In April I purchased an Arlo Wireless Security System from Best Buy on sale for $499 – the one with 4 cameras. It’s possible to purchase various packages with various numbers of cameras, but I found the 4-pack to be adequate for my needs and a decent value. The current BB price for the system is $599, but it goes on sale occasionally and will probably be on sale again for boxing week. Less expensive in Canada than the US! (Edit - have been on for $399, but offers come and go)
NETGEAR Arlo Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Security System with 4 720p Cameras - White - Only at Best Buy : IP Cameras - Best Buy Canada (Useful Videos)
Arlo Website: https://www.arlo.com/en-ca/
I had done some previous research on wired systems, but didn’t like the installation concerns of wired systems (or wireless powered) and I prefer the way video is “stored” on Arlo.
What do I like about the system?
- Adequate video quality (720P colour). People to whom I’ve shown videos are impressed with the quality, although I’m sure 1080P systems could be better.
- Ease of installation – took about 1 hour from opening the box to being fully operational (Tip - the cameras are screwed to the packaging with small plastic screws, so a screwdriver helps).
- Flexibility – although I put a wall mount in my garage, my other 3 cameras are simply placed on a shelf in various rooms and I can easily move these around as desired (something that’s very difficult with wired systems). The cameras themselves are quite small, discreet and good looking.
- Although I was concerned about battery life, the way I use the system means I’ll likely only need new batteries once a year. You can check battery life whenever you login.
- Arlo provide free video storage “in the cloud”. The free storage saves your videos for up to 7 days, up to 5 cameras and 1GB. Videos are automatically deleted from the cloud after 7 days. You can pay for more (up to 15 cameras and more days storage).
- You can easily download videos to your computer if you wish to keep them.
- Arlo provides “instant” notifications to phones/tablets and e-mails to computers when motion is detected on a camera.
- Arlo has a forum where owners can discuss numerous topics.
- Geofencing (Beta) is available, but I haven’t used it yet (I don’t have a Smartphone).
- Nightvision is adequate (B&W).
NETGEAR Arlo Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Security System with 4 720p Cameras - White - Only at Best Buy : IP Cameras - Best Buy Canada (Useful Videos)
Arlo Website: https://www.arlo.com/en-ca/
I had done some previous research on wired systems, but didn’t like the installation concerns of wired systems (or wireless powered) and I prefer the way video is “stored” on Arlo.
What do I like about the system?
- Adequate video quality (720P colour). People to whom I’ve shown videos are impressed with the quality, although I’m sure 1080P systems could be better.
- Ease of installation – took about 1 hour from opening the box to being fully operational (Tip - the cameras are screwed to the packaging with small plastic screws, so a screwdriver helps).
- Flexibility – although I put a wall mount in my garage, my other 3 cameras are simply placed on a shelf in various rooms and I can easily move these around as desired (something that’s very difficult with wired systems). The cameras themselves are quite small, discreet and good looking.
- Although I was concerned about battery life, the way I use the system means I’ll likely only need new batteries once a year. You can check battery life whenever you login.
- Arlo provide free video storage “in the cloud”. The free storage saves your videos for up to 7 days, up to 5 cameras and 1GB. Videos are automatically deleted from the cloud after 7 days. You can pay for more (up to 15 cameras and more days storage).
- You can easily download videos to your computer if you wish to keep them.
- Arlo provides “instant” notifications to phones/tablets and e-mails to computers when motion is detected on a camera.
- Arlo has a forum where owners can discuss numerous topics.
- Geofencing (Beta) is available, but I haven’t used it yet (I don’t have a Smartphone).
- Nightvision is adequate (B&W).