The Complete Handbook of Dummy Surveillance Cameras

Okay, I was expecting a bit more of a buyer's 'top 10' list to make things easy, but this is a textbook, not a listicle. The chapter on installation was informative, but I wish there were more pictures. That said, the information is solid and it made me realize the 50 dollars I spent on a cheap dome was probably wasted. It's a useful manual, just a bit dry for my taste.

I run a small retail shop and wanted a cheap way to deter shoplifters. This book didn't just tell me which camera to buy; it told me why a certain housing matters and how to angle it so the lens glare is visible from the entrance. The maintenance chapter saved me from buying a new unit when the LEDs just had corroded batteries. It's a lot of reading for a small task, but it's the right information.

I bought this after wasting money on a cheap unit that looked like a toy. This handbook finally explained what makes a convincing dummy versus a plastic ornament. The guidance on installing it next to a real sign and at the right height has already made a difference in how people behave around my warehouse. It could use a section on wireless live cams for comparison, but as a focused manual, it's excellent.

I'm a security consultant and I usually just eyeball these things for clients. This handbook gave me a solid framework to formalize my recommendations. The breakdown of UV degradation and the specific details on what makes a 'credible' housing material are points I will definitely be using in my reports. I wish it delved a bit deeper into the legal specifics per state, but I understand that's a moving target. A very useful desk reference.

Fairly comprehensive, but I feel like it spends a lot of time telling you when NOT to use a dummy camera. I get it, they aren't real. For the price, I wanted more time on tricks to make them seem real. The comparison table in chapter 2 was the most useful part. It's honest and accurate, but I found myself skipping ahead. Not a bad book, just a bit negative.

In the event security business, we use dummies often but knowledge is usually passed down by word of mouth. This book codifies all that tribal knowledge. I appreciated the chapter on business opportunities; it laid out clear steps for offering a dummy camera maintenance service as an add-on for clients with live systems. It's specific and practical without being condescending. A good investment for anyone serious about the trade.