I need a peephole. I'm tired of my doorbell ringing and not knowing who it is. I can't see out my foyer window and I have to creep out to the garage and try to see who it is. My condo is on the end of a block of a undeveloped subdivision, so aside from the occasional solicitor or Jehovah's Witness, I don't know who else it could be besides possibly my neighbor upstairs that constantly apologizes for her loud music that I never hear.
I used MS paint to show you what I have deal with.
I currently rent my condo that I can't really do much too. I watched a youtube vid and it seems pretty simple and straight forward. I looked up peepholes and they look to be super cheap. I'm not too handy with home improvement stuff, but I'm pretty sure I can install a peephole.
Does anyone have any tips for installing one?
cwh
PowerDork
11/4/12 1:28 p.m.
Go to a big box home improvement store. They will have what you need.
wireless camera?
not as cheap tho and no drilling door
fasted58 wrote:
wireless camera?
not as cheap tho and no drilling door
How expensive are we talking? That could be an alternative.
alex
UltraDork
11/4/12 1:39 p.m.
If, like me, you believe that it's easier to get forgiveness than permission, I'm willing to bet your landlord will neither notice nor care about a properly installed peephole.
Just don't bugger it up because then you're probably buying and installing a new front door.
In reply to alex:
Yeah, that's what I'm concerned about. I've done a few things around here that my landlord will most definitely not notice, but the peephole installation kind of worries me in the sense that I can damage the door.
Dig a pit with a welcome mat-trap door.
JoeyM
UltimaDork
11/4/12 1:51 p.m.
The obvious:
measure to make sure your hole is centered
drill a pilot hole
tape the surface with blue painter's tape to limit the amount of paint chipping that occurs around the hole you drill
A properly done camera could be done for relatively inexpensively. I can't ever tell who anyone is through a peephole anyway.
Isn't there a resident security/ cam system expert on the board?
IIRC
JoeyM
UltimaDork
11/4/12 2:35 p.m.
fasted58 wrote:
Isn't there a resident security/ cam system expert on the board?
IIRC
That's cwh. Shoot him a PM.
check your local renters laws, there are certain things that are required in properties that are being rented out. in texas its required to have pin locks or blocker bars on all sliding doors, and locking mechanism on all exterior doors that is not accessible from the outside. there may also be a requirement to have a peephole installed. I bet if you just ask your landlord if you can install one, they won't mind one bit so long as its done right.
Just so we have all the facts, why can't you see out the foyer window?
EvanR
HalfDork
11/4/12 3:10 p.m.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=CM-811T-BP&cat=VID
$30, just add any TV or monitor with composite input. This assumes that you have a power source somewhere near the door.
I must be Canadian. I fling the door wide open on a daily basis without having any idea who is on the other side.
cwh
PowerDork
11/4/12 3:46 p.m.
I can provide you with a good camera that you can mount inside or out, with good IR for night viewing, for 45.00. High resolution- 600 lines. Connect to any TV with a composite input. 6.00 for a power supply. Actually pretty good stuff, considering the low price. PM me if interested.
cwh
It's not hard at all. All you are doing is drilling a hole. You can use a drill can't you?
carguy123 wrote:
It's not hard at all. All you are doing is drilling a hole. You can use a drill can't you?
Yep, it's not rocket surgery.... Just make sure that you install it so the lenses are properly oriented. Otherwise, whoever is knocking on your door will just get an odd view up your nose.
Dude-neighbor chick wants you.
bearmtnmartin wrote:
I must be Canadian. I fling the door wide open on a daily basis without having any idea who is on the other side.
yeah.. whatever happened to just doing this?
unless you are hiding from the mafia or something..
novaderrik wrote:
bearmtnmartin wrote:
I must be Canadian. I fling the door wide open on a daily basis without having any idea who is on the other side.
yeah.. whatever happened to just doing this?
unless you are hiding from the mafia or something..
Surely in that case you just open the door and then open fire?
Out here I don't see any reason to not open the door if someone knocks, but in some places my wife's lived - especially one in Vegas - I probably wouldn't.
I like a loaded 870 propped up against the door frame better than a peephole.
If someone truly menacing is on the other side, it's pretty easy to see when someone is looking through a peephole. It darkens when the the ambient light is blocked by your head.
It's not a matter of being afraid of the people knocking on the door...if you're not expecting company, chances are about 99% they want your money or a signature or your soul. It's a lot easier to just not answer.
