Residential cameras for exterior- bullet vs turret

forumviewer · Apr 4, 2024

For a single family residence I have read that you almost always want to go with a bullet design. However, whether right or wrong, it seems in my local area all residential exterior cameras are dome or turret. I only see bullets on commercial buildings in my area.

I’m looking to cover a front door area where I would like to identify at a range of 20 feet.
For bullet: Dahua IPC-B5442E-ZE
For turret: Dahua IPC-T54IR-ZE S3

Any particular reason you would use one or the other? The bullet is HUGE compared to other cameras I see in the local area so it will stick out like a sore thumb.

mat200 · Apr 4, 2024

forumviewer said:
For a single family residence I have read that you almost always want to go with a bullet design. However, whether right or wrong, it seems in my local area all residential exterior cameras are dome or turret. I only see bullets on commercial buildings in my area.

I’m looking to cover a front door area where I would like to identify at a range of 20 feet.
For bullet: Dahua IPC-B5442E-ZE
For turret: Dahua IPC-T54IR-ZE S3

Any particular reason you would use one or the other? The bullet is HUGE compared to other cameras I see in the local area so it will stick out like a sore thumb.

Hi @forumviewer

Domes - in general I like to avoid them.

Turrets vs Bullet cameras .. for larger "zoom" lens cameras you may only find them in Bullet format.

Sometimes there is an angle that the bullet model can be set to that is sharper than a similar turret model.

Typically not much of an issue for most of us who are installing on our walls as we rarely need tight angles for the camera to bend as often the 3.6mm gives about a 90 degree FOV that means on a wall we typically are looking at more a 45 degree angle from the perpendicular.

Most members go with Turret models for their typical camera positions, and bullet models for when they need an image further away ( and need more "zoom" )

forumviewer · Apr 4, 2024

What’s the difference between TURRET and DOME?

wittaj · Apr 4, 2024

Turret:

Dome:

The biggest issue with a dome is that domes are not recommended outside unless it is well protected from the elements. The big issue is that the domes will hold onto water droplets much longer than other cameras and thus any dirt on it can then become problematic. And during a rain event with IR, the camera is basically blind...but even without rain, the reflections of lights even outside the field of view can throw weird reflections into the dome.

The domes attract lots of dust. Then rain. Then dirty rain spots. Glare from all angles of the sun. Then over time the sun will "fog" the dome like a car headlight.

We have more people coming here posting a problem picture at night thinking there is a problem with their dome camera when in reality it is the IR bounce from some object that the dome is then capturing and magnifying.

bigredfish · Apr 4, 2024

Most folks go with Turrets over Bullets for one reason only: Looks. the WAF (wife acceptance factor)

Generally bullets of the same model have better IR (more LED's) and in many opinions, including mine, better Depth of Field.

forumviewer · Apr 4, 2024

bigredfish said:
Most folks go with Turrets over Bullets for one reason only: Looks. the WAF (wife acceptance factor)

Generally bullets of the same model have better IR (more LED's) and in many opinions, including mine, better Depth of Field.

That is what sparked this thread! The bullet in OP is huge! Certainly noticeable on a house (which is good but also bad).
If going turret, do I need to install the wall mount before or after stucco installation? For a bullet I was going to install PFA121 on the plywood before stucco application but don’t know if turret wall mount is water proof or installs onto the stucco.

tigerwillow1 · Apr 4, 2024

My thinking:
If you want the presence of the cameras to be a deterrent, go with bullets.
If you don't want the cameras to be in peoples' faces, turrets.
If you want a built in microphone, go with turrets (general rule, there are some exceptions).

dudemaar · Apr 4, 2024

forumviewer said:
For a single family residence I have read that you almost always want to go with a bullet design. However, whether right or wrong, it seems in my local area all residential exterior cameras are dome or turret. I only see bullets on commercial buildings in my area.

I’m looking to cover a front door area where I would like to identify at a range of 20 feet.
For bullet: Dahua IPC-B5442E-ZE
For turret: Dahua IPC-T54IR-ZE S3

Any particular reason you would use one or the other? The bullet is HUGE compared to other cameras I see in the local area so it will stick out like a sore thumb.

I would pick the turret because it's the new s3 version.

bigredfish · Apr 4, 2024

Actually I believe all of the newer 5442 series are S3 regardless of form factor

Coldair · Apr 4, 2024

my bullet cameras have had a problem with water leaking into tge lenses cover so I have been replacing them with turrets

bigredfish · Apr 4, 2024

Hmmm never seen that. I probably have or manage 35-40 fully exposed since 2016 and have not had water intrusion

I have had a few both bullets and turrets that had condensation issues

forumviewer · Apr 4, 2024

Interesting, so it sounds like if the identify feet ~20' is accomplished via bullet or turrent then it is simply a personal preference but definitely don't use DOMES outside.

