Amazon has helped solve one problem in my backyard with its eero Outdoor 7 Wi-Fi mesh router. This means any device that needs internet access can now work in my back garden. Ring, Amazon’s security camera arm, may have solved another with the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus Solar.
Now that I have Wi-Fi, I can mount a security camera anywhere I want, but it also has to be powered, and I don’t want to have to remove batteries to recharge them. So, this Ring camera seems like the most logical solution.
Ring Outdoor Camera Plus Solar features
The Ring Outdoor Camera Plus Solar is a weather-proof, integrated, Wi-Fi, wire-free security camera system with 2K resolution that is set-and-forget. By “set and forget”, I mean that it goes on protecting and alerting you of incidents without having to worry about a battery running out.
The one caveat is that the solar panel must get two to three hours of direct sunlight a day. For those of us in Australia, depending on where you mount the panel (like a southern wall), you might not reach that sunlight requirement.
In the box, you will find everything you need to get it operational, including screws and pole-mounting hardware. A little Lego assembly is required. You can mount the camera on a wall, pole, or ceiling, and mount the solar panel up to 2m away separately if needed. For pole mounting, the camera comes with two different-size stainless steel bands, which you can even join to create a larger circumference. Other brands either don’t natively support pole mounting or only provide a synthetic strap.
The camera used in this setup is actually one I have reviewed before. It uses a Ring Outdoor Camera Plus combined with a solar panel and a bracket, all in one package.
The camera supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands, but as always, wireless cameras need good Wi-Fi reception to work.
This camera does not have a light, but it supports colour night vision. Its 2K resolution camera has a 140-degree field of view, so it can see slightly off to the sides.
The camera has a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing two-way communication and the ability to sound a siren.
The included solar panel supplies 4W and is larger than some other brand panels, giving the camera the best chance to charge in the sun. If the solar panel cannot keep up with the power, the camera has a removable battery you can charge via USB or, if you buy a second battery, swap out. The bracket lets you adjust the angle to maximise solar connection, and I mounted mine upside down to maximise the sun where I placed it.
Ring Outdoor Camera Plus Solar specifications and price
| Resolution | 2K |
| Field of view | 160 degrees (diagonal) |
| Networking | Wi-Fi 6 (2.4GHz & 5GHz) |
| Dimensions | Camera: 6.7 cm x 6.7 cm x 12.8 cm including stand Solar Panel: 20.5 cm x 16.9 cm x 1.2 cm |
| Price (RRP) | $199 |
| Website | Ring Australia |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Using the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus Solar
To get the most out of your Ring camera, you will need a Ring Protect subscription, which starts at $4.95 for a single camera, $14.95 for multiple cameras, and $29.95 a month for more advanced AI features (like text-based search for footage).
Ring sends captured video directly to the cloud, where it is encrypted. If a thief thinks stealing your camera will steal the recorded images, they are wrong. With a Ring Protect subscription, recordings are stored for 180 days, but you can download them anytime and store them separately.
I test and change my security cameras at home often, and setting up a Ring camera is always a pleasure. I have said it before, but setting up Amazon products is simple, and the setup always works as it should, which is more than I can say for other brands. Ring’s app is also a pleasure to use, which is my favourite app from any brand, even though some of the features require a subscription.
I must admit I like a light on a security camera, and this camera doesn’t have one, which I feel is a letdown, as a solar panel should support a small light. However, the night vision view is excellent, although at night you will only get a monochrome view. Ring advertises “colour in low-light”, but the camera reverts to black-and-white footage in complete darkness, which is still enough to see what’s happening.
When reviewing footage on the app, you will find that a triggered recording plays back at normal speed. Since the Ring cameras are always recording, you get a high-speed time-lapse until a trigger or the image goes live. This is a great feature that’s inherent to Ring, while others make a fuss about it and require you to set it up separately.
Custom alerts and motion triggers
The more cameras you have, the more triggers and events you will likely receive. Ring has a neat feature called ‘Unusual Event Alerts’. Essentially, the camera’s smarts learn over time what is normal around your home and what is not.
For example, my son arrives home from work around 5 pm every day and parks in the driveway. The system learns this and does not send me an alert. However, if a courier drove into the driveway at that same time, I would get an alert.
Because the cameras capture footage and store it in the cloud for 180 days, finding a particular alert can be difficult. If you have the top Ring Protect plan, you can search for specific footage using phrases. For example, searching ‘parcel delivery’ shows you any footage containing deliveries.
On the subject of motion triggers, you can also set the Ring camera to record a trigger without sending you an alert. You can enable this during the well-explained setup process, which is a nice touch to ensure the camera works as you want from the start rather than having to go into settings later.
You can also reduce alerts by selecting the area to monitor (during setup or after). In my case, I use this camera to watch my caravan. However, it has a cover that the wind blows and sets off the camera. This is easily fixed by excluding that part of the image from a trigger. You can also set sensitivity and schedules for how often the device checks for motion to reduce false alerts.
A feature I like from Ring is the ability to link cameras so they work together. A trigger from one camera can also start another camera recording, so you get the full picture.
If you have cameras you would rather did not record footage when you are home, you can also choose which cameras operate when you are home and when you are away. Think of this like the old burglar alarm you would activate when you leave the house. If only insurance companies in Australia would recognise security cameras like they recognise burglar alarms.
Beyond having app connection to your cameras, if you use Amazon Echo products, especially the Show screens, you have full access to the vision and the recordings, which is pretty neat.
Who is the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus Solar for?
If you want a trouble-free security camera system that is super easy to set up and monitor, then Ring is the brand you should consider. Do note that to get full functionality, you will need a subscription.
Taking this even further, the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus Solar is a solution that, in the right conditions, will be self-sufficient, drawing power from the sun, so you won’t need to recharge batteries periodically. With a few screws and a few taps in an app, it’s all ready to go.
Amazon is a big brand with quality products that integrate well together, something few other brands do as well today.
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