There is a bug that I haven’t tested and was brought to my attention that during motion tracking, the camera doesn’t tilt. It will only pan. This is a software bug that Reolink should be fixing soon.
If Reolink silences the motor noise, offers tunable lighting like the Eufy floodlight cam 2 pro, and improves the two-way audio quality - no one else will be close. Until then, there are enough cons for Ring, Reolink, and Eufy for me to keep watching these videos waiting for “the one” to come out!
Good review. I have just installed this camera to replace an 5k fixed POE. The focus is slow during the day, but at night if the camera is zoomed in, it usually does not lock at all. The focus aimlessly drifts from one focal limit to the other in search of the optimum. Otherwise, the camera is good.
@@LifeHackster Great review. Is there a way to set the focus manually for when its on patrol/auto follow? Or for each of the preset spots? Or at least give the focus a range so its not constantly hunting
Your videos are by far the best. Great job showing the video quality and functionality of the camera day and night and with multiple distances and activity.
The notification time and clarity is outstanding! I currently have Eufy 2c, c24, and 2k doorbell. And it's gone downhill over the last 2 months. Notifications are awful and a lot of missed motion detections. Thinking of switching to reolink!
@@jcm9698 It happens even to the indoor 2k plugged in within my mostly enclosed porch recording 24/7. It has to be restarted weekly or is looses detection. It's defintinely a Eufy issue as I have it too. Suprisingly the cameras just recording events (Floodlight 2 pro and an S40 battery) do a good joband don't have the issue.
Very comprehensive, you even did a two person tracking -- something I was wondering about. Thank you! One thing I would love is if I can send alerts to my google nest devices in addition / instead of my phone. I will look into doing something with IFTTT maybe.
I just installed this camera with the optional bracket that allows you to mount under a horizontal surface like under the eave overhang. Reolink does not provide instructions. To remove the wall mount, simply remove the four screws. However, the cable CANNOT pass through the mount. You must remove the tie wraps, disconnect the cable from the circuit board and pull the cable through the mount. You reverse the process with the vertical bracket. Again, the finished portion of the cable with the network, power and reset connections will not pass through the new mount. Once the cable has passed through the mount, you must reconnect it to the circuit board and attach new tie wraps to ensure the cable is properly secured to the board. Another note, the three screws for the wall mount are sealed under silicone. I’d recommend reapplying the silicone to the screws after installing the new mount. This is simply poor design as making the cable connections slightly smaller, or the mounts slightly larger, you wouldn’t have to disconnect the cable from the circuit board. Also, why don’t they enable tracking in patrol mode? Again it’s poor software design if the camera won’t stay on a spot if it sees something. This makes patrol mode useless. Finally, I’ve not found any instructions on how this camera is to be setup for tracking, positions etc… your video is the only one I’ve found that shows how to set this up in the app. So thank you for that!
I've seen more of your videos, but this one has by far the best color image quality at night. Looking at the roofs of the houses in the background and the sky and clouds and there is no noise at all. The image looks so nice and clean! Reolink now has a nice offer on this camera, so I think I'll buy it. I currently have a 1080p Kami Outdoor IP camera with terrible image quality and Kami has added advertisements with sound in the app before you can view your footage. This is their way of forcing you into a subscription.
Greetings from Torrance! This is a very cool camera. Video quality is superb out to 50 feet and the spot lights are very bright. In the right location this would be perfect. But you are right about not putting it in front of your house. Your neighbors would be a little creeped out. Thanks again for another awesome review! Great work!
Is it possible to disable the lights completely? I am thinking about placing one of these in front my home. And also does it make a loud noise when panning and tilting? Thanks.
Wow, that’s a nice security camera. You’re right about the fact that it’s an in your face, I’m recording everything. Lol. Installation is going to be pretty involved too but I’m still going to look into buying a couple of these.
Thanks LIfeHackster, another good review. Go to a hardware store, buy a 6" extension for your drill bits. The frame won't be as much in the way to screw it in. I've had an 823A in front yard above my garage for about two months. The neighbors like that I have it because they don't have any security cams. I like Reolink. I like the 823A. It's the best PTZ cam in its price range IMO. A new firmware version does have both pan/tilt auto tracking and pet detection, but it's got problems with vehicle tilt tracking, fails sometimes. Reolink is aware of this and are working to improve the firmware. Don't expect the 823A to follow a car traveling fast past your house. If the street is close to your house all brand PTZ cams I know of can only track a car about 10-15 mph. Faster and a car will just fly by, tracking can't keep up. If you have a long driveway and the street/road is farther away, a car can be tracked at faster speeds. I don't use the vehicle auto tracking, don't want it, turned it off. I don't care to watch lots of motion clips of cars several houses past my home. I have person tracking on and it works great horizonal/vertical with people walking past my house on the sidewalk. Also, at night it takes a second for the cam to switch from IR black/white to color when the spotlight comes on when it senses motion so there's a bit of out of focus for a moment. The zoom works good, it's just 5x so it won't be as good as a $500+ PTZ with 20x zoom. I set the guard point in the middle of my property so after it tracks someone it goes back to guard point. Some think it's better to have two or three cams covering everything rather than just one PTZ. I agree. A PTZ might miss something out of frame as it follows a person/car. So I have other cams covering my front. Reolink is coming out with a doorbell cam in the Spring.
