A warning. It’s very likely that this device has little to no network security in effect. And even if it did, it’s almost guaranteed that there are numerous security flaws in the generic chipset these sort of devices use. Connecting this to WiFi could not only allow some stranger to view the web cam but, if they are the least bit clever, allow them access to your entire network (unless you have this on a different VLAN). As an IT person, I would NEVER connect this to my network.
@Selerik@squishybrain@werehatrack I kinda do live in the middle of no where. I still don’t want an internet facing camera in my home. And companies build products like this so their app/functionality require internet access. Big no-no for me. I do have home security cameras, but my firewall does not allow them to the internet - I view them remotely with a VPN connection to home.
@nicholfd@Selerik@werehatrack I know some folks here are joking but it isn’t the WiFi that gets hacked, it’s the device’s internet connection. Just connecting this to your router makes your entire network vulnerable. Even if this cheap device was engineered properly for good security (almost certainly not the case), it’s only a matter of time before some vulnerability is discovered and there’s very little chance that that will ever be patched.
Even if this cheap device was engineered properly for good security (almost certainly not the case), it’s only a matter of time before some vulnerability is discovered and there’s very little chance that that will ever be patched.
If it connects via the neighbor’s wifi, his network gets hacked. I’m much less worried about someone being able to see or listen in on what’s going on here; we do remarkably little that would give anyone a handle on anything.
That said, I don’t wish my neighbors ill, so I would not actually connect a random Thing to their wifi. (But I did config an old router to latch on to one of them once, and report itself with a name of AllYourFileBilongUs.)
@Kidsandliz, speakin of cool ideas,…my comments take a long, long pause before they post & e.g., I was considering buying this, but as I sat waitin for my comment to post, I Changed My Mind! Maybe it’s a cool idea for the meh team to shorten that pause, so I, or some tight wad like me does Not have that fn time to think about the matter of making that stupid purchase!!
@somf69@werehatrack, I guess you’ve never petted, or feed a dog that wasn’t yours, or previously yours 'cause if you had, you would know they move in were the love & food are, just like cats, JSYK!! Also, rats, mice, raccoons, or possums, etc don’t need the love, just the food, baby!!
@1DisabledWarVet
So far, all of the dogs that have shown up on my doorstep had an owner looking for them. The cats were nearly all free agents looking for a gig, or they were momcats with a litter that presented me with the necessity to prevent that from happening over and over. One of the momcats and too many of the former kittens remain here.
@shahnm You’ve never shot anything with a camera? (They make terrible clubs. Even the Canon DSLRs with the bludgeon-sized lenses are surprisingly light and fragile.)
If your pet is over 18, be sure to get their permission in writing. If not of age, be sure to get their parent or guardian’s permission.
Family lawsuits can indeed be messy.
At any rate, don’t be surprised by what shows up on TikTok.
@joelmw He looks like a such a sweet baby. It’s so sad when they die… For a split second I thought that was my cat Tigger (except the strips under his eyes are darker than Tigger’s). They look so very alike - even how they sprawl.
Before reading the comments to see if my question was already asked, or covered, I will post this question. The specs stated ‘Automatic feeding’, or Manual, so how often does the Auto dispense the treats? I buy a 16oz jug of Temptations [& it ain’t cheap], so how often does it refill the bowl/does it have a dispensing timer? I can’t afford 500ML (= ½ Qt+, or 16oz+)$ of Temptations per fn day,…I’m just saying!! BTW, where is my Inside Grill/Griddle & what in the hell does ‘griddle’ even mean,…just asking for my crazy ass wife ¿?
Hongsa Smart Pet camera Feeder is a piece of junk. Won’t link to my WiFi. Puts me in a loop of constantly repeating the same step with no success. Deleted app, reinstalled, restarted phone, etc. Manual has an email address, no response after 3 days.
@houstonbeerman - I’m in the same predicament. App updated device firmware, now stuck in perpetual connect loop. I also wrote to Support with no answer yet.
