Pros and Cons of Dummy Security Cameras
You think about making your home safer?
Then you also might consider getting fake security cameras.
In contrast to conventional security cameras, those devices are not working at all but may still deter potential burglars from entering your property.
While the use of fake security cameras has many advantages, there are also many issues related to them.
In fact, I discuss all the pros and cons of fake security cameras in the following chapters so that you can better decide whether you want to get a fake security camera or rather want to rely on other security measures instead.
Table of Contents
Advantages of Fake Security Cameras
- You can save lots of money compared to other security measures
- Fake security cameras are easy to install
- Dummy security cameras can look pretty realistic
- May deter many potential burglars
- Can be good in terms of digital property rights
- Huge variety of different fake security cameras
- Can help you to protect your home when you are on vacation
- Good alternative if you don’t want to film yourself
- You can’t get hacked
- You don’t need any technical knowledge for using a fake security camera
- Fake security cameras may be better for your guests
- You don’t have to worry about heavy rain or snow
- Your dummy security camera will last for quite a long time
- Can be a nice addition to alarm systems with noise
- Fake security cameras can be a good temporary solution
- You may even be able to make your own ones
You can save lots of money compared to other security measures
One advantage of fake security cameras is that you can save lots of money compared to getting other fancy security measures.
For instance, if you install regular security cameras, you will often have to invest many hundreds or even thousands of dollars for them while you only have to invest a few bucks per fake camera.
As you can see, the use of dummy cameras can be a huge money saver and especially if you are on a budget right now and have to pay many other urgent bills, chances are that fake security cameras can be a good alternative to conventional security measures.
Fake security cameras are easy to install
You also don’t need that much talent to install fake security cameras.
In fact, they are often quite easy to install and you will usually be done within a few minutes.
Sure, if you don’t have any craftsmanship at all, you should probably ask for the help from your friends.
However, if you are an average person, chances are that you will be doing fine by just installing fake security cameras yourself.
Consequently, the use of dummy security cameras can also be a great alternative if you don’t have that much time and want a rather easy solution to deter potential burglars who may want to enter your home.
Dummy security cameras can look pretty realistic
While fake security cameras have looked pretty silly in the past, there are models out there that look pretty realistic right now.
In fact, if you are not an expert, you will barely see any difference and this means that those fake security cameras could also work for many amateur burglars since they may actually think that your cameras are actually working.
May deter many potential burglars
In general, fake security cameras will pose a certain level of threat to potential burglars and will let them think twice whether they should break into your home or if they rather want to go for other places with no security cameras installed. Imagine you were a burglar.
Chances are that you would also choose the homes with no security cameras at all above those with some sort of security cameras present, wouldn’t you?!
Hence, the appearance of your home and your security cameras may be enough to deter many burglars and let them move on to another place to do their work.
Can be good in terms of digital property rights
Another benefit of fake security cameras is that you also don’t have to worry about issues related to property rights.
For instance, if you film your driveway, you may accidentally also film your neighbor from time to time and this may be against the law in some states.
Moreover, also your neighbor might not be that happy about being filmed and may complain about it sooner or later.
With fake security cameras, you will not have this issue since you will not film at all and can therefore also not cross any digital property rights.
Huge variety of different fake security cameras
Compared to just one century ago, there is also a huge variety of different dummy security cameras out there.
Depending on your individual taste, chances are that you will find the one that fits best to your individual preferences and you can also get those cameras in various shapes and colors.
Not all of them look ugly and if you search for a while, chances are that you will get fake security cameras that look pretty decent.
Can help you to protect your home when you are on vacation
Fake security cameras can also be quite helpful when you are on vacation.
In fact, most burglars try to steal stuff from your home when you are away since they will then have enough time to do their work.
Especially during those periods, it would be advisable that you install those dummy cameras before you leave for vacation so that you get at least a minimum level of protection.
Good alternative if you don’t want to film yourself
Some people also don’t like to see themselves on camera.
If you are one of those people and your family members also don’t like to be on camera, installing fake security cameras can be a great way to go for you since you will be able to deter many burglars but will actually not be filmed at all.
