Help me to prevent buying Reolink... Source for Lorex in Europe

[user8963]

Hello,

I have already read the cliffnote and forum. I understand why some (or all?) hate Reolink... But I see no other options to buy it.

I am in Germany and I try to find Lorex Cams on the Internet, which are available for my region.. but no chance. It seems impossible to buy this stuff in Europe. Does someone have a source for Lorex in the EU? The only systems which are available here and comparable in price is ... yes Reolink. It is possible to buy HIKvision... but a system costs around 3000€, which is too high. Import dahua stuff from aliexpress comes near to the price of HIKvision..

Please help...

 

[bickford]

You are in Germany i am in France EUROPEAN country
i work with Andy EMPIRECANDY on aliexpress and there is no problems with this chinese dealer very good prices fast shipping and very serious.

Please dont buy reolink i have tried this brand and the quality is not good , no API available and others problems , too expansive for bad quality !

BICK

 

[TheDude]

Lorex is mostly just Dahua with a lot of features stripped from the firmware....

 

[user8963]

You are in Germany i am in France EUROPEAN country
i work with Andy EMPIRECANDY on aliexpress and there is no problems with this chinese dealer very good prices fast shipping and very serious.

Please dont buy reolink i have tried this brand and the quality is not good , no API available and others problems , too expansive for bad quality !

BICK

Lorex is at around $600 at the moment with 25% coupon. For 6 cameras, nvr and 2TB.

I looked on aliexpress and on andys store. But ... 600 for roughly the same? No way. Or do you see other prices?

 

[TheDude]

Depending on the Lorex kit you get you can also cross flash the NVR to Dahua firmware, at least for some models anyways. Found another thread on that here the other day and it was the same one I got. Did it on the one I bought and it worked great and enabled more features. Kinda tricky and had to use a serial cable to do it but it was not too bad. That thread said the Lorex cameras were somehow different though and could not get Dahua firmware on those. I got the kit with the 16 channel NVR that is the same as a 5216-4KS2.

 

[bickford]

Other prices for what exactly?

because you speak of a set of cameras and at no time of technical characteristics!

The price is good but the price of what?

$ 600 for 6 cameras but which cameras?
when I search for a camera I look for specific characteristics and after only I look at the price not the opposite!

BICK

 

[user8963]

Other prices for what exactly?

because you speak of a set of cameras and at no time of technical characteristics!

The price is good but the price of what?

$ 600 for 6 cameras but which cameras?
when I search for a camera I look for specific characteristics and after only I look at the price not the opposite!

BICK

Option 2: w/a better NVR, similar cameras $577.49
4K Ultra HD IP 8 Channel NVR System with 6 Outdoor 4K 8MP IP Cameras, 130FT Night Vision, 2TB Hard Drive
4KHDIP86
For $769.99 - 25% w/ BLACK25 discount code =
$577.49

Source: Lorex 4K IP POE NVR w/2TB HDD + 6x 8MP IP POE Bullet Cameras after code BF - cyber Monday weekend $487.49 11-25-2018

everything similar on aliexpress is 1500++

 

[bickford]

Yes the price is good !

info about this camera : https://www.lorextechnology.com/dow...tm_campaign=impactradius&utm_source=affiliate
Not very good low light capacity

comments are not good on youtube.


BICK

 

[mat200]

Yes the price is good !

info about this camera : https://www.lorextechnology.com/dow...tm_campaign=impactradius&utm_source=affiliate
Not very good low light capacity

comments are not good on youtube.


BICK

Hi Bick -

there's a thread on that particular kit here on ipcamtalk. When that kit came out there were not many options for 8MP cameras at a reasonable price. Of course it does fairly well in the day light - in low light conditions it is clearly not going to be as good as the cameras we see out with the newer sensor tech that is in the 2MP starlights.

As newer cameras Lorex models have come out since then I would instead consider a kit with newer models of cameras, for example the following kit is about $640 USD + tax - "some optional cash back deal"
4KHDIP822

The nice thing is that it is an 8 channel NVR and you can add Dahua OEM 2MP starlight cameras to it if you like.

Also, if you like - you can just sell the NVR and use the cameras with a Blue Iris system.

Regarding the comments on youtube - some people do not know much, their comments while interesting really can be misleading.

This kit is an Dahua OEM product.

The newer version is now available at Costco - fenderman has posted the particular camera model for that kit, and Andy notes he maybe able to get that camera in the next month ( it's a 18xx series camera with a 2.8mm lens - designed to appease consumers with 2-way talk and other stuff consumers like to compare check boxes on.. thanks to Ring, Nest, and others testing new ideas in the market place )

Here's an example of a vastly misleading comment from that youtube video
"Amazon reviewers have yet to leave one 5- star review yet of this... not to promising"

Do you know why that is? The kit is only sold in Costco, yet somehow it make it to Amazon and ebay.. but 3rd parties buying the kit at Costco and flipping it on Amazon and ebay - and of course selling to people who do not know much - and of course the sellers themselves do not know much - so they fail to provide support to anyone.

