door peephole viewer ?

[Rmart30]

Im going to install some peephole viewers on both my doors.
Ive seen the ones advertised that they claim can be seen thru from 3 or 4 foot back from the door, have 130-160 deg FOV and are inch and a half - two inches around compared to the itty bitty 1/2" ones like most homes have.
Has anyone used any of these or can recommend a brand?

 

[Jack Halloran]

I have one. I like it. I don't remember the brand, but you can see everything from 6 or 7 feet away, even after you drop it and crack the prism inside.

 

[Don Lu]

ii have standard peepholes on my doors...anyone have a link to the peep holes referred to in the OP ?

 

[Pyros9]

Here are a few:

http://www.amazon.com/Angle-Peephole-Viewer-Scope-Brand/dp/B000NKO6IO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1216553583&sr=1-1

http://www.davstarsecurity.com/bestseller3.htm

This is the one I use:
http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(nha0npnwgx5sr4454hvyms45)/productDetails.aspx?SKU=59150

And here's a digital one with a little LCD screen for those with too much $$:
http://www.slipperybrick.com/2008/06/digital-door-viewer-is-the-new-peephole/

 

[mbt2001]

They have peep hole reversers btw, so make sure that you get the right kind of peep hole. Obviously with a reverser peep hole viewer on a standard peep hole, you could see what is happening inside the house...

Food for thought.

 

[GrizzlyGraves]

More food for thought here.
My neighbor runs a business out of their house and they leave a florescent sign on all night that lights up the front of my house.
When I look through my peephole all I see is the reflection of my front door in the glass of the storm door. The peep hole is pretty much useless here.

 

[btg3]

Don't do what I did... installed a peephole just right for me to look thru it, but my wife who is 4" shorter could not comfortably use it. (It was a rental and we moved before "ajusting" it lower.)

It's much easier for taller folks to bend or crouch a little, that for shorter folks to strain or need a stool.

 

[The Tourist]

My concern is that on a "direct line of sight" peep hole, the light will be blocked, and the hole will go 'black' for the visitor.

If the 'visitor' is a home invader, he has now just confirmed that there is someone inside, and he might come in blazing.

 

[Keegan]

My concern is that on a "direct line of sight" peep hole, the light will be blocked, and the hole will go 'black' for the visitor.

If the 'visitor' is a home invader, he has now just confirmed that there is someone inside, and he might come in blazing.

The last place I lived had a peephole, and I pinned a circle of black construction paper over the inside that could be rotated out of the way when one needed to look through the hole. That way the light was always blocked and it just looked like it was dark inside.

Of course, you may look for something a bit more chic if you don't live in a dive apartment.

 

[polekitty]

When we bought our home the front door had three small windows in a stair step pattern. We later installed a similar door in back. Both doors have the windows arranged so no human arm could reach the inside lock knob. Both doors have outside lights--front door light is a flourescent which stays on all time (triggered by a light sensor.) Rear has two large lights which light the entire back yard. If I hear "bumps and noises" outside I can look without turning on any inside lights, so I can see intruder, he can not see me. Our telephones are all (Verizon) wireless so no phone lines can be cut. I hope those measures are sufficient.

 

[packnrat]

this thread is about peepholes...but how about some cameras?

lets you see who and what is there, and can be recorded.
.