You can’t get hacked
Another upside of dummy security cameras is that you simply can’t get hacked.
While many working security cameras have an internet connection right now, they are also pretty vulnerable to hacking and plenty of data is stolen every year due to those activities.
In the worst case, your videos may end up in dodgy places if you use conventional security cameras.
Consequently, through the use of dummy cameras, you also don’t have to fear any issues in this regard and don’t have to worry about where your videos from your private place may end up.
You don’t need any technical knowledge for using a fake security camera
While you need some technical knowledge to set up working security cameras in a proper manner, the same is not true for fake security cameras.
In fact, you don’t need any technical knowledge and also don’t have to care about proper settings at all.
You just place your dummy security cameras in some spots in your home and you will be finished pretty soon.
In contrast, many conventional security cameras need plenty of adjustment and configuration to work properly and you can therefore also avoid lots of work by just going for the dummy ones.
Fake security cameras may be better for your guests
Not only you may feel much better if you know that you don’t get filmed all day long, but also your guests may feel kind of relieved.
They often also don’t feel comfortable being filmed and just want to have a nice conversation with you without having to fear that their conversations and their video material will be recorded.
Hence, while conventional security cameras may deter your guests from coming over to your place, you will not have the same issues with dummy cameras since you can just tell your guests that they have nothing to worry about in this regard.
You don’t have to worry about heavy rain or snow
While real security cameras may be quite vulnerable to adverse conditions outdoors, your fake cameras will not be vulnerable to those conditions at all.
For instance, if it rains quite a lot, some cheap conventional security cameras may break and may no longer do the job.
This means that you might have to repair them or get new ones during those times while you can just be relaxed with dummy security cameras since they have never worked anyway.
Your dummy security camera will last for quite a long time
In general, dummy security cameras can be used basically forever.
Since there will be not much technology in there and not many parts that could break, you can enjoy their company for many years of even for a lifetime.
You also don’t have to put in any maintenance efforts which you often have to do with real security cameras.
Consequently, also in terms of lifespans, dummy cameras usually have a serious edge over conventional cameras.
Can be a nice addition to alarm systems with noise
The use of fake security cameras can also be great in case you already use some security system that relies on noises to deter burglars but you want to add additional security measures to your home.
In such a case, the combination of noise systems and fake security cameras often works quite well and there will often be no need to go for real security cameras if you already have other measures in place.
Fake security cameras can be a good temporary solution
If you are not sure what long-term security measures you want to take for protecting your home, fake security cameras can also be a great temporary solution.
If you buy a new home, you might just install those cheap dummy cameras so that you will have enough time to figure out a really good security strategy that keeps away burglars in the long run.
You may even be able to make your own ones
If you are talented and have some technical knowledge, you don’t even have to rely on dummy cameras from the store.
You can just get some plastics and build your own fake security cameras yourself.
Yet, before you go for it, make sure that your fake security cameras actually look like real ones so that you will be able to deter burglars in a proper manner.
As you can see, there are definitely some advantages to the use of dummy security cameras.
While you now know all the upsides, let’s also talk about the negative aspects that come along with those fake cameras.
Disadvantages of Dummy Security Cameras
- Fake security cameras will not actually film burglars
- Many burglars have become pretty smart
- You may just not feel safe
- Insurance problems may arise due to the use of fake security cameras
- Cheap dummy cameras often don’t do the job
- Proof for the police may be difficult
- Rumors regarding your dummy security cameras may spread quite fast
- Cameras can make your home look like a fortress or a prison
- Will not work in case burglars wear masks
- You should not save on security
- Better alternatives out there
Fake security cameras will not actually film burglars
One problem with fake security cameras is that they will obviously not film burglars at all.
This also means that you will not see what has happened to your home and what exactly burglars have taken with them.
This can be really annoying, especially since you will not know what you will have to replace in the beginning but you will rather realize over time what is missing.
Many burglars have become pretty smart
Some burglars are also pretty smart and will no longer be fooled by those security cameras.
In fact, professional burglars may know all the different dummy camera models and will soon realize if you use a working or a fake one.
