Arlo EOL - options?

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DarrenJ

122 posts

Master Geek

#303352 3-Feb-2023 18:47

I found an internet posting that Arlo are EOL some of their cameras.

https://kb.arlo.com/000063018/Arlo-Legacy-Cameras-End-of-Life

Apparently they have emailed all customers - they must have missed me off the list, so it was more luck than anything I found the new policy :(

Spent around $1000 late 2019 on this 3-cam setup (Arlo Pro2), which was supposed to be free rolling 7 day recordings. now Arlo are going to revoke that unless I pay a subscription, citing it's older hardware (but apparently paying $ makes it compatible?? :D ).

Wasn't expecting that i have to replace it just over 3 years later, so a bit miffed about the whole thing. The policy is dated 2023, so I'm guessing they have relatively recently put it in place.

Seems there are a lot of annoyed customers

https://community.arlo.com/t5/Arlo/End-Of-Life-Policy/td-p/1893275

We bought it specifically due to the cloud recording, anyone have any ideas what to do with this unit once EOL hits, or recommendation on replacements? I'm certainly not going to consider Arlo as a replacement. Unfortunately it's proprietary to it's base unit, so I can't even reuse the hardware as IP cam's with different software.

Any advice appreciated :)
Cheers

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66 posts

Master Geek

#3031450 3-Feb-2023 19:09

i bought an arlo cam a couple of years ago, kinda wished i hadnt. It's a rip off for what you get, and you are kinda tied into their subscription model. Wont be replacing it with another Arlo thats for sure

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Mehrts

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#3031451 3-Feb-2023 19:11

I guess this is one of the downsides of having a cloud-based system, you're at the whim of the provider whether you have a working system or not.

Is there any reason that you're not interested in a locally-recording system with cameras and an NVR, such as Reolink? You can still remotely access all of the footage while you're out and about.

Handle9

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#3031466 3-Feb-2023 19:47

This seems to be a prime CGA opportunity. They are expensive cameras and it’s not reasonable to remove the functionality that they were sold with.

I’d go back to the retailer and start the process.

DarrenJ

122 posts

Master Geek

#3031467 3-Feb-2023 19:48

Originally I was tired of running my own system, and also wanted redundancy of storing the videos away from home in case someone breaks in and steals the NVR :) I wanted to consume and not build for a change.

My mind is rapidly changing back though! I am very put off cloud-based SaaS offerings now due to the risk of redundant hardware at their whim. 5 years I would have swallowed, but three is just crazy for the price paid for the unit.

I have zero clue what is out there now in terms of reasonably priced hardware and software. At least the Arlo can do local recording, which I have to test, but wouldn't surprise me if in future it stored the files in a proprietary format that you have to pay a subscription to get software to read them...... hahaha

Handle9

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#3031468 3-Feb-2023 19:49

Mehrts:
I guess this is one of the downsides of having a cloud-based system, you're at the whim of the provider whether you have a working system or not.

Is there any reason that you're not interested in a locally-recording system with cameras and an NVR, such as Reolink? You can still remotely access all of the footage while you're out and about.

It’s a very different value proposition to go with a hard wired system vs battery powered camera in a box setup.

In my case my house is solid concrete. Running cables isn’t viable so battery powered cameras are necessary. I’ve gone Eufy but the same logic applies.

MarkM536

304 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3031566 3-Feb-2023 23:19

DarrenJ:

Originally I was tired of running my own system, and also wanted redundancy of storing the videos away from home in case someone breaks in and steals the NVR :)

There are consumer/commercial level systems that can have cloud backup alongside a local NVR. Or a VMS client that can do basically anything.

If you are concerned about an NVR/VMS being stolen; choose a location that is unlikely for someone to target in your home. Such as a cupboard in the middle of the house, which is away from other rooms with electronics/jewellery.

Cameras do not replace a house alarm.

My own system is an NVR, hard wired IP cameras and a UPS. It does the job and reliably.

I have blocked it off from accessing the internet. My method of viewing remotely is a VPN through my router.

raytaylor

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#3031567 3-Feb-2023 23:48

MarkM536:

If you are concerned about an NVR/VMS being stolen; choose a location that is unlikely for someone to target in your home. Such as a cupboard in the middle of the house, which is away from other rooms with electronics/jewellery.

