A truly wire-free 4MP PTZ camera - Reolink TrackMix Wi-Fi (Battery version with Solar Panel 2)

[@DoctorCalabria]

Thank you for a very complete and well thought out review. Please allow me to add/confirm a few observations of my own. I have several Reolink systems that I’ve installed at various properties using the wired POE RLC-823A PTZ cameras and have been extremely satisfied with their durability and connectivity. After dabbling with the wireless battery powered Blink cameras from Amazon, I decided the technology has advanced to the point that I’d take the plunge with the TrackMix WiFi battery powered PTZs with the solar options. I actually bought a POE system that I was going to install originally but the building is an old brownstone that has massively thick stone walls that I was not looking forward to having to drill through and being in New York City I would have to put everything in conduits to prevent vandalism. I'm not sure what the advantage of putting a non replaceable battery in such a power hungry device would be; the only possible application I could imagine would be pairing it with a solar panel if that actually worked, but even on the sunniest of days, the battery quickly became discharged. (Edit: In all fairness, I am situated in a “valley” between much taller buildings, so I actually get about 4 hours of direct sunlight a day). The simpler systems like the Blink were a reasonable stopgap measure; they purport a 2 year maximum battery life and I was getting results in the 2 month ballpark, but at least they were replaceable AA lithium cells. I had to resort to hard wiring the TrailMix cameras to a usb charger spliced into the existing exterior lights, which actually worked well but kind of defeated the purpose. Although I still had wireless data connectivity (with very well executed 5Ghz abilities), the shortcomings of sacrificing the wired features as mentioned in your review left me feeling that had I just put in the effort of a POE installation, I’d have been happier. Lack of system integration, no web admin interface or robust cloud management features, no PATROL abilities, and a mere illusion of 24/7 recording capabilities leave me feeling I was too early an adopter. Poor pre-roll performance, zoom settings that don’t stick and a ridiculous lack of cable management on the solar side are some other gripes. (BTW, why not integrate the battery on the solar panel?) I really love Reolink’s over engineered products and will continue to use their platform but I just wanted to share my experience with others and vent a little. Oh and one more thing- the app disconnects from the cameo after 20 minutes. Another reason for web admin access.

[@baldvale5418]

Your video is very good and helpfull so thank you very much. Why would you need a top of the range tracking camera on a 10th story appartment balcony!

[@Captainriad]

Hello . Thanks for the informative video . Can I always get notifications on my phone while being away from home?

[@TheSprinterVan]

Thank you for taking the time to make a quick Insight thorough and honest review

[@vueville]

Glad you liked it!

[@حماملوتابوعبدالعزيز]

Hi does the camera stays connected if my phone was far from it

[@vueville]

The phone doesn't need to be near the camera. The camera connects to your Wi-Fi router, so that's what matters. Your phone of course needs to have a good Wi-Fi signal from the router as well in order to use the mobile app and get push notifications etc.