Best UniFi IP Camera & Quality Considerations

[modem]

Good evening all,

I'm working with a client who is needing security camera's installed on their business property.  The issue is that locals are illegally dumping trash in the back of trucks at night and would like to get the offenders on camera.

The area is a big gravel parking lot for industrial trucks.  The area is (rough estimate after an onsite walkthrough) is 75 yards long, and maybe 30-40 yards wide.  The maintenance dept is planning on installing new poles where cameras can be mounted about 15-20' up on the pole.

The office manager really wants to use UniFi camera's as the rest of their office is a UniFi network setup.  My question is, is the G4 Pro or G4 Bullet better suited for this circumstance?  

The G4 Pro states it's best suited for long distance while the G4 Bullet is designed for optimal nighttime coverage.  

What is image quality like at 10, 20, or 30 yards away in day and night for these cameras?  Would either of these be good for identifying a suspect at night conducting illegal trash dumping?  What about capturing vehicle plates as it's driving out of the lot?

Any information would be GREATLY appreciated as I help the client navigate this request.

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

Does the dumping happen at night, or is it random?

[neufuse Veteran]

On 08/05/2023 at 23:40, modem said:

Good evening all,

I'm working with a client who is needing security camera's installed on their business property.  The issue is that locals are illegally dumping trash in the back of trucks at night and would like to get the offenders on camera.

The area is a big gravel parking lot for industrial trucks.  The area is (rough estimate after an onsite walkthrough) is 75 yards long, and maybe 30-40 yards wide.  The maintenance dept is planning on installing new poles where cameras can be mounted about 15-20' up on the pole.

The office manager really wants to use UniFi camera's as the rest of their office is a UniFi network setup.  My question is, is the G4 Pro or G4 Bullet better suited for this circumstance?  

The G4 Pro states it's best suited for long distance while the G4 Bullet is designed for optimal nighttime coverage.  

What is image quality like at 10, 20, or 30 yards away in day and night for these cameras?  Would either of these be good for identifying a suspect at night conducting illegal trash dumping?  What about capturing vehicle plates as it's driving out of the lot?

Any information would be GREATLY appreciated as I help the client navigate this request.

even with the G4/G5 Pro cameras you wont identity someone 20+yards away, you will see it but wont be able to tell who it is unless you have a LOT of IR illuminators around. I have G5 Domes, G4 minis, G5 Bullets and G4 Pros, none of them would really be much help in a distance situation in identification at night, during the day maybe, but at night you wont be able to make out a face or license place unless you have camera's pretty close to the action, but this is the same for most cameras.. the pro cameras do have variable focal length, so you can at least zoom in on specific spots

Edited May 9, 2023 by neufuse

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

You can get the UVC-G4-IRExtender for the G4 Bullet Camera which in theory extends the IR range up to 25m, realistically you are not going to be identifying someone at that range. You could perhaps up to a couple meters reasonably well.

Watch this video from 3:31 to get some idea of what a G4 with the IR Extender on can do:

 With a well placed camera at the entrance you should be able to identify numberplates of vehicles driving past.

[modem]

On 09/05/2023 at 02:37, Mindovermaster said:

Does the dumping happen at night, or is it random?

Yes, this happens at night as this parking lot is empty during the day as the trucks are all out on the road and the truck maint shop is open right beside it so no trespassing occurs during the day.

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

On 10/05/2023 at 20:36, modem said:

Yes, this happens at night as this parking lot is empty during the day as the trucks are all out on the road and the truck maint shop is open right beside it so no trespassing occurs during the day.

OK, so you would need a better night vision cam.. I'm not sure as to what to use, but this info will help members.