How To Weatherproof Nightowl Security Camera
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Night Owl has swooped right in as a fast-growing security company with lots of camera options. After taking a deep dive into their products' features and tech, it was obvious that there's something for everyone in Nighttime Owl's cameras. And the prices weren't bad, either. Some of their basic add-on cameras start at $59.99, which is quite competitive. They also sell loftier-tech security camera systems with facial recognition for $1,000-plus.
That said, at that place are things to consider near Night Owl before hopping on the "purchase at present" bandwagon. For instance, I couldn't livestream video with their bombardment-powered cameras. And if you're a smart home vitrify, your options are express with Night Owl. Otherwise, this camera brand still holds its own against violent competition. So let'south jump in to see if this service makes sense for your home and budget.
Night Owl Cameras
PROS
- Choice of Wired or Wireless Cameras
- No Contracts
- 1080p HD Video Resolution
- NVR, DVR Systems Stabilize Connexion
- Nighttime Vision
- Ii-Way Audio
- Facial Recognition and Human Detection Features
- Works With Google Banana
CONS
- App Is Buggy
- Wide Selection Can Be Overwhelming
- No Livestreaming on Battery-Powered Cameras
- Limited Home Automation Integrations
Night Owl in a Nutshell
Unlike many security companies that accept their roots in China, Night Owl was founded in Naples, Florida. Of course, their hardware is manufactured abroad (you know, to cut costs), but their engineers, software designers, and servers are all located stateside. You may appreciate this, but it's pretty standard for the industry.
The Night Owl brand has been in business concern since 2009,i and they nib themselves as the fastest- growing manufacturer of security DVRs and cameras. Unfortunately, there'south not a lot of info on the company to be constitute. Merely then once again, Nighttime Owl doesn't have the aforementioned name recognition as the Ring, for case, or Google Nest's super-high-tech cams. So I'll give Night Owl the benefit of the doubt hither.
Before jumping into my experience with the cameras, here are a few key stats to know about Night Owl:
Night Owl Camera Features
| Days Tested | vii Days |
| All-time Characteristic | Night Vision |
| Video Resolution | 1080p Hd |
| Power | Plug-in, Wireless |
| Price | $seventy+ |
My Experience With Night Owl Security Cameras
Kickoff Impressions
Night Owl's presentation was clean. Holding the 1080p Indoor/Outdoor cameras in-manus, yous'll detect the devices look and feel like high-quality modern security cameras — almost like what you'd find in a regime building. They're also lightweight and compact. But one quick tip is to match the photographic camera colour to the color of your door trim. A blackness photographic camera volition stick out similar a sore thumb on white trim, and vice versa.
Installing Dark Owl Cameras
Thankfully, Nighttime Owl security cameras were quick and painless to configure and install. But honestly, I've come to expect ultra-easy DIY installation. The company'south website has all the information you'll need to install your cameras — 7 devices in total — and connect them to the Night Owl Connect app in less than an hour.
Did You Know: Information technology'due south a race to the top for abode security companies to see who tin can offer the fastest and easiest installation in the industry. Acquire about more devices out there with hassle-costless installation in our roundup of the best wireless cameras.
Every bit far as setup goes, Night Owl wireless security cameras are simple, simply you'll want to follow their quick online setup guide just to be sure. All I had to do was plug in the ability adapter to hear that the camera was in pairing mode. And adding the camera to your NVR is no sweat; its congenital-in Wi-Fi quickly found the new camera and added it to an empty aqueduct since everything runs over Wi-Fi. If y'all don't hear the camera say it's in pairing style when you plug it in, only press the reset button until information technology says "resetting."
The wired options were only slightly more complicated, only watching Night Owl'southward setup video helped. In one case the DVR is continued, you lot'll then connect the BNC cables. Thankfully, each side is labeled with its appropriate home: "to camera" or "to DVR or NVR." I recommend connecting the cameras and making certain in that location's a indicate before mounting them. It's also worth mentioning that hiding wires on the wired cams was the most fourth dimension-consuming role.
If yous're intimidated past DIY projects, y'all'll similar Nighttime Owl. While the cameras aren't equally easy to install every bit Blink's wire-free cameras, in my feel, information technology was easy plenty.
FYI: Notation that with Nighttime Owl'southward wired cameras, I didn't take the time to hide all the wires. Surely you can probably practise a amend job, but a handyman can probable get the job washed in one-half the time. Just something to consider.
Everyday Use
Some of Night Owl's higher-finish cameras come up stacked with cut-border features like person detection and facial recognition. These high-tech devices, in some ways, are like to the pop Nest Cam IQ series I tested. Every bit far as the plug-and-play sub-$100 cameras become, I initially didn't think they had enough punching power in the features department. I'thousand happy to report, however, that after a few days of testing the cameras, they offered just plenty features for the price. Just don't expect 24/7 perfection.
