Ring Outdoor Camera Plus Australian review: Now I can finally track my teen

News.com.au

3 days ago

It's probably not what it's designed for, but there's something nice about being able to keep track of your teenager's comings and goings.
My youngest son, who is training to be a paramedic, is in and out of the house at all hours.
Whether it's off to the gym for a workout, going to university, heading off to work, zipping out for a run, and going out with friends, the teenager is always on the move.
Bunkered down in my home office, sometimes I don't know whether he's home or not.
And being an early riser, and early to bed, I'm often sound asleep when he's coming home.
But since giving Ring's latest Outdoor Camera Plus a whirl, I'm in the loop on his movements all the time with very instant notifications when there is someone coming and going outside our home.
Unlike many people, I've never really thought about the need for security cameras.
We have two dogs, one of whom is super alert to any visitors not only outside our house but also in our street.
But even she misses the odd person.
The Ring camera doesn't.
It's super quick in notifying you there is someone near the front door.
The latest camera has 2K video resolution with good lowlight capabilities which is handy for capturing the teen's return after a night out.
'What time did you get home last night,'' I asked him, already knowing the answer.
The Ring app allows you to review all moments from your home with timestamps showing arrivals and people leaving.
My son answers honestly, as I would expect. He's a good kid.
I then let him know I have a new friend to track his movements.
He laughs, knowing that's not unusual when you have a tech-savvy dad who also has a robotic vacuum cleaner which can do patrols of the house to check on the pooches when I'm out.
When he travelled overseas with mates for the first time, I made him pack Apple AirTags so I knew exactly where he was.
As Ring promotes in its advertisements, there's something nice about just being able to see your kids or pooches, particularly when you are away.
The Ring camera is super easy to set up and install.
The app shows you different options for securing the camera to either an exterior wall or ceiling with a mounting kit very easy to use, even for someone who has the hardware skills I do (very limited).
Mine came with a battery which has to be charged but you can also get plug in and solar versions.
We've been using ours for a few weeks and the battery is still at about 80 per cent. You can easily remove the camera from its mount to grab the battery for a recharge.
The camera has a wide field of view.
According to Mark Fletcher, Ring Managing Director, APAC, the Outdoor Camera Plus combines superior image quality with intelligent features to enhance smart security.
Ring's Low-Light Sight technology employs advanced image processing techniques to provide a clear, colourful view even in dimly lit environments.
A high-quality lens, premium imaging sensors, dynamic image processing, and high-efficiency compression ensure good clean video.
Features such as real-time alerts, Live View, and Two-Way talk are available without a Ring subscription.
There's also a siren which is a great way to scare off potential thieves at night without leaving your bed.
Ring Home Basic provides smart alerts for people, packages, and vehicles, as well as access to up to 180 days of event video history.
Ring Home Premium includes 24/7 Recording, available with plug-in and hardwired power sources.
How much does a Ring subscription cost in Australia?
In Australia, Ring Home subscription plans offer three tiers: Basic (A$4.95/month or A$49.95/year), Standard (A$14.95/month or A$149.95/year), and Premium (A$29.95/month or A$299.95/year). The Basic plan covers one device, while Standard and Premium cover all devices at your home
The Outdoor Camera Plus can also connect to compatible Alexa-enabled devices for Live View streaming and Two-Way Talk.
The Outdoor Camera Plus is available in black and white, designed for both indoor and outdoor use, and features a weather-resistant build.
Ring, which is an Amazon company, says its products incorporate important privacy and security, features such as two-step verification, video end-to-end encryption, customisable privacy settings, and privacy zones.
The camera also features a blue indicator light when recording.
The Outdoor Camera Plus is available for or $179 AUD on Ring.com, Amazon.com.au, and select retailers in Australia and New Zealand, including jbhifi.com.au.
We also checked out the Ring Doorbell, which retails for about $147.
The Battery Video Doorbell alerts you whenever someone presses the doorbell or motion is detected on your property.
A 'Head-To-Toe View' lets you see more of people and packages left at your doorstep.
The 'Quick Replies' feature lets you choose from prerecorded messages that play when someone presses the doorbell, acting like an answering machine for your front door.
Ring Doorbell key features
HD Video: 1440 x 1440 resolution for clear images.
Head-To-Toe View: See more of your doorstep.
Colour Night Vision: See clearly even in the dark.
Privacy Zones: Block out areas you don't want to record.
Quick Replies: Answering machine for your front door.