I tried Ring’s new security camera and it turned out to be very useful in a way I didn’t expect
SMART cameras are incredibly useful for home security - but of course you hope to never need them for an actual crime.
Less than a week into testing Ring's new Spotlight Cam Pro I had an actual unexpected intruder to test the kit on.
So, they might not rob me blind but they do scare off the cat and have managed to set up camp under the decking before now.
It was hard work getting rid of them then and I don't intend to repeat it.
Thanks to the Spotlight Cam Pro I was able to send them off before they had a chance to get comfortable.
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I was out when they first came sniffing about, so I set the siren off, which the Ring app allows you to do remotely.
Then I noticed my partner dash out not long after, and they ran away.
So, we can establish that the camera works well at detecting things - which is kind of a given, this is Ring after all, the leader in this stuff.
You get a notification on your smartphone whenever anything is detected.
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It rather handily captures a bit of "pre-roll" video as well as the "main event" as it were, so you get a good idea of what's going on.
Set up
One of the star features about the Spotlight Cam Pro is that it's available wirelessly.
There's a battery option or a solar powered version available.
We're using the battery one and so far so good after a couple of weeks running - long may it continue.
3D Motion Settings
Anyone who already has a video doorbell will probably know how annoying excessive alerts are for passing traffic and other unnecessary movements.
3D Motion Settings use radar sensors for better results.
When I first installed the Spotlight Cam Pro and didn't fully set up notifications, I was getting all sorts of pings for stuff I didn't need to know about.
But once I dabbled with the motion settings they became far more relevant.
Bird's Eye View might seem a bit detailed but is great extra peace of mind if you want to see the route the person or animal has taken - though this hasn't come in useful yet, thankfully.
Of course, you can draw zones too, which helps narrow what the camera detects even further.
1080p video
The video quality on the Spotlight Cam Pro is spot on at 1080p.
Delving in live I get a flawless view of what's going on.
Likewise, recorded videos come out beautifully.
The night vision works well enough, although it's black and white unlike the Floodlight Cam Wired Pro.
But there's a light if I want to expose anything.
Verdict
Ring has brought together the best of all its most recent products into a sound security device that doesn't necessarily need loads of ugly wiring.
I'm glad I'm no longer being pinged every so often thanks to the refining features.
The video quality is just right so you can't miss anything too.
It doesn't come cheap at £199.99 - and extra if you want to have extended video storage.
But you can't put a price on security, so if you need something a little more than your usual home camera, this is an option well worth considering.
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All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed.
Always do your own research before making any purchase.
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