The Uniden Guardian App Cam Spotlight includes a spotlight combined with a passive infrared motion detector and an HD
The Uniden Guardian App Cam Spotlight is part of its Guardian range of Wi-Fi and wired security cameras that are sold by major hardware and electronics retailers.
Who is Uniden?
Uniden is a Japanese company founded in 1966. It is most famous for its range of cordless phones but before that for its CBs and as a prime OEM supplier to the Realistic and Radio Shack brands.
Uniden is sold via major retailers, hardware stores and online. It has a reputation for quality products and support.
Review – Uniden Guardian App Cam Spotlight
- HD recording (up to 720p@15fps independent of Wi-Fi or Internet conditions)
- 32GB onboard (non-removable) storage
- PIR motion detection up to 4 metres
- IR night vision to 10 metres
- Wi-Fi N 2.4GHz connection to the router
- 6 x LED spotlight – 500 lumens
- 2-way audio
- IP54 weather and dust resistance
- External power point required – 240V to 9V/2A
- Operates via the Guardian App for iOS and Android
- Website here
Mounting
It is IP54 meaning dust and weather resistant. Uniden recommends placement under an eve. A 240V power point is required (to 9V DC).
Supplied with a wall mount (screws/anchor plugs provided), and software that can flip/reverse images – so you can mount it upside down or on its side etc.
It accurately states the maximum distance for Wi-Fi connection is 50 metres line-of-sight. It works reliably although that distance reduces to about 30 metres through walls or glass.
Setup
- Make sure your phone in on the same Wi-Fi 2.4Ghz band as your camera will use
- Download the app
- Scan a 3D barcode to add the App cam
- Change the camera password from 00000 to a secure one
- Alternatively, you can search for the camera and manually add the router password (P2P setup)
- It is foolproof
Live view or recorded view
The camera does not claim to do more than 720p video, and it does just that. It has a ¼” CMOS and is capable of 1280 x 720p video at up to 25fps. Video is stored in H.264 format on the 32GB internal card. It takes 1280 x 720 stills as well.
Its f/2.0 lens produces reasonably natural daylight shots, good IR shots and the spotlight can wash out the night shots so use it sparingly.
It has a narrower 92° field-of-view than many other security cameras and does not distort the image.
Compared to the Arlo 2 reviewed here Uniden’s 1280 x 720 stills had more natural colour and slightly better detail.
The spotlight function provides 500 lumens (about 40W in old lightbulb terminology) – about 15% of the light output from the Ring Floodlight Cam reviewed here.
As such the light is more of a convenience factor providing light in a well defined 3 x 3-metre area. At night it tended to wash out the IR shot, but it did add detail to closer items.
The light can be programmed to stay on for a specific time from 1/3/10 minutes and dimmed to 25/50/75%. It would be very handy for a driveway or entrance monitoring where the light matches the PIR detection distance.
The app provides push and email notifications.
Speaker/Mic
It provides two-way audio that was not too bad as it does not suffer from more than a microsecond Wi-Fi lag (or internet lag if viewing remotely).
The app
Simple to use. It has
- Motion detection on/off (useful for when you are at home). There are no armed/disarmed settings.
- Video rotation (to allow for different mounting)
- Network setup
- Light settings
- Firmware update
It is not as sophisticated as other brands apps that may support smart homes etc. But it does everything you need.
GadgetGuy’s take – Uniden Guardian App Cam Spotlight takes good shots day or night
It is refreshing to get a product that is not overhyped. It is what it is, and it does it honestly and without fuss.
Pros
- Easy setup
- Delivers precisely what it claims
- Clear day and night video from a f/2.0 lens
- No ongoing costs – not a cloud storage device
- Time and day stamp on photos
Cons
- Not weatherproof – but resistant. Mount under eves
- Needs local 240V power point
- The app is capable but lacks the sophistication of other brands
- Storage is inbuilt (not user replaceable)
Price
$199 (good value as it includes 32GB storage and there are no ongoing cloud costs).
Ratings
As a 720p, Wi-Fi security camera with a spotlight
- Overall: 4 out of 5
- Features: 4 out of 5 – reasonable picture quality, onboard storage, the spotlight is handy
- Value for money: 4 out of 5 – Includes 32GB storage
- Performance: 4 out of 5 – Good daylight and above average night vision. Images best displayed at postcard size
- Ease of Use: 4 out of 5 – Very easy to set up
- Design: 4 out of 5 – keep it out of direct weather
Although the video below has a little hyperbole.
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