This isn’t the typical camera review; however, the Nest security camera has a very special place in my heart over the recent months. It’s helped me identify and catch a couple raccoons and, most recently, a pair of burglars/vandals who broke into my bookstore and warehouse.
There are two different kinds of Nest cameras – an indoor camera and an outdoor camera. As far as I can tell, they both offer the same camera specification and functionality; however, I prefer the outdoor camera due to its rugged build quality and flexible wall mount options.
The major advantage of the Nest security cameras over other installed camera options that you buy off the shelf is the ease of setup combined with the ease of access to your footage (both live and archive).
Essentially, if you have Wi-Fi and a power outlet, you can setup your Nest camera in 5-10 minutes. You simply create a Nest account and scan the barcode on the camera to connect it to your account. You can then observe live and archive footage via the Nest app on your iPhone or Android.
You can view live footage for free; however, the real power of the ecosytem comes in when you purchase a cloud storage plan. I’m not a huge proponent of monthly service plans in general but this one offers real value for those who need a security camera.
You pay $10 for the first camera for 10 days of footage on a rolling basis. Each additional camera is only $5 for the same setup. Or, you get a little discount by paying annually. I pay $100 for the first camera and $50 for each additional camera per year. I feel that this is well worth the money for the service that I receive. You can also get 30 days of cloud storage for $30/mo. (first camera) and $15/mo. (add’l cameras).
If you want to know more details about my use of the Nest camera and why I’m so impressed with it, I’d encourage you to watch the full review in the video embedded above. You’ll also get to catch a glimpse of a couple burglars that I chased down in the middle of the street last month. If you’re a Seinfeld fan, you’ll appreciate that this was my feat of strength on Festivus.
You can find Nest cameras at the following links at Amazon and B&H Photo:
Nest Outdoor Camera – B&H Photo | Amazon
Nest Indoor Camera – B&H Photo | Amazon
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