Discontinuing Nest and Switching to Reolink: Reasons for the Change
In the latest hardware review by Android Central's Hardwired edition, the focus is on two affordable security cameras from Reolink: the Elite Floodlight and the Atlas. Although the author of the review remains unidentified, the expertise shines through as they explore these devices, which cover phones, audio products, storage servers, networking gear, and now, social security cameras.
The Reolink Elite Floodlight, priced at $197, is a standout choice due to its versatile power source options (PoE or wall outlet) and 180-degree coverage. It boasts adjustable built-in illumination, dual lenses that record clean footage at 4K, and strong Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. The camera has proven reliable even in India's monsoon weather, thanks to its IP66 ingress protection.
The Elite Floodlight delivers an RTSP stream, making it easy to link the camera to an NVR, and the author was able to integrate it into their network video recorder, allowing remote access. The footage on the Elite Floodlight loads faster than on the Nest cameras, and it offers clean and detailed image quality, good low-light footage, and a bright built-in floodlight. The author noted that the Elite Floodlight does not experience the glitches they experienced with their Nest Cam Outdoor.
The Atlas, on the other hand, is a battery-powered camera with a 2K lens and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and it comes with a solar panel. Priced at $135, it misses out on RTSP but is set up in a less-used area due to this. The footage on the Atlas loads quickly, and it offers good image quality. However, the author had issues with battery life, preventing outdoor use.
Both the Elite Floodlight and Atlas are affordable, considering their feature-set and the lack of fees to access footage. Reolink also offers a cloud-based tier for storing footage, but the cameras have built-in MicroSD slots, reducing the need for it. This makes them a cost-effective option for those seeking reliable social security solutions.
The author had been using Nest cameras for four years due to their integration with Google Home. However, they decided to move to another platform due to another round of price hikes, making the plan now cost $100. In 2023, the price of Nest Aware, a service required to access camera footage, was increased to $80. This shift to Reolink is a testament to the growing need for affordable and reliable social security solutions in the market.
Setting up the Elite Floodlight and the Atlas was straightforward, and the author was able to integrate them into their network, providing peace of mind and added social security.