Reolink Argus 2 Review – A Juggernaut Among Security Cameras

When I started doing research for Reolink Argus 2 review, I was amazed by all the improvements that Reolink has made. For example, the astounding night vision now comes in color. It also offers a tremendous amount of detail. In other words, this product provides so much more than the previous version, while still being affordable.

The first Reolink Argus brought us state-of-the-art features like a wire-free technology, a highly sensitive motion sensor, two-way audio support, and stable live stream. Reolink Argus 2 further expands on all of these and adds more.

As a result, all those who are in need of a high-quality battery powered security camera systems support will find this product to be sufficient even on large properties. Also, this product will be great for neighborhoods where the crime rate is moderate to high.

In this Reolink Argus 2 review, I’ll do my best to explain all the features and benefits in detail. Moreover, I’ll also explain the best way to install it and what differentiates this security camera from the rest in its price range. So, stick around and we’ll see exactly why Reolink Argus 2 can possibly be a perfect choice for outdoor surveillance.

 

Apparently, Computer Webcam Surveillance Is a Thing

I wanted to begin Reolink Argus 2 review by explaining the best ways to install it on a property. Yet, there is one other surveillance option that should be addressed first because some may fall for it because it’s cheaper and never consider investing in a real security camera.

Camera technology is evolving with each passing day. As a result, we get better and more potent products that are capable of rendering ultra-high-resolution videos. The same goes for webcams that we use on our desktop and laptop devices. They’ve evolved so much that many people are actually using them to record and produce their own videos and entire shows on YouTube.

I can’t and won’t deny the quality of these products. Yet, the concern arises when someone tries to utilize them for home surveillance. I understand why someone would want to connect multiple webcams inside and outside of their home. Above all, it may seem cheap at first.

Moreover, some of these cameras provide an exquisite video quality. Also, some of them are so advanced that they even incorporate the night vision feature. So, if we consider all of these benefits, we will probably feel the need to further research the matter. And what happens when we do that?

Why We Should Consider Other Options First

I spent some spare time looking into all of this more closely. The main disadvantage of using webcams for home surveillance is the lack of a motion detector. This statement may seem obvious at first, but that’s not the only problem. We would also have to find the right sensor and somehow connect it to the webcams.

The lack of proper software which would synchronize the cameras and the motion detector will require some extra skills and knowledge in order to make everything work. Not to mention that this kind of surveillance system will have a higher chance of malfunctioning than the one constructed by a single manufacturer from bottom to the top.

Furthermore, it will also take days — if not weeks — before we research everything and find the right solution. That is a huge downside, especially if we just moved into a dangerous neighborhood. Criminal offenders won’t wait for us to get our surveillance up and running.

All things considered, this option actually turns out to be quite expensive. Yes, webcams nowadays deliver a high-resolution image and, yes, they have features like night vision. But these webcams tend to cost a lot more than some home security cameras. Besides, our shopping list should also contain a motion detector, cables, software, and probably services of a technician who will make it all work.

On the whole, it seems as though a webcam-based surveillance system would take too much time, money, and effort. This statement is especially true if we consider that there are products on the market which are both affordable and do the job well. So, I’ve started writing this Reolink Argus 2 review because I wanted to speed up the process for those who need to get reliable home surveillance quickly.

How Reolink Argus 2 Motion Detector Works

What I like about this sensor is that it is smart. For example, if I’m a burglar, I would never walk straight up toward the camera. I would probably advance by moving side to side. This detector is less sensitive if we approach the house like we always do. In other words, it’s more likely that it will trigger itself on if we try to sneak around.

There are other useful pieces of advice that we should consider when installing Reolink security cameras. For example, we should avoid installing Reolink Argus 2 so that it faces bright objects, lights, mirrors, etc.

Also, the camera should be at least 15 meters away from the street, especially if we’re living in a high-traffic area. The reason is that moving vehicles can easily trigger the motion detector. And since this product works on Wi-Fi, we should also consider placing it at least one meter away from routers and phones. The reason is that routers and phones might interfere with the signal.

All in all, installing Reolink Argus 2 shouldn’t be a hassle once we figure these things out. Also, other features which I’ll present later in this Reolink Argus 2 review will probably further help to get the most out of this security camera.

 

Tips for Installing Reolink Argus 2

It goes without saying that we should place security cameras with great attention. For example, Reolink Argus 2 features a very potent motion sensor. As a result, if we don’t place it correctly and according to the instruction manual, it might not work properly.

Reolink Argus 2 has a 130 degrees diagonal and 110 vertical viewing angle. Thus, we should make sure that the area we wish to monitor falls into its field of view. Let’s say that we want to install the camera above our front door in order to monitor our driveway. We shouldn’t place it too high, or we’ll end up with the camera recording what happens across the street even if we tilt it downward. Moreover, it won’t be able to detect anyone approaching our front door.

The ideal viewing distance within which Reolink Argus 2 recognizes people is from two to ten meters. Yet, we should also mind the motion sensor’s detecting field. This one, in particular, has a detecting distance of nine meters while the detecting angle is 120 degrees horizontally. Therefore, it probably won’t recognize any motions that happen out of this range.

 

Differences  Between Reolink Argus 2 and Competing Products

One of the main reasons why I decided to write a Reolink Argus 2 review is the fact that it offers a fair amount of features that competing products don’t. Local storage is one such thing. Besides the fact that I prefer it over cloud storage, this one also offers much more space than some other counterparts.

Namely, Reolink Argus 2 boasts a 64GB SD card. And that is simply amazing, considering that others in this range usually come with a 16GB one. But all those who prefer storing their footage online will be able to do so via Reolink Cloud.

