Topic: Any good WiFi Weather Cams out there? Ideally Solar Powered

[twassmer]

Hi guys,

I bought a REOLINK Argus Eco+SP - 2K Solar WiFi Security Cameras Outdoor Wireless, currently under $70, and installation was easy even on trees with included belts, and picture quality is great. Unfortunately, their battery-operated cams do not allow picture capture via browsers. Any suggestions how this could be tweaked without a PC running 24/7?
Might try their wired WIFI cams like the REOLINK RLC-510WA, which should allow picture capturing, or alternatively, the Wittcam, but I worry that they do not allow easy browser capture either.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

[bchwdlks]

I have 2 of the 510WA cameras. One of them is being used as a weather camera. There are plenty of options to access the image. In additoin to using the software, you can get a still image to a browser, or a stream with rtsp. The weather cam image is managed by an RPi. Every 5 minutes it grabs an image using 'wget', gets current weather data from Meteobridge, resizes the picture to fit the host site requirements, and then sftp sends the result. The 510WA definitely allows browser capture. You can also use the browser to access most of the camera features, like set up motion detection, ftp images to be sent on schedule or on motion, adjust the focus & zoom, turn on/off infrared and spotlight, play recorded videos, etc. The browser control is not as smooth as the Windows or tablet software, but it certainly is usable.
 
Raw image:
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The other camera is set up as part of a live 'game' camera monitoring system. Its rtsp stream is read by another RPi running the motioneye OS and feeding 3 cameras to a 55" big screen tv.

[twassmer]

Thanks so much!!! Do you recall if the camera comes in with a tree mount?
Tom

I have 2 of the 510WA cameras. One of them is being used as a weather camera. There are plenty of options to access the image. In additoin to using the software, you can get a still image to a browser, or a stream with rtsp. The weather cam image is managed by an RPi. Every 5 minutes it grabs an image using 'wget', gets current weather data from Meteobridge, resizes the picture to fit the host site requirements, and then sftp sends the result. The 510WA definitely allows browser capture. You can also use the browser to access most of the camera features, like set up motion detection, ftp images to be sent on schedule or on motion, adjust the focus & zoom, turn on/off infrared and spotlight, play recorded videos, etc. The browser control is not as smooth as the Windows or tablet software, but it certainly is usable.
 
Raw image:
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Adjusted image:
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

The other camera is set up as part of a live 'game' camera monitoring system. Its rtsp stream is read by another RPi running the motioneye OS and feeding 3 cameras to a 55" big screen tv.

[Dane_B]

I have all Reolink cameras. They are using homebrew 12v POE supply for direct ethernet connections in place of wifi. Couldn't be happier.

https://wi3x.com/webcams/ipcams/tower/current/image.jpg

[bchwdlks]

No tree mount 
Only a circular plate for wall mounting.

Thanks so much!!! Do you recall if the camera comes in with a tree mount?
Tom

[twassmer]

Can images or videos be fed to weather sites through a weatherbridge/Meteo bridge? I haves RPi but when using FOSHKplugin it erratically stopped the service so I am not necessarily trusting the RPi plus everything else works quite good through the Weatherbridge so it would be great if I don’t have to run another device 24/7.

Thanks in advance!

Sincerely, Tom

The weather cam image is managed by an RPi. Every 5 minutes it grabs an image using 'wget', gets current weather data from Meteobridge, resizes the picture to fit the host site requirements, and then sftp sends the result.

[bchwdlks]

There is a Meteobridge 'ftp Camera Event' , but I have not used it,  so I am not familiar with the capabilities.

[davidmc36]

Can images or videos be fed to weather sites through a weatherbridge/Meteo bridge? I haves RPi but when using FOSHKplugin it erratically stopped the service so I am not necessarily trusting the RPi plus everything else works quite good through the Weatherbridge so it would be great if I don’t have to run another device 24/7.

Thanks in advance!

Sincerely, Tom

The weather cam image is managed by an RPi. Every 5 minutes it grabs an image using 'wget', gets current weather data from Meteobridge, resizes the picture to fit the host site requirements, and then sftp sends the result.

Check the links in my signature.

My cam goes to several places and the overlay is done by MB.

Things like AWEKAS you point your profile to the image and it plucks it on a schedule.

https://www.awekas.at/en/instrument.php?id=15306

[twassmer]

I have 2 of the 510WA cameras.

Received my RLC-510WA and I am confused as it states it is a WiFi camera but it comes with a LAN port like a POE camera. I do not have a LAN cable going out to where I intend to position the camera - does this mean I cannot use it? The manual is not helpful in this regard. Thanks, Tom

[Dane_B]

I have 2 of the 510WA cameras.

Received my RLC-510WA and I am confused as it states it is a WiFi camera but it comes with a LAN port like a POE camera. I do not have a LAN cable going out to where I intend to position the camera - does this mean I cannot use it? The manual is not helpful in this regard. Thanks, Tom

I have a few Reolink cams. Yes the 510WA has an ethernet port and can be used as such but it's also a wifi cam. I am using that exact model in one of my locations.