Post by Brad Nelson on Mar 14, 2020 9:12:40 GMT -8
I just bought and installed a HeimVision HMD2 Wireless Rechargeable Battery-Powered Security Camera, 1080P Video with 2-Way Audio, Night Vision, Waterproof Home Indoor/Outdoor WiFi Cameras with Cloud Service.
It says “with cloud service” but that is extra (starting at $2.99 per month). I don’t think I need that. But what I did need (and initially forget to get) was a microSD card. I went with an inexpensive 32 GB one. I’m thinking that will be enough.
This is my first foray into a security camera. My immediate need was one that was battery operated (outlets are not going to be near to where I want them), inexpensive ($72.00 fits the bill since I consider this a beta experiment), and (as I learned from reviews at Amazon) the software had to be good.
What I’ve gathered from reviews is that there are some great cameras out there. But not all the software is created equal. I wouldn’t call the HeimLife (wth HymieVision, as I think of it) software stunning, but it does at least (mostly) work. All these cameras seem to have connection problems no matter how strong the WiFI signal, this one included.
I’m still experimenting, but so far so good. The instructions are somewhat abysmal. But I got it up and working soon enough. I fiddled around with where to put it and finally decided on a spot that gave pretty good coverage to the back door and the back parking lot, which you can see below. Click on this link for a larger view (and click again on the photo that comes up for a true 100% view of the output of the camera).
I have the software set (if I’m understanding this correctly…again, the instructions are a clusterf***) so that the camera will text you an alert if it detects a person (and takes a screenshot at the same time and saves it). This seems to work. My car won’t set it off. But when I get out of the car it will. The camera will also, of course, automatically record video from any movement. There are some sensitivity settings but I’ve pretty much left everything at the default (except for the picture quality which I raised from SD to HD).
We’ll see how long the battery lasts. You can buy a solar charger for these things as well if you want. But the camera is within easy reach of a stepladder for pulling it out, bringing it inside, and recharging it. I can deal.
The best part is (and it worked when I went to McDonald’s this morning trolling for the coronavirus) that you can, via cellar on your phone app, see what’s happening back at your home or office while you’re away. I don’t think this particular low-end camera has the facility to use it as an intercom as many doorbell cams do, but it does have a crude (very crude) microphone that does pick up some sound along with the video.
It says “with cloud service” but that is extra (starting at $2.99 per month). I don’t think I need that. But what I did need (and initially forget to get) was a microSD card. I went with an inexpensive 32 GB one. I’m thinking that will be enough.
This is my first foray into a security camera. My immediate need was one that was battery operated (outlets are not going to be near to where I want them), inexpensive ($72.00 fits the bill since I consider this a beta experiment), and (as I learned from reviews at Amazon) the software had to be good.
What I’ve gathered from reviews is that there are some great cameras out there. But not all the software is created equal. I wouldn’t call the HeimLife (wth HymieVision, as I think of it) software stunning, but it does at least (mostly) work. All these cameras seem to have connection problems no matter how strong the WiFI signal, this one included.
I’m still experimenting, but so far so good. The instructions are somewhat abysmal. But I got it up and working soon enough. I fiddled around with where to put it and finally decided on a spot that gave pretty good coverage to the back door and the back parking lot, which you can see below. Click on this link for a larger view (and click again on the photo that comes up for a true 100% view of the output of the camera).
I have the software set (if I’m understanding this correctly…again, the instructions are a clusterf***) so that the camera will text you an alert if it detects a person (and takes a screenshot at the same time and saves it). This seems to work. My car won’t set it off. But when I get out of the car it will. The camera will also, of course, automatically record video from any movement. There are some sensitivity settings but I’ve pretty much left everything at the default (except for the picture quality which I raised from SD to HD).
We’ll see how long the battery lasts. You can buy a solar charger for these things as well if you want. But the camera is within easy reach of a stepladder for pulling it out, bringing it inside, and recharging it. I can deal.
The best part is (and it worked when I went to McDonald’s this morning trolling for the coronavirus) that you can, via cellar on your phone app, see what’s happening back at your home or office while you’re away. I don’t think this particular low-end camera has the facility to use it as an intercom as many doorbell cams do, but it does have a crude (very crude) microphone that does pick up some sound along with the video.