I’m completely happy with this purr-chase (haha). It works well, to give my cat multiple feeds a day so his urge to eat everything then barf it up is controlled. I had no problems at all with the app or connecting to the device. It’s password protected. You can set up as many auto feeds as you want (or if there’s a limit, I haven’t hit it), and manually dispense the food too.
The only issue I had was my auto feed schedule erased when I updated the software. And if you leave the app open in the background, upon returning to it in certain states it will crash, but it only takes 5 seconds or so to reopen it.
Does anyone know of a Hongsa customer service? My unit worked great and then it didn’t. While Meh Customer service was kind enough to send me another, which works great I might add, I hate to throw something so barely used away. This bad unit is stuck at “please config network”. I can get my phone to connect to the “PET-1680*” network, once I return to the app the UID will not appear and the app says “Please connect to device WiFi”. I know I am doing it right because the replacement unit works like a charm. I think if I could figure out the UID I could set this up manually. Anyone else have a problem like this?
I guess this may just end up in the trash… bummer.
@WaferboymC, I have the exact same problem. I’ve tried everything. I have the UID from the original setup, but it doesn’t help. Keeps telling me to connect to WiFi, even though I am already connected (to the pet-1680 network). This all happened as a result of changing WiFi networks. No customer service and I have not been able to find anyone on the web who has figured out how to troubleshoot this problem. Too bad, when it worked, I liked it.
This is a great product! I loved it for my doggy, Parker. When he heard the sound of falling treats he was there. It also kept him a bit healthy and active by getting up to come to the food. I also thought it was neat that he could hear my voice when I’m away, to calm his separation anxiety. unfortunately, he is no longer with me. I gifted this product to another dog owner and they loved it as well. If I get another pet, I will definitely get this product again. Thank you.
Specs
Product: Hongsa Smart Pet Camera with Treat Dispenser and Night Vision Camera
Model: ESXB-JS-1219-784
Condition: New
Details
What’s Included?
Price Comparison
$89.99 on Amazon
Warranty
90 days
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Apr 11 - Wednesday, Apr 13
Smile! You’re on Candid Camera!
@yakkoTDI Maybe that should be “Smile! You’re on Canine Camera!”
@hchavers Do you have some sort of dental fetish?
Honey why is this pointed at the bed
@thechinglish It’s filled with Viagra.
Is this so we can see if our cat or dog is cheating on his/her diet?
Can I use it to feed my children?
@mexicantacos If they have four legs and fur, sure.
@mexicantacos, are you sure ya have any children¿?
@mexicantacos Do your children normally eat cameras?
@mexicantacos Yes! Load it up with Jelly Bellys and then review The Gothowitz Deviation (The Big Bang Theory) for how-to instructions.
My dog eats when I eat and sleeps when I am away. That, or he cleans up after the party really well.
@hchavers if you’re away how do ya know he’s asleep?
A warning. It’s very likely that this device has little to no network security in effect. And even if it did, it’s almost guaranteed that there are numerous security flaws in the generic chipset these sort of devices use. Connecting this to WiFi could not only allow some stranger to view the web cam but, if they are the least bit clever, allow them access to your entire network (unless you have this on a different VLAN). As an IT person, I would NEVER connect this to my network.
@squishybrain The wide open wifi next door, on the other hand…
@squishybrain @werehatrack Nope - not even the open WiFi next door. This still gives bad guys a video camera & microphone in your house!
@nicholfd @squishybrain @werehatrack
You’re missing the obvious solution - live in the middle of nowhere!
@Selerik @squishybrain @werehatrack I kinda do live in the middle of no where. I still don’t want an internet facing camera in my home. And companies build products like this so their app/functionality require internet access. Big no-no for me. I do have home security cameras, but my firewall does not allow them to the internet - I view them remotely with a VPN connection to home.
