REOLINK 4K PoE Security Camera System, Home Outdoor IP Camera in 180 Degree Viewing Angle, Human/Vehicle/Pet Detection, Color Night Vision, Two Way Talk, Up to 256GB microSD Card, Duo 2 PoE

Works great! Amazing coverage!

I was trying to setup security camera that will monitor narrow walkway on the side of the house, but because suitable spot for the camera is in the middle, big challenge for my setup is to monitor both left and right sides of the walkway. Initially I thought I would have to setup two separate cameras (one pointing left, and another pointing right), but this camera provides simple and clean single-camera solution.This camera has two separate wide view cameras covering full 180deg view, but two images are stitched into a single feed, making it a single logical camera. The stitching line (in the middle) is practically invisible.Unlike fisheye cameras (that can be used to achieve 180deg view) this camera provides good quality image across entire 180 view, also visual distortions are not too bad - straight walkway looks slightly curved, but image quality is perfectly usable, and resolution is good.Night vision is good as well, using built-in IR illuminator LEDs. The camera also has built-in white light that can be triggered (e.g. by motion), it is reasonably bright, and could be helpful.I'm using this camera with Blue Iris software, in ONVIF mode. Configuration is easy using free Reolink tool, easier to use and more convenient than typical WEB UI of a security camera, but WEB UI is provided as well.

I used this 180° FOV camera to replace a 9-year-old Hikvision that had about half the FOV. What a commanding view I now have of my entire back yard! The color images and resolution of this camera are also leaps and bounds ahead of that 9-year-old Hikvision.Set up to make it recognized by Synology Surveillance Station was a little tricky, but not terrible. I needed to configure the Reolink with the same static IP address that I used for the outgoing Hikvision camera, and there is no way do that via the Reolink iOS app. So I downloaded the Windows version of the Reolink app, and tried to find the camera on my network using the automatic scans offered by the Reolink Windows app, but it could not find the camera. I then tried manually directing the Windows app to the camera's DHCP-assigned address, but that also didn't work. I finally typed in the serial number of the new camera into the app, and then the app found the camera immediately. After I was in, I changed it to the static IP address, and then configured my Synology software for thenew Reolink camera - no problem, everything worked as expected after that.Mechanically, the Reolink camera isn't as ruggedly-designed as the Hikvision - the Reolink mast mount is made of plastic and feels a bit flimsy, whereas the Hikvision was made of metal and has withstood 9 years of Michigan hot summers and cold winters with no issues. More importantly, the cabling that connects the camera to your network's Ethernet is left exposed to the elements with this Reolink design, which is a decidedly-amateur approach compared to the Hikvision that had all the cabling neatly protected inside the metal housing that mates to the junction box on your house. I would be very surprised if this Reolink lasts anywhere close to the 9 years that the Hikvision was installed (and was still going strong by the way; I only replaced because I wanted a wider field-of-view). All that said, the Reolink camera is about 1/3-1/4 the price that I paid for the Hikvision, so if it lasts at least a few years, I suppose I can just get another one.

Everything listed was in the box (even extra mounting screws/anchors), including a short cable for connection of the POE switch to the network modem. You must supply your own ethernet cable to the camera and your own POE switch (my old one died after about 8 years continuous service). Setup was a breeze - took 10 minutes (I had prior POE cameras so know the ropes). The only wrinkle was getting the SD card to seat in the slot. The slot is mounted a little deep in the case, so it is not possible to get the card to stay by pushing with the finger tip. I had to press it into place using the edge of a credit card. Other than that, no problem in setup. The camera even formatted the disk for me.My ethernet wire was already in place from a prior camera. Foolishly, I had let it hang out exposed to weather for > 1 year (under a porch roof) after I removed the old camera, which quit prematurely (it was NOT Reolink). The exposed copper wires in the RJ-45 jack were visibly corroded, so first try, the camera failed to connect. I then cleaned each wire carefully and individually with the edge of 400 grit sandpaper, then a tiny bit of vinegar brushed on with a stiff toothbrush; immediate, firm connection afterward. No problem with drops or disconnects.My particular wall mount was a bit challenging, as I had to drill into rough, irregular a stone-faced wall on the front of my house - covered by a porch roof - perfect to prevent sun shining directly into the lenses. There is some washout in areas of shadow under the roof when the sun is bright, but not too bad. Picture quality is quite good (certainly compared to my old camera), but I can't say it appears to be 4K. The image stitching is perfect.Certainly, the picture quality is sufficient for my purposes. Given my situation, it is very unlikely that license plates will ever present themselves to the camera, so I don't know if resolution is sufficient to read them. Individualizing all the settings - lighting, recording, and alarms - is straightforward and intuitive. The hardware is extremely well-designed and well made of quality materials to very close tolerances. Even the screws are high quality of stainless steel (a reliable sign of quality, in my experience) All-in-all, I am quite pleased with the Reolink POE Duo 2. Very good value for the price. The front of the camera (the black part) runs quite warm/hot. The website says this is normal. Since Reolink knows this and tells customers about it, I am hoping it does not make for premature failure. The duration of the warranty should permit operation through all ambient temperature conditions. In light of the overall quality, I am hoping for the best.