topic Re: Arlo Pro 2 Camera with Blurry Images - Lens not clear and smooth in Arlo Pro 2

Arlo Pro 2 Camera with Blurry Images - Lens not clear and smooth

BTG — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 23:40:54 GMT

Over the years, this one Pro 2 camera that's been mounted to a tree facing South, the video images have become increasingly blurry. At first I thought something may have gotten stuck to the camera lens. Last battery change I cleaned off the lens and no change. Have taken the camera down and replaced with an Ultra. After looking closer at the lens, it appears to have become cloudy and crystalizing. Not smooth and clear. Has anyone had any success replacing the camera lens assembly or is this camera for parts now? Thanks.

Re: Arlo Pro 2 Camera with Blurry Images - Lens not clear and smooth

DannyBearAgain — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 01:25:16 GMT

There is no replacement parts from arlo that would allow you to replace just the lens.

I know that trees excrete resins into the air so it might be this that has blurred the lens. The dried resin would also be difficult to remove abrasively so you might want to try using a solvent to remove the buildup.

Some have posted similar issues here after long term exposure to direct sunlight, again not recoverable.

Re: Arlo Pro 2 Camera with Blurry Images - Lens not clear and smooth

BTG — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 17:35:07 GMT

Thanks. That makes sense. I'll give that a try and report back.......

Re: Arlo Pro 2 Camera with Blurry Images - Lens not clear and smooth

BTG — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:42:55 GMT

So I tried removing the tree resin with 70% alcohol, and it just seemed to smear it around some. Image is still blurry. Question.....is the camera lens glass or polycarbonate?

Re: Arlo Pro 2 Camera with Blurry Images - Lens not clear and smooth

DannyBearAgain — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 22:55:52 GMT

There is little detail on the lens product used by arlo, best answers suggest plastic with a hardened coating.

https://community.arlo.com/t5/Arlo-Pro/Arlo-Pro-Lens-Deterioration/td-p/1860636

https://community.arlo.com/t5/Arlo-Ultra/Soft-Glass-on-Lens/td-p/1697159

https://community.arlo.com/t5/Arlo-Ultra/Arlo-ultra-spare-parts/td-p/1742330

I will tag a moderator in case they have any insight. @JamesC @ShayneS

Re: Arlo Pro 2 Camera with Blurry Images - Lens not clear and smooth

BTG — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 00:08:54 GMT

All good threads, thank you!

At the moment, I'm thinking of just chalking it up to the exposure of the suns harsh UV rays, seeing the lens can't be cleaned and it appears that if there is a lens coating, it's coming off, which is causing the blurring.

Re: Arlo Pro 2 Camera with Blurry Images - Lens not clear and smooth

MichaelAKorn — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 07:08:35 GMT

All of my camera's are Arlo Pro. I have had them for at least 6 years. The only time I've had foggy or blurry lenses was when tree sap would run in late summer and I would clean them with a simple soapy solution. I've avoided some of the lense cleaners because they would be to caustic to the lenses causing little fractures. I learned that mistake from cleaning headlights of my truck. Direct sunlight not so bad, but combined with lense cleaner, it's a cause for blurry video.

Re: Arlo Pro 2 Camera with Blurry Images - Lens not clear and smooth

MichaelAKorn — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 07:20:27 GMT

It's been my experience that solvents can damage even the surface you're trying to clean off, but instead I've a soapy dish soap and a soft cloth and patiently clean the surface of the lense without cross contamination of debris entering the lense area. Even if you use the solvent, you've got to clean the solvent residue off to prevent the sunlight from crystalizing the lense. Good luck.

Re: Arlo Pro 2 Camera with Blurry Images - Lens not clear and smooth

MichaelAKorn — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 07:23:34 GMT

Soapy dish soap, soft cloth and patience is the better solution.

Re: Arlo Pro 2 Camera with Blurry Images - Lens not clear and smooth

BTG — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 22:56:54 GMT

Gave it a good cleaning with soapy water........to no avail. I'll try and find one "for parts only" on eBay with a good clear lens and swap out. Thanks for all the replies.