@nicholfd @Selerik @squishybrain @werehatrack & be a Mr Nowhere Man¿
@nicholfd @Selerik @werehatrack I know some folks here are joking but it isn’t the WiFi that gets hacked, it’s the device’s internet connection. Just connecting this to your router makes your entire network vulnerable. Even if this cheap device was engineered properly for good security (almost certainly not the case), it’s only a matter of time before some vulnerability is discovered and there’s very little chance that that will ever be patched.
@squishybrain
If it connects via the neighbor’s wifi, his network gets hacked. I’m much less worried about someone being able to see or listen in on what’s going on here; we do remarkably little that would give anyone a handle on anything.
That said, I don’t wish my neighbors ill, so I would not actually connect a random Thing to their wifi. (But I did config an old router to latch on to one of them once, and report itself with a name of AllYourFileBilongUs.)
@squishybrain what if I want people to see all of me?
@squishybrain @werehatrack
Was that a friendly prank on a neighbor you liked, or the opposite?
Negative reviews almost all seem to speak to app and connectivity issues. Too bad as it is a cool idea.
@Kidsandliz, speakin of cool ideas,…my comments take a long, long pause before they post & e.g., I was considering buying this, but as I sat waitin for my comment to post, I Changed My Mind! Maybe it’s a cool idea for the meh team to shorten that pause, so I, or some tight wad like me does Not have that fn time to think about the matter of making that stupid purchase!!
you say “drunk dogs” like it’s a bad thing.
@alacrity, No, only Sobber-Slinging Drunk Dogs are a bad thing!
@alacrity What did they say again? Nothing is worse than coming home with a drunk dog? I wholeheartedly agree.
@Trinityscrew it’s the singing ‘jingle bells’ isn’t it?
Awesome feature, how many kilowatts?
@awk If it won’t vaporize a raccoon, not enough.
@werehatrack I don’t need that much power, I just need enough to slice them into manageable chunks.
you say “drunk dogs” like it’s a bad thing.
Can it dispense margaritas?
@werehatrack Only the dehydrated kind. In pellet form. You need to add alcohol.
@Kidsandliz Well, what good is THAT?
Great, now I need to buy a dog…
@somf69 Dogs seldom just show up and move in, like cats.
@somf69 @werehatrack, I guess you’ve never petted, or feed a dog that wasn’t yours, or previously yours 'cause if you had, you would know they move in were the love & food are, just like cats, JSYK!! Also, rats, mice, raccoons, or possums, etc don’t need the love, just the food, baby!!
@1DisabledWarVet
So far, all of the dogs that have shown up on my doorstep had an owner looking for them. The cats were nearly all free agents looking for a gig, or they were momcats with a litter that presented me with the necessity to prevent that from happening over and over. One of the momcats and too many of the former kittens remain here.
@somf69 Get Mini Godendoodles - bluffcitykennels.org
OH MY GOD THEY SHOT GLEN!!!
@shahnm That’s what happens to photobombers.
@werehatrack You live in a cold, harsh, draconian world…
@shahnm You’ve never shot anything with a camera? (They make terrible clubs. Even the Canon DSLRs with the bludgeon-sized lenses are surprisingly light and fragile.)
@werehatrack
No. I have used bullets though.
If your pet is over 18, be sure to get their permission in writing. If not of age, be sure to get their parent or guardian’s permission.
Family lawsuits can indeed be messy.
At any rate, don’t be surprised by what shows up on TikTok.
@phendrick, and pets over 18 are indeed very rare. What do you have, a Turtle!!
@1DisabledWarVet But these kids! Sometimes they lie about their age (and claim they lost their ID).
He says he’s human, but I know a monkey when I see one.
Does it come with the pets yes or no.
@michaelant
Does it come with Glen?
@michaelant No. By either interpretation.
@Kyeh @michaelant You can’t buy Glen, and he isn’t a prize inside the box either. But you might be able to rent him, I suppose.
@Kyeh @michaelant @werehatrack However, Glenn impersonators are a dime a dozen.