I actually have an extension too somewhere but I thought of the angled adapter first..:) thanks for the tip and further information. I think it is still better to have multiple static cameras.
Hey LifeHackster! Another great review. I'm sure you are aware that Wyze is dumping the V1 Cams and I'm pretty pissed about that as I have several. I'm sure the V1 Pan cams will be next shortly as well. This led me to do some searching for replacements. Well I discovered SwitchBot now sells a fixed CAM for $29 on Amazon. I went ahead and bought one and it's actually pretty good. The night vision is on par with the Wyze V1 CAM but with WAY less false alarms as Wyze. Also, the playback is WAY easier to view/download and storage is free. I'm going to replace my Wyze V1's with Switchbot's for now as they are inexpensive. The only downside to SwitchBot is you need to buy a hub to be able to view cameras from the internet ($49). A consideration for sure but I use a bunch of SwitchBot products including their temp/humidity sensors and switches which also work well. If you have time it would be nice to see you do a review of the SwitchBot lineup. These work great with Smartthings and Alexa as I have and old 1947 (slightly updated) home with no ground wires on many switches and these products work nice for my situation. Please consider my request. THANKS!
This is an excellent review. Thanks @LifeHackster! The Reolink PTZ that I purchased in 2020 just crapped out on me and am trying to decide between this model and the 16X model. The mic is a major upgrade for me since the 2020 didn't have that feature. Motion tracking is a plus, but not sure if it's needed especially if I use preprogramed presets nor the spotlight since I don't want to anger the neighbors.
@@josephpuchel6497 I ended up going with the RLC-823A with the 5X optical zoom because it has a wider view. The only complaint I have is that I can't get the motion tracking to work. IDK if it's because I have an older NVR, the video quality is great otherwise.
With this camera I think you can set the zone where you want it to detect motion and then turn on the lights. Then your neighbors won't be bothered by it, right?
I use an FTP server for all my reolink cams. The SD card records motion in the best quality and the FTP records in standard quality 24/7 on a 60 day archive rotation. The person, car and BETA pet detection on the rlc-810a really impressed me. Even the person and car detection on the rlc-510a is pretty good. I likely will be getting the 823a to replace my argus eco solar powered wifi cam I have at my front entrance way. Basically me watching this video is research. I was just going to get the I think it was the 812a because it has color night with spotlights and two way audio, but now I am thinking this one because it being a PTZ with motion tracking will cover a blindspot.
1. Have you noticed that during patrol it only ever turns one way?!!? So it ends up filming the wall for a good amount of time during the 360 transition. For example it cannot look left > right > left > right . No setting to make it turn to the right. There is always something daft Reolink overlooks, its so frustrating they miss such low level vulnerabilities. 2. Additionally if you zoom max, 9/10 times it wont focus, you have to do it manually or nudge the zoom back out again. 3. Classic Reolink annoyance. If you add it to the NVR you cannot add it to the Alexa app / view on TV. If you add it standalone you have to use the SD slot but then you cant have simultaneous multiview playback on the client as its a separate device. Also when added to the NVR to get the best playback functions, you cannot share the camera. 4. The PTZ motors sound like you have nailed R2D2 to your wall. If you live in a quiet place its all you can hear walking about your garden, irritating after a while.
Great job with the review, as always. As you mentioned, it is not discrete but I live out in the country so this is a perk for me. Very helpful, thank you.
just ordered one ,great info ,thanks ,new to the security camera set up , seems a little intimidating with all the options will take some time to dial it all in ,looking forward to playing with it , thanks.
Replaced 7/8 of my cameras with the 833A. I might replace the last one with this 823A. The latest revision claims to have 105 horizontal by 55 vertical FOV making it their widest angle camera (excluding the fisheye cam).
Thank you for taking the time and making this video. Excellent job! You have test pretty much all the camera that’s out there on the market. Out of all of them, which is your favorite?
I really liked this review and this camera. One small pb with the camera in my opinion is the cable going downwards. Also I wish there would be more clarity at 50 feet : I can't read "Texas" on the reg plate.
I noticed my oversight that the cable only went downwards after purchasing. I needed it to go up into a soffit. Down option for me is all brick wall and I don't want exposed wiring running back up the camera exterior. I rotated the foam backer inside the mounting bracket 180°, cut a U notch in the top of the metal casing directly opposite the bottom U notch and then sealed with butyl putty/tape. It's under a soffit but sealed it anyway. Wire goes up now.
Great vid, Thank you for the review on this, and for the dedication in setting up and testing it with the bad weather youve been having too. This Confirmed its one of, if not the best retail (excluding commercial i guess) ptz cameras on the market hands down and i will buy it as soon as it comes back in stock. If reolink gave you affiliate links for discounts that would be cool . 1 thing i do Wish the autotracking could pan slowly with target instead of the on/off nature to its panning at full speed but thats very minor, no big deal. Thx again
It would be really cool if reolink added a second rotating camera below the one above it which could swivel independent of the top camera so that 2 people moving in opposite directions could be tracked at the same time
Great review as always! Yes, this is 2 yrs old but none the less very helpful as I recently purchased this model. I'm almost at buyers remorse as there is no fix for auto tracking during patrol mode. There's also a lack of lock-on object tracking during infinite pan mode. Can this camera do it? As of 2024, seems like the 16x 823A is the new shining camera star so ... 🤔
Hey Hackster! How are you? Can this camera be used with just a 256GB memory card and then plugged in to a 120 volt power supply outlet? Instead of running it to an NVR and a modem.
