Using Wyze cameras on Garmin WIFI

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PNWPederson

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2024
Messages
50
Location
Bellingham, WA
Vessel Make
1970 Grand Banks 32
I have three Wyze security cameras that I took from my house when I sold it. My wife and I don't need or want them in our current house. These cameras connect via a USB cable to a 120V jack that supplies 5 volts. They are 1080p and have night vision and are inexpensive. They are an older model of these;


I was thinking of trying to use these on my Grand Banks 32. My thought was to put one in the engine compartment and connect it to the WIFI network of a Garmin chartplotter. I think I could then stream the footage to either my phone or an iPad. I could also add one to the back deck area, probably just above the cabin door, that could be used for security. These cameras will notify you of movement.

My questions are, has anyone done this with Wyze and connected it to a WIFI network from a chartplotter? If I were to use one for security, I would need to have the chartplotter on all the time to provide the WIFI. Does anyone see any issues with that while it is moored?
 
Different use case than you're attempting, but - I use a wyze cam on my boat to monitor the Salon. It is connected to the marina Wifi so obviously only is in use at the dock. I also have two Eufy solar cams on the outside of the boat and I think they are superior to Wyze stuff, but that's not here or there.

Like you, I wanted to put one in the engine compartment to monitor the bilge. I found that the Wyze cam (actually, any of the three different types I tried - a V3, a V2, and a pan V2) was unable to connect to wifi in the engine compartment. Anywhere on the main deck they have excellent signal. I suspect the aluminum foil-type engine room insulation blocks the signal. I guess an external antenna could be rigged as I've done that with one in the past.

I bring it up just as something you may need to consider.
 
My questions are, has anyone done this with Wyze and connected it to a WIFI network from a chartplotter? If I were to use one for security, I would need to have the chartplotter on all the time to provide the WIFI. Does anyone see any issues with that while it is moored?

We have a Wyze and a Ring camera on board. Connected to our onboard router (i.e., not to a WiFi net created on either our Furuno or our Garmin MFD). Our router is connected to marina WiFi. The set-up works well enough.

The key is internet connectivity, somehow. Our router to marina WiFi, for example.

I expect the second half of your puzzle would be about connecting your Garmin to an Internet source... and as long as you can do that (maybe you do, already?), I think your plan should work.

-Chris
 
I do not think that one can connect a Garmin MFD wifi to a wifi network on the net. Check your owners manual for clarification.
 
I have read that cameras on Garmin MFDs are finicky when they are Garmin cameras, and I suspect that third party cameras like Wyse or Ring would not work and play well on Garmin systems. Love to hear you made it work though!
 
I hard wired the camera to my system and it shows real time. I have only rigged one as a back up camera to see over takers and for docking. Works great.
 
I have read that cameras on Garmin MFDs are finicky when they are Garmin cameras, and I suspect that third party cameras like Wyse or Ring would not work and play well on Garmin systems. Love to hear you made it work though!
following thread, interested to add a Wi-Fi depth finder to Garmin MFD unsuccessfully,
 
+1 for Wyze CAM v3... streaming fore and aft for US and friends.
Have done this for 3 + years now, since the CAM v3 was released, 24x7x365.

AMAZING night vision by-the-way, in full color. Requires USB for power.
((Our boat's WiFi network is a Pepwave dual modem router.))

We cover all the "holes" where water can get in, to make them last about a year or two in the salt water, outdoor environment.

CAM v3 has better night vision than the other models, which is not 100% clear in the sales lit. I've taken delivery of the CAM v4, but have not deployed them yet.

If you search "Wyze" on our blog's search tool, you'll see some impressive examples of what we see navigating at night. Shellerina.com Can't beat the price $25-39 typ, Get it with the micro SD card for 48 hours of memory of stuff that has passed by, sunsets, sunrises, etc.
 
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