We look at a security camera that can
double as a wildlife observation tool
It's been a while since I reviewed a 5
megapixel camera, even on a phone, but that's exactly the specification of the
OutbackCam by Swann. Before we're all massively underwhelmed from the outset,
it's worth pointing out that the quality of the images that this devices
captures aren't the selling point. No; this is a clever surveillance camera
that is battery powered, can be placed using a provided strap onto a tree or
drainpipe, and then will record still or moving images in either daylight or
complete darkness.
Swann
OutbackCam Security Camera
Configuring the Outback is very easy. You
open the waterproof housing and insert 4 AA batteries and an SD (a 2GB model is
provided). Inside is a 'ON' button and selecting that activates an LCD which
allows you to configure the shooting mode.
For still images you can select single or
triple shots, and set the time between shots to as minimum of one second, or
set the camera into video mode. Both of these are then set to be activated by a
motion sensor built into the device. Stills are recorded at JPEG, video in AVI,
so those are easy formats to manipulate on a PC once you've extracted the SD card
and attached it to the computer.
Night recording is assisted by the
OutbackCam's powerful array of infrared LEDs, that can illuminate up to 10m
away from the camera. This offers all sorts of interesting possibilities, not
just those associated with security requirements. I can imagine that if you're
into wildlife, this device could help you monitor nocturnal wild visitors
rather neatly.
Swann
OutbackCam 5MP External Camera.
In the tests I performed, the still night
photography was far superior to the video, which is exceptionally grainy under
infrared capture. What's more, still images are 2560 x 1920, while video is
only 640 x 480 at 30 fps. That's fine for YouTube, but not stunning otherwise.
There's more than a little experimentation
needed to get good results, and placement of the camera is a critical aspect
that you can only learn by using 51 it. What would improve this significantly
is a test mode, where the camera beeps when you've activated it, because
otherwise you have to open it to discover if it recorded anything. In a number
of my tests it recorded nothing, possibly because it's difficult to work out
the precise direction it's pointing.
There's is also another caveat to this
device, and that's having the confidence to use it without it being stolen. If
you can locate it somewhere that's either out of reach or cleverly hidden then
that would help. The fact it might record who nicked it won't help much if
they've got it, sadly.
What I enjoyed so much about this device is
the fire and forget nature of it, though at $160, you might not want to
entirely forget where you put it.
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Details
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Price: $160
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Manufacturer: Swann
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Website: www.swann.com/
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Required Spec: PC with an SD card reader and
the ability to playback AVI files.
Verdict
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Quality: 7
·
Value: 7
·
Overall: 7
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