Arlo Pro 2 security cameras

[New World Explorer]

I bought Arlo Pro 2 security cameras but they do not sync with a base ...considering returning them to the shop, but perhaps someone here can offer some knowledge on how to fix that? 

I would prefer to have them working, as I have bought solar panels to power them as well (They are wi-fi based cameras) 

I went through the steps of troubleshooting indicated in the link https://kb.arlo.com/000039094/My-Arlo-camera-will-not-sync-with-my-SmartHub-or-base-station-how-can-I-troubleshoot-it

Nothing works and Arlo support does not respond. 

[New World Explorer]

Update: cameras were faulty and exchanged in the shop after technical inspection. 

They work now, but on occasion drop off from wi-fi, not extremely reliable product. 

[Tortuga]

3 minutes ago, New World Explorer said:

Update: cameras were faulty and exchanged in the shop after technical inspection. 

They work now, but on occasion drop off from wi-fi, not extremely reliable product. 

I was doing some research on those cameras and there are a lot of bad reviews that describe the same problems you were having.

[Tortuga]

Is there a better home security camera system that you would recommend?

[ChrisW]

On 7/20/2022 at 5:42 PM, Tortuga said:

Is there a better home security camera system that you would recommend?

Right now I have a Vivint security system. I don't really care for the customer support and I don't think I really need 24/7 monitoring.  If anyone has a DIY system that they could recommend. That doesn't require a genius to set it up  Please recommend.

[Ross]

As someone who was a CCTV installer in the past, if I was installing a new system for myself, I would go for a hardwired IP-based system.
I currently have a 4k IP system from Hikvision.

[ChrisW]

9 minutes ago, Ross said:

As someone who was a CCTV installer in the past, if I was installing a new system for myself, I would go for a hardwired IP-based system.
I currently have a 4k IP system from Hikvision.

Thank you. Hardwire is probably best, but not as easy. I'll look into it. 

[computerwiz]

2 hours ago, ChrisW said:

Right now I have a Vivint security system. I don't really care for the customer support and I don't think I really need 24/7 monitoring.  If anyone has a DIY system that they could recommend. That doesn't require a genius to set it up  Please recommend.

 

Eufy security cameras are pretty awesome!  They turn and look at ya (if enabled) and look up and down.  Got AI to focus on humans.  No monthly fee...the videos are stored on the SD card on the cameras.  I don't know all the flavors they have, but mine are wired in to power & connected via wi-fi.  Very pleased with them & their scheduling as well (so they don't look at us while we're home.....the camera literally spins around and looks away  😂)

 

Those are inside cameras.  Dunno if they have outside ones, but if they're as good as the inside ones.....

[Pabo]

Hardwired is always better reliabilty than WiFi.

 

If you are looking at getting hardwired cameras, try and purchase those who require PoE (Power Over Ethernet) as part of their installation, which means you only use a Cat6 ethernet cable to connect to the camera which powers the camera and also transmit the image over the cable at the same time, no need for needing to installing a power supply for each camera.

 

If you are using a network switch as your central point for your cameras to connect to, you will need one that has PoE ability as well to power the cameras. Depending on the amount of cameras you want to use will also mean how many ports (ethernet connections) you will need, but always add a couple of spare ports as you may need to connect this to your existing home network. Also too, use a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) as a power source for the network switch(es) which will still enable the cameras to work in case of black outs.

 

The outlay cost may be more to be hardwired, but it is much simpler to upgrade and maintain than a WiFi one. Also, WiFi cameras can be hacked and someone may use these nefariously in watching you, whereas hardwired cameras would require you network to be hacked, and if your network has a WiFi access, it would make it easier for hackers. Best practice is to your security system on a seperate network than your home user network.

 

The only time you use a WiFi one if you are only renting or where you are living may have restrictions or inaccessable areas to have cabling installed (eg apartment buildings).

Edited July 17 by Pabo