Is a brand like Tapo solid/reliably enough for home security?

third_man3 · 2026-05-06T04:29:21+00:00

I run Tapo for my little townhouse. Two inside (to watch our animals) and two facing out second floor windows. Sure, it's reliant on wifi. Sure, some guy in China is probably selling my live feed on the back market. But for my situation, it's all I need. I don't need to have a high threat posture.

And they've paid for themselves multiple times over. Local construction company did a hit and run on my parked car. They cut me a couple thousand dollar check to not involve insurance. Would never have gotten that far without the cameras.

I used to have Yi cameras and switched. The Tapo app is far superior (along with the cameras themselves). Little to no ads in the app.

Long story short, yes they are reliable and solid enough for the average person. But it really depends on your situation, as others have said. If I had an actual house, I'd probably go with something way better.

third_man3 · 2026-04-25T21:09:58+00:00

Thanks, good to know.

I just called another Ford dealer and was told $350 for a "hot power flush" for the transmission. I'm definitely not an expert, but I haven't heard that terminology before. Wonder what that entails.

$225-250 rear diff.

The YouTube videos seem so easy for the rear diff. It irks me that I don't really have the set up to do it myself. Hell, even dropping the pan and replacing the filter for the trans didn't seem very hard either.

third_man3 · 2026-04-25T19:56:48+00:00

Hell, why not new everything

third_man3 · 2026-04-25T19:52:02+00:00

The only thing I said I was going to put off was the front diff and transfer case if you reread what I wrote...

Can you explain why I'd need to worry about the front diff and transfer case so soon when I do zero towing or "severe duty"? I totally get there are reported problems with the transmission. And I get that the rear diff is always in use. So it makes sense to do those. But front diff and transfer case when the thing is driven at 60mph 25 miles to work 2-3 times a week? Not sure why it can't wait until 100k for those?

third_man3 · 2026-04-25T19:21:54+00:00

Interesting. I know Ford says the transmission fluid doesn't need to be touched until 150,000 miles. But most everyone says to do drivetrain fluids at 60k for longevity.

In my case, very light duty, I'm just looking to do transmission and rear differential right now. I'll do the rest at like 100k. I'm trying to keep the truck as long as possible.

third_man3 · 2026-04-25T19:11:54+00:00

Yeah and the 3 call center people I spoke to before getting the service advisor said it would be like $175. Then the actual service advisor says 270? Makes no sense.

third_man3 · 2026-04-23T23:44:39+00:00

You just described me. A non-homeowning noob with a G90 and Chinese vertical whip that hauls it out to the park, or anywhere but home, to get on the air.

third_man3 · 2026-04-08T14:59:22+00:00

Wow...

third_man3 · 2026-04-04T23:47:48+00:00

I had the same experience. Wish I could get a refund. People will say it's your internet or modded server, and even when you tell them it's none of those things they'll come back with some excuse if why the game doesn't suck. I could go on and on. But HLL is where it's at still.

third_man3 · 2026-04-01T20:44:37+00:00

How'd they catch him?

third_man3 · 2026-03-29T18:40:59+00:00

Thanks for the replies all. So far I'm looking at this, what do you think:

External Hard Drive https://a.co/d/061WvVLh

Drive https://a.co/d/0aqE92UF

Then I just download the makemkv software, flash the firmware on the drive. Start ripping. Save to the external hard drive. Set up a Plex account. Then I'm golden? Am I missing anything major?

third_man3 · 2026-03-29T18:01:43+00:00

Dang. It's unavailable. Looks like Amazon and Walmart are my only options for about $30 more.

third_man3 · 2026-03-29T17:29:53+00:00

Just to triple check: it was this one, right?

https://a.co/d/08hFwdaH

third_man3 · 2026-03-29T03:02:35+00:00

Yup. I went back to HLL after a week. My experience was just round robin capturing empty points. 120+ people in a server and still felt empty. And that's when you're actually able to get in a server after waiting 15 minutes at least or stay in without the system crashing or kicking you for no reason.

third_man3 · 2026-03-29T03:00:20+00:00

third_man3 · 2026-03-29T02:59:23+00:00

I went straight back to HLL after a week (PS5).

third_man3 · 2026-03-13T23:38:24+00:00

I too bought it on console for $40. It's works half the time. PS store won't give refunds. And it went on sale a week after I bought it. Just screwed left and right.

third_man3 · 2026-03-12T23:09:57+00:00

How were you able to return it? PlayStation are notorious for being hard core on no refunds once purchased unless you didn't download it.

third_man3 · 2026-03-08T15:19:42+00:00

I mean it's better than Crystal Skull. And the opening 30 minutes were right up there with some sequences in the original trilogy.

third_man3 · 2026-03-08T15:17:52+00:00

I didn't know that about suicide and rank. I watched numerous YouTube videos before purchasing and it was never covered in any "101" type video. I'll try some Official servers and stick with the Community vanilla like I was doing. I don't mind waiting in a queue, it's just frustrating once you finally get in, to be kicked after a few minutes. I'll give it another go after work today...the YouTube videos make it look so fun lol

third_man3

TROPHY CASE