Over the past few years, the industry trend in home security has definitely shifted. Start by calling a professional to your home, and getting monitoring services/hardware through a large company that you never touch. Paying a monthly fee for minimal monitoring. So on and so forth.
But the new way is a strict do it yourself approach. You install your hardware, you monitor your equipment, and in a few cases, pay a monthly fee for active monitoring and storage. At Computer America, we are appreciative when people take their technology into their own hands. And just as much so when companies facilitate that relationship.
There’s Got To Be A Better Way!
Which is why I was excited to check out the Swann 1080p Spotlight Outdoor Security Camera. You may recognized the name, as they have been a fixture in home improvement stores for years. They have been in the DIY security space from the beginning, and continue to innovate.
When it comes to home security, people often ask where to begin? And while the doorbell cameras that first swept the nation are still a good place to start, cameras are a close second. Most home having Wi-Fi has been such a game changer in this field, and adding cameras has never been easier. Many install quickly, easily, and can go anywhere near a home.
But Wait, There’s More!
Here are some of the key features of the 1080p Spotlight Outdoor Security Camera.
- 1080p HD
- 110 Degree Viewing Angle
- Infrared Vision Up To 32 Feet
- Color Night Vision Up To 65 Feet
- Internal Memory and Cloud Storage Options
- 12V DC Power (60ft Cable Included)
- Speaker/Microphone For 2 Way Audio
- Bright LED’s For Spotlights *Hence the name*
- Heat and Cold Resistant
- IP66 Indoor/Outdoor
- 2.4GHz Wifi Connection
- App Controlled
Call Now, And You’ll Also Recieve!
Some of the not so obvious features include the Swann True Detect feature, allowing the camera to distinguish the difference between a person and just general motion. From our own testing, this can be quite sensitive, and the microphone monitors constantly. So if there is simply noise without motion, you are still alerted. Integrated skills with Amazon and Google digital assistants.
Speaking specifically about this camera, Swann has certainly nailed the software/app side of this product. There is no individual Wi-Fi hub you need to set up. The installation and app walkthrough are seamless. I had the camera connected and streaming to my phone within minutes. The user interface is intuitive. Nothing should stump and average user about the software side of the device.
The build quality of the camera itself is very good. It is durable, water resistant, and very bright. Fulfilling all of it’s promises in regards to hardware.
Really Fast Speaking At The End
The main drawback to this camera, I would say, is the installation. We have reviewed wireless cameras in the past. And after dealing with this device, I would recommend wireless over wired in most applications. Obviously if it would be in a place you would find inconvenient to access, the wired option may be a benefit, so you never have to charge it. But most batteries, even in high traffic areas, seem to last weeks to months, and simplify the whole process immensely.
One other minor negative is the quality of the Wifi antenna. The signal degrades quickly, and anything under 80% quality to the connection immediately drops the video to a pixelated mess. Of course, the best way to overcome this is with the included ethernet cord that is paired with the power cable, but we have seen better quality in other cameras. This really leads me to believe they fully intend the connection to be wired, with the wireless as a backup, not the preferred method.
As Seen On Radio
Overall, a very solid addition to the crowded field of DIY Security Camera market. Among non-battery camera options, this is one of the best we’ve seen. The price being $149 (or $109.99 from Amazon at the time of this writing), it certainly is affordable, but not the lowest cost. Which isn’t a bad thing, as when you get to the sub $60 options, they can become very questionable in origins. I think for small business or if you are looking for a “never mess with it again” option, I would completely recommend this. Though I am still partial to maybe the completely wire-free options that even Swann provides.