AMLINK
Mosi
First few hours after installation playback was working fine but later on it stopped. The camera works well picture and audio. But i can’t figure out why it won’t playback the recoded motion events. I tried continues recording and just motion recording. The SD Card shows it does have data but won’t playback in the app. I don’t have cloud subscription plan but i do have SD Card for local storage.
Calving Around
I ordered this 2X 2MP Dual-Lens WiFi Camera Outdoor from AMLINK to supplement our NVR camera system. I use it as a stand-alone security camera that I can pan and tilt. Unfortunately, their IP protocol is not standard and I was not able to associate this camera with my NVR.
This is a mostly plastic camera and feels light duty compared to my higher end cameras, but that is what I expected in this price range. I have a couple other AMCREST cameras that I have had in service for almost a year, and this new-generation AMLINK camera is designed and built as well as these older cameras. The new feature for me is the dual lens. It has one lens that pans and tilts, while the second one is a stationary view from the mount part of the assembly. This gives me an all-time view directly in front of the camera position and the ability to look around with the other camera. Both views are displayed in the app. The WiFi connection to the app was simple and the camera was recognized right away. The signal strength is strong with my mesh WiFi system.
The only hardware shortcoming in my opinion, is where the SD card slot is located. It is right on the bottom of the camera sphere where it is visible to anyone that looks at it and it is easy to remove. Most PT cameras with SD cards have the slot in a location that is not seen by the casual observer. This location is very obvious, especially when viewed from below. My other dislike is, AMCREST/AMLINK have so many different apps for different cameras. I currently have three different apps for three of their cameras. They should find a way to accommodate all of their cameras with one app.
At the current price of $47.99 and even better with the current coupon for $43.19, this is a well built and functional security camera for this price range. If you are looking for an inexpensive security camera with point and tilt capabilities, this is one to consider.
T
I like the dual-lens setup because it gives me more information from one mounting location than a basic single-lens camera. One view can stay wider while the second lens gives a closer look, which is useful around a driveway, gate, or side yard.
The camera supports pan and tilt, human detection, motion tracking, and two-way audio, so I can reposition the view remotely and follow activity instead of being stuck with one fixed angle. You can also save multiple views then tap them and the camera will quickly rotate and focus on that spot. App works well.
For outdoor cameras, Wi-Fi strength matters almost as much as the camera hardware. I make sure the mounting location still has a reliable signal before permanently drilling anything into the wall. Motion sensitivity also takes some adjustment so every branch and shadow does not become an alert.
Once placement and notifications are dialed in, the dual-lens coverage is the feature I appreciate most. It gives me a better view of a larger area without mounting two separate cameras.
Unfortunately the stream is glitchy, stutters, buffers, and freezes when alot of motion is being viewed. I find the audio to be way too low despite all the settings set to high.
Desert Sun
I was impressed with the features packed into this camera for the price. The 2MP video provides a clear picture, and the pan, tilt, and automatic human tracking make it much easier to keep an eye on an area without constantly adjusting the camera yourself.
The human detection is particularly useful because it helps cut down on unnecessary motion alerts. I also like that the AI processing is built into the camera rather than requiring a cloud subscription. Recording to a MicroSD card is another nice option if you prefer keeping your footage local.
The night vision works well for monitoring after dark, and the two-way audio and built-in siren add some useful security features. The camera can also send alerts to your phone, so you don’t have to be watching the live feed to know when something has been detected.
One thing potential buyers should know is that this camera does require the AMLINK Pro app to set up and use. You also have to create an AMLINK account. That’s not necessarily a problem, but it’s worth knowing before purchasing if you’re looking for a camera that can operate without an app or account.
I also appreciate that the camera supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi and that MicroSD recording and the built-in human detection don’t require a monthly cloud subscription.
Overall, this is a feature-packed outdoor security camera with good local-storage options and useful AI detection. Just be aware that using it requires the AMLINK Pro app and an account.
marty
Good camera at its price point. As with any home camera it has its good points and not so good points. You need to mount it high enough that it can't be reached (to protect the SD card and reset button) easily but in a position to capture the area you want to monitor. It is very easy to quickly connect to either 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz after you have installed the app. You need to set up an account which you can use to subscribe to a cloud service if you desire. You can also just use an SD card if that is all you want. The app makes it easy to control the cameras many nice features, including AI tracking, detection, pan/tilt and sound/talk. It also comes with an alarm which I haven't tested yet. The camera is waterproof for outside use and you need an outlet to power the camera within a reasonable distance. with the provided power block. The dual lens idea is new to me and I can see how it would be useful. The fixed lens is just basically like a fixed IP camera and the rotatable lens can cover a good deal of ground. Video quality is very good both day and night. The camera is very visible and will act as a visible deterrent. The camera comes with templates for the screw mounts which help make installation easier. This is a quality product at a reasonable price.
