connecting the Elk M1 to the internet; keep reading the guides here; ask questions and you will be fine.
 
The Elk support folks that frequent the forum are a great bunch of guys.
 
Here are a couple of pictures from the two Aircams I have installed taken this morning.
 
Really just checking to see how they were holding up in the cold weather here in the midwest.
 

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IMO, there are two classifications of IP vulnerabilities.

1st is the kind that require a targeted approach (someone war-driving, hacking your wireless, exploring your network, and seeing what damage they can do base on the equipment they found in your home.

2nd is the type where someone on the Internet could set loose some scanning bots from China or Russia or wherever searching out for something very specific - say scanning for exposed WeMo's. From there, they could be just trying to be a nuisance - turning on your bedroom lights at 3:00am just to drive you nuts, or to gain access to your network so they can scan your PC's in hopes of getting to your personal data.

The first one for me falls in the same category as locking my doors when I leave and warning of the security system - and having security and cameras. If someone wants in bad enough there's nothing I can do - thats about playing the odds and hoping that my house is a less desirable target than at least 90% of the 3,000 homes in my community. I could turn off wifi when I arm the house, partition out the network more, etc - jus as I could put bars on the windows and use hurricane glass and steel doors - but it's all a measured risk and cost vs benefit/inconvenience/aesthetics issue.

As for the other, it's simple enough to take basic precautions. Expose as little as possible of your network outside. Using SSH or VPN or something along those lines goes a long way towards keeping you secure. Some things are safer to expose - and things like Cameras can require authentication...

It's good to be concerned about security and take precautions - but don't let these stories scare you away completely as it all manageable.
 
IMO, there are two classifications of IP vulnerabilities.

1st is the kind that require a targeted approach (someone war-driving, hacking your wireless, exploring your network, and seeing what damage they can do base on the equipment they found in your home.

2nd is the type where someone on the Internet could set loose some scanning bots from China or Russia or wherever searching out for something very specific - say scanning for exposed WeMo's. From there, they could be just trying to be a nuisance - turning on your bedroom lights at 3:00am just to drive you nuts, or to gain access to your network so they can scan your PC's in hopes of getting to your personal data.

The first one for me falls in the same category as locking my doors when I leave and warning of the security system - and having security and cameras. If someone wants in bad enough there's nothing I can do - thats about playing the odds and hoping that my house is a less desirable target than at least 90% of the 3,000 homes in my community. I could turn off wifi when I arm the house, partition out the network more, etc - jus as I could put bars on the windows and use hurricane glass and steel doors - but it's all a measured risk and cost vs benefit/inconvenience/aesthetics issue.

As for the other, it's simple enough to take basic precautions. Expose as little as possible of your network outside. Using SSH or VPN or something along those lines goes a long way towards keeping you secure. Some things are safer to expose - and things like Cameras can require authentication...

It's good to be concerned about security and take precautions - but don't let these stories scare you away completely as it all manageable.
 
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