Consequently, this also means that your home will not be as safe as you might think with those cameras and that many burglars may actually not be deterred by them at all.
You may just not feel safe
You may also not feel safe at home solely due to the fact that you know that you don’t use working security cameras.
With real security cameras, many people get the feeling of safety and really enjoy it.
However, with fake security cameras, you will constantly have to worry about burglaries and will not have the same peace of mind that comes along with good conventional cameras.
Insurance problems may arise due to the use of fake security cameras
Another downside to fake security cameras is that your insurance company may also not be happy about them at all.
If someone breaks into your home, your insurance company may just not pay for the damage since they often require that you install working security cameras.
Of course, this is not true for all insurance companies. However, you should still check your contracts for provisions in this regard to be entirely safe.
Cheap dummy cameras often don’t do the job
Especially if you go for the cheapest fake cameras out there, this could become a serious problem.
Those cheap cameras often just don’t do the job since they just don’t look like real cameras and consequently don’t deter most burglars at all.
Thus, if you want to go for fake cameras, at least make sure that you get decent ones to deter potential burglars as best as possible.
Proof for the police may be difficult
The use of fake security cameras may also be problematic when the police wants to know what happened.
If you have real security cameras in place, it will be pretty easy to see what happened.
In contrast, if you use fake cameras, you will not have any video material at all and this will make it harder for the police to catch those burglars.
Rumors regarding your dummy security cameras may spread quite fast
Another disadvantage of using fake security cameras is that people may just know sooner or later that you use those fake ones.
In fact, you will often tell your neighbors about them and your kids may also tell their friends in school.
Consequently, the news will spread quite fast and also burglars will soon know that they don’t have to expect being filmed on your property and your fake security cameras may become worthless due to that.
Cameras can make your home look like a fortress or a prison
Many people also simply don’t like the looks of fake security cameras.
They often feel like living in a fortress.
Of course, this is also true for working security cameras and if you don’t like those cameras at all, you should also just go for other alternatives instead.
Will not work in case burglars wear masks
If burglars wear masks, they will also not care about your security cameras that much.
In fact, they might not even care about whether your cameras are real or fake since they will not have to fear to be recognized anyway.
You should not save on security
In general, I am also not a big fan of saving money on security devices.
Sure, everyone of us has a budget.
Yet, investing some money in proper safety measures is well worth it and you should not rely on cheap fake security cameras when it is solely due to a monetary perspective.
Better alternatives out there
You may also find much better alternatives out there. In fact, instead of getting fake security cameras, you can just use conventional security cameras that are actually working.
If you are not a fan of cameras at all, you may just get a big dog which may deter burglars as well.
You can also install electric fences if you rather want to go this route.
Top 10 Fake Security Camera Pros & Cons – Summary List
| Fake Security Camera Pros | Fake Security Camera Cons |
|---|---|
| Fake cameras are pretty cheap | Burglars may not fall for fake cameras |
| You can deter potential burglars | You may have insurance problems |
| Dummy cameras are good for vacation | Police may not be able to catch burglars |
| You can’t get hacked | You may not feel safe with dummy cameras |
| You don’t need technical knowledge | People will talk about your fake cameras |
| Can be a good temporary solution | Cheap dummy cameras don’t look realistic |
| Fake cameras have a long lifespan | Don’t save money when it comes to safety |
| They are not vulnerable to rain | Your home may look like a prison |
| You will not have privacy issues | Not helpful if a burglar wears a mask |
| Fake cameras can look pretty realistic | Better alternatives are available |
Should You Get Fake Security Cameras?
As we can see from the previous discussion, there are indeed many advantages and disadvantages of fake security cameras.
In the end, you have to evaluate all the arguments and decide for yourself whether dummy security cameras will be right for you or if you rather want to rely on other security measures instead.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_security_camera
https://www.safety.com/security-camera-installation/
About the Author
My name is Andreas and I’m really passionate about our environment and also about growing plants. In fact, I have grown several different plants over many years. I love to see my own plants grow and also always try new things to improve my overall conditions at home.
In my blog posts, I want to share my experiences with you so that you can become successful in growing various different plants and improving your home as well, even though you might still be a beginner right now.
