eufy Security SoloCam S340, Solar Security Cameras Wireless Outdoor, Cameras for Home Security, 360° Pan & Tilt Surveillance, No Blind Spots, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, No Monthly Fee, HomeBase S380 Compatible

To start, we already had one eufy camera a neighbor gave us and then we purchased a two pack of these cameras and a HomeBase340 in a "package" deal. I didn't install anything for a few weeks, because usually the installations do not go nearly as "easy" as everyone proclaims, and I get frustrated and throw things and say bad words and I'm not proud of my behavior, so I procrastinated. But, I was very pleasantly surprised with the eufy setup and installations.It took me (old fart) about 2.5 total hours to complete the setup and installation of a HomeBase and 3 cameras. This time included setting up the HomeBase and the first camera in the software app, finding all the tools I needed for the camera installations (ladder, drill, bits, etc.), staring at the house with my hands on my hips to evaluate where to put each camera, installing the camera, installing the tiny solar panel, then securing the cable from the solar panel to the camera, then securing camera to house (see below for my complaint about this last step). Last 5 things were repeated 2 more times for additional 2 cameras. This time also includes one trip to the hardware store.The HomeBase and the cameras all go through the setup by scanning a barcode on the device. With the cameras, the software then creates a new barcode that you scan with the camera itself during setup. Just go slow and read each step and don't panic - it's pretty self explanatory and I did not utter one curse word.Now, for my only complaint. I have had other security cameras that, when they were installed, it was almost impossible to get them back off their mount. It was a security feature, making it hard for a thief to run off with your camera. The eufy cameras just click into the mount and click right back out with an easy squeeze of a button on either side of the mount. It was necessary in my installation to mount two of the cameras where a reasonably tall person (6 ft+) could reach up and just take the camera. Would I get them on the video saved to the HomeBase? Yes. Could they be identified by to the police? Unknown, as the thieves might be smart enough to wear some form of obfuscation on their face. So - I ran down to the big-box hardware store and bought a roll of HVAC strapping tape (metal strap with holes along the length), attached one end of the strap to the house with a hex-head bolt, wrapped the strap tightly around the top portion of the camera, then attached the other end of the strap to the house with another hex-head bolt. Figured the average camera thief would not come equipped with a ratchet to make off with the cameras, but I could be wrong. I do wish eufy would address this concern - maybe make a special removal tool necessary to get the camera off the mount, as it's not always possible to mount the cameras 10 feet above the ground.Hope this review has been somewhat helpful in your decision to purchase this product. I have only had the system installed for a couple of weeks, but I am very happy with the set-up process, the installation process, and the performance of the system so far. The sound quality is very good, the night vision is way above adequate, and with the additional storage in the HomeBase, and since I plan to "purge" old stuff after a couple of weeks, I expect to get years worth of storage without an issue.Here are the basic steps that were necessary for my installation (HomeBase3 + 3 cameras) --Bought an SSD drive to get more storage space in the HomeBase (it comes with 16gb, but I'm eventually installing a total of 7 cameras)-Also bought a cable to connect the SSD drive to my computer for formatting-While waiting for the SSD to arrive (because I didn't think of buying that when I ordered the cameras), charge all the cameras - takes about 3-4 hours each for the initial charge (instructions say up to 8 hours)-Format SSD drive (requires a dongle to connect it to a computer)-Install SSD drive in HomeBase-Download the "original eufy security" app on your phone-Use the instructions to set up the HomeBase (it's necessary to initially connect to your router with a cable. After setup, you'll be able to switch over to WiFi connection in the HomeBase settings - little gear icon at top in software)-Find a "permanent" place for the HomeBase using the guidelines provided by eufy (Warning - at this point do not make it too inconvenient to get to - you'll need physical access to set up the cameras)-In app - use Add Device + to add the HomeBase (the eufy categories of devices narrow down your choices nicely)-In app - use Add Device + to add the first camera and fire up the camera (about 7 easy yes / no questions and one "check wiring" which requires the camera be connected to the solar panel)-NOW install the camera that you just set up on your house (you can set a "default" view, but the camera is a little slow to move the lens angle through the app, so be patient)-Install security strap on camera - NOT included with the camera (see below for explanation)-Pretty sure this covers all the major steps

EDIT: (in reference to original concern below) in adjusting the ‘garage’ camera outward and at a less steep angle toward the driveway, I have had a large improvement in capture of people and vehicles. Frankly, I’m in the process of testing a lower sensitivity. Even at ‘4’ it was capturing vehicles easily along with anyone walking on our side of the street. Again, it’s only been a week, but the system is performing about as well as I could expect. I have learned that I probably need one more camera, but that isn’t the fault of the three I have now.I start with the fact that I have only had these installed for about a week. So clearly there is room for a problem. So far, this system has proven easy to set up and easy to use IMO.I purchased three of the Eufy S340 Solocams to accompany the Homebase S380. I was able to use the app (download it to your device first) and the enclosed instructions to perform the setup without any real issue. The cameras have excellent image quality both in terms of actual recording and in the streaming content (It is my understanding that the system takes into account your wifi speed capability). I have gigabit fiber, and so far I have been able to take advantage of the 3K feature.The features of the camera are nice. I am able to pan/tilt with little lag time. The app lets you quick touch a spot and it zooms to that area...or, you can slow touch and it will pan the camera to that location. You can activate the light, mic, record function from the app with a touch of the icon all while you watch whatever is going on in the liveplay screen. In my experience so far this has been straightforward and easy to do. The app can be used to have the cameras automatically switch from color to b/w night mode depending upon light availability. It does so quickly even on the fly when you pan it manually. The night vision image quality is very good and almost as crisp as the daytime mode.The solar panels appear to be working just fine. The app has a hiccup with the solar charge display though. There are two graphs the solar panel with one showing a day to day total by percentage of charge and the other showing (supposed to show anyway) a total of power input from the panel. The panel DOES WORK and the batteries are getting charge; however, the total input display is dodgy at the moment. This does not bother me so long as the batteries are charging. It does indicate that it is in 'beta' test phase so perhaps future firmware updates will resolve this. Again, hardly a big deal, as the day to day charge level gives you a good idea of how much you gained back.Wireless capability and no subscription fees were a big deal to me. I had concerns about the viability of running wires without having problems or just making an unsightly display. I also didn't want to get roped into paying a monthly fee, even a small one, for as little footage as I am likely to keep. This is for the house, not a business. We are on a street with modest foot and vehicle traffic so I do not anticipate an overload of useless captures...and I do not have one of my three cameras set to detect vehicles all the time. . Time will tell if the 'garage' zone camera will notify about other vehicles as I have set it. I am still figuring out the best angles for the default position(s) on this one.The cameras talk to the Homebase and the Homebase talks to my iphone via the interwebs and the Eufy app. The notifications have been prompt so far as I can tell to this point.ISSUES: the only 'issues' I have had are the following: 1) one camera, over the garage on the bottom corner of the gable end, tends to lag in recognition of people. They will suddenly appear in front of it before the camera then performs more as expected. I believe this may have to do with my angle set up and the location of the PIR on the camera. I pointed it less steeply (i.e. more directly at the area where people are likely to walk) and will see if this mitigates that issue. 2) the microphone picks up people talking well, however the speaker for talking to them is a little tinny sounding and can be hard to understand. Speaking clearly and not too close to your phone seem to help, but remembering to do this may be hit or miss. Also, it does not seem to let you hear them answering as you're speaking. It has to be a talk/wait/talk/wait if you're going to understand them.So far, I am very pleased with the ease of setup and ease of subsequent use. I am reasonably tech savvy but no savant. If I can get this up and going without issue, I would say most folks can. Additionally, there are many helpful FAQ's on the Eufy security website as well as on YouTube.If any issues arise that effect my satisfaction that are reasonably attached to the equipment or software itself, I will revise.