Night Owl Wireless Organisation
One of the standouts in Dark Owl's popular 1080p Indoor/Outdoor camera was the night vision that views up to 100 feet. The cameras picked up fairly decent details of my garden at virtually twoscore feet out, but beyond that, the resolution wasn't so great. The 2-way talk and infrared PIR motion sensing features are great, but those are pretty much standard these days.
On the other manus, the field of view could be improved. Night Owl advertises this camera with "wide-angle viewing," but the viewing angle is simply 100 degrees, which pales in comparison to many pan-tilt-zoom cameras and quite a few of the Reolink cameras I've tested. All in all, you're going to want a device that offers at to the lowest degree a 120- to a 160-degree field of view; that way you can monitor more of your dwelling house without needing to buy additional cameras.
FYI: If you're into smart home technology with non-Google platforms, this might non exist the brand for you, but I urge you to visit our abode automation guide for more ways to use cameras in your smart home.
The multichannel DVR and NVR kits worked well, too. When it comes to feeling safe and secure in your castle, it definitely helps to know that video is constantly being recorded. Overall, Night Owl might lack some bells and whistles compared to top-rated cameras like the Arlo Pro three cameras I analyzed, only I'd still recommend Night Owl's wireless cams if you're looking for exercise-it-yourself abode surveillance.
FYI: A lot of people are intimidated by the more expensive DVR and NVR systems. Only in many means, they office similarly to lower-stop systems — and as a benefit you'll generally have access to more than advanced features.
Night Owl Customer Support
The Night Owl website provides enough of resources, including troubleshooting guides, if y'all need assistance with their products. And their YouTube channel is frequently updated with videos for their equipment.
Simply sometimes at that place's cipher like a good one-time-fashioned telephone call. Conveniently, Dark Owl's technical support is offered in English, Castilian, and French. And they also have a 24/7 chat line. This around-the-clock access to back up is a actually nice affect, and something I rarely see in the manufacture. Well-nigh security companies have online resources, but Dark Owl provides more than enough help to solve technical matters on your own.
Overview of Night Owl's Features and Tech
DVR and NVR
I prefer Nighttime Owl'due south DVR over their NVR since you lot can still admission remote alive viewing when you lot plug in the Ethernet cable. The NVR can deliver 4K Ultra Hard disk playback, but be warned, information technology's a lot more expensive. Also, the DVR's 1080p HD video was clear plenty to make out details when angled just right.
Two-Way Audio
Dark Owl cameras can capture audio, but yous can likewise employ certain models as an intercom of sorts. For case, yous can give a commitment driver instructions on where to exit your packages, and even tell a would-exist burglar to scram. It'southward e'er important to accept a skillful two-way talk feature.
Compatible With Google Assistant
Google Assistant is designed to make your life easier. And thankfully, Night Owl's compatibility with Google Assistant allows yous to see what the cameras are seeing on pretty much any screen. Phonation control is a nice feature; it would be nice if Night Owl besides worked with Amazon Alexa and other automation platforms like IFTTT, though.
Local Video Storage
Since local storage is the manner to go with Nighttime Owl these days, you tin just utilise the 1 TB hard drive in the NVR to shop your recordings. Some devices use micro SD for storage, which can be changed out as you wish.
Night Vision
Nighttime Owl security cameras shoot in total color during the day and switch to dark mode effortlessly. You lot tin watch footage of the darkest corner of your g, and you should be able to come across up to 40 anxiety out without a problem. The company claims that you can see up to 100 anxiety at night with select cameras.
Dual Sensors
Dual motion and oestrus sensors add a little pizzazz to Night Owl's motion detection. You might notice that the dual sensors tin can get triggered by bugs flight into the camera lenses, but otherwise, it'due south nice to have dual heat and motion sensors in one. Too, on some cameras, y'all tin customize move zones to reduce false alarms (from copse swaying, cars passing past, etc.).
Equipment Options
Come across below for Night Owl's almost popular equipment and cameras. Although this is not an exhaustive listing of their l-plus camera options and surveillance kits, it should give you an thought of what to expect from Night Owl.
