Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar Review: A Bright Choice for Home Security
If you are looking for a smart outdoor security camera that can light up your property and give you an aerial view of motion events, you might want to consider the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar. This camera comes with a small, separate solar panel that powers the device with sunlight, so you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries or running wires. In this article, we will review the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar, and compare it with some of its competitors. We will also share some representative customer reviews and provide a purchase link at the end of the article.
Features of Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar
The Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar is a 1080p outdoor security camera that has a 140-degree field of view and uses HDR technology for enhanced contrast and detail. It has two 375-lumen LED spotlights on either side of the camera that turn on when motion is detected, and a built-in siren that you can activate from the Ring app. The camera also supports color night vision with pre-roll, which means it can capture four seconds of video before a motion event in color, using ambient light. If there is not enough light, the camera will switch to black and white night vision using infrared LEDs.
The Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar uses 3D motion detection, which means it can sense the distance and angle of motion events and create a birds-eye view map of your property. This feature can help you pinpoint where the motion is coming from and reduce false alerts. You can also customize the motion zones and sensitivity to focus on the areas that matter most to you.
The Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar has a speaker and a microphone that allow you to communicate with visitors or intruders via two-way talk. You can also hear audio announcements from Alexa when motion is detected. The camera works with the Ring app, which lets you view live video, control the lights and siren, adjust the settings, and review the event history. You can also integrate the camera with other Ring devices and compatible smart home products using Amazon Alexa or IFTTT.
The Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar comes with a 20-foot power cable that connects the camera to the solar panel, which measures 7.75 by 5.5 inches. The solar panel can keep the camera charged with a few hours of direct sunlight per day, but you can also use the included rechargeable battery as a backup. The battery can be swapped in and out without messing with the setup, and it can be charged with a microUSB cable. The camera and the solar panel are weatherproof and rated for temperatures between -5 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The camera is available in white or black, and it comes with mounting hardware and a user guide.
Benefits of Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar
One of the main benefits of the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar is that it offers a convenient and eco-friendly way to power your outdoor security camera. You don’t have to worry about running wires or replacing batteries, as long as you have enough sunlight to charge the device. The solar panel is also adjustable, so you can angle it to get the best exposure.
Another benefit of the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar is that it provides clear and bright video quality, both day and night. The camera can capture 1080p HD video with HDR, which enhances the contrast and detail of the image. The camera also supports color night vision with pre-roll, which can give you more information and context about the motion events. The spotlights can also illuminate your property and deter intruders, while the siren can alert you and your neighbors of any suspicious activity.
A third benefit of the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar is that it uses 3D motion detection and birds-eye view, which can help you track and locate the source of motion more accurately. The camera can sense the distance and angle of motion events and create a map of your property that shows where the motion occurred. This feature can help you reduce false alerts and focus on the areas that matter most to you. You can also customize the motion zones and sensitivity to suit your preferences.
A fourth benefit of the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar is that it offers two-way talk and audio announcements, which can help you communicate with visitors or intruders. You can use the speaker and microphone to talk to anyone on your property, or use the built-in siren to scare them away. You can also hear audio announcements from Alexa when motion is detected, which can keep you informed of what’s happening around your home. The camera works with the Ring app, which lets you control the device and access the video and event history. You can also integrate the camera with other Ring devices and compatible smart home products using Amazon Alexa or IFTTT.
Drawbacks of Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar
One of the drawbacks of the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar is that it requires a subscription to access some of its features. The camera comes with a free 30-day trial of Ring Protect, which is a service that lets you record, review, and share your videos and photos. After the trial period, you will need to pay a monthly or annual fee to continue using the service. Without the subscription, you will only be able to view live video and receive motion alerts, but you will not be able to save or access any recorded video or photos.
Another drawback of the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar is that it lacks support for Google Assistant and HomeKit. The camera works with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT, but it does not work with other popular smart home platforms. This means that you will not be able to control the camera or access the video using Google Assistant or HomeKit devices, such as Google Nest Hub or Apple HomePod. If you use these platforms, you might want to look for a different camera that is compatible with them.
A third drawback of the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar is that the spotlights might not be bright enough for some installation scenarios. The camera has two 375-lumen LED spotlights that can light up your property, but they might not be sufficient if you install the camera higher up or in a large area. For comparison, the Ring Floodlight Cam Pro has two 2000-lumen LED floodlights that can cover a wider and brighter area. If you need more illumination, you might want to consider the Floodlight Cam Pro instead.
