Old Base Station — Replace Or Okay To Keep

[Mkword]

Question regarding the need or advantages of upgrading an old base station.

I currently have 6 cameras — including: one that is several years old and only identified/recognized by its product #, the indoor VMC2040, 2 first gen Outdoor Essential Spotlight, 1  Pro 2 VMC4030P-100NAS, 1 2nd Gen Indoor/Outdoor Essential.

I currently have a subscription to the Arlo Secure Plus plan — without CVR.

I am possibly adding in the near future a Pro 5S 2K and a Pro 3 Floodlight camera for full property coverage.

I have NOT so far upgraded my old base station that purchased with my original old camera.

However, the old base station works just fine.  While the only two connected cameras are the original old one and the Pro 2 — my overall system works perfectly well for my current needs.

My question is — is there any important reason to upgrade the base station in terms of continued operation — OR are there operational advantages?  Especially if I will be adding the Pro 5S 2K and Pro 3 Floodlight camera?

*Small caveat.  Before I purchase and add the Pro 5S 2K and Pro 3 floodlight cameras — I am possibly considering switching over from Arlo to an entirely different brand of security camera system — due to my enormous dissatisfaction with the new UI app that seriously reduced the flexibility of scheduling individual cameras.  If Arlo is planning to improve this aspect of the UI I am otherwise extremely happy with the products.  If it remains as is — I will potentially jump to a different brand.

Thanks!

 

[StephenB]

Can you look on the base for a label with the part number? - it should be VMBXXXX.  The graphic looks like you have a VMB3000, but it'd be good to be certain.

Also, does the oldest camera use four CR123 batteries?  

[Mkword]

Yes on both.

Base station is VMB3000.

Oldest camera runs on CR123 batteries.

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@Mkword wrote:

Oldest camera runs on CR123 batteries.

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Then it is the original Arlo HD camera (VMC3030).  Tenergy sells rechargable batteries that will work with your camera - something you could look into if you are using regular batteries now.

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@Mkword wrote:

Base station is VMB3000.

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If it is still working, there is likely no reason to take it out of service.

If you want to pair currently sold cameras to the base, you will need to get another one.  The best options are the VMB4540 and the VMB5000 smarthubs.  Both would give you the option of adding local storage.  Some use that instead of an Arlo subscription, others use it as a backup.  (I use it as a backup).

• https://kb.arlo.com/000062284/Arlo-SmartHub-and-Base-Station-Compatibility

[Mkword]

Thanks!

I use my Arlo Secure Plus subscription for other features, but I’ll look into a new base station possibility.

Hopefully switching out the old base station for a new one is a simple process

[StephenB]

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@Mkword wrote:

Hopefully switching out the old base station for a new one is a simple process

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You'll need to remove the cameras on the old base, and add them back to the new one.