Low data usage, still image security cameras to use with cellular data plans?

[SUPbud]

Originally Posted by akrausz

Explain further how this configuration would notify the OP when a motion event occurs.

The $10/month charge is a subscription to a cellular data plan. It can send SMS notifications, MMS attachments, or an email when there is a motion event. There is a little tiny radio inside the trail-cam, that operates on frequencies designed for long-wave signals.



For a trail-cam that is on your own property, some can work with a WiFi signal coming from a router, maybe you put in the detached garage? Although we are going beyond the scope of this thread, you can daisy-chain multiple routers into a "repeater network" to greatly extend the range of a WiFI network. For DIY/lunacy level configs, there are plenty of examples of powering repeaters with a solar panel+batteries on a rooftop or a remote barn. However many hops you want to make.

[akrausz]

You send notifications through a WiFi SD card? Otherwise, my understanding differs from yours. A WiFi SD card can only be used as a WiFi access point that your smartphone and associated trailcam app can see. Trailcams can only send notifications via the two methods you describe below (cell service and onboard WiFi).

Originally Posted by SUPbud

The $10/month charge is a subscription to a cellular data plan. It can send SMS notifications, MMS attachments, or an email when there is a motion event.

Right, but cell service has nothing to do with WiFi SD cards.

Originally Posted by SUPbud

For a trail-cam that is on your own property, some can work with a WiFi signal coming from a router...

Right, but onboard WiFi also has nothing to do with WiFI SD cards.

[SUPbud]

Originally Posted by akrausz

You send notifications through a WiFi SD card?
Right, but cell service has nothing to do with WiFi SD cards.

Right, but onboard WiFi also has nothing to do with WiFI SD cards.

Lets not too hung-up on "WiFi SD Cards" - the more precise term might be "M.2 WiFi / bluetooth / LGTE WWAN card" Lots of people have hardware, where it can accept a PCI M.2 card in 1 or 2 slots along the motherboard or PCI bus, and may be confusing the M.2 slot as same-as-the-other slot. There are M.2 cards/slot which provide only storage, not radio service.

I'm going to link to an example. I dont recommend or own or this card, but it looks very similar to what most people think of as a "WiFi card", and many bundle together WiFi / bluetooth (2.4 or 5Ghz) and also a 3/4/5 LGTE radio. Notice the odd-megahertz range, which is how it can talk to a cell tower / satellite up in the sky, instead of "the WiFi router in your home":

https://www.amazon.com/Zopsc-Replace...dp/B07VKNR8T2/
LTE Support (North America / EMEA) -B1 (2100 MHz), B2 (1900 MHz), B3 (1800 MHz), B4 (1700 MHz AWS), B7 (800 MHz-DD), B7 (800 MHz-B), B7 (2600 MHz), B8 (900 MHz), B8 (900 MHz)


there are plenty of examples of WWAN devices like "The Spot 3 GPS" messenger, which like a high-end Trailcam, can do lots of tricks, "wirelessly". Usually you go into the BIOS and "disable the onboard (on motherboard) old WiFi, and start using the more advanced one in the M.2 slot".


There are also plenty of glue-layer-apps that can use a "wifi connected network" to act like an SMS messager client, just to confuse the issue further.


They are "all WiFi cards" to the average person.

[akrausz]

SUPbud, interesting response, but for me it was a tangent, so I'll circle back:

Originally Posted by CCCyou

One option is to use a standard hunting/trail camera (Moultrie), plus a WiFi SD card!

Explain further how this configuration would notify the OP when a motion event occurs.