Indoor/Outdoor Wireless 1080p Air conditioning Powered Camera
This camera works as either an addition or stand-lonely device. The 1080p image quality was crisp and clear during the twenty-four hour period, and the night vision worked as expected. But I practise think the 100-degree field of view could be improved.
viii-Channel Wireless Smart Security Hub
This package gives y'all an NVR with a 1 TB hard drive and 4 1080p wireless cameras. You can connect up to eight wireless cameras and savor remote viewing using the Nighttime Owl app. The cameras are practiced for indoor/outdoor use, covering every angle of a single-family home with piddling trouble.
viii-Aqueduct 4K Ultra HD Wired Smart Security DVR With ii TB Hard Bulldoze
If y'all accept a 4K Ultra Hd Boob tube or monitor, this package is worth considering. It'southward more than expensive than lower resolution models (as it should be), only the 4K video is crystal clear. Dark Owl'south 4K Ultra HD cameras are wired, which take longer to install, merely offer a better signal compared to the wireless cams.
half-dozen-Channel 4K W2 Fusion Hybrid Security DVR With 1 TB Local Storage
Nighttime Owl's Hybrid Security DVR tin connect to wired and wireless cameras. This comes with four 4K Ultra Hard disk drive Indoor/Outdoor cameras and two Indoor 1080p Hd cameras.
four-Aqueduct HD Wireless Gateway with 16GB MicroSD Carte
This kit is like to DVRs and NVRs, but annotation that gateways don't connect to a screen as DVRs and NVRs do. Otherwise, they have even so features.
1080p Smart Doorbell
The Night Owl Smart Doorbell, like virtually of their equipment, handles remote viewing, two-way audio, and integration with Google Banana very well. This device is cheaper than many 1080p Hd doorbell cameras on the market, and it offers many of the same features. This one won't accident you lot away overall, though; I urge you to check out more of the industry's tiptop-rated video doorbells similar Ring or Arlo before making your choice.
4-Channel Hard disk drive Wireless Gateway With 2 Ac Powered Indoor Wireless Cameras
If you're looking for affordable indoor cameras with the option to add more later on, we call up this is a good starter package. Dark Owl's Wireless Gateway and wireless cameras have the to the lowest degree amount of time to set compared to the rest of their equipment. You'll also pay less purchasing this package than buying the equipment separately.
Night Owl Costs
Since they're mostly sold as NVR/DVR kits,2 Night Owl cameras tend to be on the pricey side. But you lot do get solid equipment, and their individual cameras aren't terribly expensive in case y'all demand to add more in the futurity. All told, this is a make worth considering if yous're on a budget.
Y'all'll likely pay more with Night Owl, compared to, say, a organisation of low-price Swann NVR cameras; withal, notation that while Swann is considered an affordable brand, it has less sturdy equipment. But something to continue in mind.
For more ownership options and pricing, head over to my Night Owl pricing guide. In the meantime, here'south the latest breakdown of Dark Owl cams:
Snapshot of Night Owl Costs
| Photographic camera Model | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor/Outdoor Wireless 1080p Air-conditioning Powered Camera | $99.99 |
|
| Add-On/Standalone 1080p AC Powered Wireless Indoor Panoramic Photographic camera | $79.99 |
|
| 8-Channel Wireless Smart Security Hub | $399.99 |
|
| viii-Channel 4K Ultra HD Wired Smart Security DVR (2 TB Hard Drive) | $499.99 |
|
| 6-Aqueduct 4K W2 Fusion Hybrid Security DVR (1 TB Local Storage) | $399.99 |
|
| 4-Channel Hard disk Wireless Gateway with 16GB MicroSD Card | $249.99 |
|
| four-Channel HD Wireless Gateway with 2 Air conditioning Powered Indoor Wireless Cameras | $149.99 |
|
| 1080p Smart Doorbell | $99.99 |
|
Notation that Night Owl offers 12 different add-on cameras. These options are listed in the "Add together-Ons and Accessories" section below. As well, keep in mind that Night Owl offers dozens of unlike DVR and NVR kits, forth with stand up-alone DVRs and NVRs. The chart in a higher place represents a sample of their products and prices.
Night Owl Cloud Plans
Beyond the industry, cloud storage is becoming hugely popular as a way to manage and monitor footage from your cameras. It'due south as well relatively inexpensive, and I recommend it often if you don't accept some other storage option.
Nighttime Owl recently discontinued their cloud service, then for at present, storing footage in the deject isn't in the cards. They do include a micro SD port with about of their DVR and NVR-based kits, so that appears to be the all-time style to shop footage with Night Owl.
Similar to a set of Lorex cams I reviewed previously, Night Owl keeps the focus more on equipment and less on storage. So the loss of cloud storage with Night Owl isn't much of a surprise; it but gives you something to consider as you choose the correct security setup for y'all and your family.
Night Owl Add-on Cameras and Accessories
Nighttime Owl isn't a perfect camera organization, but 1 describe of the brand is how expandable their systems are. You tin can kickoff slow and build out a comprehensive security photographic camera system over time. Compared to most other security camera brands, Night Owl has far more add-ons to cull from. Cheque them out below.
