Advice Needed

[SharR]

I have an outdated Netgear Arlo hub, 4 Essential 2 series cameras that are ok, but won't always connect, one Arlo doorbell works great and an ArloGo2 Verizon cellular camera. 

I need to buy (I think) Arlo Smart Hub VBM5000, and maybe a spotlight camera for end of house and 2 other cameras. I researched and read Pro3 the best quality and zoom. But then Ultra has a lot going for it too with wide 180 view and the Pro 5, idk, but maybe good too. 

How can I come up with the best setup with these..oh and maybe the solar panel would help.  I have 2 essentials outside, 2 inside, Arlo go2 inside, but need more outdoor coverage. I like to buy at best as I have geek squad support on all products but might have to buy elsewhere.   Right now if I order it's kinda a shot in the dark. Thanks for any tips on any of these questions, even if just one thought. 

[StephenB]

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@SharR wrote:

I need to buy (I think) Arlo Smart Hub VBM5000,

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The four reasons to get a smarthub are

• the direct access to local storage feature
• it is required for homekit
• it is required for the continuous video recording feature
• Some cameras can only connect to a smarthub

You'll definitely need one if you get Pro 3 or Ultra cameras.  Pro 4 and Pro 5s can connect directly to your home wifi, so they don't require it.

The wifi reach of a smarthub is similar to a single router.  If you have a mesh router now, then your home wifi will have better coverage than the smarthub.

Have you tried measuring your wifi speed at the Gen 2 camera locations with your phone?  Use the ookla speedtest app - disabling mobile data during the test, so you are sure you are testing the wifi speed.  Upload is more important than download.