If you want to increase the security at your home, a wire-free battery-powered security camera is an easy-to-install, easy-to-use solution that gives you a clear view of what’s happening when you are not watching.
A good dinner out can easily cost $150 for two people, and that’s about what you pay to buy a wireless security camera. Security cameras have become popular and competitive over the last few years, so let’s take a look at the Uniden App Cam Solo X2K to see what you get for your money.
Table of contents
- Features
- Specifications and price
- Using the Uniden App Cam Solo X2K
- Who is the Uniden App Cam Solo X2K for?
Uniden App Cam Solo X2K features
The Uniden App Cam Solo X2K is a weatherproof 2K-resolution Wi-Fi battery-powered security camera with a spotlight and free seven-day cloud backup.
In the box you will find the camera, a charging cable and a mounting bracket with screws. This is everything you need to get started, as long as you own a smartphone, a screwdriver and a drill.
To detect movement, the camera uses PIR (Passive Infrared) technology. The sensor detects body heat emitted by people and animals. This technology filters out false triggers such as swaying bushes. The maximum range of this sensor is 10m, but it can be adjusted down to 4m. All configuration and setting changes are done via the My Uniden+ app.
The captured image is in 2K resolution, which is technically a higher resolution than you get from free-to-air TV. There are higher-resolution cameras, but that raises the price. The camera’s viewing angle is 135 degrees (side-to-side would be 180 degrees), which is ample for most situations.
Unless you purchase the optional $60 solar panel, you will need to charge the battery periodically. This period will depend on how often the camera is triggered and how many times the built-in spotlight comes on. Don’t worry, this is likely to be around six months, and you will get a notification on your phone telling you it’s time to charge.
Included in the purchase price is seven days of rolling cloud footage backup. A six-second clip can be accessed from your smartphone for seven days after a triggered recording. The video image is transmitted over your home Wi-Fi to cloud storage. You do need to ensure your desired camera location is within Wi-Fi range.
If you want to keep your recordings longer, you can insert a microSD card into the camera for local storage or purchase a cloud subscription for 30-day backup. The advantage of having cloud storage as standard is not having to buy an SD card as an option, but if someone steals the camera, the image of the thief is safe in the cloud for at least seven days. Images and videos can be copied onto your smartphone or PC for permanent records.
The camera will capture images at night, with or without the small built-in spotlight, which can be triggered automatically or manually from your phone. To deter intruders, a siren can also be activated. It is also possible to have a two-way conversation with someone close to the camera remotely.
If you are a smart home user, the Uniden cameras will integrate with both Google Home and Amazon Assistant, providing centralised alerts, automation and viewing on your smart displays.
Uniden App Cam Solo X2K specifications and price
| Resolution | 2K (2304 x 1296) 3.0 megapixels |
| Storage | Free 7-day cloud storage + local MicroSD card (up to 256GB) |
| Audio | Two-way talk |
| Dimensions | 6 x 6 x 10 cm |
| Price (RRP) | $149: single unit $290: 2-pack $570: 4-pack |
| Website | Uniden |
| Warranty | Two years |
Using the Uniden App Cam Solo X2K
If you look at the competing cameras at this price point on the JB Hi-Fi website, as of the time of writing, there are four in-store-stocked cameras. Two of these cameras require a monthly subscription to operate. The Uniden does not, so the total cost of ownership will be much lower.
If you do want 30-day storage instead of 7-day, you can pay a very reasonable $3 a month, which not only gets you the longer storage but also provides intelligent analysis of your notifications. It will identify People, Pets, Vehicles, packages, wild animals and birds. If you want the analysis alone, you can also subscribe for $1.59 a month.
The installation and setup are very straightforward; install the app and follow the on-screen instructions. I like that, as part of the install process, you are asked to take a camera and your phone to the location where you plan to install, and a test is run to determine whether the location is suitable for Wi-Fi connectivity.
Now you are set up. Each time you connect to your camera, you get the message establishing an encryption channel, which I find very reassuring in this world of hacking. You can choose to go one step further in the setup menu and add a cloud password, which further protects each stored video file. I must say, navigating the setup menu is made simpler by clear explanations of the various settings.
The 2K image, whilst not as sharp as 4K, is fine, especially given the price premium for better quality. Images can be digitally zoomed, and either video or snapshots can be downloaded. Voice is also captured, and many a time friends have dropped by and left a message on our cameras for us to see. The nighttime recording has excellent quality and is good for around 10 meters, which is more than enough to cover most people’s driveways. It will capture black-and-white images in total darkness, but with the spotlight function enabled, it becomes a colour image.
Uniden has previously been known for minimal false triggers. I am pleased this model follows this tradition using its Thermo Sense technology, as it can be very annoying to have your phone constantly buzzing on a windy day. A cool new feature they have added is that the camera automatically adjusts settings when alarms occur frequently.
Who is the Uniden App Cam Solo X2K for?
If you are not super technically minded and this will be your first foray into home security cameras, the Uniden App Cam Solo X2K is a great pick. With no ongoing fees and seven days of storage for your images, the setup and operation are easy.
With no wires and a rechargeable battery that lasts six months, you can place the camera anywhere you have good Wi-Fi coverage.
The mere presence of a visible camera is a deterrent in itself. Still, with a spotlight that comes on and an optional siren, it certainly scares intruders away — failing that, you end up with good-quality images you can review and pass on to authorities if necessary.
