Reolink Altas Pt Ultra Review Brilliant 4k Video And More
Since 2017, Cianna Garrison has been writing about everything from food news and limited-time products to the details on the latest iPhones and earbuds. She began working for HTG as a tech reviewer in 2022. In the past, she’s worked for online magazines, blogs, and more, with technology being one of her primary interests. Cianna’s interest in tech began in the early 2000s when she scored her first gaming console and was cemented when she got a pink Motorola Razr. She’s worked as a journalist, content writer, and blogger for lifestyle, personality theory, and social news verticals, to name a few, and has appeared in Elite Daily, Truity, Bustle, Inverse, Reader’s Digest, Taste of... In tech, she loves reviewing the latest laptops, audio devices, and smart home products.
She’s also a former contributor to Android Police, covering tech how-tos. She earned her BA in English from Arizona State University in 2017, and resides in Southern California, where it’s much too hot and never rains. When she isn’t writing for work, she’s writing fiction and poetry or dabbling in one of her various creative hobbies. The security camera market is saturated, but what makes the Reolink Altas PT Ultra stand out is its easy-to-use app, 4K video, and crystal-clear night vision. It might not be groundbreaking tech but it gave me peace of mind, (almost) no headaches, and operated flawlessly. The Reolink Altas PT Ultra security camera delivers a crystal-clear 4K resolution, 360-degree pan-and-tilt coverage, AI motion detection, and full-color night vision for intelligent, easy-to-use home security.
Other features, like weatherproof durability, two-way audio, and a pre-recording mode in the Reolink app, make this a competitor for any home security needs. The Reolink Altas PT Ultra ($209.99) first caught our attention at the IFA trade show in Berlin, and has further impressed us in real-world testing. This wireless 4K outdoor home security camera is loaded with features such as 24/7 recording support, mechanical pan and tilt maneuverability, above-average color night vision, and auto-tracking that follows moving objects. It’s battery-powered and very easy to install, and it should last more than a year before needing to be recharged. Throw in bright spotlights, a reasonably loud siren, dual-band Wi-Fi support, 10-second pre-recordings, and optional solar charging, and you’ve got our new Editors’ Choice winner for outdoor security cameras. The Altas PT Ultra uses an IP65 enclosure that measures 5.9 by 4.0 by 7.0 inches (HWD).
The round camera assembly sits in a motorized cradle that provides 90 degrees of vertical tilt and is attached to the base using a motorized swivel mechanism that provides 355 degrees of horizontal panning... A single adjustable Wi-Fi antenna sits on the right side of the camera, and there’s a speaker on the bottom along with a USB-C power port and a power button, both of which are... The camera assembly holds six small white LED spotlights, a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor with a 100-degree horizontal detection range, an ambient light sensor, a microphone, and a status LED that shines solid... Behind a rubber cover is a microSD card slot. The Altas PT Ultra captures 4K video at 15fps with a 90-degree field of view, and it uses Reolink’s ColorX Night Vision large aperture technology to show color footage at night without the need... It supports intelligent motion alerts (person, vehicle, animal), offers continuous and triggered recording options, and includes a pre-recording feature that captures the 10 seconds of action preceding a triggered event.
Continuous video recording is a rare feature among battery-powered security cameras. All video is stored on a microSD card (cloud storage is not an option for this camera). It’ll accommodate media with a storage capacity of up to 512GB, but you’ll have to supply your own card, as one is not included. The Reolink Altas has a 4K camera that can rotate 360 degrees, works great at night, and doesn’t require a subscription. Lights can look overblown in low-light footage More limited operating temperature than other outdoor cameras
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate. Size: 5.94 x 7.01 x 4.02 inchesResolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K)Field of view: 110-degree diagonalNight vision: Color night visionAudio: Two-way audioLocal storage: Yes, microSD card slotWeather resistant: IP65Smart home compatibility: Google Home, Amazon AlexaOperating... There’s certainly no shortage of home security cameras on the market right now. However, most are intended for more occasional use, such as monitoring people who come to the door. Few are intended for more regular or even continuous use.
