Reolink?

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So, Amazon have started pushing this brand on me and their website seems to up to date with current website trends.
Has anyone had any experience with them?
Looking at the Reolink C2 to replace my Foscam R2 at the moment
https://reolink.com/product/c2-pro
 

TonyR

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If you perform a search (upper right) for that brand you''ll see LOTS of negative issues.
BTW, LOTS of fake positive reviews on amazon.

In short, avoid Reolink like Nancy Pelosi avoids a psychiatrist's convention.
 

fenderman

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So, Amazon have started pushing this brand on me and their website seems to up to date with current website trends.
Has anyone had any experience with them?
Looking at the Reolink C2 to replace my Foscam R2 at the moment
https://reolink.com/product/c2-pro
Reolink is a lying scamming company. They cameras are not fully compatible with blue iris despite false claims otherwise. Avoid their crap.
 

cyberwolf_uk

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I second that.. walked away from an easy install because I didn't want to touch this sh1t and have them calling me up everyday when something went wrong.
 
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Advice taken. What would you replace a Foscam R2 with then?
I'm hoping to get something in the same vein (pan \ tilt, can be placed on a windowsill) at a price point sub £130...
 

cyberwolf_uk

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What are you actual requirements for your camera? The above is also shit.
 

mat200

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It's to be placed on a windowsill, looking through a glass window at my motorbike. My flat is one floor up from the ground, so the ability to have it looking a bit down is needed.
Obviously can't use IR because of the glass, so that's neither here nor there.
Look at this thread for how far it has to see.
Hi @Alistair Hardy

I would pick up a Dahua OEM 2MP starlight camera, do some DIY custom box to place in your window to look down towards your parking spot - make a black felt hood around it in an attempt to keep interior light away from the lens.

It may cost a bit more than the other models you are looking at, but the low light performance will be superior.

I would start considering the following models:
Review-Dahua IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight Camera-Varifocal
Dahua HFW4239T-ASE review
Review-Dahua IPC-HFW2231TP-ZS Starlight Bullet Varifocal Cam
 
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cyberwolf_uk

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I'm with @mat200... You need it outside as its sole purpose is to protect your bike.. and at night is when they will likely strike so you will need the IR on and the starlight.
 
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I am not aloud to mount it outside, and wall mounting isn't practical, especially as it sits in my bedroom. I live in an apartment block
 

mat200

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I am not aloud to mount it outside, and wall mounting isn't practical, especially as it sits in my bedroom. I live in an apartment block
Hi @Alistair Hardy

Completely understand, mount the above mentioned camera inside. Make a setup so that you can reduce the reflected light off the window from hitting the lens of the camera. Turn off the IR and keep the camera in color mode and see how well that works. ( IR light will bounce off the window typically ).
 

adam_adam

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Hi there. I've seen a lot of Reolink bashing on this site. It's justified. But, I thought I might add some detail for those wondering specifically what makes it horrible/junk/etc.

This is from the perspective of someone who was/is new to the CCTV world, who has played around with the Reolink 4MP bullet cam w/ built in mic ($55 on Amazon ATM), a couple other inexpensive cams, and a handful of better quality cams ($80-$150 Dahua cams).

Things that actually seemed OK (For a $55 cam):
  • The full daylight picture is decent, for what you pay for.
  • I didn't have any issues with the setup.
  • While the build-in mic is not good, we're talking about a $55 cam, and it is OK/serviceable (unlike my Uniden U-Bell's mic).
Bad things:
  • Low light picture sucks.
  • I'm still playing with settings, but whatever I do this thing seems to be a fly/bug magnet -- bugs constantly flying around in front of it. (my other cam in similar locations do not do this)
  • The physical hardware seems very flimsy. Even after tightening things up, it is all sort of squishy feeling. Screws screw in wonky and start to strip if I tighten any further. So, I have a security camera that is... fragile.
  • I have this under a very large eve -- basically never gets rain or sun on it. And, based on the prior comment I made (flimsy components) and things I've read, it seems like it wouldn't last long if exposed to the elements.
  • Also: Many users here do a lot of other neat things with IP cams that I'm probably not aware of, so there's probably other downsides, too.
While I do think it is fair to call it junky, especially in comparison to stuff that's not that much pricier, I actually found a good use for it / would not quite call it 'unusable', for me. With that being said, in the big scheme of things of how much time/money it takes to prop up a decent CCTV setup, seems like spending a bit extra for a better cam is the way to go (hence my switching to buying better cams after the Reolink).
 

fenderman

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Hi there. I've seen a lot of Reolink bashing on this site. It's justified. But, I thought I might add some detail for those wondering specifically what makes it horrible/junk/etc.

