Hikvision Most Polarizing Favorability Results 2017

By IPVM Team, Published Jan 05, 2017, 07:56am EST

Pro or con, integrators have an opinion on Hikvision.

Hikvision scored, by far, the lowest neutral levels on IPVM's favorability results, engendering both significant support and opposition.

In this note, we examine the numbers and numerous integrator comments explaining their positions.

Statistics ********

*** ******* ************ ******** had * ******* ***** of ~**% *** **** than **% **** ******* about *********. ** *** plus ****, ********* ****** moderately ***** ******* ******** results, *** *** *** second ***** ******** *****:

*****, ** ****** *** top ******* *********** ******** for ***** ******** ** negative ********* ** *********.

Attractive ******* / *****

********* ** ********* ***** for ***** *** ******, and *********** ***** ***** the ***** / ***** they ******** ** * key ********:

  • "********** ****** *** * great *****"
  • "**** ***** ** ***** of *****/*******"
  • "**** ** ***** **** the *****/*********** *****."
  • "**% **** ***, ** wait ***'* **** ** 20% *** *****."
  • "*** ** ******* *** the ***** ************* ** improve *** ***** *****. Hik *** ******** ****** me ****** *********** **** the *** *** ****** DIY **** *********."
  • "********* *** ****** *** a **** ***** *****."
  • "********** ********, **** *******."
  • "********** ******* *** ***** support ** ******."
  • "**** *********."
  • "********* *****, *** *********** is **** ***** ** good ** *** ***** high-end *****. *** ****** how ***** ***-****** ******* are ******** *** ******** side ** *** ******."
  • "**** ****** ******* *** the *****. *.***+ ***** well."

*******

**** ******** **** ******** responses ************ ********* ********** of *******. ** ******** to ***** *****, ****** include:

  • "******* **** *** * lower ***** *****."
  • "*****, **** *******, ******** warranty."
  • "****** ******* ******* *** VMS. ***** *** ******* jobs **** ***'* *** for *****/****."
  • "***** **** **, **** Quality, **** ***** *******."
  • "**** ******* *******, *** rate ** *******, *** the ******** * **** in * ***** *** customer *****. ***** ** really **** ** **** Axis **** ***** **** around. ******** ******* ****** i've *** **** *** and ******* *******."
  • "**** *** ** **** on ******* ** ***** cameras. ***** ***** ** easy ** *** *********. I **** **** ** use **** ** ***** or ********** *** *** manufacturing *** ***** ******* I ****. **** ******* is ****** **** ** well."
  • "**** ***** ** ***** of *****/******* **** ********* Product ** ****** *** most ********."

Proponents *** ********* ***** ********* *** *****

**** ***-********* *********** *** aware ***********'* ******* ********** ******, *** **** ******** specifically ******* **** ** an **** ** *******, but ******* ** *** not ****** ** ****** them:

  • "*** ******* ***'* ***** is * *** ********** but *** ****** *** me ** ****** ******... at ***** *** ***."
  • "******* *** **** **** Hikvision ** ********* ***** by *** ******* ***, we **** **** ****, top ** ******, *** best **** ** ******** available ** ****** *** price, *** **** *** surely * ***** ***** as ****."
  • "*'* *** * **** fan ** *** ******* government *********** ** *** company, *** **'* *** a ***********."

*** **********, ** **********, has * ******* ********* sales ******:

*** ******* ********** ********* is ** ********* ***** to ******* ** *********, and ** ** ******* to *** ********, *** actually ** ****** ***********.

Opponents ********** ********* ** ********** *********

** ********, ******* ********** ownership *** *** *** concern *** *********** **** a ******** ********:

  • "******* ********** ********* ** don't *** ** ***."
  • "********* *** ******* ** that **'* ******* ** government ********* ** ** economic ****** ** ********* China"
  • "******* ********* ** ******* Government"
  • "** ** *** ******* Hikvision *** ** *** relationship **** *** ******* government."
  • "******** **** ********** ********** equipment ******* ** * company ***** ** * government **** **'** *** but ** **** ***** warfare ****."
  • "******? ******* ************ *********"
  • "* ***'* **** **** they *** * ******* government *******. ** ***** a ******** **** *** American *********."
  • "**** ******** *** ***** communist ********** ********* ** it ******** *********** ********* concerns **** *** *** in *** ******. *** concerns **** **** ********** ownership ** **** *** lack ** ************ *** profits (** **** ****** back ******* *****-******* ****** loans) **** **** ******* an ****** *********, *** allows ** ** ** used ** * **** of *** ********** ** get ***** ******* *** over *** *****."
  • "***** ** ******* **********. Need * *** ****? We'll ***** *** ****."
  • "* **** **** **** are ******* ***** *** I ** *** ***** them."

Cyber ******** ********

***** ******** *** ****** a ***** *****, *** Hikvision *** *** ******** vulnerabilities, ** ***** ******** by******** ************* ********, ******* *********** ********** or **********.

  • "******** ******* ****"
  • "***** ****, ******** *****"
  • "********, ********, ********. *** can ** ******* * security ******** **** ******** that *** *** ******?? They **** **** ****** products, *** ** ****** accept ***** ********** ********* security."
  • "******** **** ********** ********** equipment ******* ** * company ***** ** * government **** **'** *** but ** **** ***** warfare ****."
  • "*** **** *** ******. Would ***** **** ** recommend. ***** ******** ** right *** *** ****** here."
  • "******** *****."

