Ideal for remote locations, the Eufy Security 4G Starlight Camera can be set up and left to observe the world with little maintenance or charging.
Anker’s latest home gadget is a well-thought-out security camera that’s now self-sufficient.In addition to connecting to a 4G mobile data network instead of Wi-Fi for greater reliability, the Eufy Security 4G Starlight camera has an optional solar panel so you can say goodbye to charging the battery.The cameras operate on AT&T’s network in the US; residents of the UK and Germany can choose from several networks, including Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom.
Protected by IP67 weatherproofing, it can withstand extreme temperatures, rain, snow and dust, and can be set up anywhere.At 4.6 by 2.6 by 7.6 inches (HxWxD), the 4G Starlight camera is on par with other outdoor cameras, but about a quarter smaller than the Arlo Go 2 camera.Unlike the Lorex Smart Home Security Center, however, the Eufy Security 4G Starlight Camera doesn’t have a console for integrating video from one or more cameras.Everything flows through the Eufy Security app.
This review is part of TechHive’s coverage of the best home security cameras, where you’ll find reviews of competitors’ products, as well as a buyer’s guide to the features you should consider when buying such a product.
In addition to being able to record video day and night, the Eufy 4G starlight camera uses artificial intelligence to differentiate between general motion and humans.It promises to reduce false positives, such as small animals wandering around or wind rustling.If the camera is stolen, it can be tracked using its built-in GPS receiver—at least until its battery runs out.
Under its white and grey housing, the Eufy Security 4G Starlight camera has a sophisticated camera that captures 2592 x 1944 pixel resolution video over a 120-degree field of view.That’s much better than the Arlo Go 2′s 1920 x 1080 resolution, but second best compared to the Amcrest 4MP UltraHD WiFi camera’s 2688 x 1520 spec.Unlike that camera, this Eufy model can’t be panned or tilted to lock onto a specific position.
While most security cameras connect to mobile data via Wi-Fi, the Eufy 4G Starlight camera uses a different route.It has a SIM card slot for connecting to 3G/4G LTE mobile data networks.In the US, it’s currently limited to AT&T data-only SIMs.The company plans to add compatibility with Verizon soon.The camera cannot connect to the Internet over the newer and faster 5G network.
The kit comes with a USB-C cable (sadly no AC adapter) for charging the 4G Starlight camera’s 13-amp-hour battery; Eufy says it should last about three months of typical use.Buying the camera’s optional solar panel, as described here, allows you to permanently charge the battery in full sunlight.The 7.3 x 4.5 x 1.0-inch panel can produce up to 2.5 watts of power, which Eufy engineers told me adds three days of battery life per sunny day to soak up the sun.
The 4G starlight camera can be used as a two-way walkie-talkie with the app through the microphone and speaker in the camera.You can turn off the audio if you wish.The video is secure and requires two-factor authentication to access and 8GB eMMC local storage.It would be better if the camera had a microSD card so you could expand the storage.
The Eufy Security 4g Starlight Camera costs $249 for the camera alone and $269 for the solar panel, which is on par with the $249 Arlo Go, but Arlo expects its add-on solar panel to cost $59.
The Eufy 4G Starlight Camera can be set up anywhere it has access to a 4G data network; it doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi.
Because it uses a 4G data network, to get the Eufy 4G Starlight camera online, I first had to insert my AT&T data SIM card.Make sure the card’s connector is facing up, otherwise the card will not seat properly.Next, I installed the Eufy Security app and created an account.There are versions for iPhone and iPad as well as Android devices.
Next, I pressed the camera’s sync button to launch it, then tapped “Add Device” on my Samsung Galaxy Note 20 phone.After I selected the type of camera I had, I took a QR code of the camera with the app and it started connecting.A minute later, it went live.In the end, I needed to choose between best battery life (the camera limits clips to 20 seconds long) or best monitoring (using 1 minute clips).Video length can also be customized.
My last task was to mount a camera and solar panel under my roof to view the driveway.Fortunately, both come with articulating hardware for aiming the camera down and the solar panel up.The solar panel is designed with a thoughtful cable wrap, although it’s a little tricky to install the required silicone gasket to keep it weather-resistant.With the camera’s firmware update, it takes 20 minutes to connect the camera and 15 minutes to mount the gear externally.
The solar panel is optional, but worth the extra $20 to bundle it with the Eufy Security 4G Starlight Camera.
The app works well with the camera and displays battery status and network signal strength.A few seconds after hitting the play button, the camera starts streaming video to the app.You can choose between a vertical view of the application as a small window or a horizontal display of the entire screen.At the bottom are icons for manually starting a recording, taking a screenshot, and using the camera as an app walkie-talkie.
Below surface level, the app’s settings let me see any event, adjust the camera’s night vision, and customize its alerts.It can be set up for use at home or on the go, manage location, or capture video on a schedule.The best part is the ability to fine-tune the motion detection on a scale of 1 to 7, set it to be only for humans or all motion, and create an active area where the device ignores motion.
With its wide field of view and 2K resolution, the Eufy Security 4G Starlight Camera was able to keep a close eye on my home.Its video streams are time and date stamped to make it easy to get to the right time.Recorded clips are available from the Events menu and allow to be downloaded from the camera to the phone, deleted or shared through various portals.
Responsive and capable of showing detailed video, I was able to zoom in by double-tapping the screen, although the image quickly became pixelated.The 4G Starlight camera doesn’t work with Eufy’s HomeBase hub, nor does it connect to Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem.It does work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
The ability of solar panels to keep batteries charged is a huge plus.In late spring and early summer, the 4G starlight camera ran for more than a month without human intervention.Its ability to connect to the internet without relying on Wi-Fi makes it an on-screen gem.In addition to watching a video, I saw a raccoon just as startled as I was one night using the built-in spotlight remotely.Eufy plans to add an optional camouflage cover to the camera to allow it to blend in better or be used as a small animal camera.Happily, I never had to use the siren, but it was loud.
While pricey and requiring another smartphone account or a prepaid LTE data plan, the Eufy Security 4G Starlight Camera came in handy when my power and broadband were cut off during the recent storm.Self-sufficient and off-grid, the Eufy Security 4G Starlight Camera is unique by staying online and sending me a reassuring video stream.
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Brian Nadel is a contributing writer for TechHive and Computerworld, and former editor-in-chief of Mobile Computing & Communications magazine.
Post time: May-09-2022