G'day, This will be my next Reolinc camera (#13). I'm on a corner that gets lots of foot traffic at night. I want everybody to know they have been filmed.
Maaan, I've been so hoping for the review of this Reolink model...thank you thank you thank you! Been in the market for a Reolink PTZ and just waiting hopefully for your review of the Reolink RLC-523wa to make my final decision. I'd like to ask if the spot light can be turned off to utilize a flood light already installed in the same area as not to be anoying to neighbors like you said in the review?
Great review as always.I have a question I hope anyone with a Reolink POE camera can answer. I currently have battery cameras purchased years ago that can easily arm/disarm via an Alexa routine, & usually arm when leaving home and at night. I am interested in the POEs as backup for better resolution & consistent monitoring property and street. Using the Reolink app how do you handle full time monitoring without getting bombarded with alerts, & still get alerts that require immediate attention, especially when you are active around your property everyday?
There is an option of the app where you can group cameras (they call it scenes) so that you can disable or enable motion alerts on your cameras as a group. And you will have this shortcut on top of the app.
Digitally zoomed in…this camera and any camera that has optical zoom doesn’t zoom optically when it senses motion. It is because of the lag time of the focus.
It's been that colder then that in Michigan and the camera works fine...as long as you don't power it off or lose power. I remember reading somewhere, (the manual?), that if the camera gets cold you need to bring it into a warm space and then put it back outside. Really, really strange way to design an outdoor camera but that's exactly what happened to me. Once the camera is working, it will stay working in the cold as long as power is applied.
Great review! I'm currently looking for a 4K PTZ camera to replace a fixed 4MP fixed camera. I like the idea of the spotlights but I have a couple questions about the camera: 1) That chirping noise when the camera moves. Is this the motor itself or an option that can be turned off? I'd like to silently track subjects. 2) Can the spotlight be set to come on only when a subject is within a user-defined distance? I'd like to have the spotlight activate only when a subject is on my property, not on the sidewalk. 3) I use Dahua cameras and NVR now. Does this camera have perimeter protection/trip lined that can be set on the camera itself? I find having events is the most efficient way to review footage later. Thanks again!
Just purchased three of these. Two of the RLC 823A's and the 5mp WIFI variant. I have been having issues with the cameras reverting back to a lesser resolution constantly. I will go in either the windows client or the mobile client and make the appropriate changes but the camera will not retain the settings. I have been in contact with Reolink and they weren't much help. They just suggested the obvious to reboot and reset the cameras and try to reinstall the client. There's definitely a bug somewhere and i'm on the verge of returning the cameras due to it.
What’s your choice for outdoor cameras that work with apple HomeKit? I’m currently using the Logitech circle view and the quality isn’t really good at all but I’m thinking this is a limitation of HomeKit not allowing higher quality imaging and I can’t figure out why they wouldn’t. My guess is we are 10 years away from having Wi-Fi cameras that work as well as Poe cameras.
Great channel. How loud are the motors in the unit outside if you are standing next to it? Thinking of buying this but no idea how loud it is when it turns and if it would draw attention or not.
Timely video! I've been looking at this on their site and based on your review, I think I'll do this on the side of the house where it's dark. P.S. What is that drill attachment you used for the tight space? I need one of those!!
Kick assss video man. Just a quick one, when it is on patrolling mode and it detects a person does it follow the person, and then go back to patrolling as soon as the detection passed?
I have a few of these and while the camera is nice the firmware really needs several improvements, especially the poor focusing and the herky-jerky tracking. I want to warn those who want to use color mode at night NOT to update the firmware if you want 25 FPS, (keep reading). When either the IR LEDs or the white LEDs are in use the camera will drop from 25 FPS to 12 FPS at night, even in good lighting. With the factory installed firmware the camera will record at 25 FPS at night as long as you DO NOT use the camera's LEDs, otherwise the frame rate will drop to 12 FPS. If you upgrade the firmware, the camera will no longer record at 25 FPS at night with the LEDs on OR off. I've tried four different firmware versions and only the version that shipped with the camera allows for 25 FPS at night, and only when not using any of the LEDs. Reolink is aware of this but I don't think they intend to fix the issue. If you really need vertical tracking you will need to upgrade to the new firmware, but the vertical tracking has a pretty limited range so I'm sticking with the 25 FPS at night which I find far more valuable.
@@mash83 Yes, I was able to restore the old firmware and get back 25 FPS. You can select whatever FPS you like from the selection available in the list and the camera should stay at that FPS. I haven't tried it in complete darkness as I have some ambient light all night.
