Simplicam vs Icontrol Networks Piper NV

If you are getting false alarms often, you can configure the sensitivity and even choose which parts of the frame to watch and which to ignore (the app can divide the picture into 25 different zones, and you can select zone by zone which to watch and which to ignore).

When you get notified of movement, the Simplicam will be able to tell you who it is so you know if you can ignore the notification or not without needing to open the app.

This feature requires the subscription.

Some cameras only support Android or iOS, but that is very inconvenient for families that have members using both major mobile operating systems (you're still out of luck with Windows Phone unless you use its browser). Lucky, this camera has support for both Android and iOS. There is also a web app that can be accessed through any computer with internet access.

There are built-in infra-red LEDs that let you see through the camera even when its pitch black. They illuminate the center of the picture well, but the edges of the frame remain very dark, effectively reducing the field of view further at night.

You can configure your camera to turn on and off depending on a schedule you create. If the house is typically empty from 9am-3pm, you can set it to turn on then and when you go to bed. This cuts down on notifications, because if its on all the time it will constantly be sending you notifications and could feel like its invading your privacy if its always recording you when you're at home.

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This camera has both a speaker and microphone, which allows you to have conversations with whoever is in/around your house at the time.

This camera comes with a wall/ceiling mount, and the stem is flexible allowing you to change the direction the camera is pointing even after installation.

The siren is very loud - rated at 105dB (louder than a snowmobile or motorcycle). It's loud enough to scare off virtually any intruder.

With a temperature and humidity sensors on-board, the Piper NV can give you a good idea of what the interior 'weather' is like. It can also track outdoor temperature, and will warn you of local weather alerts.

The apps are simple to use, and designed to make sure the most important stuff can be accessed the quickest. Any important actions will give you feedback from the Piper NV itself so you can rest assured each action goes through.

Small details are included in the app as well - from adjustable motion sensitivity (for shadows, animals, and other small movements) to a trusted circle of contacts that will be notified each time an alert is triggered.

All features worked as advertised, notifications were delivered quickly, and the camera is very responsive to actions performed in the apps.

The Piper NV has both a microphone and speaker, letting you have a conversation with a person in front of the Piper while you are elsewhere with your phone. This can be handy for conversations with babysitters, deliverymen, or even talking with your children when you're away.

The 1080p camera allows for up to 10X digital zoom. Without zooming, the picture is very crisp and clear which is immensely helpful when figuring out who is on the camera and what they're doing. The digital zoom will reduce this clarity, but allows for a close-up inspection of any small details.

The device can also tilt and pan - unique features that let you get the best angles of view.

The NV in Piper NV stands for night vision. This product included infra-red LEDs that illuminate pitch black rooms so that the camera can still see (although human eye's can't detect this light).

With a full 180 degrees of vision, this camera can be placed on a wall and see everything around it. Because its fish-eye design, the edges of the image will be slightly warped, however this is required for such a high field of view.

Z-Wave controller is built in.

Has a proper IR motion sensor, so does not image analysis to detect motion. This is very useful as it avoids the false alarms that many other camera are subject to when clouds change the lighting conditions.