NetGear Arlo 2 Camera System

Oac966 on 27/10/2015 - 13:55

HI All

Thinking of purchasing these when the price drops or at the next Ebay XX% sale . However wanted to know if anyone has these and has any comments on quality, battery life, connecting Local HDD to base possible, any other pros/cons

I will be installing both cameras outdoors probably about 30-50m from the base station (through brick walls) etc, to monitor the house, however I don't have electricity and am not able to run POE to where I want to install them, hence thinking of these as an option

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • ensanguined on 27/10/2015 - 14:20
    +1

    The way eBay sellers SydneyTech and Wireless1 jacked the price of this package up from $375 to $488 really annoyed the crap out of me, and they did so just because they offered the Big W/Woolworths click and collect option. This is a $113 price rise, do they think we are stupid? Expect the price to drop again to that level now that the $100 voucher deal is over, but yeah I am also hoping for some sort of sale that reduces the price even further. Oh and the $50 visa card redemption offer ends soon too, so expect the price to drop further once that is over.

    I am in the same boat as you in terms of power options so the Arlo look a go, but with the cost of the short-lasting batteries (with confusion still present in the community about which rechargeable batteries to buy) and the delay on recordings I am a little hesitant. No local video recording either, so if you lose internet access or the Arlo server drops out you will not be recording anything, or have access to the cameras.

    If I buy them I will let you know how they go. Please do the same if you pull the trigger!

  • Oac966 on 27/10/2015 - 14:30

    Yep NP

    In terms of the batteries I have seen some post on OzB that you can buy the Cr123 Rechargeable batteries for ~$13 for 4 (ebay) (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/201174) so not too concerned about the batteries, but the delay in recording etc is a big concern. Hence seeking feedback..

    • ensanguined on 27/10/2015 - 14:35

      I am just dreading buying rechargeables that last a short time, forcing me to climb up to retrieve and switch them over frequently. The camera needs to be high enough to avoid theft but not too high as to make them too difficult to reach! Some forums discuss using batteries with greater power values so that they last longer between charges.

    • boomramada on 27/10/2015 - 20:25

      before buy Rechargeable, have a read through this;
      https://community.netgear.com/t5/Buying-Options-Tips/Recharg…

  • ESEMCE on 27/10/2015 - 15:54

    Surely at that price you'd be better off buying a couple of Foscam's and some decent size 12V Lithium Packs with a solar panel to charge them?
    You'd get outdoor suitable equipment, no/less battery issues and you can have a home server doing the recording, all for about the same $.

    • ensanguined on 27/10/2015 - 16:27

      Mate this sounds so epic, could you tell us more (i.e. recommend actual Foscam wireless/Outdoor suitable camera models or provide links)? Thanks heaps if so!

      • ESEMCE on 27/10/2015 - 16:33

        Totally throwing ideas to the wind. I only have indoor ones at home, as baby monitors.
        But I have seen outdoor ones on eBay from the same sellers who sell the indoor ones.
        Lithium battery packs for RC cars from Hobby King or similar can be had for $50 each, Solar panels for recharge would be where my expertise is non-existant.
        You'd probably end up spending a bit more but for saving the hassle of replacing batteries daily (I can't imagine you get more than a few hours runtime from a Cr123) it'd be money well spent in my mind.

    • boomramada on 27/10/2015 - 20:22

      The idea of the Arlo is that you do NOT need to do any wiring. Else Foscam do the job.

      • ESEMCE on 28/10/2015 - 07:57

        Nor do you with Foscam.
        They're WiFi cameras.

        I can't fathom how Netgear can make anything wireless that runs on puny batteries and can claim a 6 month battery life without severe restrictions like sleeping the camera when you're not accessing it.
        If they can run full time for that long then they're probably worth the money cause that's some impressive technology!

        • ensanguined on 28/10/2015 - 08:31

          Yeah you are right, they expect such a long battery life because it only records when it detects movement and only for a default of ten seconds, and this is assuming its kept inside. SO if you have it outside, record more frequently or request a live feed more often the battery wont last more than a few weeks, or days with rechargeables. I want this Foscam setup, and am going to look into it heaps over the weekend.

        • boomramada on 28/10/2015 - 09:49

          I got Foscam, I know how they works but you still need wired as power :)
          but there are places, wiring is way expensive. Otherwise I wouldnt touch Arlo.