@Pro1er hmm, I have 25fps set but not the ability to adjust the shutter speed like a had before, that's what allows 25fps at night. On my other two cameras that I've not updated I still have 25fps but were I to reset the camera even on the old firmware i would have the same issue, it's the shutter speed options in the app that's the problem i think
@@mash83 I've used four different firmware versions including the newest and none had an option to adjust the shutter speed, only the FPS. Are you in the USA?
I haven’t updated the firmware and I’m getting 12-15 fps in both auto on night vision and full IR NV at night. This lowered FPS at night is present on all their cameras even their WiFi ones. I remembered testing their Argus 3 Pro to only have 7fps at night when it initially came out.
Thank you for the great reviews, always very well presented. I had an issue with the 2 way audio on all 3 of my RLC 823A cameras, waiting for the 16X as a replacement, any idea on when they will have stock for market?
hi great review. I am considering buying one. it must be connected via an asus router. will I be able to access the reolink camera via my mobile app outside my home. so you can watch live when you are not at home and at the same time control it there. Michael
Note to anyone getting this camera. I have the earlier version of this camera and love them but I did find one problem. I live in the south and during an exceptionally hard freeze last year I had a lizard enter through the mounting arm and down into the camera to get warm. Well, it touched the wrong spots and fried itself.....and, my expensive at the time, Reolink camera. I have been wanting one that would motion follow.....so the lizard gave me an excuse to get one of these:-)
There is a bug that I haven’t tested and was brought to my attention that during motion tracking, the camera doesn’t tilt. It will only pan. This is a software bug that Reolink should be fixing soon.
I have not tried it, but on their website the new firmware does fix this issue.
There is a new firmware version that provides vertical tracking but see my comments below regarding FPS before updating the firmware.
The new firmware only partially fixes this issue. They are still working on a fix that will allow it to tilt all the way while tracking.
I have installed the new software. Now the camera tilt all the way while tracking
I have this camera, but haven't seen the updated firmware that includes tilt when tracking could someone post a link to download.
If Reolink silences the motor noise, offers tunable lighting like the Eufy floodlight cam 2 pro, and improves the two-way audio quality - no one else will be close.
Until then, there are enough cons for Ring, Reolink, and Eufy for me to keep watching these videos waiting for “the one” to come out!
no zoom on the eufy!!
Good review. I have just installed this camera to replace an 5k fixed POE. The focus is slow during the day, but at night if the camera is zoomed in, it usually does not lock at all. The focus aimlessly drifts from one focal limit to the other in search of the optimum. Otherwise, the camera is good.
Yes, especially if it in auto and in color at night even with the spotlights on..the focusing drifts..and BW, it is a bit better.
@@LifeHackster Great review. Is there a way to set the focus manually for when its on patrol/auto follow? Or for each of the preset spots? Or at least give the focus a range so its not constantly hunting
Your videos are by far the best. Great job showing the video quality and functionality of the camera day and night and with multiple distances and activity.
The notification time and clarity is outstanding! I currently have Eufy 2c, c24, and 2k doorbell. And it's gone downhill over the last 2 months. Notifications are awful and a lot of missed motion detections. Thinking of switching to reolink!
I’ve noticed the issue with missed motion detections with Eufy as well!
I think that's an inherit problem with wi-fi cameras compared to wired.
@@jcm9698 It happens even to the indoor 2k plugged in within my mostly enclosed porch recording 24/7. It has to be restarted weekly or is looses detection. It's defintinely a Eufy issue as I have it too. Suprisingly the cameras just recording events (Floodlight 2 pro and an S40 battery) do a good joband don't have the issue.
Very comprehensive, you even did a two person tracking -- something I was wondering about. Thank you! One thing I would love is if I can send alerts to my google nest devices in addition / instead of my phone. I will look into doing something with IFTTT maybe.
This is an excellent review. the most helpful part was when you showed the license plate at different distance’s.
I just installed this camera with the optional bracket that allows you to mount under a horizontal surface like under the eave overhang. Reolink does not provide instructions. To remove the wall mount, simply remove the four screws. However, the cable CANNOT pass through the mount. You must remove the tie wraps, disconnect the cable from the circuit board and pull the cable through the mount. You reverse the process with the vertical bracket. Again, the finished portion of the cable with the network, power and reset connections will not pass through the new mount. Once the cable has passed through the mount, you must reconnect it to the circuit board and attach new tie wraps to ensure the cable is properly secured to the board. Another note, the three screws for the wall mount are sealed under silicone. I’d recommend reapplying the silicone to the screws after installing the new mount.
This is simply poor design as making the cable connections slightly smaller, or the mounts slightly larger, you wouldn’t have to disconnect the cable from the circuit board.
Also, why don’t they enable tracking in patrol mode? Again it’s poor software design if the camera won’t stay on a spot if it sees something. This makes patrol mode useless.
Finally, I’ve not found any instructions on how this camera is to be setup for tracking, positions etc… your video is the only one I’ve found that shows how to set this up in the app. So thank you for that!
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet but it now has Pet tracking as well. Works perfectly with my cat running around the back yard!
Glad you made this video. Been checking this out on their website and your review helped confirm that I want this.
