Forced to upgrade to loose custom modes - Potentially returning Pro5

[BradSP65]

I've been running 5 camera for the last few years with a subscription. Last week I went and purchased a Pro5k Pro and was unaware that this would force me to update the application. I've looked at the feedback messages and I've asked a few AI engines regarding can I manage to configure my current custom modes on the new app. All the AI engines have stated that it is not possible. As I don;t want to update and break my current system completely, I thought I would ask those that have already migrated to see if all the AI engines hallucinate or that I should just return the camera and forget the idea of adding any more devices to my arlo and look at shifting else where.

My current configuration.

Armed every thing is on (of course)

Disarmed everything is off

When home on premise everything runs on a schedule.

When at home i have a front and rear camera that are armed and record during the hours of 9pm to 4am each day. From 4am till 9pm only the front camera is armed and records.

Is this possible with the new application at all??  Thanks for input.

[BradSP65]

seems i cannot edit the original message but need to add.....

I need to disable the front camera when I am in the front yard during the day. This is normally done via disarm all devices currently.

I've spent hours reading the forums and trying to figure out how to make arlo work as it currently is on the new app just so i can add a new camera. For the life of me I cannot figure out if this is possible. How can it be so difficult just to say I want these camera's enable at these times? I'll be ringing support tomorrow but am thinking I'll just return the pro5 because this is just taking too much time to work out and it just means every time i want to change some thing I'll be faced with the same issues. All that sums up probably time to move else where.

[StephenB]

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@BradSP65 wrote:

When at home i have a front and rear camera that are armed and record during the hours of 9pm to 4am each day. From 4am till 9pm only the front camera is armed and records.

Is this possible with the new application at all??  

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Yes.

The three built-in modes can all be modified, and you only have two combinations of cameras that you use.

So you can set Arm Away and Arm Home to arm both cameras, and set Standby to only arm the front camera.

Then you can schedule the system to switch to Standby at 4 am, and to switch to Arm Home at 9pm.  Make sure those schedule automations are NOT enabled in Arm Away mode.

Then when you leave home, you can manually switch the mode to Arm Away.  The schedule will not kick in again until you manually change the mode back when you return.

[Edinburgh_lad1]

Indeed, there are only three modes. This means that if you want to have flexibility going beyond the three modes, you'll not be able to have it. Not to mention the fact that it feels like a beta version. As with everything, best to do your research first.  

[BradSP65 · Accepted solution]

returned my Pro5 for a full refund due to the fact that there was no advertising on the box and you are only informed of lost functionality when you go to sync the camera to the existing system and it tells you not to upgrade if you use modes. So as I use modes I elected not to upgrade which implies the product can be returned for a refund.

I guess i now start research to replace my system entirely due to these poor design designs. I was always reluctant to go with Arlo because of the closed ecosystem but had left it for the last few years as it was running and i simply did not have time to research. This has turned that on its head and now it must go.

Thanks for the responses. What started as just grab a new camera and add to exiting system has resulted in replace the entire system. Lesson learnt.

[BradSP65]

The retailer was accurately aware of the problem as well. Their statement was "they tried to simplify the application and now it does not suit many people". Lucky i read the original popup and elected not to proceed. Now to replace.