After my relative success with the AirCams last week (https://tickett.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/home-security-cameras/) I purchased some AirCam Domes to try out.
Initially when I unboxed them I was a little surprised/disappointed by a few things:
- There appears to be no mounting option other than "in a hole"
- The lens cover doesn’t seem very secure
- The position/orientation of the RJ45 ethernet jack seems to limit mounting options
- The lens can only be adjusted up/down (vertically) not left/right (horizontally) – this seems to be yet another indication that the Domes aren’t really meant to be wall-mounted
- You can simply unscrew the camera from the "nut", unplug the ethernet cable and walk off with the camera (equally easy with the AirCam)
- I’ve got my doubts as to how waterproof the unit is *EDIT* Oops- apparently i dreamt that this is suitable for outdoor use? :)
WHT from the Ubiquiti forum: http://forum.ubnt.com/showthread.php?t=48067 suggested a solution for wall mounting the Dome by reversing the nut usually used to clamp the camera to a ceiling. I followed the advice and set off drilling 3 holes in the nut to mount it to the wall:
I then drilled 3 holes in the wall for the screws and one in the middle for the ethernet cable:
I mounted the nut, pulled an ethernet cable through and crimped an RJ45 connector on the end:
The camera wouldn’t screw back into the nut because it’d been slightly skewed by the screws. I backed them off a bit and it went on a treat. With the added bonus when I fastened the screws back up the camera was locked in place and couldn’t be unscrewed without easing the screws back off:
I may make some adjustments as ideally I’d like to look further left and lose a bit from the right:
I experienced some issues with the camera not registering properly with the NVR ("PREVIEW MODE. PLEASE ASSIGN TO NVR"):
But it seemed that the software had ground the server to a halt and a reboot seems to’ve fixed things for the moment. I’m still a little concerned at the number of processes running and the amount of CPU usage they’re consuming:
And that’s with only 2 cameras currently connected. I may try installing the software in linux later to see if it appears any more efficient.
I have a few more cameras to mount but they’re going to be a bit trickier (running the ethernet cables etc). I’ll update once I’ve found the time.
L
Tickett's Blog 
I notice you are using unshielded, ungrounded ethernet cables. It may never become a problem for you, but you should know that Ubiquiti gear can be more…. problematic… (or even fail completely) if it does not have proper grounding. I have an AirCam that would stop responding every few days (needing power-cycled). I had used shielded cable with a ground wire and everything, but had the PoE injector plugged it into an ungrounded electrical outlet. Ever since I grounded the electrical outlet, the camera has been stable.
Thanks for the heads up Brian. If i experience problems I will try replacing the ethernet cable.
Although- more importantly, i seem to have discovered that the AirCam Dome isn’t actually supposed to be used outdoors (oops). I think I must have dreamt that I read it was for indoor and/or outdoor use!
My first half dozen Ubiquiti devices (all radios) were installed with standard ethernet and I never had a problem with them. But more recently I have the AirCam that would stop responding when ungrounded. I also had a NanoBridge M5-25 just like yours which was connected to an ungrounded extension cord and I think it sustained permanent damage since it will no longer connect reliably, particularly at 20mhz or 40mhz channel width (larger channel width means better transfer rate). I fixed the grounding but I still had to replace the radio.
I now use Ubiquiti ToughCable L2 and the rather pricey ToughCable connectors for any cable that needs to go outdoors. It is UV resistant, has multiple layers of good shielding, and a ground wire.
I don’t think you necessarily dreamt that… I am pretty sure I found 1 site that was listing them as indoor/outdoor. I kept going back to the Ubiquity site to see if I could find any mention of outdoor and, of course, there is none.
So, my client used pvc and the clear dome that comes with the unit to make an enclosure. He is so happy with it that he is about to order another. You can’t beat it for the price. Be sure to keep us updated. I’d like to see what you end up with.
you didn’t dream it. i thought i did but then i watch the demo .
Any way how is it holding up outdoors? would love to know?
cheers
j
Still fine two years after installing :)
No water invasion problems?
I will try and find time to take it off the wall and have a proper look later in the week.
Better solutions: http://www.rfelements.com/en/products/brackets/abracam-camera-brackets/