Added security measure using Wyze Cam Pan V3

[codeater]

Unfortunately we live in a world where a certain group of people terrorize car owners for their political belief. What we can do is to defend ourselves better.

A lot of recent vandalisms are captured on Tesla built-in cameras, which is great but the video quality is not ideal, there are also dead spots which can be exploited if the criminals know how to avoid them. Especially if you live in an area with a lot of lunatics.

I chose the Wyze Cam Pan V3 mainly because I've been using Wyze for my home monitor and it's pretty reliable compare to others, also very affordable with cloud storage etc. One of the cool thing it does is that it can track movement, the camera will actually turn with the person it sees (I feel like being actively monitored if it turns with my movement), which will deter 90% of people that come close with bad faith, at least I hope it will.

So, here comes my setup to add an extra layer of security on top:
(I'm not affliated with Wyze or any company, also not legal advise)

Parts:
- Wyze Cam Pan V3
- AC plug with USB port (to put into the center console)
- Micro-SD card, 256GB max.

Setup:
1. Enable you cellphone hotspot or even better, get a dedicated hotspot.
2. Power on the Wyze Cam and use your phone to set it up, remember to connect to your hotspot network so you can access anywhere.
3. Insert Micro-SD card to the camera.
4. Now go to the Camera settings from Wyze App
5. Go to Advanced Settings -> Motor Controls -> Pan Scan Settings
6. Now you can set 4 way points to scan every 10 seconds, I set it at 9, 12, 3 oclock.
7. In the live feed page, enable Pan Scan option.

For each use (when you park somewhere public for a long time):
1. Enable cellphone hotspot (Wyze need server connection to authenticate before record to SD card)
2. Plug in the Wyze cam.
3. Put it on dash facing the correct way (have the power cord facing backward).
4. Turn outlets on for CT, which will keep outlets on for 12 hours.
5. (optional) turn on Dog mode so the screen is always on.

Lastly to anyone that's annoyed by those people, you'll get used to it pretty soon, don't let them bother you, you'll become mentally stronger thanks to those people.

Let me know if anyone has suggestions on a better set up or improvements for this one, good luck and stay safe!

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[Aces Deuce's]

Pictures? I cannot see your setup.

 

[DAE1]

It’d be nice to both have images of your setup and of the video that’s captured on this camera. Hot spotting and enabling outlets every single time you park seems a bit cumbersome. I just wish Sentry mode actually sent notifications of nearby motion rather than just alerts that the alarm is going off.

 

[Kryptek]

I purchased same wyze cam unit about 3 weeks ago, I am waiting on my off road light bar to arrive i was going to attach the wyze cam externally to capture all the blind spots and where the vandal would walk to. Great minds think alike, please post more examples of how it looks from inside. My design plan has always been external because the ct has so much blind spot and the front camera should be ultra wide, you cant even see where a target walks to if not directly in front of frunk.

 

[codeater]

Pictures? I cannot see your setup.

Not sure what happened but I added the images back.

 

[codeater]

It’d be nice to both have images of your setup and of the video that’s captured on this camera. Hot spotting and enabling outlets every single time you park seems a bit cumbersome. I just wish Sentry mode actually sent notifications of nearby motion rather than just alerts that the alarm is going off.

Agreed, given where I live (LA), I feel the extra work will be worth it since I encounter hostile people pretty much everyday now, and I don't even drive that much...

 

[codeater]

I purchased same wyze cam unit about 3 weeks ago, I am waiting on my off road light bar to arrive i was going to attach the wyze cam externally to capture all the blind spots and where the vandal would walk to. Great minds think alike, please post more examples of how it looks from inside. My design plan has always been external because the ct has so much blind spot and the front camera should be ultra wide, you cant even see where a target walks to if not directly in front of frunk.

Great idea, the only issue I have to put it outside is the durability of the camera, I'm not sure how it will hold up against weather or 80 mph driving. Maybe it does work great so please let me know how it goes.

Also Wyze seems to only allow recording to SD card after it's connected to internet at least once since boot up, didn't know that before and only found out about it now, wish there's an opition to skip that step, it doesn't make sense to require server auth just to store to SD card...

 

[Aces Deuce's]

Not sure what happened but I added the images back.

Thanks but I still cannot see pics. Must be on my end. Thanks.

 

[codeater]

Thanks but I still cannot see pics. Must be on my end. Thanks.

Seems like some bug on this site, I could see it yesterday but now it's gone as well...

 

[DJAlan2000]

Unfortunately we live in a world where a certain group of people terrorize car owners for their political belief. What we can do is to defend ourselves better.

You said it right there! "a certain group of people terrorize car owners for THEIR political beliefs" NOT YOURS... They don't care about YOUR beliefs or who you voted for or if you like or agree with Musk or not...

They just want to TERRORIZE CAR OWNERS because of THEIR beliefs... That's called Terrorism and needs to be handled that way...

OH, and regarding the Wyze cams... Yeah, I love them!!

I have the 'Wyze garage door controller' (with CAM) and it's awesome!! It doesn't work DIRECTLY with Tesla's, but it does with Google Home or Alexa... I use Home... All I have to do to open my garage door is say "Hey Google, open the garage door" and, because my PHONE is on an listening (yes, they are ALL listening!), it then asks "What is your PIN" (you need that to OPEN it, not close it - don't want criminals getting in Too easily)...

I give it my PIN and it opens up! FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD THAT MY PHONE WORKS!!

Oh, and the price?? well, go there and see for yourself... You can get it with or without a camera... OH, and it works with OLD garage door openers (like mine) as well...Because it uses a camera, you can also 'monitor' your garage all the time as well!

 

[Sergiio]

How did you get Google Home to work in CT (besides using your cell phone)? I have to get my cell phone out of my pocket and turn on phone (activate screen with PIN) to make Google Home work.

 

[DJAlan2000]

How did you get Google Home to work in CT (besides using your cell phone)? I have to get my cell phone out of my pocket and turn on phone (activate screen with PIN) to make Google Home work.

Simple... I don't put my cell phone in my pocket... I put it in the 'charging' area in the vehicle... It can hear me just fine when I say "Hey Google..."

I have a PIN on my phone as well (usually I use biometrics though) and Google seems to hear me just fine... Allows me to make calls, give it commands, etc...

 

[Sergiio]

thanks that works at times but sometimes Google does not respond;

 

[DJAlan2000]

Oh, I have had it work even from my pocket before also!!

 

[Sergiio]

do you have a special setting that Google will listen even in your pocket?

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