Logitech WiLife Digital Video Security--Outdoor Add-On Camera
by Logitech
|
List Price: Our Price: $152.99 You Save: $77.00 (33%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $134.00 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech WiLife Digital Video Security--Outdoor Add-On Camera
Customer Review: Good Features but Poor Quality
Summary: 1 Stars
One reviewer suggested that those who have "trouble" with this product might be technically challenged, which is a false assumption since he doesn't know these individuals personally. Those reviewers probably just expected the product to work as advertised, which it doesn't. Just for the record, I build computers, service networks, and work with various types of electrical equipment from blood analyzers to HDTV hardware, and the outdoor model of this product has one major failing .... reliability! Couple that with confusing warranty requirements and poor support I consider buying this outdoor camera a poor investment because it will eventually fail. Don't get me wrong .... when it works it has great features, but eventually the camera will likely die. I installed 4 of these at home and 2 at church in the last 3 years. 2 have since been replaced under warranty and another was replaced by an additional purchase. Currently only 2 of these cameras work at all. Although the features are terrific, they are useless when the camera dies. I suspect the outdoor cameras would function correctly if installed inside when the temperature is more consistent ... but outdoors they fail. There are a couple of other annoying distractions as well. If you install on the wrong side of your Service Panel the camera will fail .... as well as failing if installed too far from the camera's USB Receiver. If you install too close to a photo cell from a night light the camera will also fail. The thumbscrew mounting post assembly is poorly designed and is marginal at best in locking the camera to it's desired position. A bird flying into or landing on the camera will change it's aiming point. And birds will ... and do. So if you buy this camera be aware of it's shortcomings ...Customer Review: Camera Failure, other options
Summary: 3 Stars
I have owned two outdoor and two indoor cameras for about 12 months. I just experience my first camera failure. Consistent with the reviews I've read, one of my outdoor cameras has failed. Considering the price of these cameras I would have expected a much more durable outdoor product.
In order to use all the features of the wilife system you must subscribe to a $79 per year service. Also this system does not support Windows Home Server software. As a result you must leave a second computer running all the time, even though your server is running. The "HomeLink" system can be intermittent.
I am considering a D-link system which offers many different camera options, hardwired and wireless, powered exterior cases, Windows Home Server support and no annual fees. Also there are alot of IP network security cameras now available. These operate independant of a PC. Panasonic offers models for home, small business and industrial at an assortment of price ranges and features. Samsung is also in this market. These cameras offer HD resolution, true pan and scan with auto tracking, low light sensitivity down to .07 Lux, bidirectional audio and a broader operational temperature range. They store images locally within the cameras but allow you to download to your PC's hard drive or to another website.
All these features come at a price though.
Customer Review: Security Camera
Summary: 5 Stars
Works as marketed; immediate software recognition. One camera covers the pool and patio (together with rear window and patio door entrances); this second camera covers the utility side of the house and access to the main power supply.
The unexpected complication with the side camera is rain: It pours off the roof in view of the camera, triggering the recording. -Not the cameras fault, just a glitch I wanted to share with other owners. And the heat flow coming up out of the AC unit has to be masked, because the heat distortion in the area also triggers the recording. That part was easy to solve with masking.
Easiest, best solution to home security via computer (pictures and video can be sent and secured in your own personal email account on-line (e.g., Gmail)). No need for "upgrade" to "Premium" on-line service; since live online viewing is available for free.
Also, sound notification of intrusion can be accompolished by sending the email (or a forward) to your own PC, with a recorded sound recognition unique to that email. E.g., mine says "There is activity on the side of the house", and/or "There is activity in the pool area".
Humor warning: The camera will record any attempt by an wasp to "mate" with the red recording light.
Longevity of hardware remains to be seen.
Customer Review: Finicky but good Customer Service
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased the Logitech Wilife Indoor & Outdoor system just over a year ago. I bought several cameras, both indoor and outdoor. The system worked really well for almost a year. Then one of my outdoor cameras went out. Its a long process (about 4-6 weeks), but using the online help desk, they replaced it free of charge. While I was waiting for the replacement to arrive, a second outdoor cam went out. In addition, the replacement had fuzzy quality right out of the box. After another back and forth process on the online help desk, they replaced both cameras free of charge. I just installed them and their video quality is good. So yes, the cams are finicky but the customer service is good if you are persistent.
Some of the things I really like: no pulling wire, mobility of cameras, free online remote viewing (can be a little tricky to set up depending on your firewall and virusware configurations), customizable motion sensitivity, email or cell phone alerts (snap shot, video or text). I am able to keep an eye on my property and my dogs while I am at work or out of town.
Would I buy this system again? Maybe. I would do some research first though and see what else comparable is out there.
Customer Review: Perfect for my needs
Summary: 5 Stars
I am happy with this system. It performs as described and is perfect if you don't want to hack up your house running network cable. I have a full up 6 camera system, and it's has performed in excess of my expectations.
Based on all of the negative reviews floating around about this setup, you'd think this system was a joke....from software, connection issues, performance issues, it doesn't do this, it doesn't do that. Whatever. I find that most negative reviews come from technically challenged individuals, or those that have unrealistic expectations. We haven't experienced the issues others have reported. We have the most current software (v2.5) and camera firmware, and have had no issues whatsoever. For the price, we're getting what we paid for.
The specs on this system are clear. If it doesn't meet your needs, then don't buy. We find that it surpasses our expectations. It's great to have a record of all of the activity that goes on around our home while we are absent. Now that we have this system, we find that we cannot live without it. It's like going from dialup to high speed internet....you can never go back. We'll never be without a surveillance system again.