The Myfox security camera makes keeping tabs on a room incredibly simple

In the search for a simplistic means of home or small business security, you will find yourself looking into quite a lot variations on the same theme. You will soon find that not all products in this arena are created equally. Some are complex and some are simple. Some offer few features, while some offer so many it's almost impossible to know exactly what you need.

And then there's Myfox. This new company offers a security alarm, a security camera, and convenient key fobs to control both. I wanted to first dive into the security camera to see Myfox's take on this particular field.

What I found was quite impressive.

Here's what the Myfox security camera features:

An Android and iOS app that allows you to remotely monitor the camera

Motion sensor with included message alerts

Two way audio communication

Control camera remotely with the app from anywhere

Remote reboot/shutdown

HD video

Night vision

Plans for one day continuous recording ($4.99/monthly) or seven days continuous recording ($9.99/monthly)

The app is free, the camera will set you back $199.

Once you've purchased the camera, you set it up via the mobile app.

Camera setup

First, download and install the mobile app from either the Google Play Store or the Apple Store. Once installed, fire up the app and tap the Install a SECURITY CAMERA button (Figure A).

Figure A

 Image: Jack Wallen

The MyFox app running on a Verizon-branded Nexus 6.

The next step is to create an account. You'll need to enter an e-mail address and password. Once you've successfully done that you'll be required to enter your name and phone number and then tap NEXT. Once the phone number and name have been accepted, give your system a name and tap NEXT (Figure B).

Figure B

 Image: Jack Wallen Naming your system something recognizable.

The final step is to enter your street address and then tap DONE.

That's it for the app set up.

Camera setup

Remove the sticker from the camera and tap NEXT on the Myfox app. Now plug the camera into an electrical outlet with the supplied cable. When the blue light appears blinking on the camera, go back to the Myfox app and tap YES (Figure C).

Figure C

 Image: Jack Wallen

If the blue light is blinking, you're ready to go.

Now you must enter the information for your WiFi network. Do so and then tap NEXT. You will then be presented with a QR code on the app screen. Hold that code up to the camera lens and very slowly move the phone away from the camera until you hear a beep. When you hear the beep, remove the phone from in front of the camera and tap YES. This will begin the final (non-interactive) stage of installation. Finally the installation will complete and you can name the camera and tap DONE.

You ready to start monitoring.

Using the app

The app is, in many ways, the star of this show. What is most impressive about this is you can scroll back through the timeline to see what the camera has seen. Locate a purple vertical stripe in the timeline (Figure D) and double tap to play back movement the camera has picked up.

Figure D

 Image: Jack Wallen

The camera picking up one of my cats walking into the field of vision.

Depending upon the application, you might want to enable the Motion detection option. From the main window (Figure E) tap the slider to enable motion detection.

Figure E

 Image: Jack Wallen

Enabling motion detection on the Myfox app.

When the camera picks up motion in the field of vision, it will automatically send a notification to the Android notification system as well as email you an alert (to your associated email account). The notification will have a timestamp indicating when the motion was detected.

If you're looking for an easy to use, mobile-ready security camera, Myfox should most certainly be at the top of your list.

What is your security go-to device?

Source: The Myfox security camera makes keeping tabs on a room incredibly simple