I use a mix of cameras myself, I always have.
The X10 cameras intergrate seamlessly with my Home Automation... and they really are easy to hide.
I really do like the X10 cameras.. and I use both wired and wireless.
They do require lighting.. which is a good thing. Exterior lighting is a great deterrent as are visible security cameras.
To make sure any potential intruders can spot that I have cameras... I like having a big chunky IR camera in an easy-to-spot position. Currently... I have my IR camera mounted on a Ninja. The Ninja seems to be able to handle the load... but I keep the presets more-or-less level (not TOO much looking up or down). This works great for me as the Ninja/IR allows me to look around the yard even if there hasn't been any motion to trigger lighting. And the IR camera sitting up on the Ninja is REALLY easy to see. But..
replacing the known effectiveness of good lighting with a little IR camera... sounds risky to me. I also use a
Mobile Observation Platform (I call
R.E.D.) with a cheap little wireless color camera. But I recently modified a Ninja for long range, and a wireless X10 camera with an omnidirectional antenna... and hope to have those on
R.E.D. soon. Of course the
Robotic Exploration Device is both a hobby.. and a work in progress.
I had hoped
R.E.D. would help scare off the deer from my yard... but so far
R.E.D. has yet to earn his keep.