Reolink Argus 2 review – Features Rechargeable battery, wire-free, night vision Needs iOS 8.0 or later. The Argus 2 can capture 1080p footage with a 130° field of view.
Few industries have benefited more from smartphones than security products. Thanks to mobile apps, surveillance cameras are no longer chained to expensive video recorders, and can stream live video in real time right to the palm of your hand.
Reolink Argus 2 is a compact, entirely wire-free indoor or outdoor smart security camera capable of capturing full 1080p HD footage from a 130-degree field of view. (“Fluent” mode reduces resolution to 720p to save bandwidth.) Like its earlier model, Argus 2 works in conjunction with mobile and desktop apps, which can be configured to trigger sirens, start recording, and send push notification or email alerts whenever the unit’s PIR motion sensor is triggered, as well as two-way audio communication via the built-in speaker and microphone.
Few products are this easy to unbox and start using right away. Once the battery pack is fitted, the voice prompts guide you to open the app and pair the camera to your wireless network using QR codes. Although there’s no Ethernet port or AC power, Argus 2 tackles two limitations with other security products. The camera is powered by a single rechargeable battery pack (included), which lasts up to six months in standby mode or roughly 840 minutes of continuous live viewing or recording. Reolink also offers a small solar panel, which eliminates the need for extra battery packs but adds a 15-foot USB charging cable to the mix. Argus 2 includes a feature called Starlight Night Vision, which produces stunningly crisp video images in total darkness from up to 33 feet away, especially in 1080p “clear” mode.
Shaped like an oversized Easter egg, Argus 2 is about two and a half inches in diameter and five inches tall on its adjustable magnetic ball stand; an outdoor security mount is also included, complete with screws. Weighing just over 12 ounces, it’s solidly built, although we would have preferred the weatherproof plastic exterior in black instead of white to make it a little harder to spot.
There’s not yet a cloud-based live video recording solution for Argus 2, but the unit includes a micro-SD card slot on the side (up to 64GB is supported), although you’ll have to provide the card. Reolink also admits this product is not designed for 24/7 surveillance, so motion detection should be used sparingly. The app displays current battery levels for all connected cameras, and you can keep tabs on four weeks of usage at any time.
Table of Contents
Reolink Argus 2 review: THE BOTTOM LINE.
Perfect for families or small businesses, Argus 2 is as feature- packed as it is cute.
J.R. BOOKWALTER
Reolink Argus 2 review
- Super-easy setup
- Rechargeable battery
- No AC power option
- SD card not included
EXCELLENT 4.5/5
Reolink Argus 2 review: FEATURES
Two-megapixel 1080p video camera, 130° field of view, weatherproofing, night vision, motion detection, wireless operation
Smartphones have made a big impact on every industry, but few have benefitted as much as security products. Surveillance cameras are no longer chained to expensive video recorders, and can now stream live video in real time right to the palm of your hand.
The Argus 2 is a compact, entirely wireless indoor/outdoor smart security camera capable of capturing 108op footage with a 130-degree field of view. (‘Fluent’ mode reduces resolution to 720p to save bandwidth.) Much like its predecessor, the Argus 2 works in conjunction with mobile and desktop apps, which can be configured to trigger sirens, start recording and send push notifications or email alerts whenever the unit’s motion sensor is triggered, as well as providing two-way audio communication via the built-in speaker and microphone.
Reolink Argus 2 review: Crisp and clear
Reolink has perfected the art of setup; few products are this easy to unbox and start using. Connect the battery and voice prompts then guide you to open the app and connect the camera to your wireless network using QR codes. Cables aren’t included as there’s no Ethernet port or AC power, but Argus 2 tackles these limitations by alternative means.
Namely, the camera is powered by a single rechargeable battery pack (included) that lasts up to six months in standby mode or roughly 840 minutes of continuous live viewing or recording. Reolink also offers a small solar panel, which eliminates the need for extra battery packs but adds a 38cm USB charging cable into the mix. Argus 2 includes a feature called Starlight Night Vision, which produces stunningly crisp video images in total darkness from up to about 10 metres away, especially in 108op ‘clear’ mode.
Shaped like an oversized Easter egg, Argus 2 is about 6.5cm in diameter and measures about 11.9cm tall on its adjustable
The Argus 2 is wireless. Its battery pack is rechargeable and the camera can easily be moved.
magnetic ball stand; an outdoor security mount with screws is included, making the camera easy to dismount and move. Weighing 350g, the hardware is solidly built, although we would have preferred the weatherproof plastic exterior in black instead of white.
(The company offers a protective skin accessory in black or camouflage.)
Reolink is yet to offer a cloud-based live video recording solution for Argus 2, but the unit includes a microSD card slot on the side; you’ll have to provide this storage, however – up to 64GB is supported. The company admits Argus is not designed for 24/7 surveillance; as such, motion detection should be used sparingly. The app displays current battery levels for connected cameras, and you can keep tabs on up to four weeks of usage at any time.
JR BOOKWALTER
If you have a up to date Windows pc and only need it for recording on the card, (if you need to access it for reference if you have an event for example) then the start up can take a whole day and a lot longer than that when there is no UK support technical telephone help, be warned, extremely frustrating set-up with just a pc!! And reports of issues afterwards from many other recent users 2018 , so ‘caveat emptor’ applies!
thanks for your comment !