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- Review count3
- Helpfulness votes127
- First reviewDecember 29, 2016
- Last reviewJanuary 6, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.7
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- Answer count25
- Helpfulness votes3
- First answerJanuary 6, 2017
- Last answerJanuary 6, 2017
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This contributor's Reviews
Meet the Nest Cam Outdoor security camera. It stands watch 24/7, rain or shine. Plugs into power so you never have to worry about dead batteries. And sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity. It even lets you talk back through the Nest app. This is what an outdoor security camera should be.
Customer Rating
4
Great camera - terrible cable design
on January 6, 2017
Posted by: Anonymous
Verified Purchase:Yes
This, like Nests indoor cameras, has an outstanding quality image and the recordings are very nice to have. The paid service to save your history is a bit overpriced in my opinion so you may want to pick and choose which cameras you subscribe to.
The unit itself is well built quality wise, the camera is easy to mount and aim and stays in place well with the super strong magnet that holds it.
However, the cable design is absolutely awful. You have 25 total feet of cable, in two 10 and 15 foot sections. And right in the middle of these two sections is a huge round blob/block that connects the two. Hiding the cable is a little difficult since its thick, so thieves could easily see it and cut the cable or just cover their face and cut the cable right at the camera itself and then have no issues. The big round block is so big it stands out like a sore thumb, inviting thieves to simply unplug it and then they are no longer on camera. And it's also so big that putting it inside of a standard electrical box is the only real option you have to hide it... aside form having it hidden behind the wall outside which could be a code violation.
I believe it needs a safety cuff around the cable at the camera that is coated with something that can't be cut, there needs to be a screw or similar to make it stay attached to the magnet and the cable design needs to be completely redone by someone who knows what they are doing.
With that said, the quality is excellent both night and day and having quick and easy access via the Nest app anywhere is really nice. Mine alerts me when packages arrive, the mail is here, people come to my yard etc.
I would give the installation a real serious going over and consult with your electrician before buying this product, especially if you have a window inside you can simply place one of the indoor cams in to see outside. That exposed cable is just too much of a security risk, ironic since its supposed to be a security camera.
My Best Buy number: 0534553089
My Best Buy number: 0534553089
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+41points
43of 45voted this as helpful.
Ring Wi-Fi Smart Video Doorbell: Find out who's at your door, even when you're away from home. Just connect the doorbell via Wi-Fi and use the Ring app on your iOS or Android device to interact with visitors, receive alerts and review footage.
Customer Rating
4
Great Idea - But has lag and cold problems
on January 6, 2017
Posted by: Anonymous
Verified Purchase:Yes
This is a cool idea for a product. It has a nice clear super wide view, is very easy to install, especially if you use the battery option, and is very nice to be able to see whos at the door anywhere and talk to them.
However, it has 2 major issues.
1) Lag between doorbell press and you getting notification. This lag can be anywhere from 1-5 seconds and I've had a few test runs that took 5-10 seconds. Since it's wired directly into my doorbell, I hear that ding-dong and know someone is there. And I can open the app and answer the door faster then the notifications arrive usually.
2) The cold when using the battery option. This is going to be a problem for you. As you may know, batteries tend to loose their charge MUCH faster in the cold. So if you live somewhere its cold often, you will want to get the version that hard wires into your power and have it installed by an electrician. My unit was at 100% yesterday afternoon in 23f temps. I tested it 4-7 times getting the zones right etc. Today it's 18f currently and the battery is already at under 50%. Keep that tiny little security tool handy because you will need it a lot in the winter. I highly suggest the hard wired electric in this instance.
Overall, its nice, works nicely and has a good view of things. Do keep in mind that if you have siding, you will most likely need to make a mount plate that makes it lay flat and not angled against the siding, thus pointing it forward and not slightly upward. Mine, as it's installed now cannot see the ground but I can see people at the door easily.
You'll also need to take some time working on getting your motion zones setup as they can be triggered easily if not set right. Luckily this is not too difficult and the zones are very versatile.
Overall, this is a cool product and the monthly/yearly fee to keep your recordings is very reasonable at only $3 a month or $30 a year. Compare that to Nest's cams which cost much more a year to save footage.
My Best Buy number: 0534553089
My Best Buy number: 0534553089
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+6points
6of 6voted this as helpful.
Dyson Ball Animal Bagless Upright Vacuum: Tackle messes on your carpet and hard flooring with this versatile upright vacuum. The powerful motor and Radial Root Cyclone technology thoroughly clean dirt, dust and debris. Plus, the cleaner head automatically adjusts to suit your flooring. Tangle-free turbine, multi-angle, stair and combination tools are included, so you can reach every nook and cranny of your home.
Customer Rating
3
It's a Dyson but it's not the Dyson quality
on December 29, 2016
Posted by: Anonymous
Verified Purchase:Yes
I've had and loved a Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal for 10 years, it was nothing but amazing. Sadly, All that pet hair and dust finally did it in. So I replaced it with the Ball Animal, avoiding the bigger ball version that has received lots of bad reviews.
