Experience with Reolink Argus PT camera

My experience with the Reolink Argus PT camera is absolutely satisfactory. The swivel camera from Reolink works by means of battery and can even be charged daily by means of an additional solar panel…: Even without a solar panel, the performance of the battery is very good and only needs to be recharged about every 3 months.

• Positive
  • Unobtrusive design
  • Pivotable
  • Thanks battery to place in any place
  • Sensitive sensors for motion detection
  • Alarm siren
  • Night mode
  • Simple and good app

• Negative:
  • No integration in Smart Home possible (due to battery)
  • No LED to improve the night image

First impression

The Reolink Argus PT arrived beautifully packaged. When unpacking, we immediately noticed the good workmanship, which is not the case with all products in this price range.

Can do a lot and has been reliable in use for 1.5 years

Design

The appearance of the camera is absolutely satisfactory. The camera can be placed inconspicuously so far and can be placed anywhere due to its white color and surprisingly compact size.

Installation

The installation is made very clever and simple from my point of view. After downloading the app from Reolink, the QR code in the app can be scanned directly with the camera and the camera is assigned to your account. The camera is then configured, including integration into the WLAN. Only a few settings are necessary. For the use of all functionalities, one or the other setting is necessary. But these can also be done easily and conveniently via app.

Functionality

Alarm & Motion Detection

Probably the most important feature of a camera is motion detection and alerting via the mobile services. This has worked very well at all times and can detect cats, hedgehogs, etc. by means of very high sensitivity. In stormy weather, you also get false alarms from time to time, but they are absolutely not annoying. Better once too much, than too little.

The alarm in case of object detection takes place via acoustic siren, notification via app and (or) via e-mail including a snapshot of the camera.

Siren

The siren is not extremely loud, but it is absolutely sufficient from my point of view. For me, it is central that any intruders notice that they have been noticed.

Image quality

The 1080p Full HD image is more than sufficient both in the live stream via the app and in snapshots in the mail. Of course, you will notice the lower image quality compared to more expensive devices, but the recognition of people is possible. The night vision function is also sufficiently good for private use. However, personal identification is rather difficult there. However, it is possible to tell even in total darkness whether animals or people are in the picture and what the physique, etc. is like. It is also possible to define areas that are not to be monitored.

Livestream

The livestream works absolutely flawlessly via the app. However, due to the battery present, the stream cannot be integrated into other systems or smart home systems. This requires a powered camera.

App

The app is kept simple, but all necessary functions and the livestream are very easy to find. Likewise, the camera can be panned horizontally and vertically in all possible directions.

Battery

The battery life is surprisingly very good and long, which is why I did not include the solar panel. One full battery charge lasts for three months of operation. Even in winter at very cold temperatures, the battery does not last less.

Conclusion

Experience with the Reolink Argus PT camera is absolutely positive. The camera has done its job flawlessly for 1.5 years since the beginning. The camera was the first part of my security system. Nevertheless, I will exchange the camera in the next few months for a powered alternative from Reolink, so that insbeonsdere integration can be made in Home Assistant. Then I can also control or automate the functions directly via Home Assistant.

More information is available here.