2 Argus 2s, different firmware and different performance.

Neoprimal®

Howdy all,

I'm new here!

I just got 2 Argus 2 + Solar Pack Cameras. They went on lightning deals a few days apart so I pulled the trigger for some savings.

So far so good. I really like the cameras. I do notice however that both cameras are using different firmware and when I try to upgrade, they both say they have the latest version. This wouldn't be an issue, except that I've noticed that one of the cameras is draining much, much quicker than the other and they both are triggering roughly the same amount in terms of motion detection. I charged both cameras to 100% before deploying them and I deployed them both at the same time. They use the same settings across the board. Ironically, the camera I pull up more is using less battery. The battery thing will be almost irrelevant soon enough (when I put the solar panels up), I just find it odd that they're both telling me that they have the latest version but are on different versions and I feel like 1 version performs better than the other with battery life. I'm a bit worried that in the rainy season where we sometimes have a week or so of darker days here in FL, that's when I'll start caring about the battery performance.

Also, I thought that these cameras used thermal for motion detection but they're triggering to plants and trees blowing in the wind, even at the low sensitivity setting. One of the main reasons I put the cameras where they are (knowing that trees and plants are there) is because I thought they'd only trigger for vehicles and people. Again, once I put the solar panel up this will be much less of an issue and more of an annoyance. I just wanted an idea of why they'd trigger to plant and tree movement if they're only supposed to be picking up thermal/heat as a method of motion detection.

Thanks!

chris2011

What version fw are on each?

nigel139

I to have a pair of Argus's, bought at the same time. Different build numbers, different firmware versions. One works flawlessly, one repeatedly loses its Preferred DNS setting. Wont push alarms or upload to the cloud. When checking for updates both are up to date. Customer Service never responded.

chris2011

Sorry was asking what the specific fw build number was to compare it to mine

nigel139

The Camera that works good is 1221_246_237_23. the other one is 0730_135_134_24.

chris2011

Strange I have the same firmware as your first one except last digits are 22 and not 23

What are the build no as these are the dates of build?

nigel139

Good Camera Build No. 18122101 Firmware 1221_246_237_23
Other Build No. 18073001 Firmware 0730_135_134_24

chris2011

Same build date for us in the good camera. Your other camera though has a July 2018 build date so looks like needs updating. Surely they should put fw online for these like they do for their other cameras

chris2011

I am looking forward to the Google assistant firmware too but doubt will see it as never seen my camera update automatically and there is no way of getting the firmware online like all of the other cameras on reolinks website.

Also you need to have cloud section in your reolinks app and unfortunately I don't. Have any of you got the cloud option in your reolink app?

Neoprimal®

I do have the cloud, it's bound to 1 of the cameras.

I'm slowly souring on the cameras.

First, support doesn't seem to speak very much English and it's hurting communication between us. Secondly, a lot of standard features are missing from these cameras and the excuse is that they are battery powered. My Blink XTs have detection zones and can set a notification schedule and they are battery powered. They also have Alexa integration. Arlo 2 cameras can record 24/7 and set up detection zones once they hook up to solar and they give you 7 days of storage for free as well as have Alexa and Google Home integration right out of the box - no need for their sub.

If Reolink is going to bind Google Home and Alexa to their cloud account, that means the second camera I have will never be able to get it because I don't plan on ever getting a sub. That's really sneaky. Advertise future integration and then bind it to their paid offering. So those of us who buy it and don't have a sub are left in the cold? Not cool.

I am still within my refund period on Amazon, it looks like I'm going to have to return these cameras and go with Netgear's Arlo 2 - it is much more expensive but they do way more out of the box. The Arlo 2 is over a hundred dollars more and that's not even with the solar power panels. Oh well. I'm giving these cameras 2 more weeks and then it's back to Amazon they go.

I was so happy with them when I got them, ah well. Time reveals all.

chris2011

Do you mind me asking what app version you have as there is no cloud in the app beside devices in my app version. Are you based in usa as wondering if the app is geo blocked as cloud is only available outside europe

Carl

Glad to hear you are interested in our new update, we are currently testing. We will publish the new firmware that applies to Google Home as soon as possible. You may subscribe our emails to get the news: https://reolink.campgn4.com/Subscribe-Us.
For the cloud service, this service is applicable in the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand at present, we will expand the scope of use in the future. Thank you for your understanding.

Neoprimal®

Thank you Carl.

Is there any chance that some Argus 2s will not be able to upgrade? For example, some routers or motherboards when released are Version 1, then the later ones released are considered Version 2 and generally, they don't run the same firmware, Version 2 devices get all the updates.

Is that something that could happen with these cameras or are they all essentially running the same hardware and using the same drivers?

Thanks!

Neoprimal®

Neither of my cameras have received updates. I'm getting frustrated now. I feel as if they will never be updated.

Carl

If you've enabled the auto upgrade on the Reolink App, the battery-powered camera will upgrade the firmware to the latest automatically. Please refer to Enable Auto Upgrade for Battery-powered Cameras. If you have problems during operation, you can send an email to support@reolink.com and they will check it for you soon. Thanks.

Carl

How did you know one of the cameras performs better than the other? Please provide the screenshot of the firmware version of your two Argus 2 to us. And mark out the firmware with a good performance. I will forward the screenshot to our engineer to analyze and help you solve this problem. Thank you for your patience.

Alexandru Ciocan

Hello, did you fix the problem with the firmware?

rdutch12

Is there any update on this? I am about to return my Argus 2 back to amazon, since it doesn't work with Alexa

Cynthia

I am pretty sorry for the issue caused to you.
Could you please forward your problem to our support team? We will try our best to help you solve your problem.
Our support service is FREE and you can reach us via below channels:
Submit a ticket via https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Send an Email directly to support@reolink.com
Chat with us during our operating time: /

Neoprimal®

The cameras work fine with Alexa for me.

The main issues have been that the motion detection is not reliable at all and even on the best network connection, at 2.4Ghz the camera clips and even live viewing stutter. 2 identical cameras are on different firmware (not an issue, just an observation) with one working a bit better than the other but no way to get both on the "good" firmware. I've contacted support and just gotten a runaround so I now use the cameras as a backup for other cameras and for their starlight capability which works nicely in my area (color night vision is nice!).

To enable Alexa integration, make sure you have the newest version of the app. Get the Reolink Alexa Skill and log in with your credentials. Once the accounts are linked all you'll need to do is wait for the integration setup (Smart Home) to show up under "Cloud" in the Reolink app. From there you should be good.

Good Luck.