Amazon now owns Ring which is great as they have dropped product prices down a great deal. Cheapest price on net for first gen Ring Doorbell is $129 delivered using AMAZON20 for new signups.
CamelCamelCamel.
I second that question…
Only if you want to record the video in the cloud.
Theres a $4 per month subscription fee or a $40 yearly fee. Maybe someone who has one could explain more in detail what you get with it or is it okay using it as standalone doorbell?
Website shows $3 per month, or $30 yearly. However, not sure if this is USD or AUD.
The cloud recording means that video recordings are saved for playback later. If you miss a ring and have cloud subscription, you can view who it was at your door later.
Might be good if someone cases your home with the intent to burglarise it later or to prove to the post office that the postie didn't even try the doorbell or knock before writing the 'not at home' card.
I have one. My trial period just ended. And havn't used the subscription service once. If it isn't live then I'm not interested. That said, I have a separate home camera system which serves the purpose of playback.
you've the ring and a cctv system. would you recommend consumers purchase a ring instead of a cctv system?
Both. Different purposes. Front door visitors. And theft deterrent.
Ring is great. I'm finding it very useful. I was on holidays when a neighbour brought my dogs to the front door after they escaped in a storm. Paid for itself. Also told a delivery guy to sign it himself for my package. Which he did.
But it doesnt replace a good cctv. Eight cameras with wide angles has my house covered. And the overall deterrent.
Does it ship from a local warehouse?
Sold by Amazon Commercial Services Pty Ltd not sure if local stock buddy sorry.
$129 for a doorbell is rather expensive.
Agreed but like the option of seeing who's at the door before kids open it.
or the parents may purchase a six cam + dvr swann cctv (or equivalent) for $400 that may cover six entry points and no subscription fees.
Which is more expensive than a $129 doorbell…
$129 covers one entry point + $30 annual fee.
a 6ch cctv covers six at the cost of $67ea.
Works only with Alexa yet
Why would a third party product only work with Alexa. This is not an Amazon branded product.
Amazon bought them…
First line of OP
Amazon now owns Ring………
Yeah so it doesn't mean that it only works with Alexa. And Amazon may own the company now but this was not manufactured by Amaazon itself.
By the way it works with iOS and Android so hah.
For bricks and mortar store Bunnings now have it for $147 so price match with Officeworks $148 for further 5% off.
Wait for Officeworks to drop to $146 and go back to Bunnings for 10% price match? :P
Note this is version 1 of Ring.
Version 2 is about twice the price, and adds 1080p (vs. 720p), removable battery (vs. Ring 1 needed to dismount the entire unit).
If you hardwire, removable battery presents no benefits.
Many also claim the little difference between quality of 720p and 1080p; however depends on which device you utilise - and how detailed you 'need' the recorded image to be.
Version 2 is physical smaller too
True, was only focusing on the key changes. It's also only very 'slightly' smaller, however still bulky. If you can go hard-wired, and want something smaller, better going with the Ring Pro version.
Also the Ring 2 has an interchangeable cover, but nothing special…
I read last year that there's no actual bell/ringer/chime on this product.
Ie, the only thing that makes a noise is the unit mounted outside your front door.
But you can purchase one separately?
I don't really understand how this makes the product a doorbell, it seems like it's a webcam with a button?
Yeah the chime is sold seperately, if someone rings your doorbell, the ring app will ring your phone and you can answer or just view the cam on your phone. It will also make a chime sound on your phone if any motion is detected.
i think if you hardwire it to an existing doorbell then it will make your doorbell ring as normal (as well as doing the wireless to your mobile thing)
seperate to that you can buy a wireless chime (for people who dont hardwire)
It also makes a chime sounds on the mobile app that you use to setup the device. Once setup you can add the account to another IOS/Android device which will also make a chime/ring sound.
We have the app setup on multiple mobile devices, that all ring off their head when the doorbell button is pressed.
That sounds useful - if the person with the app is home and can go answer the door.
What about family, partners, roommates, kids.. Does every person need the app and get the alerts for every visitor…
Yep pretty much. Every person that wants to see the camera should have it setup on their mobile device or desktop computer.
Just have an old phone or tablet plugged in.
What home wifi upload speeds would you need to make this useful?
I got the recent 5mb 'boost' from telstra cable.
Mine seems to work fine on optus cable.
Does anyone know if u can a Google home chime with ring.
Or even a monitor to instantly display when there is motion or a ring.
That’s be cool. Auto cast from google home to TV.
I have this setup on a small Android tablet that is mounted to my wall (originally there for a Daikin air conditioner control).
In settings you can make it that when an alert is sent, it automatically opens to the live screen.
Works well enough.
I can't get anything from Google, but also works well with Philips Hue lights; can flash/dim/change colour when someone is at the door.
Hey mate, can you let me know pls how did you set it up with android tablet. I am trying furiously with no luck :-(
Unsure if its supported natively or not.
It looks like you'd be able to do it with some fiddling about using the Home Assistant software. Add the Ring doorbell which is a standard component and then configure some automation to have audio play out the bluetooth speaker (Home Mini) when the Switch is activated. Would be a bit involved to set up this way though.
I can with my Nest Hello. It also says "someone is at the door", but actually names the person if it's recognised them before.
Can I unlock my door with this thing? ie if my relative wants to come in, I can see him via the app, and then choose to unlock the door via the app too. Is it possible?
choose to unlock the door via the app too.
you need the ring robotic arm pack to turn key.
Not worth it then, thanks!
So it's basically a Nest surveillance camera (which is owned by Google) with a doorbell button built in.
Is there a monthly subscription fee that I have to pay?