Here's another one, who thinks 15 fps should be giving him smooth video playback...
"I installed the same system from Costco and the video is not smooth at all"

It's just an example of people who really know little about the product space, and example of people who are expecting a $700-800 kit ( at that time ) to perform to to the level of something significantly more expensive.

Now, to the original question - why not just order from Andy if you are in Germany? ( for @user8963 )

 

[bickford]

I am ok with you Mat
But i am not big fan of " kits "

BICK

 

[mat200]

I am ok with you Mat
But i am not big fan of " kits "

BICK

Hi Bick,

I understand - kits can be rather limiting and are certainly a major compromise.

For most people new to this technology and space I think will be picking up the cloud products ( Ring, Nest, Arlos,... ) and imho not getting a good product - or the cheap coax kits - sometimes from horrible brands.

So, given those choices they will often select for themselves - the decent IP POE kits represent a significant improvement - I just like to encourage them to get a kit which they can update with at least a few better cameras - and encourage them to do a good cabling job, this way one day they can get something better in the future after they own a kit and start learning.

 

[user8963]

Now, to the original question - why not just order from Andy if you are in Germany? ( for @user8963 )

I have to think about that longer than 5min.

8x IPC-HFW1831E = 135 x 8 = 1080
1x POE NVR NVR5216-16P-4KS2E = 350
1x 3TB HDD = 80
....... 1510 ... + taxes + customs (because its for a company, i need to make the import legal).

with cables, other stuff ... this will be around 3000€. For this price I already get a HIKvision set from a german shop... and what to say. it is just to much. over the limit.

Lorex would be a good start, because it is a cheap set with a decent quality. but they dont sell it in UK (with an invoice and tax + customs already paid). i dont want to use blue iris or a pc. the pro of reolink is, by purchasing on amazon they send you an invoice including VAT. The buying situation in germany is just disappointing.

 

[mat200]

I have to think about that longer than 5min.

8x IPC-HFW1831E = 135 x 8 = 1080
1x POE NVR NVR5216-16P-4KS2E = 350
1x 3TB HDD = 80
....... 1510 ... + taxes + customs (because its for a company, i need to make the import legal).

with cables, other stuff ... this will be around 3000€. For this price I already get a HIKvision set from a german shop... and what to say. it is just to much. over the limit.

Lorex would be a good start, because it is a cheap set with a decent quality. but they dont sell it in UK (with an invoice and tax + customs already paid). i dont want to use blue iris or a pc. the pro of reolink is, by purchasing on amazon they send you an invoice including VAT. The buying situation in germany is just disappointing.

Hi @user8963

Chat with Andy - he may be able to assist you more than you expect. ( @EMPIRETECANDY )

 

[user8963]

Hi @user8963

Chat with Andy - he may be able to assist you more than you expect. ( @EMPIRETECANDY )

Maybe.

Here is an update:

I bought one reolink system and installed it. I needed one monitor, which is only connected via network (raspberry) to show 4 streams. I connected the raspberry directly to the PoE switch of the NVR and grap the streams of the cameras directly. I use RTMP for the raspberry. It just works fine. The latency is just 0,4s - 0,8s, nearly realtime. The quality is fine. Even at night. The Reolink system is onvif/rtsp/rtmp/ ................ compatible. Another plus is, that is has 3 streams ... main 2k / 720p / 640x320. The quality on the monitor and mobile devices is just fine. No Problems with limited upload.

I also bought a Swann Set with PIR, which was 300€ more than the reolink system. The image quality of the swann system is shit in comparison to the reolink. It looks like the swann has only 2MP max, very washed out. no sharpness at all. Both claim that they can do 5MP. The Reolink looks more smoother, it seems that it can do more FPS. The max of the Swann is 15FPS , which is terrible. There is no third stream with a higher resolution, so I can only use the sub stream on mobile devices, which is just terrible. The swann has only RTSP, which has a huge lag of 2-3s. I tried a lot of config , but i cannot get a better latency. The system only works itself. No Onvif, no software support the Swann. The only thing which is fine on the Swann is the PIR.

What a pain in the ass. The Reolink was really cheap and has a really good quality and support RTMP, ONVIF etc.

I do not understand why all say reolink is shit. I bought a Foscam cam with 4MP in a local store... it has also the same problem like the swann. there is no sharpness at all. everything is just washed out.

 

[mat200]

Maybe.

Here is an update:
..
I do not understand why all say reolink is shit. I bought a Foscam cam with 4MP in a local store... it has also the same problem like the swann. there is no sharpness at all. everything is just washed out.

Hi @user8963

1) You really should compare the Reolink at night with quality cameras.

2) The newer model Swann cameras as I understand are no longer Hikvision OEM cameras, and thus now have numerous compatibility issues. I am certain the 4x Swann 4K bullets which are Hikvision OEM I picked up at $250 will do better than the Reolink cameras you have picked up.

3) Reolink as a company has spammed this ( and other ) forums / boards as well as planted reviews. That in addition to iframe compatibility issues iirc.

4) Comparing cameras head to head gets complex - there are a number of parameters which can be tuned to get the best results. Cameras with the default settings may not give you the best that camera can do.


Since you are in the UK, you may want to pick up this camera - and flash it with the newer Hikvision OEM firmware as the firmware of those sold in the USA was out of date and had vulnerabilities. They sold out in the USA at $50 USD each. 1080P HD High Definition Video Resolution IP Camera Online Shopping| annkesecurity.com
( I don't know why they always want to charge more in the UK - perhaps it taxes to pay for the welfare of that family I read about in the tabloids? )

Oh, and perhaps these from Swann will do you better - I would recommend getting them - they are priced very well. In the USA they were sold out quickly at $129 USD each..
( as they are Hikvision OEM they may not work with the newer Swann NVRs... that is OK - you can use a Hikvision OEM or Blue Iris VMS software on a PC and POE switch.
Swann 4K Ultra HD Dome Outdoor Security Camera with EXIR LED IR Night Vision - NHD-881 2 Pack

 

[aristobrat]

I bought one reolink system and installed it.

Which system did you buy?

 

[user8963]

Hi @user8963

1) You really should compare the Reolink at night with quality cameras.

2) The newer model Swann cameras as I understand are no longer Hikvision OEM cameras, and thus now have numerous compatibility issues. I am certain the 4x Swann 4K bullets which are Hikvision OEM I picked up at $250 will do better than the Reolink cameras you have picked up.

3) Reolink as a company has spammed this ( and other ) forums / boards as well as planted reviews. That in addition to iframe compatibility issues iirc.

4) Comparing cameras head to head gets complex - there are a number of parameters which can be tuned to get the best results. Cameras with the default settings may not give you the best that camera can do.

I compared the swann system by night with the reolink. The swann is just horrible. There is no sharpness at all. I understand that the reolink is not the best at night, but by comparing it in the same price range with other systems, it do very well.

i have this swann Swann 8 Channel Security System: 5MP Super HD NVR-8580 with 2TB HDD & 8 x 5MP Thermal Sensing Bullet Cameras NHD-865MSB

it can only do 15fps . horrible. the reolink can do 25fps. in night mode the view of the swann is just horrible. steady picture seems OK.

And again:

where to pick up 4x swann 4k Hikvision OEM cams for 250 in Europe?! Your posted camera from annke is an indoor cam which is not waterproof, only 1080p (2mp) ......

you get 4x 5mp reolink with NVR and 2TB for 450 . comparing it with 250 hikvision cams... you dont have to say that the hikvisions cams do better. but i cant find any 4k hikvision OEM cams in Europe which are around 50-100. or a set with 8 cameras and nvr around 900. if you know where and have a nice nvr with RTMP ... just give me your source.

I dont want to use a pc or software or whatever. i want a standalone NVR. nothing more.

Which system did you buy?

The set with 4x RLC-410.

 

[mat200]

..
And again:

where to pick up 4x swann 4k Hikvision OEM cams for 250 in Europe?! Your posted camera from annke is an indoor cam which is not waterproof, only 1080p (2mp) ......
..

@user8963 I have provided you with links to quality Hikvision OEM products which are at significant good sales prices in the UK. PLEASE DO take the time to look at those links I provided - as I took the time to be courteous and provide you with UK sources.

You can also find members here who can assist you in sourcing quality products in the EU as well as the UK.

The example I provided you shows you that you can find quality cameras at deal prices at times when you look, and often for not much more than the cheaper and less quality products. As I noted the 4x Hikvision OEM "4K" camera deal was eventually sold out here in the USA, and it was available in the Swann clearance section of their website as they transitioned to a new OEM and no longer needed the better cameras. This is how I was able to find the really nice "4K" Hikvision OEM turrets for you - I looked in the Swann UK clearance section.

Also do take the time and read the cliff notes here as there is a lot of knowledge and experience being shared there, note security cameras are not action cameras and thus 15-20 fps is perfectly good for most setups.

Also note - YES - I know the Hikvision OEM cube is not rated for outdoors - that's OK if you do not care about cameras which others here found useful and have purchased for use indoors, such as garages.