With an abundance of security cameras and devices in the market, it can be hard to pick what works best for you. I know that I still have a hard time figuring out which brand I’m more inclined towards, because there are inevitable pros and cons to everything.
The Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera positions itself as the all-in-one security camera, and I have to say that it is a great device that lives up to its promise, despite one persistent issue.
What’s in the Box?
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Camera
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Mounting Bracket
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Mounting Template
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USB-C Cable
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Mounting Wrench
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Pack of Screws
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Surveillance Sticker
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Operational Instructions
Design
The Reolink Solar Floodlight is sleek and simple, with two 1000lm floodlight illuminations on either side of the 2K 4MP HD camera, and a 3W Solar Panel right above for stable charging. The lights are adjustable to any angle needed, and the device itself is completely wireless, eliminating the need to mess with any electrical cables.
Underneath the device features the PIR (passive infrared) motion sensor, alongside the speakers that allow for a two-way audio. The USB-C port is also at the bottom, hidden behind a rubber covering, as well as the power button and the microSD card slot on the other side, also behind a rubber covering.
The security elements of the device feature a 33ft infrared night vision coloured camera, with a 150° wide field of view, and an optional siren that reaches up to 110dB. And an AI detection system that recognises people, pets, and vehicles.
Downloading the Reolink app allows users to adjust settings, including the display (flipping the image, image settings, and privacy masks), sounds, and various lighting features (status LED, floodlight, and infrared lights). Alarms can also be set through the app, and direct alerts to your phone can be configured.
The big thing that Reolink wants users to know is that the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera is not just a basic camera with a spotlight or a regular floodlight. They are an all-inclusive solar-powered floodlight security camera that is reliable and secure, with a really luminous light.
Installation
The most difficult aspect of this floodlight/camera was the installation process. Depending on where you want to put the device, the places you’re able to mount it are quite limited. That’s mainly due to the design, with the ability to only mount horizontally from the back of the floodlight (the mounting rod is immovable).
Our current floodlights are over a decade old and configured with wiring, so the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera was the best opportunity to replace the old with the new. But to have it face the driveway, the only place I could install it would be directly on the brick. I initially wanted to place it on the plaster of the overhang on the house, but again, due to the immovable mounting rod, it wasn’t possible.
From the outside, the installation and mounting looked quite simple. Drill in a few holes and screw in the screws, and you’re all set, presumably. But because I had to install the camera on a brick, it took me over an hour to get the camera mounted. Without the proper tools (or experience), it’s a strenuous task.
If the mounting rod were flexible or even had the ability to mount at a right angle, the issues above would be nonexistent.
Performance
I’ve been using the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera for over a month now, and there are definitely a lot of things that I love about the device. But there is one standout aspect (other than the installation process) that has been frustrating to say the least.
The best part about the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera is the battery power. The battery capacity is at a massive 10,000mAh and in the 4 weeks of use, I was incredibly impressed to see that the battery has not faltered once and has stayed at 100% since it was first charged and installed.
The lights have an adjustable temperature of 3000K to 6000K; I’ve kept it at 6000K the entire time, and I have to say that it is so impressively bright that it removes the need for any of the other floodlights we have installed. The 2K camera quality is also quite high, even in night mode, where I was able to read a licence plate from down the driveway and across the road.
Software
In regards to the app, its interface is quite intuitive. In addition to being able to clearly see through the camera, users are able to capture images and videos from the app, speak into the phone for two-way audio, and check the playback.
Playback can also be accessed directly through the microSD card, which can hold up to 512GB, meaning that there aren’t any hidden costs with subscriptions to access your own data.
The one downfall to this camera is the feedback time. I changed all the settings to ensure that the lights would turn on as soon as movement was detected on camera at night, and would oftentimes find myself driving straight into the driveway (in direct line with the camera), getting out of my car, and then entering my home, only for the light to switch on as I shut the door behind me.
I would test it out by standing and moving directly underneath or in front of the device to see if it was just a one-time thing, but I found that the delay was consistent throughout. This defeats the purpose of the security element of the device if the lights don’t even turn on when movement is detected.
Verdict & Value
The power and quality of the security camera are great, and it has endured all the hectic weather here in Melbourne.
The ability to change the lights from warm to white is a cool feature, with a battery life that is near impossible to find in other cameras.
But the immovable mount restricts where the camera can be placed, and the inability to register movement at night time to enable the lights is a big issue considering the purpose of the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera as a security device.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: The battery is very powerful; The illumination of the light is really bright.
Lowlights: Installation can be frustrating; The lights take a while to register at night time before switching on.
Manufacturer: Reolink
Price: $179.99
Available: Now on the Reolink website HERE.
Review conducted on unit provided by Sefiani/Reolink.
Featured header image also provided by Sefiani/Reolink.