Love the loud sound to alert people
I've seen more of your videos, but this one has by far the best color image quality at night. Looking at the roofs of the houses in the background and the sky and clouds and there is no noise at all. The image looks so nice and clean! Reolink now has a nice offer on this camera, so I think I'll buy it. I currently have a 1080p Kami Outdoor IP camera with terrible image quality and Kami has added advertisements with sound in the app before you can view your footage. This is their way of forcing you into a subscription.
Greetings from Torrance! This is a very cool camera. Video quality is superb out to 50 feet and the spot lights are very bright. In the right location this would be perfect. But you are right about not putting it in front of your house. Your neighbors would be a little creeped out. Thanks again for another awesome review! Great work!
Thank you. Reolink even with their WiFi cameras always have good video quality.
Is it possible to disable the lights completely? I am thinking about placing one of these in front my home. And also does it make a loud noise when panning and tilting? Thanks.
Wow, that’s a nice security camera. You’re right about the fact that it’s an in your face, I’m recording everything. Lol. Installation is going to be pretty involved too but I’m still going to look into buying a couple of these.
Thanks LIfeHackster, another good review. Go to a hardware store, buy a 6" extension for your drill bits. The frame won't be as much in the way to screw it in. I've had an 823A in front yard above my garage for about two months. The neighbors like that I have it because they don't have any security cams. I like Reolink. I like the 823A. It's the best PTZ cam in its price range IMO. A new firmware version does have both pan/tilt auto tracking and pet detection, but it's got problems with vehicle tilt tracking, fails sometimes. Reolink is aware of this and are working to improve the firmware. Don't expect the 823A to follow a car traveling fast past your house. If the street is close to your house all brand PTZ cams I know of can only track a car about 10-15 mph. Faster and a car will just fly by, tracking can't keep up. If you have a long driveway and the street/road is farther away, a car can be tracked at faster speeds. I don't use the vehicle auto tracking, don't want it, turned it off. I don't care to watch lots of motion clips of cars several houses past my home. I have person tracking on and it works great horizonal/vertical with people walking past my house on the sidewalk. Also, at night it takes a second for the cam to switch from IR black/white to color when the spotlight comes on when it senses motion so there's a bit of out of focus for a moment. The zoom works good, it's just 5x so it won't be as good as a $500+ PTZ with 20x zoom. I set the guard point in the middle of my property so after it tracks someone it goes back to guard point. Some think it's better to have two or three cams covering everything rather than just one PTZ. I agree. A PTZ might miss something out of frame as it follows a person/car. So I have other cams covering my front. Reolink is coming out with a doorbell cam in the Spring.
I actually have an extension too somewhere but I thought of the angled adapter first..:) thanks for the tip and further information. I think it is still better to have multiple static cameras.
ive tested this camera and for me it works amazing, super picture quality and fast moving.
How did you install it? I just got mine and the camera is in the way of my screw driver
@@Savsal12 it's actually explained in this video. See 3:48.
I wish Reolink came out with a 360° PTZ vandal proof 4k Dome outdoor camera
Filming in the cold Texas weather! Thank you for the amazing content, but stay inside and be warm.
Thank you. Yes, it was cold and drizzling when I filmed at night.
Hey LifeHackster! Another great review. I'm sure you are aware that Wyze is dumping the V1 Cams and I'm pretty pissed about that as I have several. I'm sure the V1 Pan cams will be next shortly as well. This led me to do some searching for replacements. Well I discovered SwitchBot now sells a fixed CAM for $29 on Amazon. I went ahead and bought one and it's actually pretty good. The night vision is on par with the Wyze V1 CAM but with WAY less false alarms as Wyze. Also, the playback is WAY easier to view/download and storage is free. I'm going to replace my Wyze V1's with Switchbot's for now as they are inexpensive. The only downside to SwitchBot is you need to buy a hub to be able to view cameras from the internet ($49). A consideration for sure but I use a bunch of SwitchBot products including their temp/humidity sensors and switches which also work well. If you have time it would be nice to see you do a review of the SwitchBot lineup. These work great with Smartthings and Alexa as I have and old 1947 (slightly updated) home with no ground wires on many switches and these products work nice for my situation. Please consider my request.
THANKS!
Actually I didn’t know. Thanks for the heads up. I have to check out the switch not. Thanks.
This is an excellent review. Thanks @LifeHackster! The Reolink PTZ that I purchased in 2020 just crapped out on me and am trying to decide between this model and the 16X model. The mic is a major upgrade for me since the 2020 didn't have that feature. Motion tracking is a plus, but not sure if it's needed especially if I use preprogramed presets nor the spotlight since I don't want to anger the neighbors.
Hello What did you decide to do ?
I’m thinking about this one POE.
Thank you
@@josephpuchel6497 I ended up going with the RLC-823A with the 5X optical zoom because it has a wider view. The only complaint I have is that I can't get the motion tracking to work. IDK if it's because I have an older NVR, the video quality is great otherwise.
With this camera I think you can set the zone where you want it to detect motion and then turn on the lights. Then your neighbors won't be bothered by it, right?
EXCELLENT VIDEO, just purchased the system and 3 PTZ cameras, love it so far, but just trying to learn it.. THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO
I use an FTP server for all my reolink cams. The SD card records motion in the best quality and the FTP records in standard quality 24/7 on a 60 day archive rotation.
