Hey everyone,
I’m looking to install some vandal-proof security cameras outside my house and came across these Reolink models:
RLC-1240A
RLC-840A
RLC-843A
Has anyone used any of these? I’d love to hear your feedback on video quality, night vision, motion detection, and overall reliability. How do they hold up against harsh weather and potential tampering?
Any insights would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Thanks mate appreciate the feedback
Generally, Dome cameras are not recommended for outdoor use unless there is a high chance of them getting attacked. But even then there are often alternatives, like installing them higher.
The reason why is that you get dust buildup on the glass dome which the camera can "see". Sometimes it does weird stuff like focusing on the close marks on the glass, rather than into the distance.
Plus, sometimes car headlights at night can reflect off it and do weird things. Not sure if its a thing with modern or more expensive ones, but the old plastic ones would decay in Australias harsh UV. I did a writeup of some of the advantages and disadvantages of the Domes here, which explains everything in more detail.
Most Domes come with a IK10 rating, it means that it'll survive a 10kg weight being dropped on it from 40cm high. But, the power of being hit with the end of a baseball bat at full speed exceeds this, so it'll die to a baseball bat. So understand that the dome isn't a super forcefield. It helps, but its probably not as strong as you think. I generally think they arent worth the tradeoff outdoors. If you like the profile, go Turrets instead. They dont have the protection, but Domes wont survive either.
LifeHackster did a review of the 843A, and only tapped it with a baseball bat, and it failed instantly.
For all Reolinks, make sure to check the night time footage in the reviews but only when they are moving at walking speed horizontally. Reolinks kinda "cheat" with their night time brightness by slowing down the shutter speed to let more light in, so night time vision looks great. But if something is moving horizontally across the screen, they look like ghosts.
Some of the reviews have people standing still, or moving away vertically, which hides this problem. Look for night time horizontal movement. The newer models are a bit better now, but some of the older one (like 2-3 years ago) where shockingly bad.
Overall, they are some of the top-end consumer grade cameras, but take a look at pro-sumer grade cameras (professional consumer), like Dahua or Uniview.
Thanks for the detailed comment mate. Fair point re the vision distortion on the protective glass. I am in the market for reolink CCTV cameras and was also leaning towards cx820 however none are in stock in AU. perhaps may pickup something closer, Turret style. 820 are good ones however I think they are slightly older model.
Also what you suggest something similar from Dahua. Looking for 6 cameras sub $1000 budget. With no subscriptions etc.
I've got RLC-820A's and a few D800's and one TrackMix PoE. They just came through a cyclone fine in Brisbane :)
Some of the 820's seem to develop a nightvision problem after a few years? But others have been fine. Haven't had any of mine tampered with - they are on the eaves so out of "easy" reach…
Motion detection - detects everything, I have the motion alerts off in the app, far far too many. But for reviewing events via NVR its handy.
I have an 840A on the corner of my garage and it is great. Under the eve of the garage and no issues.
Here is a daytime image and here is a nightime image (with Floodlight on).
I've got another one in the box that I will be putting up somewhere.
I am a huge fan of the 180 Degree cameras and they have a Duo V3 which I plan to replace my Duo V2 with the V3 - https://reolink.com/product/reolink-duo-3v-poe/ - Depending on what you are trying to cover will depend on the choice of cameras.
Overall, very liable and the motion detection is accurate (motion, animals, humans, cars).
I don't have issues with tampering, but have had no issues with harsh weather. I have multiple cameras outside including a PTZ and they have gone through storms and heavy rain no problems.