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- Review count21
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- First reviewDecember 26, 2014
- Last reviewJuly 23, 2015
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- Average rating4.4
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes6
- First review commentAugust 1, 2015
- Last review commentAugust 1, 2015
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SkyBell SB100W Wi-Fi Video Doorbell: Answer your door from your smartphone with the SkyBell video doorbell. Complete with a video camera, motion sensor, microphone and speaker, this doorbell lets you see, hear and speak to your visitor from a mobile device anywhere in the world.
Customer Rating
5
A couple firmware updates away from perfection!
on December 26, 2014
Posted by: Vdub
I've had a good week or so now after installing this doorbell to get an idea of what I like and don't like. It's pretty awesome overall, and have had no major issues with it so far, although I have had some minor nitpicks that they can hopefully address in future firmware updates.
*Installation*
I have never messed with my doorbell at all before, so I was a little hesitant at first, but the installation process was extremely simple and free of cursing and/or disasters. It basically consists of a few simple steps:
1. Unscrew and remove old doorbell
2. Feed existing doorbell wires through SkyBell mounting plate
3. Screw mounting plate to wall and twist old wires together with SkyBell wires
4. Attach doorbell to wall and fasten with included tool
5. Sync to network and configure app
I have never messed with my doorbell at all before, so I was a little hesitant at first, but the installation process was extremely simple and free of cursing and/or disasters. It basically consists of a few simple steps:
1. Unscrew and remove old doorbell
2. Feed existing doorbell wires through SkyBell mounting plate
3. Screw mounting plate to wall and twist old wires together with SkyBell wires
4. Attach doorbell to wall and fasten with included tool
5. Sync to network and configure app
The hardest part of the entire installation was tucking away the wires back into the wall, since the hole the wires were coming out of had very little space, and there is absolutely no room to leave any dangling wires between the mounting plate and the doorbell. Overall, the entire hardware install took about 10 minutes.
*SkyBell App*
It probably took longer to initially get the app working than it took to install the doorbell. My first attempt was met with and endless spinning "loading" circle. After exiting out, putting the doorbell back into sync mode #hold doorbell button for 20 seconds# and logging back into app, the sync was successful.
It probably took longer to initially get the app working than it took to install the doorbell. My first attempt was met with and endless spinning "loading" circle. After exiting out, putting the doorbell back into sync mode #hold doorbell button for 20 seconds# and logging back into app, the sync was successful.
Here are the basic features of the mobile app:
- Auto-login: Makes it so you don't have to enter password each time. A 15 second extra delay when someone is at your door can seem like an eternity, so I always keep auto-login on. My phone is secured with a PIN, so I don't feel a strong need for an extra password layer.
- Push notifications: Select whether you want to be notified on your phone when someone rings the bell.
- Do Not Disturb mode: Great for keeping babies asleep, or during family dinners/prayers/etc. You can have the doorbell send a notification to your phone *only*, without actually ringing the bell inside your house.
- Motion Sensor: Door bell rings upon sensing motion. This feature is both awesome and terrible #more on this below#.
- Digital doorbell feature that I didn't test as it states it requires separate hardware that I do not have.
- Auto-login: Makes it so you don't have to enter password each time. A 15 second extra delay when someone is at your door can seem like an eternity, so I always keep auto-login on. My phone is secured with a PIN, so I don't feel a strong need for an extra password layer.
- Push notifications: Select whether you want to be notified on your phone when someone rings the bell.
- Do Not Disturb mode: Great for keeping babies asleep, or during family dinners/prayers/etc. You can have the doorbell send a notification to your phone *only*, without actually ringing the bell inside your house.
- Motion Sensor: Door bell rings upon sensing motion. This feature is both awesome and terrible #more on this below#.
- Digital doorbell feature that I didn't test as it states it requires separate hardware that I do not have.
You can get to the doorbell audio/video feed either by clicking on a push notification when someone rings your bell, or manually through the app. From here, you can take a picture #saves to your device#, hold a button to talk with visitor at door, click a checkbox to toggle high/low contrast #makes very little difference from what I've noticed#, and end the call.
*Differences from SkyBell version 1.0*
I researched the original SkyBell, but never ended up purchasing it due to mixed reviews. It seems like they have worked out most of the initial bugs and concerns with this version 2.0. But for those with the version 1.0 wondering if you should upgrade, here is a list of the changes #pulled from their website#:
[*] Upgraded Camera: High-quality picture with a low data rate, so your video loads quickly and does not drop when you're on a cellular network.
[*] Wide-Angle Lens: See more of your doorstep with this wide-angle lens.
[*] Faster On-Demand
[*] Updated Motion Sensor: An upgraded motion sensor provides better performance and faster alerts when your visitor doesn't press the button. A scheduled feature is coming soon.
[*] Contrast Settings: Upgraded camera and optics helps provide the best picture quality when the light behind your visitor is too bring. The Contrast toggle is a easy switch.
[*] Digital Doorbell Compatible: SkyBell version 2.0 is compatible with digital doorbell chimes with the additional adapter accessory, which may be sold separately.
I researched the original SkyBell, but never ended up purchasing it due to mixed reviews. It seems like they have worked out most of the initial bugs and concerns with this version 2.0. But for those with the version 1.0 wondering if you should upgrade, here is a list of the changes #pulled from their website#:
[*] Upgraded Camera: High-quality picture with a low data rate, so your video loads quickly and does not drop when you're on a cellular network.
[*] Wide-Angle Lens: See more of your doorstep with this wide-angle lens.
[*] Faster On-Demand
[*] Updated Motion Sensor: An upgraded motion sensor provides better performance and faster alerts when your visitor doesn't press the button. A scheduled feature is coming soon.
[*] Contrast Settings: Upgraded camera and optics helps provide the best picture quality when the light behind your visitor is too bring. The Contrast toggle is a easy switch.
[*] Digital Doorbell Compatible: SkyBell version 2.0 is compatible with digital doorbell chimes with the additional adapter accessory, which may be sold separately.
*Coming Soon*
The most exciting features are still on SkyBell's "coming soon" list as read on their website:
[*] Activity History. Have a log of all interactions with your SkyBell, so you can keep track of what's happening and when, while you are away.
[*] Cloud video storage. This could have every motion-triggered event saved for later retrieval. To me, this would be useful just for the sake of having photo/video evidence in the tragic event that someone steals a package off my porch, which fortunately has never happened yet. But I'd love to be prepared for vengeance if/when it ever does!
The most exciting features are still on SkyBell's "coming soon" list as read on their website:
[*] Activity History. Have a log of all interactions with your SkyBell, so you can keep track of what's happening and when, while you are away.
[*] Cloud video storage. This could have every motion-triggered event saved for later retrieval. To me, this would be useful just for the sake of having photo/video evidence in the tragic event that someone steals a package off my porch, which fortunately has never happened yet. But I'd love to be prepared for vengeance if/when it ever does!
*Summary*
Pros:
[+] Good value for how useful it is
[+] Always able to get a reliable video feed, whether at home on wifi or away on wireless 4G network
[+] Do Not Disturb is a great feature when you don't want loud noises in the house but want to be notified more discreetly on your phone
[+] Very easy installation, even *I* could figure it out
[+] App is intuitive and easy to figure out
[+] Wider camera field-of-view than v1.0 SkyBell
[+] While you can't expect HD GoPro video quality, it is still decent #640x480# and good enough to easily identify visitors through video feed
[+] Video is also pretty good at night #with porch light on# although it gets a bit grainy
[+] Multiple devices can be sync'd to your SkyBell. Both my wife and I get phone notifications when the doorbell is rung. This is awesome! Multiple devices can't simultaneously view the video feed though; only one at a time.
[+] No monthly/annual fee. Pay once for the unit up front and you're golden!
[+] Good value for how useful it is
[+] Always able to get a reliable video feed, whether at home on wifi or away on wireless 4G network
[+] Do Not Disturb is a great feature when you don't want loud noises in the house but want to be notified more discreetly on your phone
[+] Very easy installation, even *I* could figure it out
[+] App is intuitive and easy to figure out
[+] Wider camera field-of-view than v1.0 SkyBell
[+] While you can't expect HD GoPro video quality, it is still decent #640x480# and good enough to easily identify visitors through video feed
[+] Video is also pretty good at night #with porch light on# although it gets a bit grainy
[+] Multiple devices can be sync'd to your SkyBell. Both my wife and I get phone notifications when the doorbell is rung. This is awesome! Multiple devices can't simultaneously view the video feed though; only one at a time.
[+] No monthly/annual fee. Pay once for the unit up front and you're golden!
Cons:
[-] Motion Sensor is great in theory, but *ruined* by the fact that it rings the doorbell on the unit itself, making it super awkward for whoever is approaching your door as it alerts them that you may be looking at them before they even ring the doorbell. Hopefully they will eventually add an "exterior volume" feature that allows us to adjust/turn off the doorbell chime on the unit itself!
[-] Can't save video segments yet, but when they add this, it will be the greatest feature ever.
[-] Can't exit app. Tapping the back button on main screen does nothing, so you have to force close it.
[-] After viewing video feed for 2 minutes straight, it disconnects with "There is a problem connecting to the server, please try again later." Most interactions will be closer to 10 seconds, so this isn't a deal-breaker, but it would still be nice to have this fixed, or at least clarify the error message to something like "Disconnected due to inactivity".
[-] Motion Sensor is great in theory, but *ruined* by the fact that it rings the doorbell on the unit itself, making it super awkward for whoever is approaching your door as it alerts them that you may be looking at them before they even ring the doorbell. Hopefully they will eventually add an "exterior volume" feature that allows us to adjust/turn off the doorbell chime on the unit itself!
[-] Can't save video segments yet, but when they add this, it will be the greatest feature ever.
[-] Can't exit app. Tapping the back button on main screen does nothing, so you have to force close it.
[-] After viewing video feed for 2 minutes straight, it disconnects with "There is a problem connecting to the server, please try again later." Most interactions will be closer to 10 seconds, so this isn't a deal-breaker, but it would still be nice to have this fixed, or at least clarify the error message to something like "Disconnected due to inactivity".
That about covers everything. The novelty has definitely not worn out for me yet. I love just randomly checking out the video feed from my door while I'm at work, even though all I see is an empty porch and some slowly moving clouds. I now look forward to getting visitors so I can try out my SkyBell, instead of being the grinch hermit I used to be when people dared approach my doorstep.
Overall, I am very happy with this unit, and just about every nitpick I had could theoretically be fixed in future firmware updates, which happen automatically as they are released. I am definitely looking forward to any updates or accessories which may be released for my new doorbell. Sample review item provided by SkyBell. Thanks for reading!
My Best Buy number: 2113421215
I would recommend this to a friend!
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10of 11voted this as helpful.
Vdub's Review Comments
Nest Protect reliably detects and alerts you to the presence of smoke or carbon monoxide in your home. The alarm speaks to you in a calm, clear, human voice, telling you the location of the danger. It also provides smartphone alerts and battery status updates to help protect your home. This hardwired version is suitable for homes with existing hardwired smoke or CO detectors.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5The wait for 2nd gen has paid off!
By Vdub
I was always very interested in the original Nest Protect. I always loved the idea, but didn't feel the cost was justified given the negative reviews and early issues. Although they have been able to gradually improve the Nest Protect through software updates, I figured if I was patient enough, I could wait until they released a whole new hardware refresh. I'm glad I waited!
Compared to the Nest Protect 1st gen, this one has an improved smoke chamber (fewer false alarms), smaller physical footprint, App Silence feature (silence alarm through app via Bluetooth), and other hardware improvements that extend the stated lifespan to ten years (up from seven)! All very good improvements.
But does it work? Well, my house hasn't done the ultimate test of becoming engulfed in flames yet, but I did do some basic false alarm testing. Steam from a nearby bathroom, and light smoke from a candle, both failed to trip the alarm. So it seems their claims of fewer false alarms are true thus far.
*Setup*
Getting this set up was very easy. You can really tell they put a lot of work into the presentation and setup. The box is easy to open, and very welcoming with its simplistic and well-designed instructions. Everything in the manual is accompanied by very good pictures to help you along the way.
