Help! Upgrading

[BHviper]

Need opinions,

have a legacy Arlo system and want to upgrade.  
Wants: -Solar power

              -no subscription

           -App services only: OK Which system do I upgrade to!?

[StephenB]

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@BHviper wrote:

Need opinions,

have a legacy Arlo system and want to upgrade.  
Wants: -Solar power

              -no subscription

           -App services only: OK Which system do I upgrade to!?

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Do you want any of these?

1. recordings
2. activity zones
3. smart notifications

[BHviper]

Yes-  but recordings on app -ok

      -activity zones?

      -notifications-yes 

[StephenB]

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@BHviper wrote:

Yes-  but recordings on app -ok

      -activity zones?

      -notifications-yes 

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Not sure what are you saying on recordings.

If you have an older base (VMB3xxx, VMB4000, VMB4500), then ALL the recordings you see in the app are stored in the Arlo Cloud.  This includes the free 7-day recordings you get with no subscription.

But Arlo no longer offers free 7-day storage for any of the currently sold cameras.  Cloud recordings, activity zones, and smart notifications (classified as person, vehicle, animal, package) all require an Arlo secure subscription.  

There is a direct access to local storage feature that some use instead of getting a subscription.  Not all equipment supports that feature, so it is important to know if you need recording or not.  Also, local storage has a lot of limitations, which I'd want to make sure you understand up front.

[BHviper]

That is very helpful thanks.   As for the recordings.. with the older hub I see all recordings on my App.   I am ok with that… don’t really want to pay monthly.   But might be the only option now.  

ideally I would just love to solar power my current system..  

but I want more continuous recording and batteries would be expensive.

objectives are 1)no extra monthly cost 2)Solar power ..  might be better to just stay on battery 🤷‍♂️

[StephenB]

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@BHviper wrote:

That is very helpful thanks.   As for the recordings.. with the older hub I see all recordings on my App.   I am ok with that… don’t really want to pay monthly.   But might be the only option now.  

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I think you have legacy cameras (the original WireFree, Pro, or Pro 2).   As I said above, you'll need a subscription for continue to get those with the newer cameras. 

Or you will need to get a VMB4540 smarthub and use direct access to local storage.  Some limitations are

• recordings only available in the app (not my.arlo.com)
• recordings cannot be shared to friend accounts
• no ability to make manual recordings or take snapshots
• no thumbnails - recordings need to be downloaded to your phone before you see anything.
• remote access requires router setting changes that many find difficult, and which don't work with some internet service providers.

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@BHviper wrote:

objectives are 1)no extra monthly cost 2)Solar power ..  might be better to just stay on battery 🤷‍♂️

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I am still confused on whether you want to see recordings or not.  I will assume that you do want direct access to local storage, so you can continue with no subscription.

In that case you will need a VMB4540 smarthub. Looking at Arlo.com the camera options would the the Pro 5s or the Ultra 2.  There are older less expensive models that would work - including the Essential Gen 1 cameras, but it looks like Arlo is phasing them out.  I'm not seeing them on Arlo.com.

The decision you need to make is how much more you are willing to spend on the cameras to avoid the subscription.   

To avoid one you'd need to get

• one VMB4540 ($100 current MSRP)
• Essential Gen 1  (about $110 if you can find one - they are being phased out)
• or Pro 5s camera ($250 on Arlo.com)
• or Ultra 2 camera ($250 on Arlo.com).
• Solar Panel ( $50 for Essential, $60 for Pro 5s/Ultra)

If you were willing to get a $13/month subscription (US pricing), then you could go with the Gen 2 Essential cameras.  These would connect to your home wifi, and wouldn't use your base.  They are less expensive:

• 2K Essential 2nd Gen (on sale at BestBuy for $50) or
• 2K Essential XL with a much larger battery ($99)
• Solar Panel ($40)

If you go with the Gen 2 cameras, then later when they add smarthub support, you could purchase the $99 smarthub and potentially drop the subscription.

[BHviper]

Thank you!