The person, car and BETA pet detection on the rlc-810a really impressed me. Even the person and car detection on the rlc-510a is pretty good. I likely will be getting the 823a to replace my argus eco solar powered wifi cam I have at my front entrance way. Basically me watching this video is research. I was just going to get the I think it was the 812a because it has color night with spotlights and two way audio, but now I am thinking this one because it being a PTZ with motion tracking will cover a blindspot.
1. Have you noticed that during patrol it only ever turns one way?!!? So it ends up filming the wall for a good amount of time during the 360 transition. For example it cannot look left > right > left > right . No setting to make it turn to the right. There is always something daft Reolink overlooks, its so frustrating they miss such low level vulnerabilities.
2. Additionally if you zoom max, 9/10 times it wont focus, you have to do it manually or nudge the zoom back out again.
3. Classic Reolink annoyance. If you add it to the NVR you cannot add it to the Alexa app / view on TV. If you add it standalone you have to use the SD slot but then you cant have simultaneous multiview playback on the client as its a separate device. Also when added to the NVR to get the best playback functions, you cannot share the camera.
4. The PTZ motors sound like you have nailed R2D2 to your wall. If you live in a quiet place its all you can hear walking about your garden, irritating after a while.
This review changed my mind. Thanks for the insight. 👊🏽
Thanks for the review. Will be an item I purchase in the future. Keep the videos coming.
Thanks.
Thank you for the review, been waiting for this camera review for a long time, awesome work!!
Thanks.
Great review, thanks, you made my decision for me
thank you for the review. very helpful. I'm going to add one to my Reolink system.
You are welcome.
Angle adapters are a must for power drivers. Lost count how many times it solved my problem.
Great job with the review, as always. As you mentioned, it is not discrete but I live out in the country so this is a perk for me. Very helpful, thank you.
I love reolink!!!
They need to do doorbells!
Whole smart system..
A Reolink doorbell camera is in the works...and it will be POE!
Molto bravo per aver messo la traduzione in italiano!!! Grandissimo
Reolink has been the most reliable out of all brands that I’ve tried out yet, looking forward to keep on using and recommending their products!
just ordered one ,great info ,thanks ,new to the security camera set up , seems a little intimidating with all the options will take some time to dial it all in ,looking forward to playing with it , thanks.
That motor noise is loud at the start cuts into the audio a bit
and it sounds like the motor is either on or off. No in-between which makes the footage very jittery.
Yeah maybe the option for an external mic would be a viable fix?
Replaced 7/8 of my cameras with the 833A. I might replace the last one with this 823A.
The latest revision claims to have 105 horizontal by 55 vertical FOV making it their widest angle camera (excluding the fisheye cam).
Seems to be a good camera. Thanks for the great review.
You are welcome.
Motion tracking is really good
Thank you for taking the time and making this video. Excellent job! You have test pretty much all the camera that’s out there on the market. Out of all of them, which is your favorite?
I still like and have been using my old ring floodlight cam…it is pretty reliable.
Really? Ring flood light camera? Why?
I really liked this review and this camera. One small pb with the camera in my opinion is the cable going downwards. Also I wish there would be more clarity at 50 feet : I can't read "Texas" on the reg plate.
I noticed my oversight that the cable only went downwards after purchasing. I needed it to go up into a soffit. Down option for me is all brick wall and I don't want exposed wiring running back up the camera exterior. I rotated the foam backer inside the mounting bracket 180°, cut a U notch in the top of the metal casing directly opposite the bottom U notch and then sealed with butyl putty/tape. It's under a soffit but sealed it anyway. Wire goes up now.
Great review. I wonder what ur neighbors say when u test the sirens on cameras😜thanks for all ur reviews!
Great vid, Thank you for the review on this, and for the dedication in setting up and testing it with the bad weather youve been having too. This Confirmed its one of, if not the best retail (excluding commercial i guess) ptz cameras on the market hands down and i will buy it as soon as it comes back in stock. If reolink gave you affiliate links for discounts that would be cool .
1 thing i do Wish the autotracking could pan slowly with target instead of the on/off nature to its panning at full speed but thats very minor, no big deal.
Thx again
You are welcome.
They are 200 at Amazon now if you haven't bought already
Have you done a review of the RLC 842A yet? Thinking about getting one and was wondering what you thought about it. Thanks
nice ptz...just wish they were available ffs been waiting for months to restock
Your review is phenomenal thank you
Thank you for the great review... you've gained a follower!
Amazing review 👍👌💯
Many thanks for taking the time for making this review.
I'm sold 🙂 .
Amazing quality 👌
Thanks for watching.
A really great and thorough review. Thanks.
I definitely like this reolink..
It would be really cool if reolink added a second rotating camera below the one above it which could swivel independent of the top camera so that 2 people moving in opposite directions could be tracked at the same time
I assume if you want to do two person track that it would be better to mount two or more cameras in different locations
Great review as always! Yes, this is 2 yrs old but none the less very helpful as I recently purchased this model. I'm almost at buyers remorse as there is no fix for auto tracking during patrol mode. There's also a lack of lock-on object tracking during infinite pan mode. Can this camera do it? As of 2024, seems like the 16x 823A is the new shining camera star so ... 🤔
Some really useful installation tips. 🙏
Hi and thanks for review. Will this camera work offgrid without internet? Thanks
That is a properly impressive camera for the money.
