IS THERE ANYTHING BETTER THAN A RING DOORBELL?

[alarmguy]

If your having an issue with a Ring Doorbell another brand most likely will not work any better.
Ring is a good brand and most issues are usually tied to user issues in setting it up and most of all your wifi signal. Follow Spams3 advice for sure, but you may also have a weak wifi signal. Its easy to check. There should be a place that shows your signal.

Ive installed hundreds of non ring doorbells, Honeywell and Alarm.com brand linked to security systems but have run into many homeowners with their own Ring and they had nothing but praise for them. I have found almost all the time it is user error in the set up or the wifi signal.
With that said, motion detection on these things are dicey at best. It is very reliant on where the device is and every home is different. They are also less sensitive in hot weather vs cold. In set ups where the person would be walking across the cameras field of view VS dead straight on, motion will be better picked up, if its in a high area with brick right next to it, it may not work at all in the summer walking straight dead up to it, vs crossing the field of view. Brick holds heat. motion doctor relies on heat of the body. Ect ..ect ... lots of variables but always thought maybe Ring was less sensitive to this but think I maybe wrong.

I currently use a Skybell on my own home because of a super slim design (and got it for free from work*L*) But its motion detection isnt the best, even after a remote tech support factory firmware update (they are aware of the issue) I would prefer a Ring but its too wide and even then, I dont think any of these motion sensors in doorbells are the best. But would be willing to give another super slim a try, dont think there are any out there.

Ps. if your router is a internet provided cheap router, time to hook up your own. A good super powerful (for signal) is a Basic Motorola AC2600 (MR2600) and at $100 cant be beat for range. (Motorola routers/modems is a Lenovo brand)
I try to avoid extenders if it can be solved with a proper router and placement. I have found this easy to do even in my 3000 sq ft home which has a perfect wifi signal in every corner of the home. For the fun of it and bargain price I just picked up a TPLink 4000 (Archer A20) for $109. Much more powerful in the sense it has 3 bands but the wifi is pretty much the same. I am close to 30 devices in my home now and was curious if it would make any difference, in what I dont know, everything works perfect with either router.
I get my 200 Mbps and over what I pay for in every room of my house pretty much with both routers, slight edge to the TpLink.

 

[wag123]

Motion detection on these things are dicey at best. It is very reliant on where the device is and every home is different. They are also less sensitive in hot weather vs cold. In set ups where the person would be walking across the cameras field of view VS dead straight on, motion will be better picked up, if its in a high area with brick right next to it, it may not work at all in the summer walking straight dead up to it, vs crossing the field of view. Brick holds heat. motion doctor relies on heat of the body. Ect ..ect ... lots of variables but always thought maybe Ring was less sensitive to this but think I maybe wrong.

I was under the impression that the motion sensing was done by changes detected in the pixels, not infrared sensing. If the sensitivity is set too high, mine will pick-up a bug flying through or a leaf blowing/falling through the camera's field.

 

[alarmguy]

I was under the impression that the motion sensing was done by changes detected in the pixels, not infrared sensing. If the sensitivity is set too high, mine will pick-up a bug flying through or a leaf blowing/falling through the camera's field.

I guess that would be brand specific? Do you have Ring?
The motion on SkyBell is horrible, been a known issue for geez, like almost a decade. Common customer complaint on the Skybell. IN fact some years ago (not too many years) Skybell tech support remote upgraded my Skybell to a new Beta firmware they were testing to address the issue, helped a little..
I dont know if there has been any improvement in the last year or two. If you look at the Skybell online, you can clearly see the PIR motion detector on the bottom, opaque small plastic bubble.

Long story short, I would like to replace it as it is getting older now but I do need a slim line to fit in the space. I see Ring now sells a small wired DB Cam but get this, it does not ring your doorbell in the house! Only on the app, what the heck? *LOL* We truly are still in the dark ages. I guess you can pay $20 extra for a plug in remote doorbell but, I'm like... how cheap is that?
Ahhh... but they do sell a "Pro" model that looks like it rings your existing doorbell too.

I have external EZVIZ Cameras as well that use pixel changes, like you say, almost anything records motion. Im about to install a new EZVIZ Pro 2K color night vision, (in like 5 minutes!) near the front door, makes the Skybell much less critical or important. The EZVIZ operates on Pixel changes like most every outdoor camera but EZVIZ claims to detect the image of a human vs like, a dog. SO we will see.

 

[wag123]

I guess that would be brand specific? Do you have Ring?
The motion on SkyBell is horrible, been a known issue for geez, like almost a decade. Common customer complaint on the Skybell. IN fact some years ago (not too many years) Skybell tech support remote upgraded my Skybell to a new Beta firmware they were testing to address the issue, helped a little..
I dont know if there has been any improvement in the last year or two. If you look at the Skybell online, you can clearly see the PIR motion detector on the bottom, opaque small plastic bubble.
I have external EZVIZ Cameras as well that use pixel changes, not crazy about them either, like you say, almost anything records motion. Im about to install a new EZVIZ Pro 2K color night vision, (in like 5 minutes!) near the front door, makes the Skybell much less critical. The EZVIZ operates on Pixel changes like most every outdoor camera but EZVIZ claims to detect the image of a human vs like, a dog. SO we will see.

I don't have a Ring. I don't want to be tied to a subscription fee. Like you, I also don't like that it doesn't ring the doorbell.
Let me know how the new EZVIZ works out for you alarmguy.

 

[alarmguy]

I don't have a Ring. I don't want to be tied to a subscription fee. Like you, I also don't like that it doesn't ring the doorbell.
Let me know how the new EZVIZ works out for you alarmguy.

What do you use? Oh, yeah, no way will I pay a subscription. I currently have 3 C3WN outdoor cams for about, guessing two years now, all work reliably.
Adding today one C3WPro (2MP model and just discovered they have a 4MP model in the pro as well) with color night vision near the front door.
I do this stuff for fun, and kind of neat feeling of security which was the industry I was in)

 

[wkcars]

As others mentioned, try adjusting the settings first. In addition to google's nest, there's also amazon's blink (amazon also owns ring)

 

[Tifosi]

One key thing to note about SkyBell, there is no server cost to SkyBell as others all have a annual subscription charge for service.

 

[wag123]

What do you use? Oh, yeah, no way will I pay a subscription. I currently have 3 C3WN outdoor cams for about, guessing two years now, all work reliably.
Adding today one C3WPro (2MP model and just discovered they have a 4MP model in the pro as well) with color night vision near the front door.
I do this stuff for fun, and kind of neat feeling of security which was the industry I was in)

I don't currently have a doorbell camera. I do have 3 outdoor cameras. After a couple of false starts with inferior products, I settled on Foscam, and they have worked reliably. They also now have a doorbell camera that I have been looking at, and it will actually ring the doorbell. All of them support SD card internal storage.

 

[Andrew1972]

If you do a google on Speedtest on your smartphone adjacent to your ring on same wifi what speeds does it show upload and download?

I just installed the cheapest hardwire one for parents and it works well. I did have to buy a new power supply as doorbell wiring was not realible.

 

[alarmguy]

One key thing to note about SkyBell, there is no server cost to SkyBell as others all have a annual subscription charge for service.

Great point! Yeah, I have been noticing that, a bit surprised. Im not cheap but I will never pay for that, its not necessary or worth it for me. Thanks for saving me the time looking! I guess why the initial lower "cost" of the others.

Im installing a CW3Pro (Ezviz) literally right now which will cover the front door area. I have another in the driveway already. The SkyBell still works but its getting old now and just noticed today not working reliably, when someone rings the doorbell it disconnects from the WIFI yet it records motion without disconnecting and also can view video on demand. Once the doorbell rings however, it disconnects and goes into its wifi pairing mode and reconnects with no issue, only issue is *LOL* when someone rings the doorbell video disconnects and no alert on your phone.

BACK TO THE OP- (didnt mean to hijack)
What MADRIVER suggests is a great point! I used to do this at customers homes ALL the time, even before installing! (would give me a heads up on how my day was going to go*LOL*)
Also a great app for Android users is call WIFI ANALYZER in the playstore, its free. Im all apple now but have a Android Tablet (older) but still works and I use this app all the time.
This is the one (there are so many) its a good app, no spam, open source too.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vrem.wifianalyzer&hl=en_US&gl=US

 

[CKN]

Great point! Yeah, I have been noticing that, a bit surprised. Im not cheap but I will never pay for that, its not necessary or worth it for me. Thanks for saving me the time looking! I guess why the initial lower "cost" of the others.

Im installing a CW3Pro (Ezviz) literally right now which will cover the front door area. I have another in the driveway already. The SkyBell still works but its getting old now and just noticed today not working reliably, when someone rings the doorbell it disconnects from the WIFI yet it records motion without disconnecting and also can view video on demand. Once the doorbell rings however, it disconnects and goes into its wifi pairing mode and reconnects with no issue, only issue is *LOL* when someone rings the doorbell video disconnects and no alert on your phone.

BACK TO THE OP- (didnt mean to hijack)
What MADRIVER suggests is a great point! I used to do this at customers homes ALL the time, even before installing! (would give me a heads up on how my day was going to go*LOL*)
Also a great app for Android users is call WIFI ANALYZER in the playstore, its free. Im all apple now but have a Android Tablet (older) but still works and I use this app all the time.
This is the one (there are so many) its a good app, no spam, open source too.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vrem.wifianalyzer&hl=en_US&gl=US

So is there still a way to back up an image such as a person stealing a package from your porch (for example).

 

[Tifosi]

So is there still a way to back up an image such as a person stealing a package from your porch (for example).

Most, if not all of these devices require a phone or tablet to function. Once captured, you can download the video to your phone/tablet and keep it for as long as you want. This is the case with SkyBell and Kuna. Can’t speak for others since I don’t own them.

 

[Cropduster172]

The Ring monitoring, including video storage and any and all security devices is $100/ year. I wasn't a fan of monitoring charges...contracts..never. Simplisafe is a ripoff in comparison. The ADTs and others shot themselves in the foot.
But $100/year for Ring monitoring is a bargain and money well spent. Plus your homeowners insurance will give you a percentage premium discount for the monitored system.

 

[alarmguy]

So is there still a way to back up an image such as a person stealing a package from your porch (for example).

Oh absolutely!
Nothing is different, in fact I think its faster not doing the subscription service because the video is stored right in the camera and you access it directly through the app. just the same as if you had EZVIZ store it, EZVIZ makes it easy, actually they advertise that you do not need to subscribe.
Mine is set up this way=
1. Cameras record motion
2. Clips of motion are stored on a micro SD video card that you buy and insert into the camera at time of installation, cost $10.
Whenever motion is detected it is stored on the video card, you can also elect to have the app alert you whenever it does record but I do not use that, you would go nuts every time motion of anything is recorded and stored.
You can access the recordings of video using the app just the same as if you subscribe. You can take snap shots of the video, you can store the video on your phone or tablet, you can give a copy to the police as well.

3. More or less there is nothing to back up because everything is backed up onto the installed video card, you then access the video using the app. It shows you everything recorded by time and date. Heck, if your waiting for a package, just open the app to see if it was delivered. There will be a recording of the delivery, or again, if you want to go nuts every time something is recorded you can have the app message your cell phone every time motion is recorded, again, if you chose not to have that option, you just open the app and check yourself.

I just installed this camera today, this is an example, camera took a video clip of the lady walking past the front of the house with the dog. Im still fine tuning things, literally just installed this one, have three other slightly older models of this camera.
This is just a screen shot from my phone that I took while the video of it was playing back. House looks like heck in it, that southern black algae looks worse in the photo but need to spray that wall down! *LOL*

 

[alarmguy]

The Ring monitoring, including video storage and any and all security devices is $100/ year. I wasn't a fan of monitoring charges...contracts..never. Simplisafe is a ripoff in comparison. The ADTs and others shot themselves in the foot.
But $100/year for Ring monitoring is a bargain and money well spent. Plus your homeowners insurance will give you a percentage premium discount for the monitored system.

I’m not sure where you’re getting those numbers from. Alarm monitoring from Ring is $20 a month.
https://ring.com/protect-plans
Hardly a bargain compared to all the others that your discrediting.

You pretty much get what you pay for, discount services that should do the job for average homeowners whom wants to save money or real professional services of a real security company for those where a little extra is worth it to them.
Standard service vs premium, you won’t find Ring protecting the retail stores where you buy the product, or you local jewelry or art store, you will find Companies like ADT or for Lowes stores professional and privately owned Vector Security

 

[Carmudgeon]

I was under the impression that the motion sensing was done by changes detected in the pixels, not infrared sensing. If the sensitivity is set too high, mine will pick-up a bug flying through or a leaf blowing/falling through the camera's field.

They use both.

I've had my Doorbell Pro for more than 3.5 years, and it has worked as expected. The basic subscription has been $30/yr, for one device.

Buying their product from Costco used to include the first year free, but I think they've discontinued that practice.

The previous version of the upgraded $100 plan option covered all the devices in a household, extended the warranty, and used to include professional monitoring and cellular backup for the alarm system, but they've moved that feature to a new, more costly $200 tier. Existing subscribers from Fall '21 and prior under the old plan are grandfathered in until 2025.

And keep in mind that all of this is consumer-grade stuff, so whether Ring, Arlo, SimpliSafe or another brand, it's not going to be fulproof.

 

[Cropduster172]

I’m not sure where you’re getting those numbers from. Alarm monitoring from Ring is $20 a month.
https://ring.com/protect-plans
Hardly a bargain compared to all the others that your discrediting.

You pretty much get what you pay for, discount services that should do the job for average homeowners whom wants to save money or real professional services of a real security company for those where a little extra is worth it to them.
Standard service vs premium, you won’t find Ring protecting the retail stores where you buy the product, or you local jewelry or art store, you will find Companies like ADT or for Lowes stores professional and privately owned Vector Security

I just paid my bill in advance for 2022. It was $100. Last year it was $100...in fact, last year it was $80 for the year because I got a new customer discount. It includes video storage and alarm cellular backup too. It's called Ring Protect Plus (1st Generation)
I've had several alarms including a water/flood detection alarm trigger. Ring calls within 30 seconds. BTW, a UL listed and approved central monitoring service has to meet UL standards. Its an insurance industry requirement for most businesses for fire and security. Ring is UL listed and approved.
ADT is now and has-been a ripoff for years. SimplySafe has no self-monitoring option. Ring is Amazon and Amazon dwarfs Tyco.
Explain how "standard service vs premium service" in UL listed alarm monitoring differs. The central station receives your alarm and they do precisely as the customer has arranged. Notify PD, FD, your cellphone number, Aunt Betty, your neighbor...whomever you dictate. The central station either executes the chain of communication quickly and accurately or it doesn't and its easy enough to test.

 

[Cropduster172]

I don't have a Ring. I don't want to be tied to a subscription fee. Like you, I also don't like that it doesn't ring the doorbell.
Let me know how the new EZVIZ works out for you alarmguy.

Ring has regular doorbell capability
https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Chime-P...rds=ring+doorbell+chime&qid=1641370891&sr=8-2

 

[wag123]

Ring has regular doorbell capability
https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Chime-P...rds=ring+doorbell+chime&qid=1641370891&sr=8-2

To be clear, the Ring does NOT operate your home doorbell. The Ring Chime is an extra cost optional device that plugs into the wall. This is not what I was talking about.

 

[wag123]

They use both.

I've had my Doorbell Pro for more than 3.5 years, and it has worked as expected. The basic subscription has been $30/yr, for one device.

Buying their product from Costco used to include the first year free, but I think they've discontinued that practice.

The previous version of the upgraded $100 plan option covered all the devices in a household, extended the warranty, and used to include professional monitoring and cellular backup for the alarm system, but they've moved that feature to a new, more costly $200 tier. Existing subscribers from Fall '21 and prior under the old plan are grandfathered in until 2025.

And keep in mind that all of this is consumer-grade stuff, so whether Ring, Arlo, SimpliSafe or another brand, it's not going to be fulproof.

The only Ring products that use PIR motion detection are Ring's battery-based products. All of Ring's wired products use camera-based motion detection. None of their products use both.