Review: Piper NV

- It's never been easier to keep an eye on your home when you are away. There are numerous companies that offer now easy to install and use security cameras. The US Piper is now also active on the Dutch market. Let's see if the Piper NV can compete.

The Piper is like its competitors a device with a simple goal: an easy way to monitor your home from your smartphone. However, this camera gives you many more options.

installation

But let's start at the beginning: the installation of the camera is kept nice and simple. You position the device so that it covers well the respective chamber and launch the corresponding app. It runs you through the whole process in two minutes, after which you can start peeking live from the application. The video quality (HD) is very good and also have these NV version supports night vision so you do not constantly a light on to route overnight burglars on film.

The camera automatically begins recording when movement, a loud noise or a high temperature is noted. The images are stored online- a subscription for this is unnecessary- so that even if the camera itself decays, the videos can still be seen. If a recording starts, a message is sent so that you can immediately also watch live on your phone. You can get 100 shots at a time, which takes an average video about 35 seconds. If a 101e is recorded, the oldest is automatically deleted. It is possible to download videos to your phone or tablet on which the app, and it will be saved as long as you want.

Incidentally set itself when the camera should start exactly. Do you have loud neighbors example, you can disable the audio function. The Piper SA excels further into the different options you have to To Configure everything for your own purposes. It takes just an hour, but you can specify to the last detail what exactly needs to happen and even when. So you can switch with ease that the camera starts recording when a loud sound is detected and then sent an e-mail is triggered to a contact and the built-in siren. That is just an example, because virtually every aspect so you can personalize completely. The only disadvantage is that it is a bit of a fussing in the settings, but if all goes well, you do not have to do only once.

gadgetry

Like many competitors, the Piper NV contains a camera a bunch of other tricks. The 105 decibel loud siren has already been mentioned, but the device contains sensors to monitor the temperature, amount of light, humidity and noise. These are shown in graphs in the app and you so so easily retrace.

In addition, the camera includes support for Z-Wave. This is a protocol used by many smart-home gadgets. The Piper NV will act as the hub for all smart devices that you already have in your home. Do you have for example a sensor that tracks whether a door is open or closed, it can be linked to the Piper, then it can also be used from within the app. In fact, the sensor can then also be used when setting up when the camera needs to record. That's definitely a plus for those who are interested in a smart camera, but also all other Z-Wave stuff in house.

Price and similar gadgets

The Piper NV has a suggested retail price of € 299. That is slightly more expensive than most competitors, but you are no monthly fees lost video storage programs. In the long run you are therefore cheaper.

The Canary (€ 219) is an option with subscription fees, but the app is a little easier to use. The Arlo (€ 219) offers the advantage that the cameras are wireless and therefore easier to place his.

Conclusion

The Piper NV is an excellent smart security cameras which excels in the amount of options it gives you. That makes sure that the app more complicated fits together than competing cameras, but that's a matter of getting used to. Once set all functions, this is a very good option for those who want to keep slim monitor their home.