Customer
I have a lot of cameras and this is on the cheaper side especially for being a dual camera. The installation was simple and pretty basic. The image is good enough and the night vision is good for seeing at night. The fixed camera I wish wasn’t so fixed as it points higher than I would want. The image also feels more zoomed in so it doesn’t really get a fuller image. If you are mounting far away this is fine but if you want a 15-20 foot range it may be to close for the fixed camera.
The second rotating camera is a little disappointing. I have it facing my drive way and it has problems keeping up all the way to my doorway. A lot of time it moves a little but not fast enough so when the person moves out of image it stops and resets. I also wish that the fixed camera will trigger the motion camera to track a person since I have it in opposite directions. If you do change it so that it moves with the fixed camera the problem is that it only follows the person when in sight of the fixed camera. Once they move out of range of the fixed camera the moving camera stops following them rather then tracks them.
Lastly there is no Alexa integration. Their old company had an Alexa skill but this new company doesn’t have anything yet. I was hoping to get my lights to trigger when a person arrives but best you get is a notification. Also when viewing a notification it defaults to cloud which I’m not paying for since o have SD card but you have to constantly switch to SD to see the notification video.
MNsotahome
An "ok" product that could be so much better...
For a camera that is supposed to be an outdoor unit there is a lot of issues for it to be a reliable and secure camera. First of which is lets talk about the SD Card and access to the camera. The SD Card is under a rubber flap on the bottom of the moving dome lens, there is no security for it whatsoever, if you can access the camera you can remove the card in seconds, or hit the reset button and disable the camera entirely. For a security camera its not very good if anyone can access and remove the card as well as disable the camera by merely lifting a rubber flap!! Sure it could be mounted up high where it limits access, but if you are doing that it also limits your access to it if there is issues with the card or the camera, so its double edged sword. But allowing someone the ability to remove the card is pretty big oversight! Unless you subscribe and pay monthly for the cloud service the only storage is on the SD Card, the app on your phone will show an alert and an image capture that triggered it, but viewing the video requires connecting to the camera and pulling from the SD Card, again unless you also spend a monthly fee to access the cloud service.
Next lets talk about networking... While its nice that it supports both 2.4 and 5ghz Wi-Fi networks, its still a wireless only camera. I was really hoping it would have an option for ethernet because the listing information originally mentioned POE when i got it, so i had assumed it had ethernet as well, but it does not! There is only Wi-Fi for its connection, which can be defeated and blocked with various tools to disable a wireless device or camera. While Wi-Fi is convenient it is significantly less secure.
As for the good things about this camera, the video and sound quality are pretty good, the motion detection is good, the follow mode where the second lens on the motorized dome follows a person it detected works great, it does a good job of following a person. Night vision is good, it has plenty of IR illumination and sensitivity. Its not a bad camera in these regards, the dual camera setup is good and it works good.
If used as an indoor camera in a secure location to protect the SD Card and access to the camera its a useful unit, however, you are limited to only accessing it via their app, it doesn't work with anything else, no NVR or software access outside of their device app, so it can't be used with or integrated into any existing systems. I have a camera system using wired POE cameras and BlueIris, if this camera could be integrated into BlueIris it would be a good choice for relatively decent priced cameras with follow and motion detection. It's also annoying that it doesn't have POE because it can only be powered by a 12v power adapter, which means AC power is needed at each location or you would need to buy POE to 12v converters and run ethernet to each location just to provide power, but if you are doing that its better to have a POE ethernet connected camera in the first place.
Overall its just not a well thought out product, it may be more then enough for some people, its convenient being Wi-Fi, but far less secure, but it was pretty easy to setup, the app quickly found it after powering on the camera and the camera announcing it was in pairing mode, so its pretty easy to use, but therein lies the reason its far less secure as well.
Chas
Impressive live streaming security camera with audio and the ability to pan and zoom. The unit is sturdily built and not too intrusive—easy to set up on two inch wide wood trim on house, garage, or shed. I found it very simple to set up the app and the audio instructions given by the camera during set up and clear, intelligible, and plenty loud. The camera image itself is clear and in focus, and has the ability to track human movement. Haven’t used that aspect of the camera yet, but its very serviceable deterrent because of its siren alarm and visual presence. Good response in low-light with night time vision. The camera is waterproof with a rating of IP 65. The insulated, covered cable connectors are a nice touch in this regard. All in all, a fair price for a robust camera that should last a long time.
