Arlo Pro, Ultra or Essential?

[lusterav]

I currently have an Essential Spotlight camera with solar panel on the front of my house. I want to move it to the back door where I can mount it so I can reach it to bring it in and charge it without using a ladder. (The solar panel is just ok). I want to buy another Arlo camera for the front of the house that I can run the electrical cord through the exterior wall and plug it into an electrical outlet. I cannot figure out which Arlo camera I should get; very confused by the descriptions. Which one can I connect to an electrical source inside the house? Also, if I get the new camera, do I now need a base station or smart hub? I really don't want one. So does any camera besides Essential work without the base station and can I have 2 cameras programmed to my wifi at the same time? Any help would be appreciated.

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@lusterav wrote:

 So does any camera besides Essential work without the base station and can I have 2 cameras programmed to my wifi at the same time? 

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You can definitely have multiple cameras connected to your wifi at the same time.

The Pro-4 and Pro 3 floodlight can also connect directly to your home wifi.  (Note the Pro 3 floodlight is not the same as the Pro 3). 

It would be ideal if Arlo had an outdoor cable/charger what was designed with cable pulling and electrical boxes in mind, but unfortunately they don't.

There is a 25" outdoor charging cable available for those cameras (VMA5600C-100NAS).  The charger is integrated into the cable, so it might be necessary to cut the cable in order to pull it through your walls.  The charger is a wall-plug - it might be possible to fit it (with a socket) into an over-size electical box.  The face with the plug is about 1 5/8" by 2".  It's about 1 1/4" thick (ignoring the plug).

[lusterav]

Thank you Stephen for replying. You always give me straight answers and advice. I'm so glad you told me about the difference between the Pro 3 and Pro 3 Spotlight. It seems I would be interested in the Pro 3 Spotlight or Pro 4 so I can connect into my wifi without a base station. Perfect. As for the power cord, I saw the one you mentioned and others similar; the fact that the cord is built in to the charger is a problem. But as you said, maybe we can rig it by cutting off the charger. Thanks again for sound advice.

[StephenB]

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@lusterav wrote:

 I'm so glad you told me about the difference between the Pro 3 and Pro 3 Spotlight. 

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the Pro 3 Floodlight (FB1001).

[lusterav]

My mistake. Got it. Thanks.