Arlo Pro Battery life

[Hula_Rock]

A couple of questions for you guys and gals that have the Arlo Pro:

1.  How is the battery life?I  know there are a couple of variables involved here (e.g. video settings, record length, etc.) but how long can you go before you have to rechage the Alro Pro? on an average how many video captures do you have a day?   

2.  Do you see anything out of the ordinary in battery drain?   I was told that these batteries reach its linear discharge plateau at 90%., meaning after you fully charge the battery, you may see a somewhat rapid discharge rate until it reaches 90%, then the discahge stabilizes and discharges much slower....

Just trying to do some research before I replace one of my cameras with an Arlo Pro.  Thanks in advance ...

[jguerdat]

I've done too much putzing with these to have a true picture yet but the current discharge seems to indicate ~2 months on the most active camera with maybe ~100 minutes recording and live view is at 53%

[kmiller8821]

I have had this system installed since Nov 3rd.

I have 5 cameras.

FrontDoor - Has not been charged yet, currently at 48%

Side Gate - Has not been charged yet, currently at 52%

Side Yard - Has not been charged yet, currently at 58%

Back Yard - Has been charged once - dog trips it on and off, usually gets about 3-4 minutes use per day.  It was charged last week for the first time.

Drive Way - This camera gets a lot of activity, kids on the sidewalk, cars using my driveway to turn around, etc. It averages about 10 mins of recording a day (30 second intervals) and lasted about 2 1/2 months.  It's now at 72%.

In general, my side gate, side yard cameras don't get a ton of activity.  When my lawn people are fertilizing, etc.  I'd say they get less than 1 minute a day, some times it goes for days without any activity.

I can say that the battery charges very quickly, usually in about 2 hours or so.  I've been fairly impressed with the battery life and given the system's flexbility and ease of installation, the battery times are fairly acceptable to me.

[TomMac]

Hula..

I wonder if the seemingly fast drop down to the 90% area has something to do with the charge given the battery pack...

My understanding the pack really only gets a 100% charge if done outside of the camera ( and what we see as 100% is really 80% as to not damage battery if left plugged in )

As to mine, on best video, last time was 2 months to 43% with spec usage...charged as I was moving location.

Now its sitting at 90% and the last charge was 12-16 with usage at 2-3 mins per day re testing ( will track it for u )

I will say that even if the battery life was 1/2 of the Arlos on li-ions, I would still make the switch as the trigger response is that much better.

My est is almost 3 months in spec use with the currrent cell pack.

Down side is the -4F cutoff where the camera just stops functioning saying it's to cold. ( Prob not a problem for u )

[Materhead]

I would say at the moment, I ahve not been that lucky.  I purchased (7) cameras and have them in various locations.  My purchase date was mid Janaury for the original (3) and late January for the other (4).  I understand that all of the following effect battery life:

1) Temperature of the environment.

2) Video resolution selection.

3) Proximity to other devices using the same bandwidth

4) Camera distance from base unit and signal strength

5) Frequency of Motion detection

6) Frequency of live views

I am sure there are others.  I too have been putzing around with most of my cameras.  But, (3) of the (4) bought in late January have sat (OFF) on my table, came showing 100% charge and have already drained to 0%.  The others in various locations inside and outside have already drained to 0%.  Not acceptable in my opinion.  I have opened a case file.

Also, I have noticed that all of the apps used to view the cameras MAY not show the actual charge %.  Just popping the battery back in and out on several cameras have changed the % quite dramatically.

I am still working and investigating but this is the second issue I have had with these cameras.  The other being repeated false motion alerts after a real event or live view.  Plenty of threads and cases opened on that as well.

All that said, I still really like this system so I am determined to figure it out.

[dmacgregor]

This may not be the right thread but I'm exploring an ARLO PRO purchase that I'd use primarily to view my home remotely from our winter residence. Does it automatically record when motion is detected? I use my current LOGITECH cameras to check live feeds and occasionally snap photos. Would this kind of usage drain batteries? Could I also initiate recording? With that kind of usage, would the batteries last for our three months winter stay? Thx for any advice!

[jguerdat]

Depending on your needs and camera location, the cameras could run off wall power with the battery installed to fly through any power outages (use a UPS/battery backup for the modem, router and base, too for the same reason).

These cameras can be set to record on motion as well as to live view and manually record or snapshots if needed.  Light usage (maybe an average of 1-2 minutes per day max) should allow the cameras to run off just batteries for your timeframe.  At least you have options if needed.

[Hula_Rock]

Appreciate the replies everyone !!!!!! 

[lch]

I absolutely hate these cameras!  They cost me a fortune and the battery life is horrible.  If you life in a neighborhood that has any activity at all you are changing batteries every 4-7 days.  I am misserable and since I spent 600+ I am stuck.  I have made every alteration> meaning changing record time and changing motion sensing.  The only thing that works is changing motion sensing so you dont record anything!  I suggest a different camera system.

[lch]

I must have a knock off system or something because I am not even close to the times you are getting. 

[jguerdat]

The usual suspects are camera positioning and sensitivity. The position is important so it doesn't view a large area but just the actual area of concern. Many folks have e to rotate the camera down to accomplish this. There's also the possibility of using one camera to detect but have it record on another.

Post screenshots for specific suggestions.

[thaynes]

I guess I need some help also as my battery life time is horendous.  All 4 cameras are very near my wifi.  I have elected to have better battery life than video but nothing appears to help.  Any suggestions??????

[jguerdat]

Post screenshots from the cameras. How many minutes per day are you recording and live viewing?

[NETthisGEAR]

@Ich Have you tried contacting support at support.netgear.com? Your batteries are draining way to fast so I'd contact them so they can help you troubleshoot.

You may want to look into getting the wired system instead - I don't know your exact situation. It could be in a bad positioning, it's hard to tell. The Arlo Q can montior outside by looking through a window(Arlo Pro can not). You can also check out the Arlo Q Plus.

Either way, I'd get in contact with support any time something isn't working properly, that way you will be eligible for a replacement if the issue is indeed on NETGEAR's end.