I recently helped a friend set up remote monitoring for her mare using Wyze cameras, and it turned out to be quite an interesting project. Let me share the story and some tips that might be useful for others in similar situations.
My friend has a mare in a stable in California, and the stable owner wouldn’t grant access to the local Wi-Fi network. The mare was about to foal, so constant monitoring was crucial. Wyze cameras seemed like a good option, but the lack of Wi-Fi posed a challenge.
Initially, I suggested using a LTE MiFi puck to create a local Wi-Fi network and connect it via LTE for internet access. However, my friend was hesitant about the cost and tying into a carrier plan. That’s when I thought of an alternative solution—an old iPad!
The iPad, which was LTE capable, became the perfect workaround. It created a local Wi-Fi network for the Wyze cameras and connected back home using Verizon’s LTE network. While LTE coverage wasn’t ideal in that area, the setup worked surprisingly well for over a month. The connection occasionally took a few attempts, and video could stutter, but it was reliable enough for monitoring purposes.
This experience taught me the importance of thinking outside the box when dealing with connectivity issues. Using an old device like an iPad can be a cost-effective solution without the need for additional hardware or subscriptions.
If anyone else is facing similar challenges, especially in remote areas with limited Wi-Fi access, I highly recommend considering this approach. It might not be perfect for 24/7 HD monitoring, but it gets the job done for most needs.
Happy smart home tinkering everyone! 