In new kitchens, there is often a shelf above the fridge that isnt as deep as the fridge so has a gap behind it. I have found a home builder in hawkes bay using this gap (or the shelf with a front panel that cant be opened but with a knock out on the bottom so you have to pull out the fridge to access it) for the NVR they include in their new-build home package.

Edit: Arlo cameras piss me off - their base station (its just a WiFi AP) scans for the strongest wifi signal and assumes its the home router of the same house, then jumps on that SAME 2.4ghz channel for the camera-to-arlobase communication. And whats more stupid, arlo's support reps say this is BY DESIGN!
You cant specify a custom channel for them to run on.

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MikeB4

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#3031655 4-Feb-2023 10:11

raytaylor:

[Edit: Arlo cameras piss me off - their base station (its just a WiFi AP) scans for the strongest wifi signal and assumes its the home router of the same house, then jumps on that SAME 2.4ghz channel for the camera-to-arlobase communication. And whats more stupid, arlo's support reps say this is BY DESIGN!
You cant specify a custom channel for them to run on.

Could you expand on how this could impact a system? my knowledge of these camera system is limited.

Dingbatt

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#3031687 4-Feb-2023 11:13

The Arlo Pro 2 is EOL in January next year (2024). The email I received from Arlo didn’t mention the Pro 2 (cunning buggers) and the fact it is only working 8 months beyond the Pro. Had to go to the website for that info. I should have known this would happen since all the later models require a subscription. So not really End-Of-Life, more like squeezing some extra juice out of the lemon (customers).

The base unit does have local recording, which I assume will still work beyond EOL, but won’t have remote access. I’m wondering if it can be integrated into something like Home Assistant.

I am sold on the concept of security cameras for my home. But as mentioned in the thread above, it won’t be replaced by a Arlo subscription or newer Arlo system. Fool me once……..

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

MikeB4

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#3031690 4-Feb-2023 11:33

@Dingbatt 100% fool me once. This is not good business ethics but certainly not rare. I will be considering my options.

kiwifidget

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#3031693 4-Feb-2023 11:54

oh poop.

I've been considering moving to the new Eufy cams with built-in solar panel.

Waiting to see if existing Eufy issues apply to them as well before pulling trigger.

I thought I had more time.

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Dingbatt

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#3031695 4-Feb-2023 12:13

I’m sure companies would make life itself a subscription service if they could……

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Mehrts

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#3031715 4-Feb-2023 12:28

Handle9:

It’s a very different value proposition to go with a hard wired system vs battery powered camera in a box setup.

In my case my house is solid concrete. Running cables isn’t viable so battery powered cameras are necessary. I’ve gone Eufy but the same logic applies.

Reolink make completely wireless cameras (both wifi and 4G) which are battery/solar powered. They can record onto their own SD cards, or with the wifi model, can record onto an NVR which is connected to the LAN.

They have quite a range of products now, which should cover a lot of use-cases. Their cams can be standalone too.

They also offer cloud storage via subscription if needed, so they cover all bases.

Handle9

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#3032311 5-Feb-2023 21:35

Mehrts:
Handle9:

It’s a very different value proposition to go with a hard wired system vs battery powered camera in a box setup.

In my case my house is solid concrete. Running cables isn’t viable so battery powered cameras are necessary. I’ve gone Eufy but the same logic applies.

Reolink make completely wireless cameras (both wifi and 4G) which are battery/solar powered. They can record onto their own SD cards, or with the wifi model, can record onto an NVR which is connected to the LAN.

They have quite a range of products now, which should cover a lot of use-cases. Their cams can be standalone too.

They also offer cloud storage via subscription if needed, so they cover all bases.

The battery cameras aren’t NVR compatible and rely on Reolinks app and an sd card. There’s no significant difference between their solution and many other battery cameras.

RunningMan

8877 posts

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#3032346 6-Feb-2023 08:13

MikeB4:

raytaylor:

[Edit: Arlo cameras piss me off - their base station (its just a WiFi AP) scans for the strongest wifi signal and assumes its the home router of the same house, then jumps on that SAME 2.4ghz channel for the camera-to-arlobase communication. And whats more stupid, arlo's support reps say this is BY DESIGN!
You cant specify a custom channel for them to run on.

Could you expand on how this could impact a system? my knowledge of these camera system is limited.

Because running two APs on the same radio channel means they interfere with each other and both get degraded performance. It means your own wifi and and arlo wifi clash with each other and neither work properly. If it is by design, then it can only be deigned to deliberately introduce interference and instability in both systems.

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