HomeKit cameras

[bcburrows]

looking to buy a camera that works with HomeKit, seems there are two: Canary and Omna - does anyone have any experience of either one?

Specifically I want to use it for a nursery
Alerts on activity
Night mode
Remote access from iPhone/iPad
Two iOS devices to be able to access (mine and the wife's)

We have a baby monitor but he is getting a little older now and so I want to alter how we can keep an eye on him etc

Thanks for any input

 

[hussainh1]

I don't have experience with either of those, but I was in a similar position using one for a nursery, I settled on Nest Cams. I also purchased them for my office and couldn't be happier. The Nest Cams do integrate with my August lock so when I unlock / lock the door I can choose to turn on / off thermostats.

 

[PhoenixDown]

I really like the Canary. I haven't used it with Home Kit but the picture quality and streaming are great. Not sure if it does sound however which you may want if its for a nursery.

 

[BeatCrazy]

How about this HomeKit option from First Alert? http://appleinsider.com/articles/16...ip-camera-fire-alarm-environment-monitor-safe

I got tired of waiting, so I built my own. Had to set up a dedicated (low power) PC to run Blue Iris software, then connect POE camera(s). I use the Blue Iris app, and can see and record what's going on, 24/7. No cloud storage or subscriptions used.

 

[Daranx]

Does it necessarily need to be HomeKit enabled? There are a few options out there that can do all of the required tasks you mentioned.

I've got a Logi Circle (by Logitech) and I find it to be a great camera with a lot of features. One of my favourite features is that you can view up to 24 hours of past footage (or more, depending on whether you want to pay for a subscription) stored in the cloud.

It also has a built in rechargeable battery so you can use it completely wire-free for a short period of time (handy when you want to keep an eye on the little one(s) when you pop to the loo).

The interface is quite nice and haven't had many problems with drop-outs etc. There's a very short delay (maybe 1-2 seconds) in the footage, but that's provably the case with most wifi cameras (I've had a few D-Link cameras in the past and they were worse and the interface was horrible).

There are customisable alerts and a built in speaker so you can talk to someone in the room even when you're away.

Hope this helps.

 

[kschendel]

Whatever you get, make sure you secure it properly. It's astonishing how many unsecured in-home cameras are accessible on the net.

 

[parseckadet]

Does it necessarily need to be HomeKit enabled? There are a few options out there that can do all of the required tasks you mentioned.

I've got a Logi Circle (by Logitech) and I find it to be a great camera with a lot of features. One of my favourite features is that you can view up to 24 hours of past footage (or more, depending on whether you want to pay for a subscription) stored in the cloud.

It also has a built in rechargeable battery so you can use it completely wire-free for a short period of time (handy when you want to keep an eye on the little one(s) when you pop to the loo).

The interface is quite nice and haven't had many problems with drop-outs etc. There's a very short delay (maybe 1-2 seconds) in the footage, but that's provably the case with most wifi cameras (I've had a few D-Link cameras in the past and they were worse and the interface was horrible).

There are customisable alerts and a built in speaker so you can talk to someone in the room even when you're away.

Hope this helps.

Logitech just released the Circle 2, and they've promised HomeKit support by the end of the year. I'm assuming they're at least waiting until iOS 11 is released.

 

[boston04and07]

Logitech just released the Circle 2, and they've promised HomeKit support by the end of the year. I'm assuming they're at least waiting until iOS 11 is released.

I got a Circle 2 (which I have yet to set up) but asked them when HomeKit was coming. They told me "later this summer," so I'm assuming the app will be updated at the iOS 11 launch or sometime around then. They were really good with shipping on time (they said mid-July and mine shipped by July 20th) so hopefully the software update will be on time too.

 

[Daranx]

I received my Logo Circle 2 (wired) a few weeks ago and set it up in front my house. Boy is the wide-angle good! Great little device and the weather-proofing seems to be as advertised. Very expensive bit of kit, but well worth it for how simple yet versatile it is.

I'm waiting anxiously for the HomeKit to arrive and hope it's not an empty promise that they will bring it this year. Maybe when/if it does come, I'll splash out on getting the wireless version as well (up to 3 month battery life per charge!!!!!!).
[doublepost=1502911803][/doublepost]

I got a Circle 2 (which I have yet to set up) but asked them when HomeKit was coming. They told me "later this summer," so I'm assuming the app will be updated at the iOS 11 launch or sometime around then. They were really good with shipping on time (they said mid-July and mine shipped by July 20th) so hopefully the software update will be on time too.

Don't think it'll be coming quite that soon, but we can be hopeful?

Did you get the wireless version? If so, do let us know how the charge holds up after you've used it for some time.

 

[boston04and07]

I received my Logo Circle 2 (wired) a few weeks ago and set it up in front my house. Boy is the wide-angle good! Great little device and the weather-proofing seems to be as advertised. Very expensive bit of kit, but well worth it for how simple yet versatile it is.

I'm waiting anxiously for the HomeKit to arrive and hope it's not an empty promise that they will bring it this year. Maybe when/if it does come, I'll splash out on getting the wireless version as well (up to 3 month battery life per charge!!!!!!).
[doublepost=1502911803][/doublepost]
Don't think it'll be coming quite that soon, but we can be hopeful?

Did you get the wireless version? If so, do let us know how the charge holds up after you've used it for some time.

Yeah, who knows when it'll actually land! Although I did get a response from an actual individual with a name there, as opposed to a form response or whatever. So, I'm hoping they knew what they were talking about, but I guess we will see!

Also....I really hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm like 99% sure I read that only the wired version of the Circle 2 was going to be HomeKit compatible. I think there's a restriction on apples part about cameras having a constant power supply. Which totally sucks, since I'd absolutely loooove a portable HomeKit camera to move around the house. This is one of those things I'm definitely going to send feedback about...