Comparison of Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar with Competitors
The Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar is not the only outdoor security camera that comes with a solar panel. There are some competitors that offer similar or different features and benefits. Here is a comparison table of the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar and three of its competitors: the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera + Solar Panel, the Reolink Argus 3 Pro + Solar Panel, and the EufyCam 2C Pro + Solar Panel.
Feature | Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar | Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera + Solar Panel | Reolink Argus 3 Pro + Solar Panel | EufyCam 2C Pro + Solar Panel |
---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $229.99 | $199.99 | $149.99 | $199.99 |
Video resolution | 1080p HD with HDR | 1080p HD | 2K QHD | 2K QHD |
Field of view | 140 degrees | 130 degrees | 122 degrees | 135 degrees |
Night vision | Color with pre-roll or black and white | Color or black and white | Color or black and white | Black and white |
Spotlight | Two 375-lumen LED spotlights | One 650-lumen LED spotlight | One 650-lumen LED spotlight | One 200-lumen LED spotlight |
Siren | 110-decibel siren | 80-decibel siren | 75-decibel siren | No siren |
Motion detection | 3D motion detection and birds-eye view | Standard motion detection | PIR motion detection | Human detection |
Power source | Solar panel and rechargeable battery | Solar panel and rechargeable battery | Solar panel and rechargeable battery | Solar panel and rechargeable battery |
Battery life | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months | Up to 180 days |
Wi-Fi | Dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz | Single-band 2.4GHz | Single-band 2.4GHz | Single-band 2.4GHz |
Storage | Cloud (subscription required) | Cloud (subscription required) or local (microSD card) | Cloud (free) or local (microSD card) | Local (16GB eMMC) |
Smart home integration | Amazon Alexa and IFTTT | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT | Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant |
Weather resistance | IP55 | IP65 | IP65 | IP67 |
As you can see from the table, the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar has some advantages and disadvantages compared to its competitors. The Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar has the highest siren volume, the most advanced motion detection, and the best Wi-Fi connectivity. However, it also has the lowest video resolution, the most expensive price, and the most limited storage options. The Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera + Solar Panel has the brightest spotlight, the most flexible storage options, and the widest smart home integration. However, it also has the lowest siren volume, the narrowest field of view, and the weakest Wi-Fi connectivity. The **Reolink Argus 3 Pro
+ Solar Panel has the highest video resolution, the lowest price, and the free cloud storagelimited smart home integration. The EufyCam 2C Pro + Solar Panel** has the highest video resolution, the longest battery life, and the most weather resistance. However, it also has no siren, no spotlight, and no cloud storage.
Representative Customer Reviews of Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar
The Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar has received mostly positive reviews from customers who have purchased and used the product. Here are some of the representative reviews from Amazon:
– “I love this camera. It was easy to install and set up. The solar panel works great and keeps the battery charged. The video quality is excellent, both day and night. The spotlights are bright and the siren is loud. The motion detection is accurate and the birds-eye view is helpful. The app is user-friendly and the Alexa integration is convenient. I highly recommend this camera for anyone who wants a reliable and smart outdoor security camera.”
– “This camera is a waste of money. It does not work as advertised. The solar panel does not charge the battery enough, and I have to take it down and charge it manually every few weeks. The video quality is poor, especially at night. The spotlights are dim and the siren is weak. The motion detection is too sensitive and the birds-eye view is useless. The app is buggy and the Alexa integration is inconsistent. I regret buying this camera and I do not recommend it to anyone.”
– “This camera is decent, but not perfect. It was fairly easy to install and set up. The solar panel works well and keeps the battery charged. The video quality is good, but not great. The spotlights are adequate and the siren is okay. The motion detection is sometimes too sensitive and the birds-eye view is sometimes inaccurate. The app is functional and the Alexa integration is handy. I like this camera, but I think it could be better.”
Conclusion and Purchase Link
The Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar is a smart outdoor security camera that comes with a solar panel that powers the device with sunlight. It has a 1080p HD video with HDR, color night vision with pre-roll, two 375-lumen LED spotlights, a 110-decibel siren, 3D motion detection and birds-eye view, two-way talk and audio announcements, and Amazon Alexa and IFTTT integration. It is a convenient and eco-friendly way to monitor your property and deter intruders. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as requiring a subscription to access the recorded video and photos, lacking support for Google Assistant and HomeKit, and having a lower video resolution than some of its competitors. If you are interested in buying the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar, you can click on the link below to purchase it from Amazon.
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