SkyBell HD Installation Review - Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Version 2.0 - Amazon

150 : ? Video review.
? I use this on my covered porch here in the Pacific Northwest.
This is an excellent gadget for any family to have but do note it works best if you have a smart phone are technically advanced for doing advanced configuration on a Wifi router are handy with tools know electrician jargon very patient and can afford the price.
INSTALLATION: While it seems cut-and-dry this is NOT an easy 15 minute project...
I would recommend setting aside an entire afternoon.
Pros: Awesome idea for a doorbell: Ive told my wife before If Im not home please dont answer the door! there are creepy people out there Looks nice on my house.
Nice folks at SkyBell.
they actually sent me a sample to review and test Fairly quick bootup of the app when someone rings the doorbell.
tested using iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s Our original door bell chime still works that is my phone rings when someone pushes the button AND our normal bell chimes.
the chime now sounds a little funky...
it sort of pauses a really long time between the Ding and the dong.
Free app.
This may seem like a silly pro but yes there are companies out there who make you pay 10 for their app after youve purchased their product.
Cons: ? Poor design with included wire insulators.
The insulators are so thick it prevents the SkyBell from mounting against the plate...
even when the insulators are smashed down with a pair of pliers with all my might.
? NOTE: If you are willing to drill a 1 inch hole in your house to stuff all the wiring in then the SkyBell will mount.
If you arent willing to do this to your house then my suggestion would be NOT to purchase it.
? Scratchy audio and choppy video not something youd expect from a 150 device.
My internet is blazingly fast and the Wifi router is actually just 10 feet away from the SkyBell.
Still quite choppy.
See video for a demo of the footage.
? If you have intense backlight as Im sure most porches would have it makes the subject very hard to see.
see video Ive tested some cheap 70 dash cams with better resolution color correction and low-light abilities.
? Confusing instructions: If youre a contractor electrician or have done remodeling youll probably be okay.
But Id wager the normal person such as myself doesnt really know what this means: be sure you have a power supply with a low-voltage transformer with power from 10 to 36 VAC 10 VA or 12 VDC with an amp rate of 0.5 to 1.0.
? If you can afford the price tag more power to you.
In my humble opinion I would not spend this much for what is provided.
? ? Setting up your Wifi router requires advanced technical know-how.
I personally was comfortable with setting it up but I imagine 810 people buying this product would be very puzzled with setting up their wifi so its 2.4GHz band.
Do you know what bg mode is on your wifi router? Can you switch it to 20 MHz bandwidth? I suppose this is why SkyBell emphasizes their free 247 tech support which I did not experience but they probably get A LOT of telephone calls.
While it seems like a lot of cons really the overall idea of the device is quite awesome.
It works as advertised for the most part just as long as you are 1.
tech savvy 2.
have some electrician knowledge 3.
can afford the price tag 4.
dont mind choppy video and poor audio and 5.
are very patient.
Hope this helps! Original review from Beau Chevassus Knok Studio Media for non-profits From Beau Chevassus: