If you could do it all over again... Dahua or another brand? DIY Lic plate camera

stevef22

stevef22

Getting the hang of it
Mar 7, 2016
182
40
Longtime Dahua user here. I've installed several systems over the years, but it seems like they haven't kept up with the competition — app UI, ease of use, features, etc.


Am I just imagining things? Do they still have the best DIY license plate camera (under $400)?


You guys test and play with so many different brands... maybe if you could do it all over again, you'd go with a different brand?


Thanks in advance.
 
stevef22 said:
Longtime Dahua user here. I've installed several systems over the years, but it seems like they haven't kept up with the competition — app UI, ease of use, features, etc.


Am I just imagining things? Do they still have the best DIY license plate camera (under $400)?


You guys test and play with so many different brands... maybe if you could do it all over again, you'd go with a different brand?


Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean by keeping up with the competition? Disagree with your critique of Dahua

Ive also used Axis and HiK.

There is no perfect UI/ease of use/app/features. What’s comfortable for one is difficult for another.

I’ve found most of it comes down to people who want/are accustomed to WiFi cams with limited functionality and settings capability. But “easy”

Instead of giving the user dozens of options on image/exposure/backlight etc features to fine tune, they become enamored with the “simplicity” of “Auto” on cheap WiFi cams and aren’t really critical of the image produced. Especially at night with human movement and true ID quality.

The Z12E all day long for the price point. Nothing really close
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: RyanB and stevef22
+1 above.

The Z12E all the way.

Most of us don't have ideal locations to install a camera like above the road as toll roads do, so we need the optical zoom of the Z12E.

You will not find the optical zoom it has with the ability to actually change parameters at that price point.
 
  • Like
  • Exclamation
Reactions: Arjun, RyanB and stevef22
I have the first gen Z12, but I'm wondering if the Z4E-S3 with better sensor is not enough. I'm only zooming in like two houses down the street.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigredfish
tibimakai said:
I have the first gen Z12, but I'm wondering if the Z4E-S3 with better sensor is not enough. I'm only zooming in like two houses down the street.
Click to expand...

Most here say the Z4E is good to about 60 feet. Can you push it further, yes, but if you want the best chance at reading, stay within 60 feet.

Many here swapped the Z12E for the Z4E at 60-80 feet and ended up putinng the Z12E back.

Remember, for plates, it is all about making the plate optically as big as you can and resolution isn't as important if you have it sized properly. I have shown in a thread that D1 quality is good enough if the plate is large enough LOL.
 
Z4 is also solid. My favorite camera.
Just a matter of distance
 
Still got a Huisun PTZ 10 x V1 acting as LPR camera. The motion detection was crap from day one, so have a IVS trigger from a 54 series Dahua, activating the record trigger. It must be 10 years old now for the Huisun.
6422.jpg
 
  • Love
Reactions: bigredfish
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom