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4G LTE 2K security camera with solar panel and battery: easy installation
Short answer: this 2K 4G LTE camera runs on a built-in battery charged by a solar panel and connects with a SIM card over the cell signal, so you don't need wiring, power or Wi-Fi. Install it with six screws (three for the camera, three for the solar panel), scan the QR code in the app and it is up and running.
The company sent me this camera (model S1) so I could make a review. It is a good fit if you have a smartphone but no computer or internet at home, or if you need a camera on a parking lot, a field or a farm in the middle of nowhere.
What the camera offers
According to the box and the listing, this camera has:
- 2K video, day and night
- A 9,000 mAh battery and a solar panel
- 4G (SIM card) connectivity with antennas
- Audio and alerts, a mic and a speaker
- AI recognition and motion sensor
- Infrared and water resistance
- Pan and tilt
It also comes with an SD card, which is a good thing.
What's in the box and mounting the camera
It comes with the camera, brackets (I don't know why it comes with two; one is enough), and the anchors and screws you need. Put the bracket against the wall, put the screws in the three holes and mount the camera.
The camera should point down, so rain does not get into it and damage it. Then attach the 4G antennas.
SIM card, SD card and reset
On the side, under a cover, you have the SD card slot, the SIM card slot for 4G, and a reset button in case you forget the password. Insert the SIM card, close the cover and you are done.
Installing the solar panel
The solar panel comes with a stand that has holes, so you screw it to the wall and mount the panel facing wherever you get the sun. Plug the USB cable into the camera and close it up. Keep the port facing down so the weather does not get into it. The panel keeps the battery charged so the camera works at night. Just make sure it gets enough sunlight during the day.
Setting it up in the app
Install the app shown on the QR code and tap the plus sign. Select 4G camera, turn the power switch to the on position, and follow the steps: scan the QR code and the camera is added. If you have multiple cameras you can keep adding them and see them all on one screen.
The app tells you when you will run out of data and shows the plans. When I checked, one year was about $160 (around $15 a month) and six months was about $100. Since you don't have to pay for Wi-Fi at home, it can be cheaper.
App features: light, talk, record, pan and tilt
From the app you can turn the light on and off, listen through the mic, and talk through the speaker so someone near the camera can hear you. You can record, take pictures, and use pan and tilt to move the camera side to side and up and down. To zoom, pinch on the phone screen. Your recordings and photos are in the playback and photos sections, so everything is on your phone.
Frequently asked questions
Does this camera need Wi-Fi?
No. It uses a SIM card and the 4G cell signal, so you can check it from your phone without paying for Wi-Fi.
Do I need to run power or wires?
No. It has a built-in battery charged by a solar panel. You only need six screws: three for the camera and three for the solar panel.
How much does the data plan cost?
In the app, the plan I saw was about $160 for one year (around $15 a month), or about $100 for six months.
Where is this camera a good fit?
Places without internet or power, like a parking lot, a field or a farm, or homes where people have a smartphone but no computer or internet service.