@michaelant, No & yes, that’s what she said!!
@macromeh
That one’s cuter than Glen!
@Kyeh Yeah, but it’s a pretty low bar…
@macromeh True.
Can it dispense marijuana edibles to my human buddy?
@Mescolito, yes, iffen your human buddy is a dog [ or a cat]!!
…
Alas, my Buddy is no more.
Here he is in better days.
@joelmw He looks like a such a sweet baby. It’s so sad when they die… For a split second I thought that was my cat Tigger (except the strips under his eyes are darker than Tigger’s). They look so very alike - even how they sprawl.
Well if can’t make margaritas I’m out.
Before reading the comments to see if my question was already asked, or covered, I will post this question. The specs stated ‘Automatic feeding’, or Manual, so how often does the Auto dispense the treats? I buy a 16oz jug of Temptations [& it ain’t cheap], so how often does it refill the bowl/does it have a dispensing timer? I can’t afford 500ML (= ½ Qt+, or 16oz+)$ of Temptations per fn day,…I’m just saying!!
BTW, where is my Inside Grill/Griddle & what in the hell does ‘griddle’ even mean,…just asking for my crazy ass wife ¿? 
@1DisabledWarVet
My sweet baby would eat the entire dispenser!
@Bjlauria Our crew of cats would knock it over and push it around. If one of them was feeling particularly artistic, they’d barf on it.
Super helpful for keeping an eye on my new puppy! He loves playing with the lazar and i love knowing he’s safe!
Hongsa Smart Pet camera Feeder is a piece of junk. Won’t link to my WiFi. Puts me in a loop of constantly repeating the same step with no success. Deleted app, reinstalled, restarted phone, etc. Manual has an email address, no response after 3 days.
@houstonbeerman - I’m in the same predicament. App updated device firmware, now stuck in perpetual connect loop. I also wrote to Support with no answer yet.
@houstonbeerman @devotech have you guys tried hitting the reset button on the device? Give that a shot
@houstonbeerman @troy I have almost wore out the button trying. It is just bad firmware.
I’m completely happy with this purr-chase (haha). It works well, to give my cat multiple feeds a day so his urge to eat everything then barf it up is controlled. I had no problems at all with the app or connecting to the device. It’s password protected. You can set up as many auto feeds as you want (or if there’s a limit, I haven’t hit it), and manually dispense the food too.
The only issue I had was my auto feed schedule erased when I updated the software. And if you leave the app open in the background, upon returning to it in certain states it will crash, but it only takes 5 seconds or so to reopen it.
Does anyone know of a Hongsa customer service? My unit worked great and then it didn’t. While Meh Customer service was kind enough to send me another, which works great I might add, I hate to throw something so barely used away. This bad unit is stuck at “please config network”. I can get my phone to connect to the “PET-1680*” network, once I return to the app the UID will not appear and the app says “Please connect to device WiFi”. I know I am doing it right because the replacement unit works like a charm. I think if I could figure out the UID I could set this up manually. Anyone else have a problem like this?
I guess this may just end up in the trash… bummer.
@WaferboymC, I have the exact same problem. I’ve tried everything. I have the UID from the original setup, but it doesn’t help. Keeps telling me to connect to WiFi, even though I am already connected (to the pet-1680 network). This all happened as a result of changing WiFi networks. No customer service and I have not been able to find anyone on the web who has figured out how to troubleshoot this problem. Too bad, when it worked, I liked it.
This is a great product! I loved it for my doggy, Parker. When he heard the sound of falling treats he was there. It also kept him a bit healthy and active by getting up to come to the food. I also thought it was neat that he could hear my voice when I’m away, to calm his separation anxiety. unfortunately, he is no longer with me. I gifted this product to another dog owner and they loved it as well. If I get another pet, I will definitely get this product again. Thank you.
I love this product I can see my dog and cat and I can control the food I recommend anybody to get this thank you so much screenshot