However, the Altas PT Ultra from established Chinese brand Reolink is a bit different. A professional-looking model with pan and tilt camera, it boasts a large built in battery, colour night vision facilities and an optional extra solar panel for an additional power boost. Bulky unit requiring careful installation More expensive than other security cameras Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
A brand new model from a company that has been producing security solutions since 2009, the Altas (not Atlas) PT Ultra is intended for those who are serious about security. A bulky model featuring a 355-degree pan and 90-degree tilt camera, it’s ideally suited for small businesses and individuals wanting to monitor their premises on a regular, or even constant, basis. We’ve been reviewing Reolink’s ever expanding range of smart security cameras for a few years now on The Ambient, dating back to the original Argus Pro, way back in 2019. We’ve always been impressed by the innovation Reolink adds to its cameras and that’s why the Chinese brand is fast becoming one of the names to keep tabs on in the smart security camera... On test for this review is the latest flagship, the Reolink Altas PT Ultra, which was announced in September at IFA 2024. Boasting a huge 20,000mAh battery – that’s around 4x the size found on the likes of the Reolink Argus Track and the Reolink Argus Pro – Reolink is keen to shout about a week’s...
With 4K recording also on offer, as well as ColorX Night Vision – which impressed us on the Argus 4 Pro – plus clever tracking smarts, the Altas PT Ultra is the new top... Being the resident tester of security cameras for GadgetGuy, I’m able to quickly find the advantages and disadvantages of different brands and their new models. Brands aim to differentiate their models with different hardware or software features. There is also a difference between a wired camera and a wireless camera. I look at the new Reolink Altas camera range and how this new range blurs the lines when it comes to traditional limitations. A wireless security camera has a battery and connects via Wi-Fi, which means that in normal operation, no wires are connected to the camera.
The advantage of wireless is that they can be installed anywhere you have Wi-Fi range. The disadvantage is that you need to recharge the battery. The more the camera records, the more often you need to recharge the battery. Recharging normally means removing the camera and taking it to a power outlet. Most brands offer a small solar panel, which allows recharging, so in theory, the camera never needs recharging. However, if your house faces south, as mine does, and the house shades the camera, a solar panel is not effective.
A wired camera, on the other hand, needs a cable to carry power to it, which may require an electrician to install if a power point is not conveniently close. A wired camera with its power source means it can record all day as long as the storage capacity lasts. In this case, storage relates to the cloud, an SD card, or a dedicated video storage device. Wireless cameras have traditionally not supported continuous recording, as the battery would run flat too quickly. Instead, wireless cameras start recording when they detect movement. This activation method also has a downside: You often miss events prior to the camera starting the recording.
I hate to sound like a broken record hot off the heels of my Reolink Battery Doorbell review, but you shouldn't sleep on Reolink security cameras. The company's latest flagship, the Reolink Altas PT Ultra, offers excellent video quality, particularly its color night vision. This model also sports a truly massive internal battery, which the company claims will last over a year between charging sessions, especially when using the solar panel accessory. And I highly recommend using the solar panel to offset the power-hungry Pre-Recording Mode, which drained the huge battery in a week during my tests. If you skip the solar panel to save a few bucks, it's best to turn off this setting for maximum battery life. The Reolink Altas PT Ultra is easily one of the best 4K outdoor security cameras you can buy.
Its video quality looks great day or night, and the jumbo battery keeps it running for over a year when using motion-triggered recordings. Pre-Recording Mode captures continuous video but works best with the solar panel. You can buy the Reolink Altas PT Ultra and Reolink Solar Panel 2 together on Amazon and Reolink for $230 (currently on sale for $200). If you don't want the solar panel, the camera costs $210 (currently on sale for $180). The Altas PT Ultra is a bit cheaper than 4K security cameras from Eufy and much more affordable than the Arlo Ultra 2. Notably, few mainstream brands offer pan-and-tilt functionality at this resolution, with only Eufy and Reolink coming to mind.
Although you don't need a cloud storage plan, you must purchase a good microSD card — it supports up to 512GB — to use the camera's fantastic local video storage. Likewise, it's compatible with Reolink's Home Hub accessories, like the Home Hub Pro, which supports up to 16TB of storage across 24 cameras. As of its launch, the only color option is white. Reolink has introduced several battery-powered Wi-Fi security cameras, most of which have proven robust and high-performing. However, due to fierce competition in the battery camera market, Reolink has taken a step forward. Many users of battery security cameras complain about their inability to record continuously.
