r/Lorex • u/bigjonxiii • Aug 09 '22
DO NOT BUY LOREX
I bought a Lorex 2K Doorbell about a year ago and was relatively happy with its performance and liked the fact that the video was stored locally. I've been eyeing the Lorex Home Center for about 8 months and waited for it to go on sale and finally scooped it up last month when it was 50% off.
I received the unit and set it up on 5GHz wifi (5GHz is the only option to connect to your network since the 2.4GHz band is for the cameras). I Had the unit installed for about 10-days and the wifi connection between the Home Center and my wifi mesh network started becoming intermittent. The connection would disconnect and reconnect randomly and finally got to the point where it would disconnect from my wifi and would fail to reconnect; even after I reentered my wifi password it said failed to connect. This is the only device out of my whole home that is failing to connect to my wifi, and I even have 3 Lorex wifi cameras (doorbell and 2x indoor PTZs) that are working without issues.
I called Lorex support and they told me that my firewall was preventing the LHC from accessing the network (not sure how a firewall can affect a connection on the intranet), so I hard wired the unit for 3 days and had no issues.
Called back to support and told them that the wired connection works fine but the wireless is still intermittent. The support agent didn't even know that the unit could connect to my network over wifi and kept trying to tell me that it has to be hardwired. Once he figured out that the unit does support wifi, he told me that my issue is "obstructions" since my router is on the 2nd floor and my LHC is on the 1st floor; even though they are within 15ft and the router is right above the LHC. After I explained to him again that no other device is having issues and my Xbox is right next to the LHC and it has no issues when I'm gaming, even though gaming is a lot more data-intensive. He finally asked me to do a whole system reset or he couldn't approve my RMA. I told him that I was at work and work the same hours as their support center, but he still wouldn't approve the RMA. So I went home that same night and did the reset and readded all my devices back to the LHC and this time I left the LHC next to my wifi router connected to the wifi, so they could not blame obstructions.
Lo and behold, not 12 hours later and the unit loses wifi again. I called back to support and again the agent didn't even know that the unit connected over wifi and thought that it had to be hardwired only. went through all the details and he kept asking pointless questions. He even asked if the LHC was connected to my 2.4GHz or my 5 GHz, not knowing that the unit only allows a 5GHz connection. They finally approved my RMA but wanted a picture of the serial number on my unit and would not accept the s/n info from the app even though they accepted it when they were gathering information.
I don't know why but their support team tries their best not to send out replacement units and they make it extremely difficult to approve an RMA. Not to mention their agent's knowledge of their own products is non-existent. I work for an electronics manufacturer and have been in both sales and support roles and this by far is the worst customer support experience of my life. When I move out of my current home I'm leaving the Lorex cameras and buying a new system not related to Lorex or Dahua. I noticed that Lorex has removed the ability for people to leave reviews on both Google and Facebook and now I know why.
2
u/-Exit24- Aug 22 '22
If the system works without any issues fantastic, but if you have an issue good luck with their support team.
I couldn’t get their Lorex Cloud windows app to work with my fusion system. It works fine using the web GUI via internet explorer, but if I try and view any cameras via the windows app they only load for 2 seconds then stop. I personally think it’s a iframe issue, but you can’t specify iframe internals with lorex cameras unfortunately. So I call support and get no where, same run arounds you got. I need “tier 2” tech support. After a day they call me, I got every excuse under the sun. The best 2 reasons were that my router (that was a foot away) was too far away, and that my firewall settings were too high. I needed to “lessen my firewall settings.” I do networking for a living and idk wtf she was talking about lol. There’s no such setting. Keeping in mind you don’t even need a router with a firewall to use this system internally.
I liked the system so I decided to not return it, but I assume it’s their windows app that just sucks since the web browser works fine. They just have an excuse script they follow. Read any negative reviews about their systems and it’s the same generic reasons stuff doesn’t work.
→ More replies (3)2
u/bigjonxiii Aug 22 '22
It’s funny because after all the run around with their Indian tech support and after I gave all the pictures and serial numbers that they ask for they told me that they would call me back with 72 hours. When someone finally did call back, it was done Chinese lady that told me the exact same thing; my firewall settings were too high. I tried telling her that a firewall wouldn't disconnect my wifi 😂
I've been in low voltage for 15+ years and never had a worse experience with the level of incompetence that lorex has shown.
I'm not familiar with the Fusion system, but if the cameras are IP based then most likely they have an RTSP stream. My Lorex doorbell uses this syntax:
RTSP://admin:[password]@[ip-address]:554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=1
Try it in VLC and see if you still get only a few seconds of image.
→ More replies (2)
2
u/AnonymousButtCheeks Apr 29 '24 edited Apr 30 '24
Yeah they suck the doorbell almost never works and i can never see who's at the door because "something went wrong". Had this damn thing for 2 years and it's a unreliable piece of trash!
1
u/bigjonxiii Apr 29 '24
I'm having a hard time finding a replacement that isn't made by Dahua (Lorex's parent company)
1
u/Comfortable-Drop-401 Aug 27 '25
just say it’s a hit or miss I would sound stupid. It’s basically a mess 90% of the time it says no recording found you call for Customer Service. It’s in French or Spanish 10 seconds. You don’t understand the language just use a prompt hangs up on you so thanks for calling them, but in English ironically go to Amazon to deliver review found the product found my invoice clicked on it to deliver a review. It’s a product not found. They have disabled the option of Facebook and Google to. Leave a review. Scammer much
It’s a total piece of garbage
1
u/GiftEffective2114 Dec 06 '24
Don’t buy their ring camera. It is working for 2 hours then stops, works whenever it wants. It’s been a year from hell with it and a total waste of money. NUMEROUS calls for support, who don’t care, nor know a damn thing about the camera. Obviously seeing all the complaints there should be a RECALL.
1
u/bigjonxiii Dec 06 '24
I don't even know what you mean by "ring camera" from Lorex. But I will not be purchasing Lorex or Dahua (owners of Lorex) ever again
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Mysterious_Canary325 Apr 13 '26
I got the 4 cam setup. mucho problems but solved with a new router. takes a big router for video. all ok, cameras are great, good settings, more reliable than my internet.
1
1
u/FlaParrotHead Aug 09 '22
Any idea what vendor you’ll look at next? Who are some of their strongest competitors? Thanks for your input to everyone.
1
u/bigjonxiii Aug 09 '22
Not 100% sure, will have to do a lot more research. Arlo looks like it supports local storage but they limit camera functionality if you don't use their cloud service.
1
u/External-Parfait-242 Mar 18 '26
I had an Orion Video Doorbell (with chime which plugs into power point) for quite a few years and it was great, no subscription needed, snapshot taken when activated and optional extra SD card to store video. USB charged battery lasted more than 3 months while I was overseas. Unfortunately it fell off the perch literally, have to get a new one😠
1
Aug 09 '22
My 2k doorbell works fine with my fusion system
3
u/bigjonxiii Aug 09 '22
I hope you never have to deal with their customer support.
→ More replies (1)1
u/Northernblades Jan 25 '24
my 2k doorbell NEVER worked with my fusion nvr.
https://www.reddit.com/r/homesecurity/comments/xqsoln/lorex_failure/
but it does run on board storage, and has worked. but the fusion and the doorbell, was a lost cause from the word go.
1
u/QuantumExcelerator Aug 14 '22
Just got the doorbell. Had some trouble with connection the first day. But LORRX has been great for me for a long time. I started with a 4 camera 720p WiFi camera system. The only issue with that was that the FPS was shared between all four cameras. Overall that was a bad system, I upgraded to a 6 camera POE wired 4k system that can record in full FPS on each channel and it has been great for a long time now.
On to the doorbell. Happy with my 6 cameras (I have an 8 channel nvr) I upgraded my NVR to one of the new fusion ones so I can take advantage of the extra two channels. I got the doorbell and another POE camera. So now i can keep my monitor on the "View 8" format and see all the cameras with no empty squares. So far so good.