Another thing worth mentioning is a wide viewing angle. I’ve already mentioned that unlike some other cameras, Reolink Argus 2 has a 130-degree field of view. In addition to that, it also utilizes two-way audio. Even though having such a feature sounds logical, it’s not that common among home security cameras in this range.

But I would really like to emphasize this product’s ability to charge on solar power. It’s an eco-friendly money saver. I personally think that it is a great alternative to standard charging. Plus, I don’t have to think about recharging the batteries — the solar panel does that for me.

Even though they might not seem so big at first, they were kind of very important to me. These differences actually helped me to decide to write the following Reolink Argus 2 review.[/wpsm_titlebox][wpsm_titlebox title=”” style=”3″]

Reolink Argus 2 Review

There was one time when I really wished I had Reolink Argus 2. As usual, I was out of town on business — somehow, bad things tend to happen while I’m away from home.

One morning, I woke up in my hotel room and wanted to see what’s going on around my house, so I’ve enabled the live-stream feature. Yet, I couldn’t connect to my security camera. It wasn’t until I got back home that I found out that the batteries were, in fact, empty. Thank heavens nothing serious happened while I was away!

Now, if I had Reolink Argus 2 and the accompanying solar panel, the camera would’ve probably stayed on. The previous statement is especially true because my hometown is particularly sunny during the year. But then again, if I did have it, I wouldn’t have a story to share with you in this Reolink Argus 2 review.

Reolink Argus 2

Reolink Argus 2 is a wire-free home security camera. It works on Wi-Fi and utilizes a rechargeable battery. As such, Reolink Argus 2 can be placed almost anywhere, especially because it can be charged via solar panel, which allows non-stop power.

Reolink presents Argus 2 as a crown of its Argus series, and rightfully so. This camera is probably the most well-rounded product that they’ve manufactured. Furthermore, the manufacturer takes great pride in the camera’s wire-free characteristics. They also claim that it is money-saving and eco-friendly which is also true to some extent because it can work on solar energy.

The box contains useful features. There is no space-consuming stuff that we’ll never put to use. Aside from the actual camera, we’ll be able to find a wall mount, a rechargeable battery, an outdoor security mount with a hook and a loop strap, skin with a small rope and a reset needle. Furthermore, there is also an accompanying surveillance sign, mounting hole template, micro USB cable, a pack of screws, and of course, a manual.

Reolink Argus 2 is both a good starting point for those who’ve never had surveillance on their property, as well as those who are looking for a more advanced type of security camera.

Why the latter? Well, unlike the previous version of Reolink Argus and some other products on the market, this one has a remarkable night vision feature which also comes in color. Furthermore, when it comes to outdoor monitoring, the image quality is considerably improved when compared to its predecessor.

Features

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[wpsm_accordion_section title=”100% Wire-Free“]Reolink Argus 2 works on Wi-Fi. As a result, we won’t have to deal with unnecessary cables. This camera can be placed almost everywhere, including a tree in our backyard. [/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”Rechargeable Battery“]A rechargeable battery is not sold separately, which is an improvement from Reolink Argus. Furthermore, we can power it in two ways: via a standard socket or a solar panel.[/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”Starlight Night Vision“]Starlight CMOS Sensor is a special feature which allows a clear night vision for up to 33 feet. This sensor is great because it allows us to see much more detail in footage made during the night. [/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”PIR Motion Sensor“]This sensor is the heart of the system. Even though it might be a little more sensitive, it surely does a great job at detecting even the slightest motion in its range.[/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”Two-Way Audio Support“]This feature allows us to both listen and talk. If someone unknown approaches our gate or front door, we can first hear their intentions before letting them in.[/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”130 Degree Viewing Angle“]This angle provides enough coverage for a camera in this range. As a matter of fact, we’ll have a much wider view than with some competing products.[/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”Motion Detector Record“]Motion Detector Record is an optional feature that records motion events. We’ll need to insert a micro SD card into the camera in order for this feature to work.[/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”Solar Powered“]As I’ve mentioned before, we can power Reolink Argus 2 on solar energy. Unfortunately, a corresponding solar panel is sold separately.[/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”1080p Full HD Resolution“]Reolink Argus 2 utilizes true 1080p Full HD resolution, which brings crystal clear image even during the night.[/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”Intelligent Alerts“]Like Reolink Argus, Reolink Argus 2 also incorporates Intelligent Alerts that send us push notifications, e-mails with screenshots, and siren alerts in real time. Personally, I couldn’t live without this feature since I’m often away from home on business. [/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”Weatherproof“]Reolink Argus 2 is completely weatherproof which means that we won’t have to provide it with an extra cover. It will work even during rain or snow and in extreme environments.[/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”Live Stream“]Live Stream feature allows us to see what’s happening on our property in real time. Thanks to a corresponding app, it will work flawlessly on most mobile and desktop devices. It currently supports all major operating systems like iOS and Android.[/wpsm_accordion_section]
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mobile and desktop devices. It currently supports all major operating systems like iOS and Android.[/wpsm_titlebox][wpsm_titlebox title=”” style=”3″]

In Conclusion

Reolink Argus 2 is one of those products that amaze you with their sheer quality when you realize that they are actually affordable. Buying this camera will definitely cut down the time and money needed to make a DIY webcam surveillance system. Aside from offering exquisite image detail and true colors, it packs multiple features that webcams and even some other security cams do not have.

So, I would recommend it to all who still haven’t decided on a type of security camera for their property. This product is highly versatile and easy to install. Everyone will probably find good use of all the features that I’ve mentioned in this Reolink Argus 2 review.

Related Topic: Reolink C1 Pro Review