Basically, the steps are:
1) Download app (Android and iOS compatible) and create a free account
2) Open Nest Protect box and remove hardware
3) With app ready to pair device, pull plastic tab from Nest Protect unit to power it on
4) Unit goes through some brief testing where you will be left with absolutely no doubt the alarm works (LOUD!)
5) Unit will pair with your phone so you can enter in wifi network info, after which it will connect to wifi
6) Remove old smoke detector and mounting plate
7) Disconnect old smoke detector wires and reconnect new wires included with Nest Protect
8) Screw in Newst Protect mounting plate and snap in other end of new wires to unit
9) Twist in unit to new mounting plate
10) Finish with another test and make final configuration changes via app. Done!
1) Download app (Android and iOS compatible) and create a free account
2) Open Nest Protect box and remove hardware
3) With app ready to pair device, pull plastic tab from Nest Protect unit to power it on
4) Unit goes through some brief testing where you will be left with absolutely no doubt the alarm works (LOUD!)
5) Unit will pair with your phone so you can enter in wifi network info, after which it will connect to wifi
6) Remove old smoke detector and mounting plate
7) Disconnect old smoke detector wires and reconnect new wires included with Nest Protect
8) Screw in Newst Protect mounting plate and snap in other end of new wires to unit
9) Twist in unit to new mounting plate
10) Finish with another test and make final configuration changes via app. Done!
This was the first time I had ever replaced a smoke detector, and I found it very easy.
*Mobile App*
The app is very well-designed and works well on both my phone and tablet. It also integrates with a ton of other home automation gadgets, which is really cool (Nest Thermostat obviously, Philips Hue bulbs, Skydrop sprinkler controller, and many others). Here's some of the things you can do from the app:
- Change mode between Home and Away (not really relevant to CO detector, but good for other devices)
- Iniitiate Nest Protect sound test, checkup
- Silence alarm
- Change Protect location (family room, bedroom, etc, for accurate communication)
- Adjust Nest Sense:
- - Toggle Pathlight to light your way when you are under Protect at night
- - Nightly Promise (Unit self-tests and gives green "OK" light each night)
- - Steam Check (reduce false alarms on steam, good for units near bathrooms)
- - Heads Up (less loud & annoying pre-alarm warning when rising CO levels detected)
- Adjust unit LED brightness (low, medium, high)
- Change language (English, English (UK), Spanish, French, French (CA), Netherlands)
- View unit status (model, serial, software version, battery status, replace date, last update time, wifi MAC/IP addresses)
- Add/remove devices to your account
- What To Do (advice on preparing for CO/fire alerts)
- Device History (logs on alarms and updates)
- Iniitiate Nest Protect sound test, checkup
- Silence alarm
- Change Protect location (family room, bedroom, etc, for accurate communication)
- Adjust Nest Sense:
- - Toggle Pathlight to light your way when you are under Protect at night
- - Nightly Promise (Unit self-tests and gives green "OK" light each night)
- - Steam Check (reduce false alarms on steam, good for units near bathrooms)
- - Heads Up (less loud & annoying pre-alarm warning when rising CO levels detected)
- Adjust unit LED brightness (low, medium, high)
- Change language (English, English (UK), Spanish, French, French (CA), Netherlands)
- View unit status (model, serial, software version, battery status, replace date, last update time, wifi MAC/IP addresses)
- Add/remove devices to your account
- What To Do (advice on preparing for CO/fire alerts)
- Device History (logs on alarms and updates)
So overall, the Nest Protect is an expertly-designed device and I love it so far. It has everything I could expect from a smoke/CO detector. Although it would be awesome if it could double as a wireless access point or security camera! I will definitely update this as I get more time with my Nest Protect 2nd gen units, especially if I get false positives, or actual positives. But so far I am loving my Nest Protect.
Vdub
Not a Fake Review
August 1, 2015
The identical review on amazon was also posted by me (my reviewer name is the same on both sites), and you can see on that one the "Verified Purchase" tag, along with several photos I personally took of the product. while using it. None of my reviews are "fake".
+6points
6of 6voted this comment as helpful.
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