Two base stations in the new interface

[pfarago]

With the new interface update, the way my system was set up is no longer viable. I have two base stations, one at my house and one at my cottage.  With the new interface, both bases are under Home as well as all the devices.  For me to program the cottage and home separately, I was told that I need to buy a new plan for the cottage, that's now double the cost!  and extra $200 a year.  Am I missing something? this doesn't seem right that a UI change fundamentally changes the business structure.

[jguerdat]

The old UI that uses Library to view recordings actually had the same possibility of requiring a subscription for multiple locations but Arlo didn't enforce it. With the new UI that uses Feed each location has to have a subscription.

[pfarago]

Then they should do it on renewal of your subscription. 

or note one base per location per subscription when advertising it

now I’ve invested into arlo with 16 cameras and my cost just double all by a software update? 

[StephenB]

---

@pfarago wrote:

or note one base per location per subscription when advertising it

---

FWIW, Bases aren't relevant.  You can have multiple bases in one location if you want.

[pfarago]

Sure, before location was irrelevant. 

[StephenB]

---

@pfarago wrote:

before location was irrelevant. 

---

Correct.  IMO opinion, the modes in "Library" became a real mess once Arlo started supporting direct connection to your home network.  This is especially true if you have a mix of base stations and wifi-connected cameras.  I think creating locations and location-wide modes is a good approach to simplify that. 

But I get that the need for the extra subscription is an issue - personally I'd have included two locations in the base subscription, or at least provided a less expensive way to add a second.

FWIW, I think Arlo will have to address the lack of custom modes fairly soon.  There are too many people who really need that feature for them to ignore.  Note I have no inside information on how or when Arlo will do this.

Once custom modes are put back, you probably will be able to go with just one location, creating the modes you need to disarm/arm the second home independently from the first.  Geofencing would probably only work at one home though.

[pfarago]

Great points.  The packages they now have is one camera or unlimited! Before there was a package of x amount of cameras. So I now need two of the middle package. 

[prof57]

The new user interface with feed is a real mess. I still use the old interface with Library. I shared the cameras with my son a few days ago who was tricked to update to the new UI but he has not been able to see any of the cameras or recordings. Customer support said to him that I would have to update to the new UI for him to see the cameras or recordings. According to Customer Support, you cannot go back once you update to the new UI. Clearly, the new UI was developed so that company can increase the subscription fees. My system includes 12 cameras from pro to pro2 to pro3 to pro5. I have recommended the arlo to many of my friends and family but I will no longer do that. There was not a single communication sent about this major change in the UI.  Shame to Arlo.  

[jguerdat]

Conspiracy theories don't get us anywhere. 

The new interface was introduced with the security system where the security hub only has 3 mode buttons. The interface changed to mimic that. Very few, if any, regard that as the best choice so we can hope that an update will eventually support custom modes. Until that time we have to use the 3 default modes to our best advantage. I had to figure out how to get along without my own custom modes like everyone else.

The new interface isn't fully baked yet but can be made to at least mostly work as before (there's an issue with schedules vs. geofencing that's the biggest stickler, at least in my mind). Eventually, everyone will be migrated to the new one...

[SnowyEgret]

Like a lot of people, I feel like I was tricked into pressing the upgrade button.  And there is no ability to roll back.  What a mess. 

Regardless...looking for information on how to configure to regain some semblance of functionality.   

I have a first account with subscription for one location with six cameras and two base stations...1/2/3 are on the north side of the house, 4/5/6 are on the south side of the house.  Why two base stations?  Signal strength to the far north and far south was insufficient with only one base station, so the two stations are at the northern and southern edges of the house. Also I purchased bundles of three that each came with a base station.  For security purposes, I would sometimes arm and disarm portions separately.  Regardless, I'd like to be able to arm / disarm each base station (or set of cameras) separately. 

Additionally, I have another base station at another property on another account with another subscription.  It was shared/permissioned to the first account.  As such, I could monitor/view/arm/disarm that location separately from the first location which was convenient. 

So ... I'd like to be able to view that system in the app for the first account.  I'd also like to be able to arm/disarm the first location without affecting the second, and vice versa.  How do I configure it to do that?  Thank you.  

[StephenB]

---

@SnowyEgret wrote:

Additionally, I have another base station at another property on another account with another subscription.  It was shared/permissioned to the first account.  As such, I could monitor/view/arm/disarm that location separately from the first location which was convenient. 

So ... I'd like to be able to view that system in the app for the first account.  I'd also like to be able to arm/disarm the first location without affecting the second, and vice versa.  How do I configure it to do that?  T

---

To answer this question first:  You need to update the primary account for the other property to "Feed".  

There is a second path, which would have the same effect:

1. cancel the subscription for the other property and remove the Arlo devices from its account
2. create a second location in your main account
3. add the equipment to the new location
4. resubscribe

The benefit of this approach is that it would give you full control over both locations from your main account.  Note there are independent controls (and modes) for both locations.  But it is quite a bit of work, so maybe leave that for another day.

---

@SnowyEgret wrote:

Also I purchased bundles of three that each came with a base station.  For security purposes, I would sometimes arm and disarm portions separately.  Regardless, I'd like to be able to arm / disarm each base station (or set of cameras) separately. 

---

As you are now seeing, the new interface has is limited to three modes.  You can customize all three, but you are limited to three combinations of cameras.  You can still easily turn off individual cameras in the video settings, which has a similar effect to disarming them.

Arlo is planning to add back custom modes (or an similar feature) that should give you better options.  But no one has seen it yet, and there is no ETA.