Troubleshooting Your Laview Camera Mounting Issues
A secure mounting is the foundation of a reliable security camera system. If you're running into issues while installing your Laview camera, such as misalignment, instability, or an inability to get the perfect viewing angle, this guide can help. We'll walk you through the common problems and provide clear solutions for a professional and stable installation.
Proper mounting not only keeps your camera secure but also ensures it remains weatherproof and provides a clear, stable image for years to come.
## Common Laview Mounting Problems
Even with the right tools, you can encounter frustrating issues. Here are some of the most frequent challenges:
- Misaligned Screw Holes: Despite using the drilling template, the holes don't perfectly match the camera base.
- Unstable Image: The camera's footage appears shaky or vibrates, especially in windy conditions.
- Camera Not Sitting Flush: There is a gap between the camera base and the wall, which can compromise the weatherproof seal.
- Limited Adjustment Angle: You can't tilt or swivel the camera enough to cover the desired area.
## Step-by-Step Solutions for a Perfect Mount
Let's work through these problems with practical, easy-to-follow steps.
### 1. Achieving Perfect Hole Alignment
The drilling template is your best friend, but it needs to be used correctly.
- Flat Surface: Ensure the template sticker is applied to a clean and completely flat section of the wall. Any bumps or debris underneath can throw off the alignment.
- Use a Level: Before you mark the holes, place a spirit level on the template to ensure your camera will be perfectly horizontal.
- Centre-Punch the Holes: For greater accuracy, use a centre punch or a nail to make a small indentation in the centre of each marked hole before you start drilling. This prevents the drill bit from "wandering" as it starts.
- Drill Straight: Hold your drill as perpendicular to the wall as possible. Drilling at an angle is a common cause of misalignment.
### 2. Stabilising a Shaky Camera
Vibration is the enemy of clear video footage.
- Solid Surface First: The number one cause of vibration is mounting to a flimsy surface. Avoid thin plastic soffits, guttering, or long, thin poles. Prioritise solid wood, brickwork, or concrete.
- Use a Junction Box: For many Laview models, a compatible junction box is the key to stability. It creates a larger, more rigid mounting platform and is essential for hiding and protecting cable connections outdoors.
- Tighten Everything: Go back and check every screw.
- The screws holding the mount/junction box to the wall.
- The screws holding the camera to the mount/junction box.
- The locking collar or adjustment screws that fix the camera's angle.
### 3. Ensuring a Flush, Weatherproof Fit
A gap behind your camera is a potential entry point for water and insects.
- Cable Management: The most common culprit is a trapped wire. The bulky RJ45 Ethernet connector and the pigtail cables must be properly managed. Either feed them back through a hole in the wall or, ideally, house them within a junction box.
- Check the Gasket: Laview outdoor cameras have a foam or rubber gasket on the base. Make sure it's clean, undamaged, and correctly seated before mounting.
- Tighten in a Star Pattern: When screwing the camera to its base, tighten the screws gradually in a star pattern. This ensures even pressure on the gasket for a perfect seal.
### 4. Getting the Angle You Need
If you can't aim the camera where you want, consider your mounting hardware.
- Turret/Eyeball Cameras: These offer great flexibility. Loosen the outer locking collar, and you should be able to pivot the camera lens in almost any direction.
- Bullet Cameras: The angle is adjusted via the arm. If you've hit the limit, you may need to rotate the entire mounting base on the wall by 90 degrees to change the pivot direction.
- Consider a Corner or Pole Mount: If the wall itself is the obstruction, you may need a specific mounting bracket to position the camera away from the surface. Laview offers corner and pole mount accessories for this purpose.