Dark Owl Add-on Cameras
| Add On Cameras | Toll |
|---|---|
| 1080p HD Wired Cameras (2-pack) | $69.99 |
| 4K Ultra Hard disk Wired Cameras With Built-in Spotlights (2-pack) | $129.99 |
| 1080p AC Powered Wireless Indoor Panoramic Camera | $79.99 |
| 4K Ultra Hard disk Wired IP Cameras With Ethernet Cables (2-pack) | $179.99 |
| 5MP HD Wired Cameras With Built-in Spotlights (iv-pack) | $169.99 |
| Hybrid Wireless 1080p Cameras (two-pack) | $169.99 |
| 4K (8MP) Ultra Hd Wired Security Cameras (2-pack) | $169.99 |
| Wired 4K UHD IP Bullet Camera w/ Sound | $149.99 |
| 1080p HD AC Powered Wireless Camera With two-Way Audio | $99.99 |
| 1080p Wired HD Analog Security Photographic camera With Oestrus-Based Motion Detection | $69.99 |
| 1080p HD Wired Security Bullet Cameras (4-pack) | $199.99 |
| 1080p HD Wired Security Bullet Camera | $59.99 |
| 1080p HD Smart Video Doorbell | $49.99 (was $79.99) |
Other Nighttime Owl Accessories
| Accessories | Price |
|---|---|
| Decoy Dome Camera With Flashing Lite | $ix.99 |
| Decoy PTZ Photographic camera With Flashing Light | $14.99 |
| 12-Pack BNC-BNC Cable Connectors | $14.99 |
| Camera Ability Adapter With 4-Way Ability Splitter | $14.99 |
| Combo DVR/Camera Power Adapter With 9-Manner Power Splitter | $29.99 |
| 2-Pack of In-Wall Rated Video and Power Extension Cables | $34.99 |
| 16 GB micro SD Card | $9.99 |
| 32 GB micro SD Card | $14.99 |
| Wi-Fi Enabled Smart Condom™ with Integrated Deject Connectivity | $179.99 |
| Reflective M sign | $14.99 |
Night Owl Warranty
Night Owl's one-year limited warranty leaves a bit to be desired. It only covers manufacturing defects and excludes fundamental components like the spotlight bulbs, LEDs, and batteries. There are plenty brands out there offering multiyear warranties — and sometimes lifetime warranties — so information technology's definitely possible for Night Owl to improve here. Fortunately, stores like Walmart and Costco offer extended warranties. Then I recommend looking into those options.
The Bottom Line
Subsequently getting plenty of hands-on experience with their products, it'due south clear that Night Owl is a serious contender (it'south on our top ten listing, after all!). I welcome the simplicity of their devices, as well as the extensive photographic camera options — in fact, the possibilities are nearly endless with Night Owl.
However, Nighttime Owl'southward lack of habitation automation features and integrations (other than Google Assistant) was a pocket-sized sore spot. As well, I wouldn't mind seeing the 1080p Indoor/Outdoor photographic camera's 100-caste field of view improved to at to the lowest degree 120 degrees or more.
At this point, if yous're easily overwhelmed by as well many options (which believe it or not, tin can actually cause anxiety3 ), then Night Owl probably isn't right for you.
Overall, if you're on the market for a complete, multichannel DVR or NVR setup, then this visitor might have the goods y'all're looking for. But if you're simply searching for a stand-alone camera (or two or three), so you may exist better off checking out the full Band photographic camera suite I tested instead.
Often Asked Questions
Do Night Owl cameras work with Alexa?
No. Nighttime Owl cameras pair with the Google Assistant for smart domicile integrations, only no other platforms. And so when y'all try to pair a Night Owl camera with an Alexa device, you lot'll probably go "Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again subsequently."
Are monthly fees required With Night Owl?
No. One of the brand'south selling points is that beyond the initial equipment costs, at that place are no monthly fees with Nighttime Owl.
Does Dark Owl offer a cloud storage selection?
Not anymore. The brand discontinued their cloud service for video monitoring, but it's withal easy to monitor Night Owl cameras yourself using the NVR or DVR. You tin can also connect the system to your Goggle box and apply micro SD cards to store footage.
Are Night Owl cameras weatherproof?
Most Night Owl cameras are made for the outdoors, with ratings of IP65 and upwardly. This weather rating doesn't hateful the camera is waterproof, but it does protect against wind and grit.
How is Night Owl's night vision?
In our tests, Nighttime Owl cameras gave us some decent coverage in the dark, with practiced, not great, detail.
Source: https://www.safehome.org/home-security-cameras/night-owl/reviews/
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