First impressions. This is a cheap low quality built vacuum. Nothing like the solid DC17 from 10 years ago. Everything is flimsy and feels like its going to break off. When assembling it, a random red clip flew off and vanished and took me 15 minutes to find it. This clip appearantly holds the main roller assembly on. A tiny $.50 piece stands between you and a paperweight. The handle for the cannister is wobbly and flimsy as well as the main stick portion that goes does into the tube itself. The former being cheap and plasticy, the DC17 was metal and solid in this department.
Vacuuming... As a standard vacuum, it works, but leaves trails behind it and you have to pass it over the same spot more then once overlapping to get full coverage. The suction is not nearly what the DC17 had, even after 10 years of dust clogging it. When you want to use the handle and stretch out to get areas, you will be disappointed. Besides being plastic feeling and flimsy, the suction is even lower here in comparison to the DC17's hose.
Standing... Want it to stand up? Be prepared to force it forward until it stands. The rear wheels may drop but the handle and body will flop right backwards if you do not force it hard to stick. I've used it twice now and have fought to get it to stand every time I went between floor and hose use.
It's a little quieter then the DC17. Probably because the motor is weaker and that leads to less suction. And dont believe the "Doesn't lose suction" nonsense, my DC17 and this one both easily loose suction. All you have to do is get something small stuck in the hose, or fill the bin just a tad too much. If your house is small and you have pets, you'll probably have to empty the bin for each room. I had to do so twice in my tiny house. I can't imagine doing a larger house with this.
The DC17 from 10 years ago, I'd give that a 5 star rating and recommend it without question. The volume of dirt and pet hair it picked up was amazing. This model I cannot say the same. I give it 3 stars, mostly for how cheap and flimsy it is, and because its not nearly the powerful machine their older models were. There's a reason a DC17 Animal original still sells for $400. Because its a better option then this one.
The Ball. I did not get the Cinetic ball, those had horrid reviews and the extra $100 seemed excessive for "dual cyclone technology" and a larger ball. The build quality on the Cinetic is also just as cheap and plasticy based on playing with it in the store. I found for the most part the unit was easy to maneuver around and it did its job. However it doesn't get as close to edges as the old one, and sometimes moving it around things is more difficult because you are having to deal with both the ball and the swiveling head.
The Hose... Short and cheap. So cheap that mine has already after one evening started to pull apart and get saggy. It took the other unit years to do this. The hose is also short and stiff and needs to be worked and stretched unless you like pulling a vacuum behind you that then falls over.
I won't know until I've used it a bit longer, but I am not impressed with this new model. And I wish I had just found another 10 year old model DC17 instead based on my initial use.
The Head... It looks good, looks low profile, but there's a big box in the middle so pushing it forward and under anything, you hit the taller box part. You can angle it and slide it under edges of sofas or other furniture, but its awkward.
I think if the build quality was better, this would be a pretty decent machine. But it's no DC17 Animal. Love Dyson products or own one and want to replace it? Look at them in a store carefully before purchasing. And make sure you can return it if it is not up to your standards.
Usable but this is NOT your high quality Dyson from the golden Dyson age. It's more like a Hoover or Eureka vacuum but 3x as much.
Pros:
It's a Dyson
It works more or less
It relieves your bank account of some of that excess weight called money
It does vacuum for the most part.
Comes with quite a few accessory heads.
It's a Dyson
It works more or less
It relieves your bank account of some of that excess weight called money
It does vacuum for the most part.
Comes with quite a few accessory heads.
Cons:
Cheap and flimsy
Handle hose assembly is cheap and requires extra work to use and even more to put away
Doesn't stand up without force.
Using hose and handle is awkward and clumsy.
Expensive for a cheap flimsy vacuum
Accessory heads fall off easily.
If you get something sucked into it that cant make the turn at the base of the hose, you have to take it apart to remove it.
Cheap and flimsy
Handle hose assembly is cheap and requires extra work to use and even more to put away
Doesn't stand up without force.
Using hose and handle is awkward and clumsy.
Expensive for a cheap flimsy vacuum
Accessory heads fall off easily.
If you get something sucked into it that cant make the turn at the base of the hose, you have to take it apart to remove it.
Question this purchase, do your research. This is coming from a 10 year owner of another Dyson product. Don't assume because its Dyson its good.
My Best Buy number: 0534553089
My Best Buy number: 0534553089
Mobile Submission: True
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+71points
78of 85voted this as helpful.
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Meet the Nest Cam Outdoor security camera. It stands watch 24/7, rain or shine. Plugs into power so you never have to worry about dead batteries. And sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity. It even lets you talk back through the Nest app. This is what an outdoor security camera should be.
Does anyone know the wifi range of the camera?
Meet the Nest Cam Outdoor security camera. It stands watch 24/7, rain or shine. Plugs into power so you never have to worry about dead batteries. And sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity. It even lets you talk back through the Nest app. This is what an outdoor security camera should be.
