We’ve always wondered what goes on in our apartment when we’re away — especially when our dog Henry is hanging out all alone. That’s why I was interested when Logitech contacted me to see if I wanted to try out their Circle 2 Security Camera. Note: I was not paid for this post but I they did give me a complimentary Circle 2 camera for the test.
As you can see, the camera itself is small (you can also see that I need to dust). It’s only about three inches wide so it doesn’t take up much space. I put mine on my shelf but you can also mount it to the wall (mount is included).
Two things I really like are the 1080p full HD video and the 180-degree field-of-view — which means you get high-quality wide-angle video. The image above is a screenshot I took from the live video streamed to my phone — I was impressed with the quality.
I love how it streams live video straight to your phone or computer (via the Logitech app). The video is stored on the Logitech servers for free for 24 hours. You can pay extra to have the video saved for a longer period of time.
The full list of features:
- Up to 1080p full HD video
- Wi-Fi 2.4 and 5 GHz compatible
- 180-degree expansive field-of-view glass lens
- Auto night vision up to 15 ft
- Digital Zoom
- Built-in speaker and mic for two-way talk — so you can hear what’s going on and even talk through the camera’s speaker.
- Motion detection and field-of-view may vary depending on accessory used
- Instant data encryption with secure web transfer (SSL)
- Adjustable pan and tilt
- Multiple camera support
- Mobile app and web browser access
I tested the wired version but there is also a wireless version w/ rechargeable battery if you don’t want to deal with power cord.
This camera is also waterproof so you can mount it outside but I believe you need to buy a weatherproof extension cord.
The camera also has a night vision mode so that’s kind of cool.
Installation was super easy. First, I plugged the camera in. Then I downloaded the app, registered my account, connected it to my WiFi, and that was it. The entire thing took 5 minutes.
So what about taking this traveling? We stay in Airbnbs a lot so I could see us setting this up while we’re out for the day — you never know if the owner is coming and going. And it could be good if someone breaks in or if you travel with your pet. You could use it in a hotel to see if any staff are going through your stuff during the day. It’s certainly small enough to pack so it’s not going to take up much space.
Overall Thoughts
I can totally see why people like having a home security camera. For travelers, it’s nice knowing that everything back home is fine. And for dog owners like us, it’s fun to check in our the little monsters from time to time. The camera retails for around $180 — check Amazon for the latest prices — so it’s not too much of an investment for peace of mind.
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