Weather Station Hardware > Weather Web Cams

Any suggestions for a truly Battery Power Cam

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tricky:
I've presently got a ReoLink E1 inside the house looking out through a window to take an image which I can either FTP or access direct via an API call
But I'd like the camera to be outside (avoids reflection on the glass and I can situate where I ideally want it)
I cannot run power cables/ethernet externally so need a battery powered camera

I've debated over creating a Solar setup to recharge a suitable battery with solar controllers etc. in the shed and mounting the camera where my Weather Station will be but ideally I'd like a self contained camera accessible over wifi that can wake up and shut down periodically to send the image or wake when I ask I.e. Via an API call to grab the image.

Anyone using anything that is truly wireless?
Don't mind a small solar panel to keep a battery topped up in the camera..

The Reolink Argus range look ideal but the devices can only be accessed via their own Software from what I have read

thanks

Great.Gonzos:
I’ve been using Wyze Cams almost since they started business 3 years ago. I have 5 or 6 here and two more at our RV site. They recently released an outdoor cam. It is totally battery operated, rechargeable and works well at night as well. They can be accessed via their app anytime from anywhere and they can send alerts. They are also relatively cheap. Depending on activity/alerts sent, each charge can last several months (they claim up to 6 and mine out front doesn’t miss that by much.) The drawbacks that I can see for you are two-fold. But you can judge that. First, they require a bridge to connect. The bridge can handle up to 4 cams. So you’d need the bridge with your first. Not a big deal, but something to be aware of. Second, I don’t know that they have an API beyond their app. But they will record to an SD once set properly. And again, they’ll send alerts via text. The starter kit comes with 1 outdoor cam and a bridge for only $50. Extra cams are $40 each I think. I just put my station up and have considered adding one to mine as well. Just not there ... yet.

davidmc36:
I have three Argus cams and I don't see any way to do anything other than App. Too bad as they are awesome cameras otherwise.

At the time I wanted to find an FTP cam with solar but struck out Googling for one. I ended up putting the Reo's up for Front Door and the like with all the deliveries these days.

If you find anything I sure would like to know.

tricky:

--- Quote from: davidmc36 on February 28, 2021, 02:55:35 PM ---I have three Argus cams and I don't see any way to do anything other than App. Too bad as they are awesome cameras otherwise.

At the time I wanted to find an FTP cam with solar but struck out Googling for one. I ended up putting the Reo's up for Front Door and the like with all the deliveries these days.

If you find anything I sure would like to know.

--- End quote ---

I've been in touch with Reolink and they've confirmed no plans to add the feature of remote access/API to anything but their own software so that rules out Reolink Argus range.

I've also looked into using one of their RLC410-W cameras with a self contained Power Supply (solar) but with the cost of the battery/panel and controller being ~£250UKP this is a pricey option given limited Sunshine so needing a bigger a panel. 

It's only for a Weather upload so through the glass will have to do!  I might try make a box to surround the camera to stop internal light affecting the image and perhaps some type of polarising filter on the glass to try minimise external reflections.

tricky:

--- Quote from: Great.Gonzos on February 28, 2021, 02:41:18 PM ---I’ve been using Wyze Cams almost since they started business 3 years ago. I have 5 or 6 here and two more at our RV site. They recently released an outdoor cam. It is totally battery operated, rechargeable and works well at night as well. They can be accessed via their app anytime from anywhere and they can send alerts. They are also relatively cheap. Depending on activity/alerts sent, each charge can last several months (they claim up to 6 and mine out front doesn’t miss that by much.) The drawbacks that I can see for you are two-fold. But you can judge that. First, they require a bridge to connect. The bridge can handle up to 4 cams. So you’d need the bridge with your first. Not a big deal, but something to be aware of. Second, I don’t know that they have an API beyond their app. But they will record to an SD once set properly. And again, they’ll send alerts via text. The starter kit comes with 1 outdoor cam and a bridge for only $50. Extra cams are $40 each I think. I just put my station up and have considered adding one to mine as well. Just not there ... yet.

--- End quote ---

Just spent a good hour reading the reviews etc. on these cams and they get some +/- but overall look good
Unfortunately its the remote access (to grab an image) seems to be the limiter even if you backup the image to the base station - which would be the ideal place  to grab the file from.  The camera have "schedule" recordings and time-lapse quite easily.

Amazon.US will ship these to UK and some of the housing covers look cool (bird houses!) again available on Amazon
Might consider even as a wildlife camera for the garden

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