I run a cat rescue and just set up some Wyze pan v3 cams to monitor and livestream the adorableness (RTSP). I get the position set purrfectly, and then by the next day, the position has drifted.
For each cam, I have one waypoint set, track motion/pan scan/motion tagging are all off.
FW versions are 4.50.16.6114, 4.50.16.6242, and 4.50.16.5055
iOS app versions 3.9.0 (b23) and 3.11.0 (6)
I set up a rule to restart / reset position, but they still reset to somewhat different positions than my waypoint. Selecting the waypoint manually in the app returns them to a somewhat close position, but not the exact purrfect one I had set.
Kittens are purrfectionists, and this makes them sad.
Does anyone know how to fix this so the kittens can be happy?
The waypoint is not a “home” position. The cam will stay wherever it was put last (unless you have pan/scan on). Even if you enable track motion, when the motion stops, it returns to where you had it last, NOT a waypoint.
If you want your waypoint to be “home”, first do the motor calibration or reboot it, then aim it where you want home to be, and create your waypoint. That way whenever you tap the waypoint it will return there.
Some have even created dual identical waypoints and turn on pan/scan so even if you move the camera manually it will return there after a few seconds.
If you’re only moving the camera manually from time to time, there should not be much drift at all, and a nightly automated reboot would take care of any that does crop up.
Maybe the cats are physically moving it which will throw off the calibration They’ve been known to be mischievous after all.
You may also want to stick to non-beta app and firmware versions unless there is something specific in a beta that you need. They will by definition often have some glitches. Use the latest release firmware and app.
Long story short, there is no concept of a “home” position with the Panv3. There used to be a couple of tricks to do it, but as of now the only trick is the dual identical waypoints where you want home to be, and turn on pan/scan. Technically the camera is moving back and forth between those two waypoints, but since they’re the same, it shouldn’t actually move.
The Motion Tagging setting shouldn’t have any effect on camera movement, but I have a few questions:
If you have Track Motion and Pan Scan disabled, then what are your circumstances for moving the Cams’ views, and how are you doing that?
How do you have your Cam Pan v3s mounted?
What makes you certain that you’re experiencing Waypoint drift?
I’m asking because with one of my Cam Pan v3s (which does have Track Motion enabled) I use a weekly Schedule Automation with a “Reset Position” action but still sometimes see that its primary Waypoint seems to have moved; however, when I inspect the Cam, I can see that it has shifted because the rubbery base isn’t quite tacky enough for the surface where I’ve set the Cam. I haven’t done anything to affix the Cam to that surface, so the Cam’s occasional movement (through tracking and/or reset) will cause the base to skid or shift some over time. If your Cams are allowed to do that, then that may account for what you’re seeing.
I am setting it to the desired position via the iOS app, and also initially created a waypoint in that same position. I have not ruled out kitten interference haha, although we do have mods 24/7 who monitor for such things. Viewers love a good cam take-down.
I will try your dual waypoints suggestion, thank you very much for taking the time to reply!
The important part is to set your waypoint just after running the calibration or rebooting the cam. That way you’re not setting it to a “drifted” position.
If the cam is secured in place (and not moving the base like @crease mentioned), then it may just be that people are moving it around a lot, and you’ll have a bit of drift until your nightly reset.
I reboot my pans once a week which is enough to keep them pretty close, and that’s with constant motion tracking.
I am moving the cams’ positions via the iOS app. Generally, I don’t need to change the position unless something either adorable or concerning is happening and I need to get a closer look.
They’re screwed into the top of a birthing nest (ikea cabinet), upside-down. I drilled a hole through a shelf and bolted it on that way. I normally only use duct tape for construction, but was trying to make this setup a bit less sticky/exasperating.
Mostly kitten logic, and some googling.
I will investigate the mounting system and see if that could explain it! Thank you for answering!
As long as the screw is snug it shouldn’t be rotating on the rubber pad, but never know, maybe tighten it a bit more if needed. I do recall someone mentioning their rubber pad had actually detached from the cam and that was allowing it to rotate some, but I can’t see how that would happen on new cams that are fastened to a flat surface tightly.
I do know in the past some people mentioned the drift was worse when the cam was on bottom (upside down with the 180 degree rotation enabled). But others didn’t notice that, so not sure if it was actually a “thing” or not.
I appreciate the answers! I think what you’re doing makes sense. A couple of thoughts occurred to me if you do find that you’re seeing the base slip on the bolt:
You could try making the base a little “sticky” by adding something like 3M Command Strips (I like the Poster Strips and use those for a variety of applications) between the Cam base and the bottom of the shelf. That might reduce any physical shifting of the Cam that you might be seeing, and those are easy to remove cleanly. They could also provide a little cushion between the Cam base and the shelf bottom when you tighten the bolt.
If the bolt threads are slipping in the Cam base’s screw mount hole, then you could consider a drop or two of a threadlocker, like Loctite Blue or something similar.
If you’re getting shifting of the entire assembly (i.e., the bolt is tight and not having threads slip or loosen in the mount hole but the Cam base still feels loose and can rotate some), then I’d probably look at making sure the bolt head and any washers you’re using are snug and not slipping against the shelf, and I’d also look at the shelf and the entire piece of furniture itself. If you have people and kittens being active in the area, then I’d wonder if the cabinet is getting bumped or jostled and/or if the shelf that the camera is bolted to is shifting within the cabinet. Ikea furniture that I’ve assembled hasn’t always had the tightest tolerances.
They’ve been known to be mischievous after all.