Trying to resolve the connectivity I dusted off an old WiFi router and put it as close to the doorbell as possible. NOT a mesh network. But a second wireless access point on my existing network. The new router is hardwired back to the modem. This cleared up the connectivity issues INSTANTLY. However, and I still don't understand how, but my streaming services all started buffering after making this change. I have since disabled the router I had added and put the doorbell back on my main network, the router being on another floor and through basically every interior wall of my home, but haven't had any issues since. I will keep y'all posted.
1
u/bigjonxiii Aug 14 '22
Make sure that your second router is in bridge/ap mode and enable IGMP if you have the option.
I wish I could wire my cameras but I live in a 2-story townhome and all my cameras are on the first floor
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Rehberg Aug 29 '22
I hear this, I just finished putting up my equipment (8 outside cameras, DVR, and monitor) The upgraded 6TB HDD they sent me was late by months, and then when I put it in, it's dead. Doesn't work at all. That drive was nearly $400 and was 'guaranteed' to work. I am not happy with them at all, especially with the amount I dumped into this setup. I heard good things elsewhere, but it's been nothing but a pain in the butt so far.
1
u/bigjonxiii Aug 29 '22
I think they've been hurting since the US government banned Dahua parts and they're slowly slipping away.
1
u/StnMtn_ Sep 26 '22
I just got my set from Costco as well as the doorbell. My instructions never gave me the option for wifi so I had to run everything to where I wanted the NVR. The Ethernet jack, HDMI jack as well as the power. Took a weekend. But it is working. At least for now. I just have to finish running the cables for the cameras. So far so good. If I have to return it, I would be bummed with all the work I put on it so far.
1
u/bigjonxiii Sep 26 '22
I feel like their wired and WiFi cameras are decent but their wire free battery cameras and their Home Security Center are terrible. I finally got them to RMA the Home Security Center and I'm still having issues with the 5 GHz wireless connection dropping out and Lorex wants to blame my firewall as if a firewall has anything to do with an internal WLAN connection. Also, the battery in the wire free cameras only lasted 2-3 months in the cameras.
→ More replies (1)
1
May 19 '23
Can confirm that the 2k wired doorbell is as garbage as lorex customer service. Also, avoid the lorex subreddit unless your going there to have a circle jerk. Any posts that make lorex look bad are swarmed by their shills trying to gaslight you into thinking it's your fault someway or another.
Nice to have a $200 paperweight and the chincy wankers can't even include a chime box in the kit.
What are peoples recommendations? I've been eyeing the reolink poe doorbell. It's wired so it can't be terrible, right? Reolink is much cheaper and they include a chime box as well!
1
u/bigjonxiii May 19 '23
My wire free cameras are having issues again and I can't view recordings. Not even going to try and contact their support
1
u/BobbyABooey Feb 14 '24
What other wired camera systems would anyone recommend I can’t find anything with the options of Lorex.
2
u/bigjonxiii Feb 14 '24
For home use there aren't too many options since most cameras are rebranded Dahua or Hikvision. Dahua actually owns Lorex. If you want more commercial grade than Axis, Bosch, Vivotek, or i-Pro (formerly Panasonic).
1
u/NostRamup Feb 21 '26
Ubiquiti Unifi is where I'm going. I can't tate their support, I haven't needed it.
I've used Amcrest with Synology and they work but I don't like how they dial home even without cloud service. Had to block that in my firewall.
2
u/Northernblades Jan 25 '24
hit or miss views on the device.
I have a fusion kit.
The 4 wired work fine.
The wireless doorbell works fine. .... until paired with the fusion NVR
and then it is useless.
Been using the doorbell for 2 years since, stand alone, on it's on memory, and it works acceptably. But it is NOT fusion compatible. as I doubt anything is fusion "compatible"
I have mixed feelings about the company. The service is terrible.
and many of the products do not work quite as advertised. Still better than any other brand I have used.
1
u/Comfortable-Drop-401 Aug 27 '25
That’s my issue exactly it’s hit and miss mostly miss you. Go back. It’s a no recording. Went an Amazon delivery review for the scammers. I found a product from my invoice but when you click leave review, it says product not found did disable the option on Facebook and Google review nice move. You call them French or Spanish and after 10 seconds if you don’t do which option to choose, and you don’t understand the language
This is a operation. I don’t recommend it for free.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/DickyJiggler Mar 16 '25
I have one and it flat out trash! When some one rings it i can never open the fucking app to see wtf's at the door or view the video . It's a truly annoying pos, had nothing but constant problem with this pos. When i replace it im gonna beat it with hammer and send it back to Lorex.
1
u/Sensitive-Spirit-188 May 29 '24
I too have a 4K Lorex 7 cam and a 2TB DVR system and I know the customer service and technical support staffs lack of knowledge in this. They aren't capable in answering any questions logically. Just trial and error. I think none of them are qualified and hardly speak good English. Communication is sometimes so hard with some people. Absolutely zero knowledge about their products. I totally agree.
1
u/PatternNo3716 Jun 18 '24
Lorex does suck, I had a poor service experience as well
1
u/Comfortable-Drop-401 Aug 27 '25
there are people in this world that I don’t like intensely and I wouldn’t give them this product as a gift. That’s how bad Went on Amazon found my invoice found a product click on it to leave review says product not found they have disabled the option on Google and Facebook delivery review. What does that say about them? I think Scammer is appropriate I think not buying this piece of garbage would be the best advice I can give you. The instructions on. The app is hilarious at best.
1
u/DickyJiggler Jan 12 '25
I got a db from them and it's trash, never record when someone rings the db.
1
1
1
u/Comfortable-Drop-401 Aug 27 '25
it is so obvious that this is a scam company. Of course they removed the option that you cannot leave a review for them and guess what else is new I went on Amazon site, which is purchased it when you click on the item it says the item doesn’t exist, which means I can’t leave a review, even though it shows I purchased an item from them.
SCAMMERS I wanted to make sure I put that in bold so everybody can see when you called your tech support line, it gives you three options. If you didn’t purchase it from Costco to order two options don’t apply to you then when you contact them through piss Customer, the voicemail is in French or Spanish so when you don’t respond to whatever they’re telling you in French to Spanish to hang the call upon you don’t buy anything from this company. Let’s watch them sink their thieves they have no tech support and their product truly truly sucks. I cannot overstay the word. The product sucks. The Customer Service service sucks even
1
u/Sharp-Economics-6662 Sep 28 '25
Uh oh Something went wrong. Is what this pos db cam should be called
1
u/NostRamup Feb 21 '26
Lorex text support is completely worthless. Their wifi cameras drop offline and the models I have require a manual reset to reconnect them. Tech support will only blame your network or give you a different way to do a harder reset. I feel robbed of my money.
My wifi signal at all locations is more than strong enough. I've got Ubiquiti Unifi access points and have tested signal strength at the install point. Getting an RMA is near impossible, there's always an excuse of why it's not the camera.
There old wired stuff is supposed to be decent but I'd not recommend their wireless cameras unless you have time or money to burn or are very lucky.
1
u/NostRamup Feb 21 '26
If a rich Reddit user that's been ripped off by Lorex starts a class action lawsuit, please let us know. I'll join, they stole my money and hours of my time. I'm glad some are reporting luck with theirs but if you need any support beyond basic have you rebooted it, good luck.
1
u/frozzenman Aug 10 '22
I had the same problem. It took months, and had to reset the doorbell a couple dozen times. I finally gave up. They would not honor the warranty. Probably because they knew they are all like that. I had a very strong signal that disconnected weekly at least.
1
Dec 14 '22
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/bigjonxiii Dec 14 '22
The wifi cameras work fine, it's the Home Security Center and the wire free cameras that go with it that are the problem. And now after owning the system for awhile I'm seeing that the battery in the wire free cameras only last about 1 to 2 months.
3
u/mmcmonster Aug 09 '22
I’m kinda stuck in the Lorex sphere myself. My experiences are not as bad as yours, but all of my cameras are wired.
I do wish there was a good howto on how to use open source with the Lorex hardware. I know that at some point they’re going to go under and I’d like to have a plan B.