20 Cons of WYZE Cam Pan v3 (Review 2024)

From my time using the WYZE Cam Pan v3 I’ve found that although it’s known for being budget-friendly and feature-rich there are a few downsides. If you’re looking for a review of just glowing praises let me highlight some of the drawbacks of this camera.

If you take these drawbacks into account and still opt to purchase the product kudos, to you! It seems like you’re making a choice that will likely bring satisfaction.

Requires a Subscription for Cloud Storage

Upon encountering the situation a challenge I quickly encountered was the need to sign up for a cloud video storage service. In the absence of this subscription, the camera only provides alerts without any stored footage, in the cloud.

This demand posed a drawback for me since I wasn’t exactly excited, about expenses. The ability to access past footage through cloud storage is crucial. The lack thereof significantly restricted its functionality. The requirement of paying for features seemed deceptive, particularly considering the camera’s affordable price.

Limited to 1080p Resolution

One more drawback that caught my attention was the camera’s restriction, to 1080p resolution. Although it may work fine for surveillance purposes it fell short when I required high-quality video for monitoring. In a time where 4K resolution is increasingly prevalent the 1080p limitation restricted my capacity to record details like license plates or facial characteristics. For individuals looking for top-notch video clarity this limitation, in resolution could pose a disadvantage.

Short Six-Foot Cable

The six-foot cable that came with the product turned out to be quite limiting for setting it up. Dealing with this restriction was a hassle as I had to buy extension cables or move the camera closer, to an outlet. The short cable made it difficult to position the camera optimally which could affect its ability to cover the intended surveillance area effectively.

Uses Proprietary USB Micro Connection

The custom USB micro connection posed another challenge. It made replacing cables and ensuring the camera’s weather resistance complex. Regular cables didn’t fit securely putting the camera at risk of exposure, to the elements. This forced me to purchase replacements from WYZE, which was inconvenient and pricier compared to the options. For those of us who prefer using standard cables, this exclusive requirement was a significant downside.

One Notification Every Five Minutes Without Subscription

Without a subscription, the camera only sends notifications once every five minutes. This resulted in me missing events in succession. Prompt notifications are essential for addressing threats or incidents as they happen. The sparse alerts without a subscription greatly reduced the camera’s effectiveness in busy areas making it less dependable, for real-time monitoring.

Advanced Features Require a Subscription

The camera has some features, like person detection, package detection, and extended recording. You need a subscription to unlock them. These were the features that caught my eye initially. I was disappointed to learn that I had to pay extra to use them. It felt like a bit of a letdown because I was hoping for functionality out of the box.

No Free Cloud Storage

Unlike WYZE models the Pan v3 doesn’t come with free cloud storage. This meant that I had to subscribe to access cloud-based features that used to be free. The absence of free cloud storage was a drawback for me, as someone who is mindful of their budget. I had to choose between functionality or paying more which made me start looking at brands that provide free cloud storage options.

Noticeable Motor Noise

While the motor sound produced by the Pan v3 is quieter compared to its predecessors it can still be heard. This noise has been captured in recordings, which could potentially affect the quality. The noticeable motor noise posed an issue, for monitoring especially in quiet settings where it could be more pronounced diminishing the camera’s appeal for home use.

Subscription Needed for Most Functionalities and Smart Features

A majority of the camera’s features and smart functionalities are only accessible through a subscription. This includes functions, like person detection and extended recording. For individuals who are hesitant or unable to subscribe this limitation greatly hampers the utility of the camera. The camera’s full capabilities come at a cost making it less competitive when compared to alternatives that offer features right out of the box.

Proprietary 90-Degree Cable Limits Mounting Options

The unique 90-degree cable setup made it challenging for me to explore mounting possibilities. I faced difficulty, in swapping the cable without jeopardizing the camera’s ability to withstand weather conditions. Moreover, this setup limited my options for adjusting the camera angles affecting its surveillance range. For individuals like myself who require compact mounting spaces, this specialized cable design proved to be an obstacle.

No Free Person Detection; Requires Cam Plus Subscription

Access to person detection comes at a cost through a Cam Plus subscription. Is not available for free. This feature plays a role in distinguishing movements from other sources thereby reducing false alarms.

Without complimentary person detection, I received an overload of notifications hindering my ability to spot security risks. The requirement of payment for such a feature diminished the camera’s appeal for users like us in search of security solutions, without added expenses.