        • ESEMCE on 28/10/2015 - 10:28

          @boomramada:

          Power the FOSCAM off an external battery.
          a 12V 50000mAH battery will happily run a FOSCAM for a few days without recharge.
          Attach a charge controller and small solar panel to the battery and you ought to be able to have continuous power supplied to the camera.

  • maxsdadda on 28/10/2015 - 10:51
    +2

    Hi,
    I can comment as I actually OWN an Arlo Camera System.
    I read plenty of reviews and watched youtube videos of outputs etc before purchasing.
    I DID however get it for MUCH LESS $$ than normal.
    Officeworks had them cheap, so I called JB and price matched them. The salesperson actually took off even more than 5% but I didn't hesitate in buying them anyway.
    They're a pretty great camera system. Having said that, I AM going to swap to POE cameras with permanent recording to my QNAP within the next 6 months.
    I've got 1 outside, looking over cars and driveway and the other inside as I love watching the kids get up as I leave home early in the morning.
    A few key factors to note:
    THEY DON'T RECORD CONSTANTLY. They record once movement is detected. Hence the 6 month battery life. Mine are about 5 months old now and batteries still going strong. They base the 6 months on 5 minutes per day recording.
    The settings can be adjusted to have better/worse quality of recording which uses more/less battery and more/less bandwith.
    The response time is pretty quick from when movement is detected to when you get a notification on your phone to let you know.
    By the time the camera's pick up movement, to when it starts recording is a bit hit and miss. I find mine occasionally missing the actual movement altogether if its quick (A cat or a car etc) so it presents me with a no movement video.
    I think it only keeps a week or so of data. No possibility to record locally, it records to the cloud only, but is accessible from multiple devices remotely and locally.
    The recordings can be downloaded and kept on your camera reel (iPhone for example).
    Set up is Piece of P!
    Even setting the camera sensitivity is easy as there's a process and flashing lights to show when movement is detected. Positioning is easy too as once mounted you can view live and tilt accordingly.
    The camera's have magnets on the back for easy mounting, however if it's reachable, also for easy theft of a $150.00 camera…

    Let me know if you want to know anything else.

    • Oac966 on 28/10/2015 - 23:58

      Thanks sounds ok for what I need can I ask why you are considering changing to Poe ? Is it due to the hit and miss recording considering battery life seems ok ?

    • unco on 29/10/2015 - 18:45

      Thanks for your review.
      Does the camera you have outside suffer from overheating in the Aussie sun? I'm kind of worried how the batteries would stand up to a 30+ degree day with the sun shining on it.

      • unco on 17/12/2015 - 08:25

        With the upcoming four days of 35+ degrees in Melbourne, I decided to take down the outdoor camera which gets the full afternoon to evening sun.
        I'll place it facing the front door for now. I guess it's handy to be able to move these around and keep them running.

  • maxsdadda on 29/10/2015 - 16:24

    Sorry the reply took so long, big day at work.
    I'm looking to go POE mainly for learning as I've never used them and also for 24 hour recording. My folks will have the Arlo which I'm more than comfortable having watch over them.
    I have a new multibay qnap with plenty of storage so mainly wanting to test the quality and functionality.
    The Arlo night vision is pretty good too.

  • maxsdadda on 30/10/2015 - 08:55
    +1

    With regard to the outdoor one, I haven't had it in for a full summer though but I assume it'd be the same with a normal camera being in direct sun. Strategic positioning may combat this, but the cameras seem pretty thick which may include insulation??
    All batteries don't like extremes of heat and cold but it's held up so far… But I'm in Victoria

  • powergirl on 25/11/2015 - 12:36

    Just wonder has anyone receive their cashback of $50?

    • jaylee88 on 09/12/2015 - 14:13

      hello!

      I was wondering when would mine show up as well. its been 3 while. have you got yours yet??? i bought mine from this deal

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/213350

      cheers

      • powergirl on 11/12/2015 - 06:54
        +1

        Hi, I received the cashback yesterday without following up with them. I bought mine from the same deal. I hope your cashback will arrived soon.

        • jaylee88 on 14/12/2015 - 23:40

          Mine just arrived today. Cheers!

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