For the PFB203W wall mount which looks to be the common wall mount for many Dahua turrent's, do I mount that after the stucco is installed or can I also use PFA130-E on the plywood, then stucco, and then use the PFB203W to mount the Dahua turrent on?

Heavyopp · Apr 5, 2024

You could certainly use a pfa box- either a pfa121 for a bullet or a pfa122 for a turret.
The good part about using a pfa box is the lid, or cover is interchangeable between the 2.
Mount the box to the plywood and stucco around it however you planned. Mount whatever camera you want by just using the appropriate lid.

CCTVCam · Apr 6, 2024

The wiring tails for these cameras are very large and I struggled even to get them into a junction box. I'd hate to think of trying to do it without. I'd suggest mounting it onto a junction box for that reason. It doesn't add much to the camera visibly but will make your life a lot easier. Also consider, that if there is any intrusion of water around the wiring, the junction box provides a buffer zone between the leak and the camera. I can't remember if mine had a drainage hole at the bottom, but if not, I probably added one. That said, always try to seal properly around the wiring in any event by using grommets.

forumviewer · Apr 6, 2024

CCTVCam said:
The wiring tails for these cameras are very large and I struggled even to get them into a junction box. I'd hate to think of trying to do it without. I'd suggest mounting it onto a junction box for that reason. It doesn't add much to the camera visibly but will make your life a lot easier. Also consider, that if there is any intrusion of water around the wiring, the junction box provides a buffer zone between the leak and the camera. I can't remember if mine had a drainage hole at the bottom, but if not, I probably added one. That said, always try to seal properly around the wiring in any event by using grommets.

I'm not sure I follow what you mean that "I'd hate to think of trying to do it without". Do you mean you would hate to think about mounting an external camera without a junction box?

@Heavyopp - How do I know what bullet (for pfa121) and turrent (for pfa122) is compatible?

Are any of the turrent wall mount's compatible with pfa122?

I noticed that both the pfa121 and pfa122 have what looks to be a conduit hole from the "bottom". This is a bit unsightly. It looks fairly water-proof, any reason this can be mounted in such a way that the conduit hole is on the top and then just silicon around it to avoid water getting into the junction box?

Thank you all!

Heavyopp · Apr 6, 2024

It's a plastic plug with an oring seal for the conduit hole.
You could mount it up if you wanted, UV may get to the plastic. Could always change the plug to a metal 1. Not sure if the oring would work.

You should be able to mount almost any Dahua/empire camera on a 121 or 122 cover. Definately can mount the better cameras.
Dahua IPC-T54IR-ZE S3 is pretty hard to beat in a turret camera and that will absolutely mount on a 122.

I have both a pfa 122 mount and a t54ir cam new in boxes in my garage -- I get pictures tomorrow if it will help - just let me know

forumviewer · Apr 6, 2024

@Heavyopp - I acquired a PFA 122 mount and a T54IR turret. You are absolutely right, the PFA 122 is the same as the PFA 121 with just a hole pattern difference so you can swap the cover to fit a bullet if desired in the future. Excellent! The PFB203 wall mount bracket unfortunately doesn't fit.

Still in evaluating the bullet versus turret design here are some pictures of my test.
Are there not any concerns with small insects building a nest in the little cavity of where the ball meets the cover and where there is a cable route hole? Also with the reset/sd cover plate exposed upwards is that not a long term water/rust/corrosion concern? See pics below.

mat200 · Apr 6, 2024

forumviewer said:
@Heavyopp - I acquired a PFA 122 mount and a T54IR turret. You are absolutely right, the PFA 122 is the same as the PFA 121 with just a hole pattern difference so you can swap the cover to fit a bullet if desired in the future. Excellent! The PFB203 wall mount bracket unfortunately doesn't fit.

Still in evaluating the bullet versus turret design here are some pictures of my test.
Are there not any concerns with small insects building a nest in the little cavity of where the ball meets the cover and where there is a cable route hole? Also with the reset/sd cover plate exposed upwards is that not a long term water/rust/corrosion concern? See pics below.

View attachment 191660 View attachment 191661

Silicone chaulk can be useful here .. or a piece of pool noodle or foam insulation for plumbing pipe .. weather stripping .. there are a number of options to fill the gaps

Update : screws can rust .. especially by the coast .. so perhaps a drop of Silicone chaulk where the water would pool on the screws .. leave it as a ball so it is easier to remove when it dries up .. that is don't flatten it down

wittaj · Apr 6, 2024

Some don't have a problem with that gap and some do, but as mentioned, foam can fill the void.

I haven't seen anyone mention a problem with the SD card cover, but if you are concerned, simply install it with the cover down and flip the image in the GUI.

Heavyopp · Apr 6, 2024

I’m just a beginner like you, I don’t have any turrets mounted in exposed to the weather places at the moment.
what I have up is under soffit so not much concern with rain through the sd card cover.

I haven’t given the bug thing much thought but I will use some sort of cut up pipe insulation foam if it becomes necessary.

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Residential cameras for exterior- bullet vs turret

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