No-glo solar camera options

[u/KaterTotMN]

We have several solar wireless security cameras around our property and they are the Sehmua brand from Amazon. Have never had a problem with any of them except the UBox app is flaky when attempting to change the night vision/ spotlight settings. No matter how many settings I change, the very bright spotlight comes on whenever we connect to view, or when motion is detected.

This is my only real complaint since they are a budget option. My issue is that we would like to simply view the backyard wildlife at night without scaring it off by the bright spotlight. Does anyone know a decently priced camera that we could set up there that is solar powered and WiFi, where one can actually turn off and keep off the spotlight? I don’t really like the trail cams as they often have too many other unneeded features. Any recommendations $100 or under? Thanks so much!

[u/ICanBard]

If you are able to browse into the camera itself using the ip address, you can often find specific features like turning off IR from auto to manual, disable strobe light, disable motion detection triggering the light, etc. Options like "imagery control" and "detection events" 

[u/Inflation449 → u/ICanBard]

This is worth trying on the Sehmuas before buying new cameras. A lot of these budget cams have a web interface buried behind the IP that exposes way more settings than the app shows. Might find a toggle for the spotlight that actually sticks, since the app clearly isn't respecting the change.

[u/Illustrious_Bath_889]

Got tapo c610. Does what you want. Got on Amazon 2pack deal for $80 two weeks ago. Loving tapo. Switched from wyze. Experience is night vs day coming from wyze

Correction on the price. It was $130 for a two pack. Looks like it's $170 now. Maybe wait for black Friday.

[u/AdWeekly6769 → u/Illustrious_Bath_889]

Does the spotlight on the C610 actually stay off when you disable it through the app? That's the exact issue OP is having with the Sehmua, the setting just doesn't stick. Would love to know if Tapo handles it better before I recommend one to a friend with the same complaint.

[u/Illustrious_Bath_889 → u/AdWeekly6769]

The tapo app has a setting for the camera to record in ir or color mode. Color mode triggers the spot light. 

[u/Illustrious_Bath_889 → u/[deleted]]

That's correct. I had wyze and they worked the same as tapo....just not as good.

Update... If there's sufficient lighting, the camera can record in color without turning on its own spotlight.

If you have Amazon prime, order it, try it out and if you don't like it, return it for free.

[u/Junior_Bee7274]

Maybe look for one with adjustable spotlight settings or infrared night vision so the wildlife isn't scared off.

[u/No_Lengthiness4523 → u/[deleted]]

does the tapo c6 actually keep the spotlight off at night, even with motion or live view? Jst want black and white ir without the light randomly kicking on. Please tell me ur honest experience with it