Non-Magnetic Base Limits Versatile Mounting Options

The camera doesn’t come with a base making it less versatile when it comes to mounting options. Magnetic bases are convenient, for installing the camera on surfaces, metal ones. Not having this feature limited my choices for conveniently mounting the camera. This became an issue when I had to place the camera in spots or preferred the simplicity of mounts.

Privacy Mode Must Be Manually Activated

Activating privacy mode on the WYZE Cam Pan v3 requires input. Personally I found this manual process inconvenient as I would have preferred a setting based on my location or schedule. Automating privacy mode could seamlessly integrate with routines, at home improving both convenience and privacy. Forgetting to activate privacy mode manually sometimes puts my privacy at risk.

No Built-In NVR Solution for Local Storage

The camera doesn’t come with a built-in Network Video Recorder (NVR) feature for storing videos. This leads users, such, as myself to consider using cloud subscriptions for storing footage. Having an NVR option would let me save videos on site offering an alternative to cloud storage and potentially boosting security by keeping data within reach. The absence of this functionality posed a limitation since I preferred having control and privacy through storage options.

No Support for Cam Plus Light Subscription

Unfortunately, the WYZE Cam Pan v3 doesn’t support the Cam Plus Light subscription, which provides person detection at a pay-what-you-want rate. This restricts budget choices for users like me who seek person detection without committing to the full Cam Plus subscription. The lack of compatibility with this cost subscription acted as a deterrent because I was in search of fundamental security features, at a more affordable price point.

Unclear Sensor Information

The information regarding whether the camera utilizes the Starlight sensor, in WYZE models is not clearly stated. This lack of clarity has raised doubts about how it performs in low-light situations. The Starlight sensor is renowned for its exceptional night vision features and its presence or absence could greatly affect the camera’s ability to function in low light settings. I had reservations due to this uncertainty as I was unsure about the camera performance in environments.

Color Night Vision Dependent on External Lighting

The quality of the camera’s color night vision heavily relies on lighting conditions. Inadequate lighting significantly diminishes the camera’s night vision capabilities. This limitation meant that I had to make sure proper external lighting was available for performance, which proved to be inconvenient and expensive. For those anticipating night vision out of the box this reliance, on external lighting posed a significant drawback.

No Built-In Spotlight

The WYZE Cam Pan v3 doesn’t come with a built-in spotlight, which could make it harder to see at night and keep intruders away. Having a spotlight could really improve the quality of the footage. Scare off potential trespassers by lighting up the area. Since this feature was missing I had to use lights to get results. This made the setup more complicated and expensive taking away, from the camera’s convenience and effectiveness.

Motion Tracking Can Fail Under Certain Conditions

Although the camera’s motion tracking usually works well it can sometimes struggle in situations. Factors like lighting, quick movements, or obstacles can interfere with the camera’s ability to track motion accurately. This inconsistency caused some events to be missed or footage to be incomplete in security settings. Depending on motion tracking for surveillance became challenging due, to these occasional setbacks.

No Facial Recognition

The camera lacks functions such, as recognition, which may be important, for certain users. Facial recognition has the potential to improve security by identifying individuals leading to tailored alerts and improved access control. The camera’s inability to offer this feature restricted its ability to provide comprehensive security information. For individuals seeking state-of-the-art security technology, the absence of recognition was a disadvantage.

Conclusion

In summary, although the WYZE Cam Pan v3 offers a range of features at a price point it does have its limitations. Prospective buyers should consider factors such, as the requirement for subscriptions for functions and restrictions in both hardware and software. Evaluating these downsides against your needs is crucial in making an informed decision when choosing a security camera that aligns with your requirements.

Nonetheless, if even after reviewing these drawbacks you still opt to purchase the product, congratulations! Your choice reflects consideration. You can feel confident, in your decision without any regret.

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnpwmzS8dyg&pp=ygUWV1laRSBDYW0gUGFuIHYzIHJldmlldw%3D%3D
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecjldV7TSq0&pp=ygUWV1laRSBDYW0gUGFuIHYzIHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZobXUMYANDs&pp=ygUWV1laRSBDYW0gUGFuIHYzIHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJCbuO0BOHQ&pp=ygUWV1laRSBDYW0gUGFuIHYzIHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlifAhhic-8&pp=ygUWV1laRSBDYW0gUGFuIHYzIHJldmlldw%3D%3D