What do you use to secure your apartment with HA? (Doorbell camera recommendations)

Hardware
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Hey everyone,
What do you use for home security when it comes to apartments? What do you use for a camera system? What are some special tips you might have for someone with HA running in their apartment?

My wife and I will be moving from our rented town home into a 2 bedroom apartment to save on rent while we finish school. Currently I’m running Blink home security with 5 cameras and the subscription plan, and I LOVE it. Having said that, I don’t need 5 cameras for an apartment, and the Home Assistant integration is pretty minimal. I’m looking for recommendations on a good doorbell/door cam. I might also be interested in installing another 1 inside. I’ve looked into TP Link Tapo, Aqara, Eufy, and of course, Reolink.

The ONLY THING I’m struggling with right now is MOUNTING the camera to my door. Right now I have a no-drill clamp mount for my blink ring cam and I love it. I’ll attach a picture. I can’t seem to find ANYTHING similar to this with these other brands (Maybe Eufy), but the blink one isn’t compatible with these.

How would you mount this? Any other options or suggestions would be great. Happy Automating everyone!

blink door mount
blink door mount1200×1500 60.8 KB

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Might be easier for us to help if you posted a picture of the back of that mount (the part which actually attaches to the camera)

If there’s screw holes, there’s a good chance they’ll line up with whatever video doorbell you go for. If they don’t line up, a drill or industrial strength double sided tape should do the job just as well.

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Well every home is different so I don’t think there will be some general recommendation.
It’s generally better to use poe camera than wifi but all that depend on various factors.

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He can’t drill holes for poe since he’s renting.

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I know, but I was just generally speaking on his comment what is better.

6

Silicone adhesive

May remove paint when take it off so plan to paint.

7

Search for “nano tape” - amazingly strong yet can be removed without residue.

Or if you really want it stuck (but a lot more difficult to remove) get 3M VHB tape.

1 Like
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Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately this door bracket i have is made specifically for Blink, so it won’t be compatible with another brand. Was hoping there was a similar bracket compatible with different brand.

I can’t drill the front, but maybe some good tape/adhesive will do. Gonna look into what some others have suggested. Thanks again!

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Interesting, when i googled it, it just pulled up Gorilla glue. Think that would work? How would i remove it after once i move? I don’t want it to ruin the camera. Thanks for the reply!

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If you are planning on removing it go the nano tape.

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Interesting, i looked into both of those right now. Maybe I’ll give them a try once I move in. Doesn’t seem like any other bracket or mount option, so this might have to suffice. Thank you!

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I’d also recommend you test it somewhere unimportant first. It is ridiculously strong. I used too much the first time I used it and had a hard time removing the device I mounted. Had to get a scraper under the tape to break the bond.

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NO!!
Im talking the stuff you use to caulk window really. maybe 2 small dabs.

3M tape is amazing.

no matter what you use I agree that testing is first step.

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3M make command strips that are great for non damaging mounting on the walls and they hold when its not too heavy an item:

I use these myself in a single, 2 or 3 combo setup based on what I want to mount on the walls without the need to drill:

https://www.commandbrand.com.au/3M/en_AU/p/d/v000216394/

I have one holding my shelly button 2 that I use as my doorbell button cut to size, and since its also a velcro I can take it off to charge it when I need to.