Due to their limited battery capacity, most battery-powered security cameras only start recording when motion is detected within their field of view. With the launch of the new Reolink Altas PT Ultra (Some other sources might mistakenly refer to it as the Reolink Atlas PT Ultra), Reolink users can now enjoy a continuous-recording security camera with... Keep reading as we test some of the main features of this new product! Industry-leading 4K Continuous Recording Battery Camera 4K UHD Continuous Recording; ColorX Night Vision; Pan & Tilt; Automatic Tracking; All Recordings Stored Locally. When I opened the product box, I was surprised to find that the new Altas PT Ultra (instead of Atlas PT Ultra for sure) has a completely different design from other battery PT cameras...
It seems Reolink has put a lot of effort into its product design. For instance, in mid-June, we saw a significant upgrade with the Argus 4 Pro, which looks entirely different from other products in the Argus series. The Reolink Altas PT Ultra offers superb 4K video quality day and night, intelligent 355-degree pan-tilt auto-tracking, and a huge battery. It's designed for more remote locations and is entirely battery-powered without compromising video quality. If you have a decent signal, this is the best 4K PTZ Wi-Fi security camera yet. With outstanding image quality day or night, the Altas PT Ultra is the best-in-class for peace of mind with more remote locations, such as the end of a driveway.
As long as you can get a Wi-Fi signal, the Altas PT Ultra will ensure you can record up to 500 days of motion-activated events in typical usage—and potentially never have to charge with... It features a flood and siren, too, though extensive configuration options mean you can set up the Altas PT Ultra precisely as you want. It requires no cloud subscription with encrypted local SD card recording or to the Reolink Home Hub. The Reolink Altas PT Ultra is available now, direct from Reolink or Amazon, in a bundle with the Solar Panel 2 for around $160 at the time of writing, though the non-sale price is... The Altas PT Ultra is enormous compared to most home security cameras—weighing in at 853g (1.88 lbs), it's seven inches deep, six inches tall, and four inches wide—and looks more like a relic you’d... That’s not because it’s old technology, though.
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Since 2017, Cianna Garrison Has Been Writing About Everything From
Since 2017, Cianna Garrison has been writing about everything from food news and limited-time products to the details on the latest iPhones and earbuds. She began working for HTG as a tech reviewer in 2022. In the past, she’s worked for online magazines, blogs, and more, with technology being one of her primary interests. Cianna’s interest in tech began in the early 2000s when she scored her first...
She’s Also A Former Contributor To Android Police, Covering Tech
She’s also a former contributor to Android Police, covering tech how-tos. She earned her BA in English from Arizona State University in 2017, and resides in Southern California, where it’s much too hot and never rains. When she isn’t writing for work, she’s writing fiction and poetry or dabbling in one of her various creative hobbies. The security camera market is saturated, but what makes the Reo...
Other Features, Like Weatherproof Durability, Two-way Audio, And A Pre-recording
Other features, like weatherproof durability, two-way audio, and a pre-recording mode in the Reolink app, make this a competitor for any home security needs. The Reolink Altas PT Ultra ($209.99) first caught our attention at the IFA trade show in Berlin, and has further impressed us in real-world testing. This wireless 4K outdoor home security camera is loaded with features such as 24/7 recording ...
The Round Camera Assembly Sits In A Motorized Cradle That
The round camera assembly sits in a motorized cradle that provides 90 degrees of vertical tilt and is attached to the base using a motorized swivel mechanism that provides 355 degrees of horizontal panning... A single adjustable Wi-Fi antenna sits on the right side of the camera, and there’s a speaker on the bottom along with a USB-C power port and a power button, both of which are... The camera a...
Continuous Video Recording Is A Rare Feature Among Battery-powered Security
Continuous video recording is a rare feature among battery-powered security cameras. All video is stored on a microSD card (cloud storage is not an option for this camera). It’ll accommodate media with a storage capacity of up to 512GB, but you’ll have to supply your own card, as one is not included. The Reolink Altas has a 4K camera that can rotate 360 degrees, works great at night, and doesn’t r...