A few Arlo camera questions

[paulkinzelman]

I'm new to these wireless cameras and have a few questions I haven't found on the website yet.

Feel free to point me at the answers if they are there and I just didn't find them.

1) If I buy just one VMC3030, no base unit, can I connect it via my wifi to upload the video someplace like the Arlo cloud?

Does it appear as just a normal node on my home network and I can connect to the camera setup page via a browser?

2) If I don't want to upload to the Arlo cloud, can I set it to upload to someplace else? How would I do this?

3) Does it upload only when it senses motion? Do I select how long (like 30secs or whatever) the upload is ?

4) What type of battery does it use? Is it rechargeable?

5) How long will a battery last?

If it uploads as a result of motion, I can understand that the life depends on how much motion it sees.

Does anybody have any info/opinion on battery life when pointing it at a fairly quiet residential street?

TIA!

[TomMac · Accepted solution]

paulkinzelman wrote:

1) If I buy just one VMC3030, no base unit, can I connect it via my wifi to upload the video someplace like the Arlo cloud?

Does it appear as just a normal node on my home network and I can connect to the camera setup page via a browser?

No, the Arlo and Arlo PRO cameras connect ONLY to a base unit... You connect to the base unit by browser or app

2) If I don't want to upload to the Arlo cloud, can I set it to upload to someplace else? How would I do this?

NO... it is cloud based... the PRO and Q+ cameras allow a backup record to a usb driv/ mem card but it is along with the cloud unless the internet drops out ( as a back up )

3) Does it upload only when it senses motion? Do I select how long (like 30secs or whatever) the upload is ?

It only records after detection of motion ( unless you start a manual record ), the Arlo / PRO are not 24/7 record cameras

You can adjust the time record from 10 to 120 seconds ( IIRR )

4) What type of battery does it use? Is it rechargeable?

Arlo uses 4 primary 123 cells OR 4 rechargeable 3.7v 16340 li-ion cells ... The PRO model uses a li-ion pack that is rechargeable.

5) How long will a battery last?

Depends on your usage... I get just about 4 months on OEM primary cells in the Arlo. The PRO seems to be running 3+ months on its pack  Spec usage to obtain stated life is about 5 mins per day or record or live view

Does anybody have any info/opinion on battery life when pointing it at a fairly quiet residential street?

The sense is via PIR and for people has a max range of about 20+ft... using for roads may be a problem with to many false triggers.

But in spec use you should see 3-4 months on the non rechargables, If used less many go over 6 months

[manfredz]

I'm in the third week of my 4 cam Arlo system.  After initially recording a bunch, I've settled down to about 3-5x 120 sec recordings.  I use between 1-3% per night.  Cams currently show 65, 74, 21, and 52% left.

The 4 battery Tenergy rechargeables and charger should be here Wed so will try in one cam to see how that goes.

Three of my 4 cams are easily accessible so changing batteries more often wouldn;t be an issue since the rechargeables wont last as long but the 6x cost of non rechargeables may not make it worthwhile for some cams.

[TomMac]

Yes, it is a trade off.... buy cells for $1.40 per or use rechargeables that last about 60 days ( and can be charged 2-300 x )....

I run half of my cameras on recheargeables... those that get heavy usage and the rest that have low usage, I stick with OEMs

Both shine in their perticular type of usage