TL;DR - Not buying random cameras from whatever brand, just to get stuck in their ecosystem.
We may be nearing the mass market readiness for certain smart home implementations, especially once you get into Zigbee or Z-Wave stuff with a good hub (SmartThings, Vera, Wink, etc.)…
HOWEVER, good camera integration with solid control over where things are stored, appropriate triggers, good hardware for encryption and transcoding, and a multiplicity of other factors - All of these are why I simply don’t do more than maybe a Ring doorbell for family or clients. I use Amcrest and Foscam hardware, with Intel-accelerated transcode in Blue Iris software for my own home. Easier to just keep my own cameras on a nicely secured VLAN, wired, and running (mostly) locally.
Wyze with custom firmware are a cheaper, decent alternative, for the more tech-savvy. And while Arlo are making strides, the price/performance just doesn’t bear out yet for me.
Wyze cam! I have several and they work better than the big name brands that I have tried. You cannot beat $30 for a security camera with free cloud storage.
Size: Camera diameter (60mm), camera thiccness (42mm), overall height (104mm), base diameter (70mm)
Weight: 142g
CPU: Dual CPUs, WiFi SoC, and Image Signal Processor
Power adapter and 10 ft power cord
Wireless: Single-antenna WiFi with diversity; public and private WiFi networks supported (802.11 g/n); does not support ad hoc or peer-to-peer WiFi networks
Connections: WiFi, BTLE
2 Mbps internet speed recommended
Smart Phone Requirements: iOS 9.3x or later; Android L or later
Camera Resolution: up to 1080p Full HD
Frame Rate: 30 fps
One micro USB port
Ambient Light Sensor
Audio: 5mm x 11mm x 3.5mm speaker and one omnidirectional microphone
LEDs: One RGB LED for camera status, eight IR LEDs for night vision. To help you know when Cloud Cam is on, the status LED will glow green when the camera is on. When the green light is off, you know that the camera and microphone are electrically disconnected.
Compatible with Alexa
Cloud Cam App: The Cloud Cam App is compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices in the US
Key Edition:
Compatible with Amazon Key for in-home delivery (with compatible lock, not included)
What’s in the Box?
Non-Key Edition:
1x Camera
1x USB Power Cable
1x 5W Power Adapter
1x Mounting Kit
1x Quick Start Guide
OR
Key Edition:
1x Camera
1x Amazon Key Enabled Power Cable
1x 5W Power Adapter
1x Mounting Kit
1x Quick Start Guide
Here’s a Fun Fact for You
The Cloud People, also known as the Chachapoya, once lived in the cloud forests of northern Peru. Not much is known about the Chachapoya, other than written accounts of their fairer skin, blonde hair, and remarkable beauty. The Chachapoya are not to be confused with the other Cloud People, who were created by government chemtrails.
I have the cloud cams - I bought when they were on sale for prime day in 2018. They were $60 at the time - I think they were a good deal for that price - but i’m not sure how much longer amazon will be supporting these.
Its good - but not sure I can justify the price when Amazon is promoting their Blink XT line and Wyze has a better competing product.
@makhay I feel like the fact that Meh has a bundle of these is a good reason to avoid the product because it probably means it’s about to be discontinued.
Wyze cams are a dope alternate for about $25 on Amazon.
@terrence Or $20 plus shipping from Wyze, but I went with Amazon, too.
Free person detection, too.
I bought the Wyze cam to put open source firmware on it, just to play around, but it works as is.
I’ve had two for over a year, and neither has had a glitch.
@terrence also $25 at Micro Center.
@terrence Based on the responses, can I assume that you guys would recommend the Wyze cams?
@terrence the Amazon cam has some free cloud support. The Wyze doesn’t.
I have both, but use the Wyze only for live check-ins. The Amazon cam gives me decent movement detection warnings.
Though it’s not nearly as good as the Nest cam imo.
Meh. Got the non-key (huh?) version as an Amazon deal o’ the day for $60 over a year ago.
/giphy you can do better, meh.
Hey Hey You You
Get off of my cloud
Get into my car
Get outta my mind
Don’t hang around 'cause two’s a crowd
TL;DR - Not buying random cameras from whatever brand, just to get stuck in their ecosystem.
We may be nearing the mass market readiness for certain smart home implementations, especially once you get into Zigbee or Z-Wave stuff with a good hub (SmartThings, Vera, Wink, etc.)…
HOWEVER, good camera integration with solid control over where things are stored, appropriate triggers, good hardware for encryption and transcoding, and a multiplicity of other factors - All of these are why I simply don’t do more than maybe a Ring doorbell for family or clients. I use Amcrest and Foscam hardware, with Intel-accelerated transcode in Blue Iris software for my own home. Easier to just keep my own cameras on a nicely secured VLAN, wired, and running (mostly) locally.
Wyze with custom firmware are a cheaper, decent alternative, for the more tech-savvy. And while Arlo are making strides, the price/performance just doesn’t bear out yet for me.
@arosiriak
/giphy expert level
Wyze cam! I have several and they work better than the big name brands that I have tried. You cannot beat $30 for a security camera with free cloud storage.
Two days in a row there’s things I want to buy. But I broke the bank buying yesterday’s thing.
@Gypsigirl213 you broke the bank buying the fake crocs?
@dam091 Oh, my bad, forgot about those yesterday. I meant the Ninja thingy the day before. Wow. Days go by too fast.
Specs
Key Edition:
What’s in the Box?
Non-Key Edition:
1x Camera
1x USB Power Cable
1x 5W Power Adapter
1x Mounting Kit
1x Quick Start Guide
OR
Key Edition:
1x Camera
1x Amazon Key Enabled Power Cable
1x 5W Power Adapter
1x Mounting Kit
1x Quick Start Guide
Here’s a Fun Fact for You
The Cloud People, also known as the Chachapoya, once lived in the cloud forests of northern Peru. Not much is known about the Chachapoya, other than written accounts of their fairer skin, blonde hair, and remarkable beauty. The Chachapoya are not to be confused with the other Cloud People, who were created by government chemtrails.
Price Comparison
Non-Key: $89.99 at Amazon
Key: $119.99 at Amazon
Warranty
90 days
Estimated Delivery
Monday, July 13th - Wednesday, July 15th
Clicked through all the images just to see the last one and have to say. I was NOT disappointed. TU mehrons…
If there is one thing Chuck taught me, if I buy one of these everybody but me will be looking at what goes on in my house.
Wyze it better?
Certainly cheaper cams out there that work with Alexa.
Looks like you have to pay some subscription fee if the amazon reviews are still correct.
@Kidsandliz Nope! You get quick notifications for movement and associated ten second clips which are retained for a day or so for free.
I have the cloud cams - I bought when they were on sale for prime day in 2018. They were $60 at the time - I think they were a good deal for that price - but i’m not sure how much longer amazon will be supporting these.
Its good - but not sure I can justify the price when Amazon is promoting their Blink XT line and Wyze has a better competing product.
@makhay I feel like the fact that Meh has a bundle of these is a good reason to avoid the product because it probably means it’s about to be discontinued.