Solid test man, thanks a lot!
Hey Hackster! How are you? Can this camera be used with just a 256GB memory card and then plugged in to a 120 volt power supply outlet? Instead of running it to an NVR and a modem.
excellent review. I'm buying this !!!!
Great video, does the video recording make a sound of the camera moving?
Yes... and it is loud and annoying.
G'day, This will be my next Reolinc camera (#13). I'm on a corner that gets lots of foot traffic at night. I want everybody to know they have been filmed.
Gday bro 🤝
Nice review kabayan. Love your channel.
Thank you.
Maaan, I've been so hoping for the review of this Reolink model...thank you thank you thank you! Been in the market for a Reolink PTZ and just waiting hopefully for your review of the Reolink RLC-523wa to make my final decision.
I'd like to ask if the spot light can be turned off to utilize a flood light already installed in the same area as not to be anoying to neighbors like you said in the review?
Yes, it can be turned off in the spotlight settings.
Great review, thank you!
Great review as always.I have a question I hope anyone with a Reolink POE camera can answer. I currently have battery cameras purchased years ago that can easily arm/disarm via an Alexa routine, & usually arm when leaving home and at night. I am interested in the POEs as backup for better resolution & consistent monitoring property and street. Using the Reolink app how do you handle full time monitoring without getting bombarded with alerts, & still get alerts that require immediate attention, especially when you are active around your property everyday?
There is an option of the app where you can group cameras (they call it scenes) so that you can disable or enable motion alerts on your cameras as a group. And you will have this shortcut on top of the app.
9:02 when you say 'zoomed in' do you mean Digitally zoomed in or you used the Optical Zoom for the zoomed in snip of the numberplate?
Digitally zoomed in…this camera and any camera that has optical zoom doesn’t zoom optically when it senses motion. It is because of the lag time of the focus.
best video about this cam! thank you so much, what is your summary after 7 months? still happy? and how deep can it move to the ground? thx
Check my comparison video between this and the Reolink Trackmix - czcams.com/video/KlQivk7PiU4/video.html
@@LifeHackster i will, thx
Of concern to northern areas is an operating temperature of only -10. That’s likely a deal breaker for me in Canada.
It's been that colder then that in Michigan and the camera works fine...as long as you don't power it off or lose power. I remember reading somewhere, (the manual?), that if the camera gets cold you need to bring it into a warm space and then put it back outside. Really, really strange way to design an outdoor camera but that's exactly what happened to me. Once the camera is working, it will stay working in the cold as long as power is applied.
Great review! I'm currently looking for a 4K PTZ camera to replace a fixed 4MP fixed camera.
I like the idea of the spotlights but I have a couple questions about the camera:
1) That chirping noise when the camera moves. Is this the motor itself or an option that can be turned off? I'd like to silently track subjects.
2) Can the spotlight be set to come on only when a subject is within a user-defined distance? I'd like to have the spotlight activate only when a subject is on my property, not on the sidewalk.
3) I use Dahua cameras and NVR now. Does this camera have perimeter protection/trip lined that can be set on the camera itself? I find having events is the most efficient way to review footage later.
Thanks again!
Great Video! Thanks!
Many thank's ! From France
Just purchased three of these. Two of the RLC 823A's and the 5mp WIFI variant. I have been having issues with the cameras reverting back to a lesser resolution constantly. I will go in either the windows client or the mobile client and make the appropriate changes but the camera will not retain the settings. I have been in contact with Reolink and they weren't much help. They just suggested the obvious to reboot and reset the cameras and try to reinstall the client. There's definitely a bug somewhere and i'm on the verge of returning the cameras due to it.
I have one of these and you don't need to power adapter if you're using the NVR. Then we are provides POE. Other than that great video.
That’s what I said multiple times in the video.
Thanks for the review! I wish they make this version in wifi and battery/solar.
nice review, you should get a roof soft washing!
What’s your choice for outdoor cameras that work with apple HomeKit? I’m currently using the Logitech circle view and the quality isn’t really good at all but I’m thinking this is a limitation of HomeKit not allowing higher quality imaging and I can’t figure out why they wouldn’t. My guess is we are 10 years away from having Wi-Fi cameras that work as well as Poe cameras.
I’m not a homekit user so I really can’t say but I know eufy cameras or some of its models and also Arlos are homekit compatible.
Best camera under 100$
Great channel. How loud are the motors in the unit outside if you are standing next to it? Thinking of buying this but no idea how loud it is when it turns and if it would draw attention or not.
Well done with the review of the RLC-823A.
I will like to know how to connect this PTZ to a Lorex NVR. Thanks
Is the sound it makes when tracking a person, audible to the person or only on the recording?
It is only in the recording. You could hardly hear it outside because of the ambient sounds.
Can you disable that noise?
If you are not located near a road or other ambient noise it's pretty noticeable up to about 10-15 feet.
Nice job on the review
Does it come with cloud storage in case the thief takes the NVR?