This is from the perspective of someone who was/is new to the CCTV world, who has played around with the Reolink 4MP bullet cam w/ built in mic ($55 on Amazon ATM), a couple other inexpensive cams, and a handful of better quality cams ($80-$150 Dahua cams).

Things that actually seemed OK (For a $55 cam):
  • The full daylight picture is decent, for what you pay for.
  • I didn't have any issues with the setup.
  • While the build-in mic is not good, we're talking about a $55 cam, and it is OK/serviceable (unlike my Uniden U-Bell's mic).
Bad things:
  • Low light picture sucks.
  • I'm still playing with settings, but whatever I do this thing seems to be a fly/bug magnet -- bugs constantly flying around in front of it. (my other cam in similar locations do not do this)
  • The physical hardware seems very flimsy. Even after tightening things up, it is all sort of squishy feeling. Screws screw in wonky and start to strip if I tighten any further. So, I have a security camera that is... fragile.
  • I have this under a very large eve -- basically never gets rain or sun on it. And, based on the prior comment I made (flimsy components) and things I've read, it seems like it wouldn't last long if exposed to the elements.
  • Also: Many users here do a lot of other neat things with IP cams that I'm probably not aware of, so there's probably other downsides, too.
While I do think it is fair to call it junky, especially in comparison to stuff that's not that much pricier, I actually found a good use for it / would not quite call it 'unusable', for me. With that being said, in the big scheme of things of how much time/money it takes to prop up a decent CCTV setup, seems like spending a bit extra for a better cam is the way to go (hence my switching to buying better cams after the Reolink).
First and foremost, reolink is a lying scamming company. They lied to its users, they spammed the forum.
Second 80 dollar is not MUCH more expensive than 55. Its 25 bux. Only a fool would skimp on 25 dollars. Further more, if you compare apples to apples, there are dahua 4mp cameras with crappy 1/3 sensors for 60-70 dollars via ali.
Finally and most actually most important for those running blue iris, reolink cameras do not support iframe interval settings in the firmware, this makes them incompatible with blue iris. You will get video tearing.
 

adam_adam

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Agree on spending only a bit more for a better cam.

I'll have to read up on iframe support / video tearing -- thx for the heads up (still learning!).

I don't plan to buy any additional reolinks, but I also don't plan to throw the one I have in the garbage, either. For the time being, it serves its purpose and hasn't yet caused obvious problems w/my BI. If it starts to crap out, I'll be replacing with Dahua or the like.
 
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Former Reolink user here. The I-frame issue is a serious problem impacting the video quality. Video tearing and stuttering occurs. I handed off my old Reolink bullet to a co-worker free of charge. Dahua Starlight turrets are about the only outdoor option I would recommend for anyone.
 

TL1096r

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Former Reolink user here. The I-frame issue is a serious problem impacting the video quality. Video tearing and stuttering occurs. I handed off my old Reolink bullet to a co-worker free of charge. Dahua Starlight turrets are about the only outdoor option I would recommend for anyone.
Agree on spending only a bit more for a better cam.

I'll have to read up on iframe support / video tearing -- thx for the heads up (still learning!).

I don't plan to buy any additional reolinks, but I also don't plan to throw the one I have in the garbage, either. For the time being, it serves its purpose and hasn't yet caused obvious problems w/my BI. If it starts to crap out, I'll be replacing with Dahua or the like.
Yeah, stay away from reolink if you are using BI. I have been using my reolink with BI for the past 2 years and it isn't too bad but I do not have it streaming outside of my BI machine so many that might cause issues if I try that.
 
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