SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Review

Installing the Camera

Just like the SimpliCam, which I also reviewed, the new SimpliSafe outdoor camera is very easy to install. Its construction is simple and lightweight; rest assured you’re not dealing with bulky equipment or small parts.

Everything about installation was easy and straightforward, from removing the camera from the box to placing it on my wall. It’s always a good idea with any battery-operated camera to check the battery first to see if it needs charging (like we did when we reviewed the Ring Spotlight Battery). I made sure to dig out the battery from the SimpliSafe Outdoor camera box, and charge it in the house before beginning installation.

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The battery took about two hours to reach a full charge (the three flashing lights on the battery are an easy indicator). To compare, this was about the same time it took for the battery-operated Reolink Argus 2 camera to charge when I reviewed it.

But here’s the big difference between SimpliSafe and the Reolink cameras I reviewed: the Reolink’s battery isn’t removable. You have to plug the USB cord into the camera itself to charge the battery, which – for me – meant having to climb up and take it down every two to three months or so. (The battery lasts three to six months before it needs a recharge.) That’s not ideal, frankly, because I’m barely 5 feet tall, I don’t have the steadiest hands, and I’m just not very fond of ladders.

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So with SimpliSafe Outdoor, I had a bit of flexibility, and I used it. While I waited for the battery to charge, I took the device apart and found the place the battery would go when it reached 100%. Easy enough, right?

I also had a closer look at the camera’s magnetic mounting bracket. It connects with the camera tightly, so I knew it would be secure once I mounted it, but it was also easy to adjust. Even before I’d finished charging the battery I could position the camera in the mount to test out different angles.

We really like this approach to mourning. We saw it with the Google Nest, and we saw it again when we reviewed Geeni. These magnetic mounts are great for adjusting on the fly, but make sure you’re installing them where potential burglars and thieves can’t get their hands on them. More on this in our guide to security camera placement.

I liked how I could install the camera anywhere, using just two screws and the included bracket. Since I’m accustomed to DIY cameras, this step was no sweat. But if you’re new to home security, check out my thorough security camera installation guide for more tips.

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Next, I took the bracket apart, then proceeded to drill those two (very) small screws into the wall adjacent to my home’s garage door using the bottom of the bracket as my guide.

From there, I sealed up the mounting bracket and popped the camera body into place.

Here’s where things might get slightly complicated – but don’t worry, it’s still SimpliSafe, so the answer is never too hard to find. With most of the top wireless security cameras, location matters – greatly. The camera can sometimes perform poorly if it’s placed too far away from the required base station or Wi-Fi router. Six to eight feet is usually the maximum distance;3 any farther away and you might experience delays in loading the camera’s live stream and preparing motion-activated clips.

You might also try installing the camera in one location, find it’s not responding at all, and have to move the camera elsewhere. It’s a common process that requires some trial and error, but it shouldn’t add too much time to the total installation.

Plus, if you have a solid Wi-Fi connection and/or range extender, you might not encounter these issues at all. That said, let’s get into the full experience.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor