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- Review count2
- Helpfulness votes62
- First reviewOctober 22, 2015
- Last reviewJanuary 4, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating5
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Bill's Reviews
Canary Flex Security Camera: Keep an eye on things even when you're away from home with this Canary home security system. Its motion-activated camera records in HD video and sends files to an iPhone or Android smartphone via the Canary app. This Canary home security system senses when you leave home and changes modes automatically.
Customer Rating
5
Great & flexible security solution - indoor/out
on January 4, 2017
Posted by: Bill
Early adopter of original Canary - back in 2015. Device scratches a particular itch for me: I want some measure of security on my home / business when I'm not there (often), and I don't want to sign up for a monthly service plan. Since I have good internet service & power backups at both locations the Canary service is PERFECT for me since it integrates with my cell phone.
This model has four excellent improvements over original - making it a fantastic overall product:
1) Outdoor use / weatherproof
2) Excellent, long-life battery (don't have to plug in / but I recommend doing so)
3) Flexible positioning on magnetic base - can angle up/down (very useful for outdoor situations)
4) Long cord ( A+++ )
1) Outdoor use / weatherproof
2) Excellent, long-life battery (don't have to plug in / but I recommend doing so)
3) Flexible positioning on magnetic base - can angle up/down (very useful for outdoor situations)
4) Long cord ( A+++ )
Purchased this as second-unit for office - I am already running the Canary app for home monitoring but frankly everything I have in the office is probably more valuable.
LOVE that it integrates directly with my current setup - I don't have to install a new application & monitoring is seamless therefore in both locations. That's probably the true power of Canary - that you can monitor multiple locations (or floors) seamlessly within the same app. I ended up moving this unit indoors (I like that its flexible) to monitor second floor & after tuning sensitivity it's been working great - last alert was for an unscheduled cleaning visit.
Highly recommend if you're seeking: 1) a flexible product that can be used both in and outdoors, 2) desire a battery backup (internal in the device for no extra charge, 3) don't want to sign up for a monthly service plan (it looks useful but is totally optional), 4) overall quality, integrated device.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+30points
35of 40voted this as helpful.
Secure your home and get help in seconds with this Canary all-in-one home security system. The small footprint doesn't take up much space and lets you monitor your home, infant or pets at a glance. This Canary all-in-one home security system offers one-touch access to emergency services with the compatible app.
Customer Rating
5
Exactly What I Was Looking For
on October 22, 2015
Posted by: Bill
A really useful and innovative product - solves home security & monitoring in a simple-to-use device. Everything is controlled via smartphone. Very easy to set up. High quality device & very impressive app.
I bought a Canary after seeing it in use in this reddit post which caught a live burglary:
https://www.reddit.com/r/nyc/comments/3kyoev/caught_on_my_canary_camera_watch_these_two_guys/
Been using the device since the weekend and I am very impressed. Fits a huge hole for someone looking for some sort of home security device, but aren’t interested in the large traditional systems where you need to punch a code in or the alarm sounds.
By far the smartphone integration is the best feature - the device is controlled exclusively through the app (I use an android) - you can log in to check out your timeline, take a look at the live camera from anywhere, and even sound the alarm remotely. The device is intelligent and notifies you of any activity when you’re not there through your cell phone, like a text message, delivering the video. Very responsive - I tested this out by arming the device and then entering the front door - I received an alert exactly 13 seconds later (!!!!).
Huge plus is the lack of a monthly subscription fee. I am exhausted by subscriptions recently - Netflix, MLB, Google Apps, portfolio software - so this is a plus from the consumer standpoint. Back to why I didn’t want to sign up with traditional security.
Set up was very easy - literally plug and play. Downloading the app leads you to a brief registration phase, and then connect the Canary device to your smartphone via cable. The phone updates the firmware for the Canary, connects the Canary to your wifi, and then links your account and you’re good to go. I found a spot in my living room where I could hide the Canary behind a few candles - a few moments later and you’re recording live video of the entire room.
Video quality is bright & easy to see - looks like a high-quality Youtube video. Clicking on “live feed” brings up what the device is currently seeing - looks like there is about a 10-second lag between the Canary uploading the video and it relaying to your phone.
There appear to be three modes - privacy, disarmed, and armed. Arming the device happens with a click on the app.
I tested the device over the weekend - left my house to mow the lawn, then armed the device. “Broke” into the the house and 13 seconds later and I get a buzz - activity detected. I watch the video and of course it’s me. The response time - 13 seconds between opening the door and my phone buzzing - is very impressive. The video is stored online after recording, so if an intruder covers up or breaks the device, it’s too late - the image of them doing so is recorded off into the cloud for easy retrieval.
I suppose the only thing that I’m worried about is that my pets (two cats) will set the device off early and often. Reading through the FAQs, there is a “learning” capability in the system, in that it recognizes routine behavior in time and adjusts for it. It’s not clear to me how long this takes.
Overall, I like it a lot. Definitely a useful product. Fits a need for me - I’m not really interested in a large security system, and the costs/fees associated with it, and for basic entry detection the Canary device is really cool. In summary, the video monitoring is simple & doesn’t require a lot of setup or user input. High video quality. The motion sensor definitely picked me up easily when I entered the house, and I received a notice literally 13 seconds later. Connectivity to my phone is the most impressive part of the experience - if I have my cell phone on me 24/7 I can connect at any time to what is going on in my house.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+20points
27of 34voted this as helpful.
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