Arlo Pro 5S 2K vs Ultra 2 for Blue Heron/predator monitoring of Koi pond ??

[ProtectKoiPond]

Hello! Which of the two models -- Arlo Pro 5S 2K or Arlo Ultra 2 do you recommend for monitoring my koi pond for predators, particularly Great Blue Heron? Any material difference? 

On this thread, someone recommend the top Pro over the Ultra:

https://community.arlo.com/t5/Arlo-Smart/Pond-monitoring-for-heron-with-Arlo-Smart-animal-detection/...

Thanks!

Jon

[jguerdat]

You can use the following to compare cameras:

https://www.arlo.com/en-us/compare?cgid=cameras

Choosing the Pro 4 and 5 along with the Ultra 2 shows that the Ultra has a wider FOV and 4K resolution but the Ultra also requires a SmartHub to be used to connect it. That has its pros and cons including price but may play into future add-ons and usage. If you really need the wider angle (180 degrees vs. 160) then it's a no-brainer but the extra width doesn't necessarily get you a better image since 4K requires more pixels with each one covering a smaller area. Zooming in may be about the same regardless of ultimate resolution (and don't forget that the resolution is also limited by the compression used).

Your choice - I wouldn't prefer one over the other from a video perspective.

BTW, we've had herons visit and fish in our pond over the years with losses. My current strategy is to string clear fishing line (to minimize the view of the line) where the herons could walk into the pond. I doubt they would fly into the pond to land but rather land nearby and walk in. I haven't seen a heron in the yard since using this approach but it would seem to be a useful and cheap way to go. I use some short metal poles (the ones that have tabs on them for things like fences but I'd think pretty much any kind of pole would work) with 2 levels of fishing line to block the chest/neck area as well as to prevent them from ducking under it.