I look at some of the things you mentioned differently. I don't see how a premade cable gives reduced elements protection, and I'd think there's more risk of hooking something in the walls with a connector already on the cable. I'm ready to get criticized for this next one: For a cable you just plug in and leave alone, I don't see any advantage to strain relief. If you plan on using the somewhat weatherproof plastic shield that comes with the cameras, you must add the connector yourself, without any strain relief. Agreed,
crimping RJ45s is a pain, and you of course need to have the
tools. After crimping over 50 of them, I still hate it and it takes me about 10 minutes each. The Monoprice RJ45s with inserts make the job a lot easier, and others will recommend RJ45s when the wires get pushed through and cut off during the crimping process. It's mostly the same principle as the inserts, done differently.
It's not my position that you're wrong. Only that this is the better option for me. I'm spending $18 per cable in 75 foot lengths including California tax and shipping and boom... done.
To me time is money and this should work the first time. With four cables, how does that compare to the cost of bulk cable plus a quality tool I may never use again?
In the context of the weatherproof plastic shield, of course you're right that the strain relief and elements protection that would be afforded by the boot aren't a factor at that end. Hadn't thought of that. ;-)
I would want to make my own cables if any of the following applied to me:
If I needed to run it through conduit or small holes and it was easier to add the connector after.
If there was any reason to run the cables "along edges" such that any extra length would be ugly.
If I had any concern that too much cable would degrade the signal.
None of these apply to me. I will run cable from my NVR in the closet which has the attic crawlspace access. From there, roughly in the center of the house, each cable will span out in a "spiderweb" pattern through the attic crawlspace to each camera under eaves. No cable will be very long, and all will be hidden except in the closet.
I know there are people for whom a cable that isn't running along a wall, following every right angle is like fingernails on a chalkboard. I'm not such a person. This will have no risk of confusing which cable is which, and it will be invisible, from an aesthetic perspective.
If I knew that I would leave the system with the home when I sell, I'd want a more permanent installation. I don't know yet -- I may be taking the cables with me in the future and this will also make it easier to relocate a camera if I wish, especially with some extra length available.
And by the way, I'm in my 50's. Not ancient, but I'll be moving slowly in the attic crawlspace and my eyes aren't as good with tiny wires as they once were.