No Reolink Cloud Storage option but you can set up a backup via FTP or in your own network using their client app.
02:10 so what happens when it use all the SD card? Does it not record or it auto deletes the old footage to make room to the new one?
Thank you
Loops records…new footage records over old footage.
Def a good camera but the price isn't attractive to upgrade even with ptz. If price drops some over the months i would grab.
This is INCREDIBLE! What a camera!
Timely video! I've been looking at this on their site and based on your review, I think I'll do this on the side of the house where it's dark.
P.S. What is that drill attachment you used for the tight space? I need one of those!!
It is a right angle attachment like this dewalt one.. I couldn’t find the black and decker one which I have -> amzn.to/3gqGZ7K
@@LifeHackster Thanks! Stay warm and hopefully no broken pipes with the thaw.
what about using this camera for vehicle license plate detection?
check out the superior Dahua PTZ TIOC 2 with Police style flashing red and blue lights and many other features
Kick assss video man. Just a quick one, when it is on patrolling mode and it detects a person does it follow the person, and then go back to patrolling as soon as the detection passed?
I have a few of these and while the camera is nice the firmware really needs several improvements, especially the poor focusing and the herky-jerky tracking.
I want to warn those who want to use color mode at night NOT to update the firmware if you want 25 FPS, (keep reading). When either the IR LEDs or the white LEDs are in use the camera will drop from 25 FPS to 12 FPS at night, even in good lighting. With the factory installed firmware the camera will record at 25 FPS at night as long as you DO NOT use the camera's LEDs, otherwise the frame rate will drop to 12 FPS. If you upgrade the firmware, the camera will no longer record at 25 FPS at night with the LEDs on OR off. I've tried four different firmware versions and only the version that shipped with the camera allows for 25 FPS at night, and only when not using any of the LEDs. Reolink is aware of this but I don't think they intend to fix the issue. If you really need vertical tracking you will need to upgrade to the new firmware, but the vertical tracking has a pretty limited range so I'm sticking with the 25 FPS at night which I find far more valuable.
Were you able to restore 25fps by downgrading the firmware? Do you have to manually set the shutter speed to achieve it?
@@mash83 Yes, I was able to restore the old firmware and get back 25 FPS. You can select whatever FPS you like from the selection available in the list and the camera should stay at that FPS. I haven't tried it in complete darkness as I have some ambient light all night.
@Pro1er hmm, I have 25fps set but not the ability to adjust the shutter speed like a had before, that's what allows 25fps at night. On my other two cameras that I've not updated I still have 25fps but were I to reset the camera even on the old firmware i would have the same issue, it's the shutter speed options in the app that's the problem i think
@@mash83 I've used four different firmware versions including the newest and none had an option to adjust the shutter speed, only the FPS. Are you in the USA?
I haven’t updated the firmware and I’m getting 12-15 fps in both auto on night vision and full IR NV at night. This lowered FPS at night is present on all their cameras even their WiFi ones. I remembered testing their Argus 3 Pro to only have 7fps at night when it initially came out.
Hi, did reolink fix the night time zoom in blurr, i noticed when i would try to zoom in at night it would be blurry
Thank you for the great reviews, always very well presented.
I had an issue with the 2 way audio on all 3 of my RLC 823A cameras, waiting for the 16X as a replacement, any idea on when they will have stock for market?
HI. Did You saw the RLC-823S2 ? I cant find any difference between this and the RLC-823S2 model
Ahh I wish it was $240 cheaper 😀
This is an awesome camera from Reolink. 👍🏻😊
Hi thanks so much for your review. Please tell which camera is good with recording License plates.
Thank you for good video...like
Thanks.
Fantastic review! Really considering this! Around this price range what do you think is the best ptz camera?
This and the eufy floodlight cam 2 pro are pretty good.
@@LifeHackster will check that out too! Thank you!
You do realize the template is intended for you to pre-drill holes and then remove it at which point screwing in the screws is a lot less effort?
Good review man. Can you hear that noise it makes when it is panning?
Yes, you can..it is not that loud and usually drowns out with ambient sound…within 10-15 feet, you will hear it.
hi great review. I am considering buying one. it must be connected via an asus router. will I be able to access the reolink camera via my mobile app outside my home. so you can watch live when you are not at home and at the same time control it there. Michael
Yes, you can. If you are directly connecting it to the router, then you have to power it with a 12 volt power supply.
Great review. Was wondering what if you have more than 1 camera same brand, does the App allows you to operate them once?
Note to anyone getting this camera. I have the earlier version of this camera and love them but I did find one problem. I live in the south and during an exceptionally hard freeze last year I had a lizard enter through the mounting arm and down into the camera to get warm. Well, it touched the wrong spots and fried itself.....and, my expensive at the time, Reolink camera. I have been wanting one that would motion follow.....so the lizard gave me an excuse to get one of these:-)
R.I.P lizard
Hi @LifeHackster, great content as usual. Can you do a review on Nest IQ Outdoor Camera. Thanks
Unless they make a new model, I’m probably not going to review it.
@@LifeHackster Thanks for the swift reply, quick question, I recently purchased nest IQ outdoor camera just wanted to get your thoughts. Thanks