An HONEST Review - Eufy Security SoloCam S340, S220, EufyCam S330, Homebase 3 Solar Security😀

[@dave24-73]

In my opinion, these cameras complement a fixed camera installation with the benefits of alerts and tracking, but I wouldn’t rely on these alone. I have the S340 covering the front of my house, and their door bell, but also have 2 fixed POE Amcrest cameras. It’s great for letting me know what is going on and tracking down events, although the same can be done through the Amcrest system, the S340 has the benefit of following the subject. It’s also a good backup in event of long powercut.

[@glennearnshaw842]

You can get a corner mount for s340 so you could have put it on the corner and have more viewing range

[@Aa-ns7ok]

I wouldn’t even be upset if you’d do more reviews outside of sim racing. This was helpful and fun!

[@KarlGosling]

I thought I'd just try, but so far almost no one has watched it so I probably won't again.

[@richmurphy8337]

thanks Karl, great review as always!

[@KarlGosling]

My pleasure!

[@EsoTarek]

Thanks for the review, would be worth adding timestamps ;)

[@KarlGosling]

Just skip through mate ;)

[@EsoTarek]

@KarlGosling that's where the timestamps would come in handy ;) Just some friendly feedback to help your channel grow

[@johnadam5702]

I own a few of these, so it’ll be interesting to see how this review goes!

[@KarlGosling]

Yeah a mixed bag IMO... but as I said in the video I have no reference point this being my first modern, wireless CCTV setup.

[@utubby3730]

Was nice to see you do this as you have been honest and frank on any of the other videos Ive watched from you. This might have gotten a sale from me, which is saying something considering the first thing I think of now when seeing Eufy is the privacy scandal some years ago regarding their video doorbells. That picture quality is dire however, and I would be fearful that the connection issues you suffered with would affect me also as like you I have a larger property.

[@KarlGosling]

It's definitely a mixed bag IMO, some features are great but there's many flaws.

[@GRPLiningServices]

You wear some great t shirts fella 😊

[@KarlGosling]

Thanks mate!

[@jmc6242]

Great video, its not just me having issues. The biggest frustration is the decrypting, its slow and 99% of the time it fails and works on a second attempt. I'm on my second SoloCam S230 in 18 months, the first stopped working after 9 weeks, I got a replacement straight away. I do agree with the "Pony" PIR, its frustrating when footage stops recording after a random about of time. I have tried all 3 options within the app. I now run Customize Recordings with 120s clip length and 10s interval between triggers. It seems to work better for my situation, not ideal.

[@KarlGosling]

Yeah I've found another issue too, when motion is set to only trigger for humans and vehicles it still triggers for everything! Useless as night time security when a badger walking around the farm sets it off three times a night, I've had to disable that feature completely to stop it waking me up.

[@rgled10260]

I’ve had wireless eufy cameras for a few years now. I got them based on good reviews and I don’t rate them at all. I have the same issues, despite having it set to humans only every evening it starts going off when cars/buses go past my house and I’ve even got the zone set at just my front door and not the road. Half the time I leave the house and I don’t even get notified. Deeming them fairly useless because there’s a good chance they wouldn’t catch the right moment and the right time. Plus the sound quality from the microphone is terrible

[@gasracing5000]

I would love to see video buffering on security cams so it could retrieve 10 seconds prior to the sensor tripping.

[@Steve30x]

With the base station you can enable a pre trigger recording where it records a few seconds before the alert was sent.

[@KarlGosling]

Where is this option please mate? I've not seen it anywhere (I'll look again) and this would also mean the cameras are live streaming to the home base all the time which I didn't think they were for power saving?

[@johnadam5702]

I have two of the S340 and one S220 cameras after using PoE and wireless Reolink cameras for many years. I eventually gave up with Reolink when it came to wireless, the primary reason being the number of times it was taking to make a connection with the camera (which then defeated the purpose of having it). My experience with Eufy was quite the opposite; not a single failed connection in the space of a year (but I’m not using the base station). I also use a widget option to arm the flashing lights and sirens when I’m asleep (I have enough lights around my house to avoid using night vision). My experience with motion trigger has been excellent (far superior to Reolink), but my cameras are lower to the ground. The only issues I’ve experienced include one solar panel appearing to have a bit of what appears to be water ingress and the second zoomed in lens on the S340 always being a bit too low in its positioning (often you can only see a person from the neck down). One of the other benefits of Eufy over Reolink is how neatly they’ve designed the solar panel fitment. With Reolink, it’s a bit of an after thought. I have my front S340 fitted to a drainpipe using a 3D printed bracket from eBay. I should point out that I have an eight camera Reolink system using a NVR, so I don’t just rely on Eufy. My property will also have a much smaller footprint than the farm. Hope that helps 👍

[@KarlGosling]

The installation height could definitely make a difference to the motion triggering, how low are yours? Mine are installed at the recommended height as per the instructions so you would think that is optimum. I'm also getting badgers triggering the alarm over night (12:15am and 1:20am last night) so I've had to disable the alarm which is annoying, I have it set to humans and vehicles only but it's still triggering.

[@johnadam5702]

Hi Karl. Your experiences will be genuine and absolutely valid, but the base station and size of the property could easily provide you with a disappointing result (which is very useful to be aware of). I would say in the UK that Reolink are a reasonably big player in the market for wireless, particularly owing to their availability on Amazon (similar to Eufy). That would give you a good reference point. The release of the CX410 (2K) and CX810 (4K) wired Reolink created a lot of interest, as the lens essentially allows the camera to produce full colour in low light situations. There’s plenty of mileage in this for you as people appreciate your no nonsense approach!

[@KarlGosling]

@@johnadam5702 thanks mate! I thought I'd get a reasonable amount of interest in this subject but so far almost no one has watched the video so I'll probably not do another.

[@johnadam5702]

@@KarlGosling if you look at Stu’s Reviews, he has nearly 148K views just for the S340 review. Your video is absolutely deserving of more attention (Life Hackster is another good example). I think if you made more, the algorithm would kick in. Whatever you make, I’ll watch it 😎👍👌🏻

[@KarlGosling]

The way KZbin works if my regular viewers don't watch it then it doesn't get shown to others unfortunately... I appreciate your positivity though mate thank you!

[@HULKReality.3064]

thanks for the vid

[@KarlGosling]

Thanks for watching!

[@MorfiusRacing]

@KG, I hope you get hold of the new to be released Thrustmaster T598 PS5 DD wheel ? !!😊

[@desp6238]

I have a Hikvision POE wired setup and have none of the issues you mentioned. Yes it is a bit more expensive but well worth it. 24/7 4K recording onto a NVR. Wireless is not reliable enough for CCTV and it will compromise your wireless for other things (e.g. PCVR gaming).

[@djm9937]

And yet i've had the Police after me for shouting at someone in the street after years of intimidation, and before that for throwing an eggshell back over the fence that he threw over. They clearly have the resources depending on who you are.

[@KarlGosling]

I think the threat of potential violence is always going to be higher priority than a break in or in my previous case, vehicle damage in a Cineworld car park.

[@djm9937]

And it still took 3 months to visit, so don't think it was even that lol. Anyhoo, a great informative video :)