Outdoor Cam Big Disappointment

Cameras
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There are a number of common themes running through this discussion. Here’s my take:

Every use case requires a balance of: feature, function / reliability / security / ease of use / cost

  1. Indoor: Home / Garage / Basement: Fixed view

    • Environment: Power, WiFi, temp&humidity all good
    • I’m happy with Wyze Cam V2

  2. Indoor: Home / Garage / Basement: Multiview

    • Environment: Power, WiFi, temp&humidity all good
    • I find the Wyze Cam Pan unusable (5-clicks) to switch from one position to another.
    • sunk cost: I keep it in hopes that Wyze will implement Pan position presets similar to Foscam, Tenvis, Amcrest, rest of world.
    • Alternate Wyze family solution: Two Wyze Cam V2s (back to back)

  3. Outdoors: Hidden Driveway position

    • Environment: NO power, Plenty of WiFi(70%) 200ft from closest location for Wyze Outdoor Hub
    • Location tests well with Wyze Cam V2 + battery
    • No Wyze family solution
    • Many options: (less secure for off-site access, not as easy to configure or use, cost, yet another interface unify with TinyCam(?))
      Kami
      Kamtron
      Reolink

  4. Outdoors: Shed / out-building

    • Environment: Power, Plenty of WiFi(80%) 100ft from closest location for Wyze Outdoor Hub
    • Location tests well with WyzeCam V2
    • Unofficial Wyze family solution: Wyze Cam V2 + “bird house” cover
    • Many options: (less secure for off-site access, not as easy to configure or use, cost, yet another interface unify with TinyCam(?))
      AMICCOM
      Kami
      Yi

  5. Outdoors: Within 50ft of Wyze Cam Outdoor Hub

    • Environment: Indoor Hub requires power and ethernet connection
    • Does not fit in my “top 4” above (I have no camera positions within 50ft of a possible wired-hub location)

  6. Anywhere: Standalone

    • Environment: where-ever, no power, no nothing
    • Less than GO Pro for a lot less
    • Not on my list of needs/wants

5 & 6 are clear winners for Wyze Cam Outdoors. I’m sure there are others that I have not considered.

For me, Wyze Cam V2 still has the best combination of feature, function / reliability / security / ease of use / cost

Suggestions for future enhancements

  • A. Waterproof Wyze Cam V2 (works for #4 above) Provides continuous recording to SD card.
  • B. Plug-in Wyze Cam Outdoor with WiFi + official support for a 3rd party solar panel (works for #3 above). No continuous recording when battery charge percentage drops below user defined threshold.
  • C. Did I mention Cam Pan Presets?

Just for fun, let’s review: High-end POE camera:

  • +DVR + wireless bridge + solar charging controller + batteries + solar panel = off the charts cost, non-trivial setup, but hey! you can read license plates in the dark!

Helps me realize I can get a lot done with a few Wyze Cams.

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