What is the length of the power cord?
Meet the Nest Cam Outdoor security camera. It stands watch 24/7, rain or shine. Plugs into power so you never have to worry about dead batteries. And sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity. It even lets you talk back through the Nest app. This is what an outdoor security camera should be.
Does it have night vision capabilities and how many feet?
Meet the Nest Cam Outdoor security camera. It stands watch 24/7, rain or shine. Plugs into power so you never have to worry about dead batteries. And sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity. It even lets you talk back through the Nest app. This is what an outdoor security camera should be.
what kind of light illuminates the room being photographed or videoed?
During the day, the sun or any inhouse lighting is your light source. At night it switches to night vision and there are a ring of LEDs that provide the light so you can see the dark.
It does a pretty darn nice job in both day and night, with nice clear images either way.
It does a pretty darn nice job in both day and night, with nice clear images either way.
7 years, 3 months ago
by
alienmeatsack
Meet the Nest Cam Outdoor security camera. It stands watch 24/7, rain or shine. Plugs into power so you never have to worry about dead batteries. And sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity. It even lets you talk back through the Nest app. This is what an outdoor security camera should be.
Since the camera is on all the time, and sends alerts when movement, can I readily review the firm for just the movement frames?
Absolutely if you have Nest Aware and zones configured. Just open the app, and goto that camera and it will highlight any activity with thumbnails along the timeline and allow you to scrub through all the footage going back as far as your subscription goes. Each zone you have setup gets its own little colored dot or line in the timeline along with the thumbnails pointing out what it thinks are potential activity. See my example shot to see what this looks like, with zones on the right of the time and thumbnails to the right.
7 years, 3 months ago
by
alienmeatsack
Meet the Nest Cam Outdoor security camera. It stands watch 24/7, rain or shine. Plugs into power so you never have to worry about dead batteries. And sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity. It even lets you talk back through the Nest app. This is what an outdoor security camera should be.
If you can view the video in real time on a computer, why can't you save it to your hard drive or even burn a CD or DVD (rewriteables)? IOW, why do you ever have to send it to their cloud? The monthly accessing fee is just another expense forever!
Let me answer your question with a question. Let's say someone breaks into your house and steals all your stuff. That video camera recording to your PC is kind of, well, stolen, along with all the recordings. Which is why they use Nest Aware. YES it is expensive but, consider this... the camera and then service cost are not that expensive vs replacing a single stolen PC, tv etc. And you dont have to have the Nest Aware on all cameras, just the ones that are most important.
7 years, 3 months ago
by
alienmeatsack
Meet the Nest Cam Outdoor security camera. It stands watch 24/7, rain or shine. Plugs into power so you never have to worry about dead batteries. And sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity. It even lets you talk back through the Nest app. This is what an outdoor security camera should be.
Is there a multiple camera option?
Indeed there is, they sell packages of several cameras together, or you can buy several and add them all to your Nest account. I have 4 currently and am adding 2 more soon. The Nest Aware service drops by $50 for the year with each additional camera, and you can pick which ones you want to have the 10-30 day recordings on.
7 years, 3 months ago
by
alienmeatsack
Meet the Nest Cam Outdoor security camera. It stands watch 24/7, rain or shine. Plugs into power so you never have to worry about dead batteries. And sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity. It even lets you talk back through the Nest app. This is what an outdoor security camera should be.
Can you download the video feed in case you need to send to the police if there is a theft?
If you subscribe to Nest Aware, yes absolutely. You can use your PC to select a part of the video thats relevant and then export to a video file or time lapse video file. I believe it supports most major video services, so you can export to YouTube etc.
I save video clips of people trespassing or ignoring my no soliciting sign all the time. And I've done a few time lapses of a day going by which is fun.
And, with the Nest Aware, despite the high cost, you know that your video is literally being sent live to the cloud so if something happens, you can easily log into the service on your phone or any PC and get access to the video, even scrubbing back and forth to show the police as needed.
I save video clips of people trespassing or ignoring my no soliciting sign all the time. And I've done a few time lapses of a day going by which is fun.
And, with the Nest Aware, despite the high cost, you know that your video is literally being sent live to the cloud so if something happens, you can easily log into the service on your phone or any PC and get access to the video, even scrubbing back and forth to show the police as needed.
7 years, 3 months ago
by
alienmeatsack
Meet the Nest Cam Outdoor security camera. It stands watch 24/7, rain or shine. Plugs into power so you never have to worry about dead batteries. And sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity. It even lets you talk back through the Nest app. This is what an outdoor security camera should be.
Can you view live recordings from a nest cam outdoor cameras on a TV monitor?
Meet the Nest Cam Outdoor security camera. It stands watch 24/7, rain or shine. Plugs into power so you never have to worry about dead batteries. And sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity. It even lets you talk back through the Nest app. This is what an outdoor security camera should be.