In the world of surveillance hardware, Chinese-made cameras often dominate the spec sheets: low prices, fast shipping, endless features. But behind the glossy brochures lies a reality most retailers can’t afford to ignore.

That’s why we choose Taiwanese cameras — and why we’ll keep choosing them, no matter what.

The Hidden Costs of “Cheaper” Cameras

At first glance, Chinese cameras seem like a bargain. But there are major trade-offs:

  • Many are banned for U.S. government use due to security concerns
  • Some carry risks of data theft or unauthorized access
  • They tend to break down faster, increasing long-term costs

When you factor in downtime, replacement cycles, and potential vulnerabilities, the initial savings disappear quickly.

Why Taiwan Delivers Long-Term Value

Cameras built in Taiwan come with higher manufacturing costs — but also greater peace of mind.

With Taiwanese components, we get:

  • Higher reliability in the field
  • Better compliance with security standards
  • More trust from customers concerned about data integrity

It’s a premium we’re proud to pay. Because our customers deserve systems that don’t just work today — they last.

Tariffs Are Changing the Game

New tariffs on Taiwanese electronics are about to raise the stakes.

We’re expecting:

  • Increased costs on every cable, switch, and component
  • Pressure on margins for companies that prioritize quality
  • Calls for reshoring or re-sourcing that don’t reflect manufacturing realities

Why “Just Move to Mexico” Isn’t the Answer

Some say the fix is simple: build in Mexico, or even in the U.S. But here’s the truth:

  • The U.S. lacks the labor cost structure and specialized expertise for camera production
  • Mexico lacks the infrastructure to produce high-performance security hardware at scale

You can’t shortcut quality — especially when lives, livelihoods, and liability are on the line.

We Won’t Compromise — Even If Others Do

As tariffs push others back toward cheaper Chinese components, we’re staying the course.

Because:

  • Security is worth the premium
  • Durability reduces long-term spend
  • Reputation matters more than margin

We believe in one simple rule: Buy it cheap, buy it twice.

The Bigger Picture: A Shift Toward Trusted Supply Chains

Ironically, heavier tariffs on Chinese products may end up boosting Taiwanese manufacturing in the long run — making it more competitive on a global scale.

Until then, we’ll continue doing what we’ve always done:

Choose the partners we trust. Build systems that last. And never cut corners on security.