Cheapest price outdoors security camera I tested there was an obvious problem or the manufacturer prioritized redundant features over basics. Who cares about Alexa support if the video feed changes? Is it really a bargain if I have to sign up for a monthly subscription just to watch my clips?
It’s not perfect, but the Defender Guard Pro is a pleasantly simple outdoor security camera that offers clear video and supports the basic features most people want — all at the right price point. maybe. Video clips are stored locally, with no hidden extras — it even comes with a MicroSD card — and it worked reliably for me (after a bit of tweaking).
Vibration setting
Let me get the bad stuff out of the way. The worst part of my experience with Defender Guard Pro was the setup. There are two reasons for this and you will want to consider them before buying this camera.
First, Defender Guard Pro only supports the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band, which is common for security cameras, but it can cause problems during setup if your phone isn’t connected to it. 2.4 GHz band on your Wi-Fi network. Some router that allows you to switch band through the app, or you can create a guest network that usually works on 2.4 GHz band. I downloaded the Defender Guard app, signed up for an account (I was happy to see two-factor authentication) and scanned the QR code on the camera, but it took a few more attempts because of this issue.
Screenshot: Defender Guard via Simon Hill
Screenshot: Defender Guard via Simon Hill
Second, the Defender Guard Pro is a connected camera that requires a power outlet. You get a long (10 feet) power cable with an optional extension (25 feet), but the cable is not waterproof. The camera is designed to be mounted on a wall on the outside of your house (screws are provided) and you have to drill a hole to get the cable in — just a short piece of the power cable at the end is waterproof. This camera supports power over Ethernet, so you can also use an Ethernet cable, although it is not provided. The camera itself is Rated IP67 for water and dust resistance and passed Scotland in the rain without any problems.
The 32-gigabyte MicroSD card comes with Defender Guard Pro, but you can also buy it with a 128GB or 256GB card (or insert your own). If you are going to enable continuous recording, you should probably buy a higher capacity card, but for recording events, 32 GB is too much.
See clearly
With a maximum resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels, Defender Guard Pro delivers smooth and clear video at 30fps. You can pinch to zoom (up to 16X digital zoom) and still see a reasonable level of detail. You can also switch to a lower resolution if your Wi-Fi range is limited, but video quality will definitely suffer. The main weakness is the lack of HDR, so bright areas can be washed out (avoid installing the camera in direct sunlight).
Screenshot: Defender Guard via Simon Hill
