Video doorbell + No WiFi

[Ali]

Right, my 94 year old Grandmother has just come close to getting ripped off on her doorstep. Luckily my my mother turned up just as she was counting out £20 notes.

She usually doesn't hear the doorbell anyway, and the last couple of visitors have upset her, or she's upset them (she has dementia, it's a lottery how she will react), so it's time for a video doorbell which my mum can respond to from a few doors down.

Doorbell recommendations please - reliability is key, my Mum will need to answer it from her iPhone and she isn't very technical.

No WiFi - mobile hotspot with SIM card? Or is it worth getting a cheap deal with a router? Whatever it is I'll have to hide it well, her pre-bedtime ritual is to unplug everything in the house.

Need to sort it pronto as it's given my Mum a scare.

 

[TechnicAl]

Ive got a Ring Door Bell........I wouldnt recommend it

 

[Ali]

Ive got a Ring Door Bell........I wouldnt recommend it

Thanks, I'll close that tab now.

Generally speaking (I know nothing of these devices)

- is there a ring inside the house?
- can the caller terminate the video or is that up to the person viewing on the phone?

 

[TechnicAl]

You buy a seperate bell that connects to the door bell........I think you can have more than one.........the doorbell reacts to motion as well as pressing the button.......the pictures are all recorded (by Ring) and you pay £2.50 / month for that priviledge......mine doesnt connect to my phone very well....it did at first but something has changed....Ive rung them and they blame my wifi.

 

[8ob]

I find this a bit disturbing, the doorbell needs intercepting/monitoring by a third party to filter out the nuisance/unwanted callers prior to bothering this poor lady.Must be some way of doing this.

Bob

 

[Ali]

Out of curiosity can you view the camera feed without the doorbell being rung? Some of them have two cameras, it would be quite useful to have one in the house to check she's ok from time to time. It's quite a unique situation, there is someone with her for most of the day and always someone less than a minute away, but she does live on her own whereas most people at this stage might be in care. She is much better off in her own home.

 

[ukracer]

Ive got a Ring Door Bell........I wouldnt recommend it

Strange I had a cheap one from TJC and it was garbage.
I sent it back and got a "Ring"
I think it's superb and the functions were better than the cheaper one.

The quality of video is excellent and the wide angle lens is super clear.

I rarely buy Brands as they tie you in but I can only speak as I find.

Not arguing by the way @TechnicAl

 

[ukracer]

Out of curiosity can you view the camera feed without the doorbell being rung? Some of them have two cameras, it would be quite useful to have one in the house to check she's ok from time to time. It's quite a unique situation, there is someone with her for most of the day and always someone less than a minute away, but she does live on her own whereas most people at this stage might be in care. She is much better off in her own home.

Yes you can view a live feed at anytime.
If you did go that route you would need broadband and WiFi.

 

[Ali]

Yes you can view a live feed at anytime.
If you did go that route you would need broadband and WiFi.

Thanks. Is some sort of internet connection not essential with any of them?

 

[TechnicAl]

Strange I had a cheap one from TJC and it was garbage.
I sent it back and got a "Ring"
I think it's superb and the functions were better than the cheaper one.

The quality of video is excellent and the wide angle lens is super clear.

I rarely buy Brands as they tie you in but I can only speak as I find.

Not arguing by the way @TechnicAl

mine was spot on but it seems to have a delay now......and its difficult to log in....they say its my wifi but the only thing I can think of is Ive had smart meters fitted (either side) and they might interfere?? but I dont know

 

[ukracer]

Thanks. Is some sort of internet connection not essential with any of them?

I can't see how you can get real-time video without broadband to be honest.
I am sure you can get things that can trigger over the phone networks but a picture paints a thousand words.

 

[TechnicAl]

Ive also got Guardzilla that are internet connected. You can watch all the time, watch, listen and talk but they are also a motion sensor with a loud burglar alarm

Theres a them forming here......mine worked great until I changed broadband and they only work on 2hz and ove got 5Hz

 

[Country Joe]

Ive also got Guardzilla that are internet connected. You can watch all the time, watch, listen and talk but they are also a motion sensor with a loud burglar alarm

Theres a them forming here......mine worked great until I changed broadband and they only work on 2hz and ove got 5Hz

At least you're not the only one bearing the disappointment - it seems they've since closed down...

LINK

All the Best,
CJ

 

[TechnicAl]

At least you're not the only one bearing the disappointment - it seems they've since closed down...

LINK

All the Best,
CJ

Oh dear....I didnt know that......Ive got 3 of them, paid about £35 each....I was thinking of putting them on ebay.......Thanks for the info

 

[ukracer]

Oh dear....I didnt know that......Ive got 3 of them, paid about £35 each....I was thinking of putting them on ebay.......Thanks for the info

I think they went back in January..

 

[TechnicAl]

loads on Ebay and some still for sale on Amazon........they must know they dont work....Gaurdzilla web site tell them

 

[Ali]

@TechnicAl @ukracer with the Ring doorbells do you have to sign up to a contract? I can see them on Argos with no mentions of ongoing costs.

Anyway, Argos seems like a good option to buy one as they don’t seem to quibble much if you return it.

 

[TechnicAl]

@TechnicAl @ukracer with the Ring doorbells do you have to sign up to a contract? I can see them on Argos with no mentions of ongoing costs.

Anyway, Argos seems like a good option to buy one as they don’t seem to quibble much if you return it.

No, only if you want a record of the events.....I pay £2.50 a month for all events recorded...but Im not sure Im getting it