The Defender SN301-8CH like the average security camera system that sells to the general public averages in resolution around 420 TV lines which is barely enough to clearly identify anybody over 10 ft. Therefore if you ever catch a criminal on camera beyond that range and you want to press charges, I found it useless to use that in court. If you are looking for good image with longer range you have to start at least with a resolution of 550 TV lines per camera which could bring the price for a 8 channel system to over $1200. Other than that system serves the purpose of monitoring your property and the software is very user friendly.
Purchased this for a mobile audio business to watch over the shop and surrounding area, but with the cost in mind. The Defender SN301 fit the bill perfectly !
After literally weeks of searching for the 'right' one to get, browsing many stores as well as Amazon I came to this one. Granted though, I still tried to find
more for my money, simply put, there was nothing. Comparable ? Perhaps, but nothing else stood out to be a better purchase. Combined with Amazons price and quick shipping (Prime member)
it was a no brainer.
Pros:
8 Channels
Large DVR
Very easy to use web interface
Clear viewing in low light.
Cons:
None really of significance, but figured I would still mention for those wondering.
No 'real' zoom. However for the price it should not be expected, really, it shouldn't.
The zoom that it does have is digital and just single zoom or not. When zoomed
the image appears pixelated and difficult to view. Otherwise quite clear when not using zoom.
Again, must mention this was not an expectation I had, but wanted to mention for anyone wondering.
The Blackberry access .. it is simply that access via your browser. Not an 'app', but just logging onto
the site to browse your cameras. Not a big deal at all !
So in summary, would I recommend ? Absolutely.
I did have one problem when installing. The cameras use two power cables at the DVR that are pigtailed into
four 'outlets' if you will. In other words two sockets on the back of the DVR power 8 cameras, 4 per socket.
One of the pigtail harnesses was bad out the box. Odd, but true ! All cameras worked flawlessly, but without that
second pigtail you can only connect a maximum of 5 cameras 4 on the pigtail and one direct. I contacted Defender ..
Minimal hold time ( a couple minutes maybe) and I was told they would send a new one out right away. All that was required was a proof
of purchase ( from Amazon is fine). Unfortunately I never got around to this yet, but so far I will give their customer service
a huge thumbs up !I specifically purchased this unit because of the e-mail alert feature, and was very disappointed to find out it wasn't true. The product is advertised to generate e-mail alerts to up to 7 e-mail addresses. I have yet to get it to work with one address, and more than one is impossible. This is a quote from the Defender support center; "Unfortunately there is no resolution to the issue, it appears there was a typo in the manual and on the website. We are looking into resolving this discrepancy right now but unfortunately, I cannot see a resolution to this issue in the near future, if at all, so if this will not meet your needs you may want to look into returning for a refund."
If you don't require this feature the unit appears to operate normally. It could not have been a "typo", it was obviously false advertising.I purchased the Defender SN301-8CH system six months ago from Amazon. I will give the good/bad about this system.
I purchased this system because my vehicle was broken into while parked in my driveway. I paid to have system installed even though I could have done it myself.
My wife did not want me on the ladder. I told her she would still get paid by the insurance company if I died from a ladder fall :)
The Defender system works well under both day and night conditions. The problem is with the quality of the cameras (cheap). My system came with four Defender cameras with my 8 channel system. I purchased an additional four cameras from another manufacturer, (VideoSecu). The quality of the Videosec is much superior to the Defender cameras. (this must be a case of you get what you pay for). Not only are the Videosecu cameras visual better but the mounts and the thick quality of the BNC cables are superior.(better connection than the Defender RCA/adapter type cables).
The VideoSecu and other camera manufacturer makes several different types of cameras. I purchased small domed under eves mount cameras for the front of my home (hardly noticeable by people and don't detract from the looks of the home.) However, criminals know that they are there.
On the side and rear of the house, A good adjustable (bullet type)Camera with range and clarity are best. The bottom line, Defender makes a good control unit but they cut corners on the cameras. Buy the control unit without the cameras. I hope this has helped someone with their purchase.Do not waste your money on this product! Clarity of camera is horrible. I purchased this product to monitor a retail store I own. I wasn't expecting HD but I was expecting a clear picture! I purchased a Samsung 4ch unit from Sam's last week for a smaller store that was tens times better than this unit from Defender. I decided to try this brand after checking the company's website and viewing the sample footage from the system. There is no way they used the same camera to take that footage. I would not recommend buying this system for any reason.
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