Destroying *** ********

****-********* ********* **** **** low ****** *** *** always **** ** * benefit, **** *********** **** that ********* ** *********** or ********* **** ***** pricing *******.

  • "**** **** ***** **** are ********** *** ************ industry **** ***** ******** and **********."
  • "******* ** *** ********. Race ** ****** ************."
  • "*** ******** *** ****** obvious. ********* *******. **** to *** ******."
  • "** ******* **** *** unfair ***** ********* **** employ *** ******** ** the ******** ** * whole."
  • "**** *** ******* *** market **** *** *** prices."
  • "*** ******** ***** ****** is **** *** **** for *** ******** ** a *****."

*******

***** ********* ** *** Favorability ***** ***** **** challenges **** *** *********** be *****: ******* ********, lack ** **********, ******** high ******, ***. *********'* biggest ********* - ********** ownership - ** ************* harder.

** *** **** ****, the ***** ******* ************ ratings ******* **** ********* has *** **** * significant ******* ** *********** with *** *********** ** low ****** *** ******* quality. *** ********* ** growing ***** ****** ******** will ** *** **** can **** / ******** the ********* *** ************* concerns.

Comments (9)

Avatar

Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC
01/05/17 01:10pm

If Hikvision were to ever fall behind on features, performance, or reliability, they would be dead quickly. This is due to the government ownership, that already makes them a no-go for many. If they have any major missteps in the future, it could be much more damaging for them, due to the government factor.

They already aren't the cheapest, and by far. Their Value Series is an affordable line for sure, but their Smart Series is world class and on par pricing wise, if not just a tad below the competition. They include more features for the dollar than many other brands. 

The only other real, end to end, top to bottom competition is Axis and Avigilon. No one else is on their level. Avigilon is surely the best in class today, but Hikvision is a VMS away from closing that gap. 

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John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Jon Dillabaugh | 01/05/17 02:43pm

They already aren't the cheapest, and by far.

That is because you are comparing them against companies that have multiple of the following: no local 'factory' sales people, no local support, no local field engineers, poor brand, no parties, no free trips to China, etc. These things count for many, if not most, dealers. Otherwise everyone would just use Longse and call it a day.

their Smart Series is world class and on par pricing wise, if not just a tad below the competition.

Which competition? Dysfunctional Dahua or no presence Uniview? How about vs Axis, Avigilon, Sony, etc.? How does that pricing compare?

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Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC
In reply to John Honovich | 01/05/17 05:02pm

Which competition? Dysfunctional Dahua or no presence Uniview? How about vs Axis, Avigilon, Sony, etc.? How does that pricing compare?

I was referring to Axis and Avigilon. Hikvisions top line series are probably just a little less cost wise, but equal quality wise. 

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Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Jon Dillabaugh | 01/05/17 07:37pm

I'd disagree on this. 

Look at Hik's top 1080p dome, which is 1/2", Darkfighter, and integrated IR, the DS-2CD4526FWD-IZH. It's under $600 online. 

Avigilon is $1000 MSRP for a 2MP IR dome, or $1200 for 5MP which is actually a larger, more sensitive imager. Axis' 1/2" outdoor dome, the Q3615-VE, is almost $1200, and doesn't include IR. Both are clearly much more expensive.

Also look at 1080p PTZs. Hikvision's new 2MP smart series is ~$1500-1600 online. The Axis equivalent (Q6155-E) is almost $3000. I don't know what Avigilon's H4 PTZ pricing is like, but MSRP on their H3 2MP model was $3500. 

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Michael Miller

In reply to Ethan Ace | 01/05/17 10:18pm

Avigilon's H4 PTZ camera is $2660 and now has analytics and Lightcatcher.

MSRP for the Hikvision camera is way higher then Avigilon.  Also, cost for the Hikvision 1080P is the same as the Avigilon 1080P camera.  Higher end Hikvision is priced the same at most other manufacturers higher end gear. 

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Undisclosed #2

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Michael Miller | 01/06/17 05:41am

Also, cost for the Hikvision 1080P is the same as the Avigilon 1080P camera.

So under $1500 for the Avigilon and selling for $2,660?  That's old school margin :)

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Johnny Breninger

01/05/17 01:40pm

There are two state-owned enterprises that own 42% of the company, with other people and venture capital investors owning the rest, including private equity in Hong Kong. Then in the open stock market there are shareholders all over the place. Some of the shareholders are foreign investors, as well.

Equating a company partially owned by SOEs with the government itself is simply incorrect and misleading.

Have you ever heard of corporations created by the United States Congress called GSE's (Government Sponsored Enterprises); e.g, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Sallie Mae, FC Banks, Farmer Mac, etc....?

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Brian Karas

IPVM | In reply to Johnny Breninger | 01/05/17 02:20pm

Johnny -

Thanks for your first comment on IPVM. Regarding Hikvision's government ownership, you have certainly summarized Hikvision's position well.

However, their position is incorrect and misleading. Our research shows this:

 

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Undisclosed Integrator #1

In reply to Johnny Breninger | 01/06/17 03:28am

Do Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Sallie Mae, FC Banks, Farmer Mac, etc compete with foreign companies on their home turf?  Hikvision is subsidized by their government not to make them competitive in China but rather with the goal of spreading their tentacles here.

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