Need to replace EOL camera and base

[Pray4thebest]

I have an older camera system that I need to replace. Mine is a VMC 3030 I believe, with the base being VMB3000. It was all I needed, but then the infrared stopped working on it.

As I ponder the next camera, I am so confused. It seems things have changed a lot since I got mine!

With my old camera, the batteries were almost useless. They just didn't last very long at all, and we have extreme cold in the winter so they don't even last a day outside. I was thrilled to find a battery replacement that could be plugged in to an outlet! It worked so well and I never lost power.

Fast forward to the new cameras I see, and they have a rechargeable battery. I really want one that I can use a battery pack that plugs in to a power outlet. Is there such a thing any more as a removable battery? I'm not sure the rechargeable ones will work in our extreme weather (-40 in the winter).

Any help or guidance to choose a new camera is much appreciated.

[Edinburgh_lad1]

It sounds like you basically want us to point you to the camera you should get. Well, I think since you're going to be the user, you should do the research yourself. If you do, you'll basically find out that all equipment is limited by operational temperature and there are no guarantees that anything of this kind will work in extreme temperatures like -40. So, I recommend that you start with Google and if that's not an option for one reason or another, going into a shop and asking a sales assistant for help may be a better solution.

[StephenB]

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@Pray4thebest wrote:

Fast forward to the new cameras I see, and they have a rechargeable battery. I really want one that I can use a battery pack that plugs in to a power outlet.

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The Pro and Ultra series all have an outdoor charging accessory that will power the camera even if the battery is removed.  Some have found that removing the battery and using the only the outdoor charger will let the camera run at lower temps than the spec  - which is -4°F (-20°C).  By comparison, your current cameras are only spec'd down to 14°F (-10°C).

This is not something I've tried, so I have no idea how well this works. 

[Pray4thebest]

I have done extensive research over the last several months, and have seen that the batteries are not rated for extreme temperatures. The reason I mentioned that workaround is that I need that option for my next camera, and if the battery system does not allow for a power cord option I have wasted my money. It is also impossible to just call anyone at any of the companies to find out the answers to any of my questions, and this community option became available. I live in a very small town and the only place we found that had a camera was a new place and they literally had ONE camera in their store.

Thanks for your help!

[Pray4thebest]

Thank you. I'll look more specifically at those models then.

The battery workaround with the power cord was a game changer for me, and made this one little camera workable for me.

I appreciate your help!

[StephenB]

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@Pray4thebest wrote:

I'll look more specifically at those models then.

The battery workaround with the power cord was a game changer for me, and made this one little camera workable for me.

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There have been other posters who have run into the low temp limit, hopefully they will share their experience.

-40 is far below the spec, so the external charger might not be enough (even though that strategy works with your older VMC3030s).

[Pray4thebest]

It looks like the Ultra series uses a hub, which is what I am used to. It has the power charging option included!

My other issue with new cameras is the wifi only and no 7 day storage of recordings. That is all I need, so I don't want to have to subscribe just so I can see what critters are eating the cat food!

Will the hub allow me to log in on my computer as I have always done, and have the 7 day storage?

I like this system, and these options would make me choose it if that is how it works. 

Thanks for all the help!!

[StephenB]

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@Pray4thebest wrote:

Will the hub allow me to log in on my computer as I have always done, and have the 7 day storage?

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All the current cameras (including the Ultra) need a subscription to get the 7-day cloud storage.

The two smarthubs (VMB4540 and VMB5000) do have a direct access to local storage feature, which would let you see locally stored recordings.  But you would only see them from the app (not your computer).

[Pray4thebest]

Thank you so much for your help. 

I don't want to be tethered to a subscription for a camera system.

There has been so much conflicting information available. Some reviews say the 7 day free storage still exists, and I get my hopes up, but I trust this board more than the reviews, and certainly don't want to be stuck with a camera that doesn't work for me. I finally had my camera figured out and it was working so well, and I was very content with the way it was working. I just want to be able to replace a single little camera and hook it back to my base station and carry on the way it was. And that seems out of reach.

I believe these things are deal breakers, sadly.

Thanks again!

[StephenB]

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@Pray4thebest wrote:

Some reviews say the 7 day free storage still exists

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It still does, and the most recent info says that it will continue.

But only for the cameras that were sold with it - which are the legacy cameras, and not the Essentials/Pro 3/Pro 4/Pro 5/Ultras

You don't need to replace anything, IMO your best strategy for now is just to keep using what you have.

[Pray4thebest]

Oh that makes sense now!

The reason I was looking for a new camera is that the IR stopped working.

Thank you for your help!