subscription versus base station

[freer]

i have 2 essential cameras and doorbell and i am  looking to add 3 more cameras

i currently have a subscription that allows me to track the cameras/doorbell on my phone app but its getting expensive with the more devices i add

is a base station cheaper to use but still allows most if not all of the functionality i currently have ?

[StephenB]

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@freer wrote:

is a base station cheaper to use but still allows most if not all of the functionality i currently have ?

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You'd need a VMB4540 or VMB5000 to get direct access to local storage.  List price for the (less expensive) VMB4540 in the US is $99.

Two individual camera subscriptions in the US cost about $10/month in the US, the unlimited camera subscription is $13/month.  The delta is a bit less if you pay annually.  So the payback period on switching to a smarthub is about 3 years (longer if annual payments).  IMO not the best choice, as the experience isn't very good.

Limitations include

• recordings only available from the app (not the browser)
• recordings only available to the primary account (not friend accounts)
• no ability to make manual recordings or take snapshots
• no thumbnails, everything needs to be downloaded to the phone to view
• remote access requires router setting changes that some find difficult (and which won't work with some internet service providers)

Plus you lose activity zones and smart notifications.