Again in 2017, Wyze made a reputation for itself with the release of its unique $20 security camera. Through the years, it launched its fair proportion of iterations of the Wyze Cam, with version 3 launching in 2020. Lately, it’s launching each a brand new iteration of the unique Wyze Cam, dubbed the Wyze Cam OG, with a release value of $20 (later $24) in addition to a brand new member of the circle of relatives, Wyze’s first telephoto digicam, the aptly named Wyze Cam OG Telephoto.
The Wyze Cam OG Telephoto will retail for $30 at release, with the cost going as much as $34 later. Whilst the common digicam supplies a 120-degree box of view, the Telephoto model has a 3x zoom and a 27-degree box of view. In a different way, they’re just about similar. Those are 1080p HD cameras that function Wyze’s colour evening imaginative and prescient, two-way audio give a boost to and movement detection, together with give a boost to for its Cam Plus subscription with options like a internet view and AI-powered package deal, automobile and puppy detection. Of their daylight mode, those cameras file as much as 20 frames according to 2d, whilst at evening, that drops down to ten frames.
Each cameras are IP65 rated, in order that they will have to be somewhat usable in maximum outside settings (despite the fact that Wyze recommends you utilize its $14 outside persistent adapter for this). Each additionally nonetheless use a micro-USB plug. You’re now not going to transport those cameras round so much, in order that’s probably not a subject matter. Nonetheless, it could be pleasant to peer USB-C right here, for the reason that maximum gadgets are transferring this manner.
The one main distinction this is that the Wyze Cam OG options an built-in 40 lumen highlight, which is able to mechanically activate when the digicam detects movement in very low mild.
Because of up to date chips, each cameras can now stumble on movement and ship out notifications thrice sooner than the corporate’s different cameras, and an upgraded mic and speaker will have to make two-way audio clearer. Reside video within the Wyze app from those cameras additionally now quite a bit considerably sooner.
Whilst you’ll be able to use the OG Telephoto digicam as a standalone software, numerous folks will most probably use it to reinforce an present Wyze digicam, possibly to in particular zoom in on a door. For the ones customers, Wyze is launching a brand new package with a mount and dual-power cable that lets you stack each OG cameras on best of one another (in any aggregate). To permit this, the brand new cameras now function a easy scorching shoe-like indentation on their tops. At the tool facet, that is enhanced with Wyze’s new Image-in-Image view. Unfortunately, this PiP view isn’t to be had for older Wyze cameras.
As for the full design, Wyze switched issues up right here slightly, going from the unique folding base to a extra fundamental pole the digicam now screws into. It makes the digicam glance slightly extra pedestrian however I feel it’s a profitable tradeoff since it is going to permit for extra equipment and makes the stand simply replaceable.
I’ve examined each cameras for the final week or so and there haven’t been any actual surprises. Setup is set as simple as it may be. Certainly, it’s more uncomplicated than prior to, because you don’t have to carry any QR code in entrance of the cameras anymore to attach them in your Wi-Fi community. As an alternative, the app now reveals the brand new digicam for you, you choose the community within the app, input your Wi-Fi password and the digicam connects. All of that takes possibly 30 seconds, while with previous Wyze cameras, it may well be a couple of mins. That’s now not precisely a gamechanger, however a pleasant function nevertheless.
Total, video from each cameras is greater than sharp sufficient and the 3x zoom makes for a pleasant addition, despite the fact that a minimum of for my use case (staring at over my yard and entrance porch), it’s now not an enormous improve — extra of a nice-to-have. And that’s about all there may be. Each cameras labored precisely as anticipated, and whilst its cell app isn’t flashy, it by no means will get in my manner. I do want I may use the PiP view for any random digicam aggregate, despite the fact that.
It’s value noting that the unique model 1 Wyze Cam had some security issues that — on account of {hardware} barriers — Wyze wasn’t in a position to patch. Safety problems are nearly inevitable, however the principle factor right here was once that Wyze was once very gradual to recognize this. That’s one thing value preserving in thoughts — and I feel it’s a good suggestion to stay your IoT gadgets on a unique community from the remainder of your house anyway.