Published on April 11th, 2017 | by Guest

Dropcam Pro Review: Is it Still Worth Buying?

If you have been scouting for a new security camera, there’s a good chance you’ve been eyeing the most recent releases. They look sleeker, offer more advanced features and better plans. Unfortunately, however, they also come with a higher price tag. If your budget is tight, this can be a major deal breaker.

Dropcam Pro is one of the most successful DIY cameras launched in 2009. It offers easy setup and impressive features that can easily fit your budget and security needs. However, with its date of release, you might find it hard to invest your hard-earned money in this camera.

Dropcam Pro Features

Dropcam Pro is the upgraded version of the original Dropcam. It features a black stand, six-element lens and weighs 5.7 oz. With its design, this is easily one of the best cameras that can blend with any home interior. It isn’t bulky or obtrusive.

The camera offers night vision which is 7 times better than what you can get from the average security camera. It can take twice sharper pictures with its 720p resolution. Its field of view is marked at 130 degrees and it can zoom 8x.

It also comes with Intelligent Alerts and Two Way Talk features. You can watch what’s happening in your home in real time or share your videos with family and friends through its dedicated app.

Unlike other cameras, Dropcam Pro also offers Cloud Video Recording and other cool features if you decide to pay for its subscription plan. If not, you still get to enjoy live streaming, activity alerts and clear pictures and videos.

CVR’s monthly fee isn’t cheap but it gives you the option for a 10 or 30 day Cloud recording depending on the package you choose. You can review the videos online or download them to your device.

There’s no option to go wireless when it comes to power. You have to plug the Dropcam Pro as it doesn’t have any slot for batteries. However, since it is powered by a USB cable, you can choose to buy an external battery pack that’s USB-compatible. This can save you space and makes the camera a lot less obvious.

You won’t find an Ethernet port in this camera because it doesn’t need it to begin with. Dropcam Pro features dual band wireless technology. During its initial setup, the camera will automatically choose to connect between 2.4GHz or 5GHz.

As for accessibility, the camera can work with most web browsers, Android and iOS devices. This means that you can easily check on your home no matter what device you have available.

Nest and Dropcam Pro

With its success, major players took interest in buying Dropcam Pro. Nest later on successfully purchased the industry giant and released its own camera that looks and works quite similar to Dropcam Pro. They called it Nest Cam.

Nest Cam weighs lighter at only 0.45 oz. It has a 130-degree wide-angle view and a body that is easy to mount. Setting up the camera is a breeze, too. You’ll need to plug the camera and pair it with its app.

In comparison to Dropcam Pro, Nest Cam has a higher resolution at 1080p. It comes with Cloud Storage and live streaming and recording which are pretty much the same as the other camera. At first glance and when streamed side by side, it can be quite hard to pinpoint their exact differences.

However, if you take a closer look, you’ll see clearer and crisper videos with Nest Cam. Its app runs smoother, too. Unlike Dropcam Pro’s, it doesn’t lag as much but it sometimes runs a bit hot.

Should You Buy DropCam Pro?

DropCam Pro is a pretty decent camera with quality features. It’s easy to set up and has good night vision. It’s a good choice if you are looking for a camera that can augment your home’s existing security system.

However, for its price, video quality and design, Nest Cam makes a better choice. It exceeds DropCam Pro in a lot of important aspects. It has a better mobile app and is friendly to third party devices and the Nest family. It’s newer, too.

Takeaway

Old surveillance camera releases don’t always mean low performance. Most of them can still deliver what most new security cameras can do. The trick is in knowing exactly what you need for your home.

Understanding features, such as night vision, resolution and video recording options, can help you determine which camera you should invest your money in. It can also help you nitpick through the long list of available cameras today and avoid falling prey to false claims and advertisements.

When it comes to home security, awareness and the right information are your best tools. No advanced technology or gadgets can help you secure your property if you don’t have the right knowledge and strategy.

Tags: buying, dropcam, Pro, worth